<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">ORLANDO, Fla. - Samuel Dalembert had no explanation other than the obvious when Tim Duncan asked the 76ers center a seemingly simple question. The two met in the locker-room area after San Antonio had scored an 88-80 win over the Sixers on Nov. 18 at the Wachovia Center. "He asked me where I was in the second half, and I said that I was on the bench watching," Dalembert said after yesterday's practice at the Orlando Magic's facility. "He started laughing and then said that he thought he would see more of me then." Tonight, when the Sixers play the Spurs in San Antonio, nobody knows whether Dalembert will get off the bench much in the first half, let alone the second. In the teams' first meeting, Dalembert played 18 minutes in the first half and had four points, six rebounds, two blocked shots and three personal fouls. Both of the blocks were against Duncan, who finished the game with 34 points and 13 rebounds. Dalembert didn't play in the third quarter and logged just three minutes, with one rebound, in the fourth period when the Spurs outscored the Sixers, 33-21. During the Sixers' 6-7 start, one of the confounding story lines has been the up-and-down playing time of Dalembert.</div> Link : http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=knig...night&type=lgns I can definitely see where he is coming from beings that last year was a major step up the ladder for him. He probably feels that he will fall back to that same level he played at before he started developing. He was one of our only bright spots last season and me and most 76ers fans are very upset seeing him on the wood most of the game. I sure hope OB starts running him a lil more.
I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be upset. He was a big surprise and a big piece to last year squad even though they didn't get anywhere. But his potential and just the energy and athleticism that he brings really benefits this team dramatically. Now it?s an arguable case on whether he should start or not because you have to admit Jackson is doing pretty well, however the playing time he's receiving off the bench is not acceptable. The 76ers has no interior defense, and with Dalembert in the picture all that changes, and yet he's lucky if he only gets 15 minutes. I don't know what O'Brien is doing right now because with the lack of playing time Dalembert is receiving it?s a very bold move, and O'Brien must be doing it for a reason. But at the same time, when you have a shot blocking monster and rebinding machine like Dalembert I don't see no reason why you can't play him. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Since the Sixers are so undersized, why not use both Jackson and Dalembert at the same time? In that scenario, Jackson would slide over to the power- forward spot.</div> Exactly. Davis was inserted into the starting primarily for his perimeter shooting. Jackson perimeter shooting is not nearly as good, but he can still hit the perimeter shot so I don't why he won't shift Jackson to PF and let Dalembert start at Center. If anything, their upcoming game against the Spurs would be the perfect time to experiment this.
I don't see any reason why Dalembert shouldn't be frustrated with his playing time. He showed so much promise and was such a big part of the team last season that it should have been guaranteed that he would start at center. Instead, he has been left to rot on the bench. Maybe Jim O'Brien wants to win, but with this Sixer roster, it's not like they can contend or something. Why not play more youngsters who will be the Sixers' future?
Man, I have a bad feeling about our situation with Sammy D.He isnt starting, yet he should be and he is getting very little playing time off the bench witch isnt really fair at all. This offseason he is a free agent, and if he continues to get little playing time, I'm sure he'll sign with a team that wil give him valuble playing time or a starting spot. I dont think its fair for him to get treated like this, after all he produced for Philly before Obrien was even the coach, even though he might not be picking up the defensive scheme or whatever, he isnt getting the oppurtunity to learn it by playing; so JO is basicaly throwing talent and potential down the drain.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't see any reason why Dalembert shouldn't be frustrated with his playing time. He showed so much promise and was such a big part of the team last season that it should have been guaranteed that he would start at center. Instead, he has been left to rot on the bench. Maybe Jim O'Brien wants to win, but with this Sixer roster, it's not like they can contend or something. Why not play more youngsters who will be the Sixers' future?</div> Sammy isn't rotting on the Sixers bench. He may not be getting as much playing time, but MArc JAckson is doing very well this season. You should start the skillled veteran over the young kid IMO, but I'm sure b y the end of the season SAmmy will be starting and back t ohis defensive ways. I think he should start actually more that I think about for like 2 games and see how he does. He was a great rebounder last year and that was something we are in desperate need of. I say possibly start him at the 4.
