| Dalembert Having His Best Season |
This past summer Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert become a Canadian citizen and had the opportunity to play for their National team as well. Little did he know then it would pay off down the road. This season, Dalembert has been strikingly consistent and dominant for the 76ers posting almost a double-double (11.4 points, 9.8 rebounds) every night he steps on the court.
Dalembert's improvement has been noticed by many, so what has he done differently this season than in season's past?
"Maybe his play in the summer as escalated to how he is playing this year. Samuel has been consistent as I have ever seen him play," stated head coach Maurice Cheeks recently. "Maybe a lot had to do with him being on the Olympic team because I think the way he is playing now it probably had something to do with it. He is as consistent as he has ever been just doing what he does best, those type of things."
When you ask Samuel Dalembert first hand what has been the biggest reason for his standout season, his answer mirrors what Cheeks has seen.
"The Olympic team was a big part of it," Dalembert told HOOPSWORLD. "When you are playing with a team where your actually one of the main guys and they actually look to you then you are able to prove yourself. And when you are able to build your confidence it always helps. Coming into this season knowing exactly that you had a strong off-season it makes you want to start of the season well and also it has been things around here. It has been a little different in terms of consistency from the coaching staff, the organization.
"But mainly on my end being more consistent and knowing a glimpse in a short period of time. I wanted to show my consistency throughout the season, and show that I can produce those numbers and do those things throughout the whole season. That's what is happening right now, so it is a combination of a lot of things."
Dalembert has kept himself off the injured list, playing in all 37 games this season and has kept himself on the court instead of struggling through foul trouble. Many believe this season Dalembert is showing his worth for the 76ers, and Dalembert believes this is his best season by far.
"I would say it is my best season, but it is makeup too. The foul trouble has been down. Look at the years I have been here and I have averaged three or four fouls per game. That is not considered foul trouble. Sometimes shot blockers are going to get in foul trouble a lot and most of my times my fouls is because of the man I am guarding but by helping out so much with someone that is not playing hard or someone who lets the guy slide to me.
"I think by doing my homework and watching tapes this summer I am able to know what I can and cannot do. As a defender it is hard to let someone just go right to the basket. At some point you cannot stop the ball. The best shot blocker is probably averaging 3.2 blocks per night, so I am not going to go out there and block six shots per game. I have to come to a point where I know I can change shots more than I block it this is good. But if I block it would be excellent."
Dalembert, Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala are having career years, but does that mean the 76ers are automatically a playoff team?
"I think we are a playoff team because we were right there a season ago just four or five games. If we had won the games we were supposed to win down the stretch we would have been right there. I think we have a great chance and there is more than 50 games left in the season and anything can happened between now and at the end. It will also depend on how many games we win before the All-Star break and how the East standing looks."
Hopefully the Sixers postseason chances stay as strong as Samuel Dalembert's season has been in Philadelphia.
Used courtesy of: Hoopsworld.COM |
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