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IT may have been my favorite play of the London Olympics – “Dellavedova to Baynes for the dunk.”

One of the Boomers’ most consistent scoring options throughout those Games – it seemed to happen in every match and more than once in many – the play was back in vogue during Australia’s 76-74 World Cup lead-up win over European champion France yesterday in Nice.

One person who would not have been at all surprised is Brett Brown.

The head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers and Andrej Lemanis’ predecessor as Boomers coach was thrilled when Matthew Dellavedova last year forced his way onto the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA roster, having dealt with him first-hand for the preceding three years.

“I know (former Cleveland Cavaliers coach) Mike Brown well and had talked about my own thoughts on Matthew Dellavedova,” Brown told me during his recent holiday back in Australia.

“At the end of the day, Matty did what he did because he is what he is.

“The St Mary’s (style of) game was perfect for the NBA.

“That kid can run a pick-and-roll.”

No argument, as Aron Baynes, most often the recipient of the perfect feed, no doubt would attest.

Brown said Dellavedova ahead of the 2010 World Championship and Perth’s NBL championship captain Damian Martin ahead of the 2012 Olympics, were the two men he had found most difficult to cut.

Delly in 2010, like Ben Simmons this year, was considered not quite ready while Damo’s offensive shortcomings are more exposed on the international stage.

“Of all the players I’ve ever cut, and I’ve cut a lot of them, Matthew Dellavedova and Damian Martin were the hardest to cut,” Brown said.

“I mean, I’ve cut NBA players and Olympic players - hell, I cut John Maddock who was an Olympian when I was coaching Melbourne Tigers’ second team!

“But out of them all, I look back at Dellavedova after I cut him for the World Championship as the hardest.

“Two years later, he not only makes the (Olympic) team but forces me to start him and move Patty Mills to shooting guard!”

Brown’s admiration for Delly, especially for his NBA exploits in a season which ultimately saw his coach Mike Brown fired, is clearly evident.

“He found a way in a very difficult season Cleveland went through,” Brown said.

“We stay in touch throughout the course of the year.”

Brown also said Australia’s #5 NBA Draft Pick Dante Exum had been on the 76ers’ radar this year.

“Oh yeah, we looked at him,” he said.

“But you look at the placement at the Spurs (for example). We never really drafted higher than the 26-30s.

“For the first time we were at the high end of the draft.

“We paid Dante serious attention.” 

The Sixers went instead with Joel Embiid who Brown does not expect to see in action next season.

“When Embiid was hurt, he would have been the first player selected if not injured,” Brown said.

For more of Brett’s thoughts on the Boomers, the 76ers and the Spurs, check out this interview at News Corp: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/nba-coach-brett-brown-says-boomers-and-aussie-basketball-in-excellent-hands-ahead-of-world-cup/story-fnii09gt-1227026453011

OK, in truth, my favorite consistent play of the London Olympics was Delly-to-Baynesy for the dunk.

But my single favorite play of the Games was Liz Cambage taking it from the elbow down the lane and slam-dunking it for the Opals against Russia.

No woman had ever dunked at an Olympics before Lizzie and no woman dunked subsequently in any other game at the Games either.

She stands alone.

Now I know you’re well aware of it because Basketball Australia did such a good job of promoting the hell out of that outstanding achievement, right?

The “Slam-bage” has become part of our basketball lexicon, notorious nationwide and internationally as the first dunk of a competition which has been in the Olympics since 1976.

No.

Sadly, we all know that was just another opportunity lost for promotion of our Opals, women’s basketball, the WNBL and even Lizzie herself.

But who knows, maybe things are about to change at BA.

Fingers crossed.

Overnight in Minsk, Lizzie was doing what she is capable of, scoring 20 points with nine boards and four blocks as the Opals swamped Belarus 75-43 in a World Championship “friendly”.

This followed her 18 points and 10 boards as the Opals routed Czech Republic 89-51 in Pilsen at the weekend.

Brendan Joyce’s medal-chasing crew is looking sharp and still has the potential to add Phoenix Mercury pair Penny Taylor and Erin Phillips, plus our London Olympics flag-bearer Lauren Jackson.

Not too shabby. If only more people actually knew ...

TOMORROW: Yes, it's flashback time to THAT game, the infamous 36ers-Hawks semi final of 2001. Relive the joy or the horror, depending on your point-of-view.