A healthy diet of playoff basketball always seems to get the best out of Matthew Dellavedova.
That's not the only thing on his menu, though, as the reason why he's been able to step up in the biggest moments of Melbourne United's NBL season.
"Steak and sunshine... and oysters," Dellavedova told ESPN.
The Australian point guard is playing the best basketball of his career, and the secret it... oysters? Now, we've been abreast of Dellavedova's affinity with steaks all season long; he attributed his incredibly explosive NBL Blitz showing to it. Oysters, however, are a new addition to the menu.
"It's just got a lot of good stuff in it," Dellavedova said, somewhat unconvincingly, before coming clean. "Some things I do a deep dive on. Some things, I eat it and it makes me feel good, so I keep doing it. Avocado toast; that's been 10-plus years, the same breakfast."
With the way Dellavedova's opened the 2024 NBL postseason, United may be about to place a new order for a crate of oysters and a box of avocados.
United just got over the line in their semifinals series against the Illawarra Hawks, to advance to the Championship Series, and it was largely on the back of an extremely impressive showing from Dellavedova. Somewhat reserved and deliberate all season long, Dellavedova turned into an aggressor during United's semifinals series, getting his head on the rim consistently and leaning into the three-point looks the Hawks were giving him.
Dellavedova's 30 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists helped United creep over the line in Game 1, and he'd go on to average 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game in the series.
"You take what the defence gives you," Dellavedova said.
"I feel good. I was aggressive in the preseason and felt good then. It's a combo of things. Body and game are feeling good, because I've had time to put a good chunk together. I didn't connect with [Ariel Hukporti] on many lobs, because they wanted me shooting the floater and finishing, so just taking what the defence gives me."
It wasn't just the coverages he was facing. It was also the moment.
Dellavedova became a global basketball phenomenon during the 2016 NBA Finals for his role in the Cleveland Cavaliers winning an NBA title. Dellavedova's workload during that series against the Golden State Warriors - famously needing an IV drip after a game, because shadowing Stephen Curry all game is an almighty task - became a thing of legend.
The same sentiment holds here. The stakes are higher, so Dellavedova has lifted to a whole new level. He dove into the LED screen in front of the Hawks' bench to chase a loose ball; he wasn't successful in keeping it in play, but took the small win: "We slowed it down, and that was actually inbounds," Dellavedova said, laughing.
One of the plays that won United the series was an offensive rebound off a missed free throw at the end of Game 3, with Dellavedova's effort giving his team another opportunity to ice the game.
"I really just wanna win," he said.
"It doesn't matter what it is. I really enjoy winning, and I enjoy the competition, and seeing how hard I can push myself. The day before the game, we were having a training session and it was just a really fun atmosphere. We have a great group, and it didn't feel right that it could've been the last session we had together. I've just really enjoyed the group we have. There are gonna be guys that go on to different things after this, so you wanna try to make sure we make it memorable.
"Ever since I was young, I've tried to win and compete as hard as I can. That's been my competitive advantage: being able to compete harder, for longer, than others. I think it's a skill you can work at, so I try to bring that every game. We have a lot of guys that are like that on this team; [Shea Ili] is unbelievable. He inspires me to go harder, when he's diving on loose balls and denying people."
There's a contagiousness about the way Dellavedova carries himself in these moments. Ask his teammates, and many openly aspire to reach the work rate of their veteran point guard.
"It's hard to put into words," United's head coach, Dean Vickerman, told ESPN.
"You really feel it. We all saw the Cleveland-Golden State series, and keep hearing stories about it, and what he did for that program to get to the point of being on an IV drip. It was the challenge from him to the team the other day: I'm going to do everything it takes to try and win this championship.
"I'm sure there's a little chip on his shoulder about Tassie knocking us out in the semi [in 2022]... he was sick in that game, and there were a number of different things in that game. He wanted to come back to this league and win a championship, so he's gonna do everything he can. Everybody's picked up on it: how much it means to him."
While Dellavedova's win-at-all-costs attitude is admirable, it doesn't work if he's not able to physically execute those feats of competitiveness.
Dellavedova lists off some of the usual developmental tools, and also a few unique tactics: leg weights, extra treatment with staff, steak, sunshine, grounding, massages, and, yes, oysters.
All of those things have played a role in the 33-year-old being in, perhaps, the best physical shape of his career, to the point where he's noticing his increase in capacity.
"I'm a lot better at getting in the paint, and driving in general," Dellavedova said.
"I can do it more, and I have better results when I get in there. Being able to have a burst, but then being able to stop, change direction, and either kick out or shoot. Or being able to jump and finish. Just being able to do it all for longer."
The upcoming Championship Series against the Tasmania JackJumpers has the potential to bring even more fire out of Dellavedova. It was the JackJumpers who eliminated Dellavedova's United in the semifinals back in 2022, and the stench of that loss still lingers.
"I was really disappointed with the way that season finished because we had a great group then," Dellavedova said.
"It's kind of like this group; it was a really fun, enjoyable year that had a bad finish. Then, guys go on to different things... You wanna finish on a good note and make it a memorable season, because you know guys are gonna go on to do different and great things."
Based on his overall season trend, Dellavedova's semifinals series was an anomaly, but there's reason to think it could turn into the norm for the remainder of these NBL playoffs. That's because, mentally and physically, he remains primed to continue this high-level play as the NBL heads into its final, deciding series.
At Friday's practice, Dellavedova had a pep in his step. Part of that, his teammates joked, was definitely due to Bitcoin hitting all-time highs this week. Asked if we could draw a corollary between his play and the recent resurgence of multiple cryptocurrencies, Dellavedova said, seriously but with jest: "I hope so, because it means I've got a bright career ahead. I'm just getting started."
Primarily, though, it's because a Championship Series is right around the corner.
It's the biggest stage of the NBL season, so one where you could safely bet Dellavedova will come out in full force, and put everything - his body et al - on the line to win.
"Delly's determination is on just a totally different level," Vickerman said. "I'm looking forward to experiencing it in the Championship Series, and being with him through these battles."