Dear Delly,

Well congrats on finding your way into the NBA, the Aussie battler making it to the big time aye?

I can't imagine how many shitty basketball courts you've played on in Australia, or how many times you had to tell some bloke that basketball is a tough guy's sport. In fact, I think you've taken it upon yourself to convince that bloke that basketball can be a bit tough,.

I don't doubt how much work you've put in to get to this point, but even you must admit that you've been pretty lucky. Landing with the Cavaliers and then the King decides to head back home and what do ya know, you've got a nice little look at a Championship ring.

Maybe LeBron followed you?

Maybe he was like 'Delly's there, I've got to get back to Cleveland'.

No, he definitely wasn't. In fact, he tried to bring in his own cast of job-doers, a group of blokes he can rely on to perform in crunch time, to do what the team needs/do what James needs and take care of some opposition players. Instead, Delly.

Delly, Delly, Delly. James might not have thought much of you to begin with but you've definitely won him over and you've gone some way to winning over every NBA fan.

You had moments where you were the comedian, making people laugh on Twitter because you did something dumb or something that just wasn't quite as polished as what the NBA-lover is expecting. But you've come full circle mate, fair play.

Such has been the quality of your efforts, that I feel Australian.

Our two countries, Aotearoa and Australia share a work ethic, we share a mentality and we share this unique ability to seamlessly fit into a team, no matter the weird dynamics of that team. Delly mate, you haven't just come in hot draining points left, right and centre with highlight plays all over the show, nah you are performing in typical Oceania fashion. Your highlights are you jumping at loose balls, like it's your baby and there's a dingo coming for your baby, you won't let that dingo get your baby.

Or are you the dingo? You do resemble a dingo, in a great way obviously.

Your highlights are also you hounding the NBA MVP GC P-I-M-P in Steph Curry on defence.

Shit I love me some quality defence and you're just always there mate.

Show ponies are show ponies, they exist and get celebrated, but deep down, no one really likes them because they are show ponies. Let's be honest, half the NBA are show ponies but you mate, you are the workhorse which every sports team wants but the workhorse that never really gets such an opportunity like this.

Don't fizzle mate, you've captured my heart to the point where I'm celebrating an Aussie and to be fair you've played this way for much of the season. But, this is the NBA Finals where everyone is watching and you have come out in the first three games and stepped it up a notch. Your team called on you to replace Kyrie Irving and on the biggest stage, you've done it.

What do LeBron James and myself have in common? We both need you to keep it up, to power through until game six or game seven if it comes to that. Those games are where you become a certified legend, not just an Aussie battler.

That's a great idea actually, the battler who morphed into a higher stratosphere. Every battler's dream.

Do it mate, shit, you've even got me saying mate all the time.

Do it bro, you've got all of Australia and most of Aotearoa in behind you rooting for ya.

Every three-pointer you spew up results in a prayer,

Every time you bust ya gut to get in front of Curry results in a cheer,

A white boy with no fear

A work rate with no peer

They'll drink champagne, you'll be cracking a beer

....and pouring yourself a schooner.

Yours truly,

Sheep shagger

Ps: I imagine you drink VB? We can't get XXXX over here, might be able to get Toohey's and can definitely get VB so let me know bro, my shout.