Delany willing to "give everything" in championship chase

When Finn Delany signed with Melbourne United in the off season, he did so with a clear goal in mind. Win an NBL championship.

Through the first eight rounds of the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season, that goal is on track for the Tall Blacks international and his United side, sitting in first place with a 10-2 record.

In a recent interview, Delany, who played his first eight seasons in the NBL with the New Zealand Breakers, explained what he thought the key to United's early season success was.

“I play a lot of guys that are bigger than me, as well as a lot of guys that are faster, so I just have to always give 100% at that end of the court no matter who I’m matched up with," Delany said.

“It’s about being physical, making hustle plays, diving on the floor. I think that stuff will help me be one of the better defensive players in the league. I just try and give everything at that end of the floor.

“Every successful team I’ve been a part of has that as a focus. That’s how you win championships.”

As solid as the 30 year old forward has been this season, he's taken his game to even greater heights the past three rounds.

From Rounds 6-8, Delany is averaging 15.4 points per game while shooting the ball at over 65 per cent from the field and 40 per cent from beyond the arc.

“I’m trying to continually find the best version of myself,” Delany said.

“I’m trying to be super aggressive, get in the paint and get out in transition, make my open shots, just always be in attack mode. That’s going to be the best for me and draw attention from the really high level players around me.

“I really like my role within this system. I think that the players I’m playing with and the environment is geared towards getting the best out of everyone. It aligns with the way I like to go about things and like to play.

“It’s helping me be the best version of myself and hopefully I’m helping others do the same.”

United will look to solidify their spot on top of the ladder when they host Brisbane from 5.30pm AEDT Saturday, live on ESPN.