I dont know why he isnt getting more PT. Last year he was a real surprise and came a long strong in the second half of the season, I thought we would see a more improved Sammy this year, but he hasnt gotten the time. When is his contract up?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont know why he isnt getting more PT. Last year he was a real surprise and came a long strong in the second half of the season, I thought we would see a more improved Sammy this year, but he hasnt gotten the time. When is his contract up?</div> He's a free agent after this year and didn't sign the offer sheet the 76ers offered him. With the lack of PT and frustration, Dalembert is going to walk. O'Brien has always been criticized for playing favorites, and for some unknown reason Dalmebert has been in his doghouse all season. I was looking forward to his development this season and projected he would average a double double and close to 3 blocks a game. Instead he's lucky to see double digits in minutes played.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When is his contract up?</div> That's what every GM is probably thinking about right now. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He's a free agent after this year and didn't sign the offer sheet the 76ers offered him. With the lack of PT and frustration, Dalembert is going to walk. O'Brien has always been criticized for playing favorites, and for some unknown reason Dalmebert has been in his doghouse all season. I was looking forward to his development this season and projected he would average a double-double and close to 3 blocks a game. Instead he's lucky to see double digits in minutes played.</div> Really. I don't know how he ended up in the doghouse. Well anyways, after the way Duncan schooled Dalembert last night, that's just going to make matters a little worse. Jim O'Brien has been doing a great job thus far, however he's make too many questionable moves. Kenny Thomas had a near All-Star performance last season, and Dalembert raised MANY eyebrows and was projected to be up for the MIP award this season, and yet neither of them is given the opportunity to play. Thomas went from a starter averaging a double-double and now he?s getting garbage minutes, now if that?s not one drastic change, then please to me.
The good news is that coach Obrien seems to be a man on a mission with a clear idea of what he wants from his players. The bad news is that his players do not seem to be able to do what he wants them to do. Now, if that continues ... you either have to get a new system or new players. I am not sure that Obrien is flexible enough to scrap his system so it appears the players will have to go.
Last year I called Carlos Boozer as the most improved player, in the summer I said Samuel Dalembert and Drew Gooden would be this year's Boozer. Gooden has impressed me, but I've been VERY disappointed in the lack of playing time Samuel Dalembert has received thus far into the season. Now forget the playing time and lets just discuss Dalembert and his raw talent... Dalembert will be a star in this league, mark my words. Sure his frame isn't ideal, but he's a 7 footer who is extremely agile which will help him tremendously on defense. Take Dikembe Mutumbo for instance. He had a similar build and his individual defense was never an issue in his prime, not to mention he's not nearly as athletic as Samuel Dalembert. Think about this now. Last season Dalembert averaged 8 points, 7.6 boards, and 2.3 blocks per game in just 26 MINUTES OF ACTION a night. His rookie season, 2001-2002, he only saw 5 minutes of action in just 34 games. In 2002-2003 he didn't see ANY action because of any injury. So basically last season was Dalembert's coming out party, almost as though it was his rookie season as he was just seeing quality minutes for the first time. The guy still has plenty of time and room to develop, who's to say what kind of player he'll be when he gets 35 minutes a game and finally gets an understanding of NBA basketball. There's simply no limit on this guy's potential, but who cares about all of that, lets just give all the minutes to Skinner and Jackson.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post"> Think about this now. Last season Dalembert averaged 8 points, 7.6 boards, and 2.3 blocks per game in just 26 MINUTES OF ACTION a night. His rookie season, 2001-2002, he only saw 5 minutes of action in just 34 games. In 2002-2003 he didn't see ANY action because of any injury. So basically last season was Dalembert's coming out party, almost as though it was his rookie season as he was just seeing quality minutes for the first time. The guy still has plenty of time and room to develop, who's to say what kind of player he'll be when he gets 35 minutes a game and finally gets an understanding of NBA basketball. There's simply no limit on this guy's potential, but who cares about all of that, lets just give all the minutes to Skinner and Jackson.</div> You were being sarcastic right? Sorry its hard to tell with just typed words online. Anyways, O'brien should give more minutes for Dalembert because of all the potential and athleticism he brings to the court. Jackson and Skinner simply do not bring that much athleticism and energy that Dalembert does. In addition to that, Jackson and Skinner have really no great future in the NBA but more as strong role players like they are now. Dalembert on the other hand, can be the next great center. He has the speed of a guard, a huge wingspan, and a nice vertical- it just screams future star. I really don't know why O'Brien isn't playing him or Kenny Thomas for the matter that much. However, both of them have starting out with lackluster games, so perhaps thats why? Then again, O'Brien needs to play them more to get them out of the lackluster gameplay that they have now.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This offseason he is a free agent, and if he continues to get little playing time, I'm sure he'll sign with a team that wil give him valuble playing time or a starting spot.</div> Exactly. I wouldn`t be suprised if Sammy is frustrated with playing time. Alot said this would be his breakout year and receive the MIP. I think O`Brien wants him to concentrate more on offense than defense.
