AUSSIE star Matthew Dellavedova says he's seen first-hand why Cleveland team-mate LeBron James' reign at the top of the NBA is no fluke. 
Speaking as the Cavaliers announced the inaugural Australia Day NBA fixture, Dellavedova credited James' determined professionalism as the most crucial lesson he had learned in the NBA.
The 25-year-old from Maryborough in central Victoria says James' incredible basketball instincts make him an on-court coach for his Cavs team-mates.
"There are the shoot-arounds and practices where he's just like another coach on the floor," Dellavedova said. "He's seeing things in our game plan or the opponent's defensive scheme that will open up gaps.
"Then there is also how well he takes care of his body with his trainer. That's an everyday thing. They're always working on something.
"So, taking care of his body and the things he does there is probably the biggest thing I've learnt from him." The Boomers point guard said fellow team-mate Kyrie Irving has also helped him improve his skills by competing head-to-head in training sessions. Dellavedova stepped up into Irving's starting spot in last season's NBA finals series against the Golden State Warriors when Australian-born Irving was ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
"Coming into my first training camp and first year going against him and just trying to somehow guard him at practice has definitely made me a better defender because he's definitely one of the toughest guys to guard in the league," he said.
Dellavedova will be front and centre when the Cavs become the first team to celebrate Australia Day officially when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on   January 26.The Australia Day game will feature the Cavs wearing a special gold-edition uniform to celebrate Australia's famous green and gold sports colours and will be highlighted by a pre-game speech by Dellavedova and a live performance of Australia's national anthem.