http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/06/3303048/ailene-voisin-dalembert-vents.html Dalembert vents over diminished role Samuel Dalembert's stay in Sacramento has been short and anything but sweet. The Kings center has been injured, frustrated about the style of play and, of late, more than mildly upset about his diminishing role. If he isn't exactly demanding a trade, his agent, Marc Cornstein, is in town seeking clarification of his client's role – and is more than a little receptive to a relocation. "They have to let me know which direction they want to go," Dalembert said. "They know what I do best. I block shots, rebound, get us in the fast break. Am I going to play the next five years in a place that is a contender, or am I going to be here, helping this team get better? It's up to them. But I am not going to lie. This is very frustrating." Seven minutes against Denver. Four minutes against Phoenix. Eighteen minutes against Atlanta. No, this isn't what Dalembert expected when he arrived in the offseason swap that sent Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni to Philadelphia. He spoke joyfully about new beginnings and the fast-paced Western Conference. He planned to be a defensive anchor, not a $12.2 million albatross. He expected to be a major contributor, at the very least. Instead, nine weeks into the regular season, both parties are disappointed, the Kings are committed to rookie DeMarcus Cousins and trade conversations regarding Dalembert and his expiring contract are ongoing. (Houston, Orlando and Oklahoma City are seeking frontcourt size.) "It's been stops and starts for him," coach Paul Westphal said, "and right now his role is probably a little less than I thought it would be." Two developments in particular have conspired against the ninth-year pro – an inner thigh injury that forced him to miss all of training camp, and Cousins' rapid development. Dalembert, who averaged 8.1 points and 9.6 rebounds in his final season with the 76ers, has been pain-free for only the past month. His poor conditioning has hampered his mobility and effectiveness on the court, most notably his timing for rebounds and blocked shots. In his attempt to play catch-up, he walks to the training facility after every home game – while still in uniform – for additional time on the cardiovascular equipment. Yet the reality is this: While Dalembert is averaging 20 minutes, shooting 40 percent from the floor and contributing 6.8 rebounds per game, Cousins is emerging as a major talent. Cousins is behaving. And Cousins is the future. Where exactly does that leave Dalembert? He's curious. And still hopeful. He also suggests the Kings should play faster and engage in less one-on-one, believes he and Cousins can be paired on the front line, enjoys the way Pooh Jeter directs the offense, and admits that the team's prolonged slump is worsening his mood. "They brought me here to help," he said, "and when I see my team getting destroyed defensively, it's hard." The impassioned Dalembert, 29, is like most big men in the league. They all want more touches. He thinks he is a more efficient scorer than his game and reputation indicate. Press the point, and he nods, grinning. But he also is known as one of the NBA's kinder, gentler souls whose humanitarian efforts are reminiscent of former Kings icon Vlade Divac. Even his venting is interspersed with reminders that he "just wants to help us win." "I talked to Geoff (Petrie)," Cornstein said, "and we don't want to hit the panic button. All the reasons we were so excited for him to come here are still there. We're just trying to find a solution. It's really not his choice. That (a potential trade) is for the team to decide. We have to see how things progress and play out." The NBA is a crazy, fluid business, and situations change quickly (see Cousins and Westphal doghouse). But Arco Arena simply might be too small for the two big men. "The way DeMarcus has progressed, it's not like I'm going to split those (48) minutes," Westphal said. "At the same time, I think Sam can be valuable if DeMarcus picks up early fouls, or we need somebody in particular guarded. But there are other nights when I'll play Jason (Thompson) as the backup center." Crazy, fluid business indeed.
please dont add anything near 30 years old. if we are going to rebuild and retool, lets do so with young guys. this league is getting leaner, longer, and more athletic. we need to do the same if we want to compete.
He is a temporary fix, his contract expires this year too....so it would only be for this season most likely. If you can get Dalambert and Whiteside for Yao's contract etc....then it makes a lot of sense, but not much more than that. The Kings would do it because they would get to add more than $8 million to their bottom line this year........and they don't need either of those players and the Rox would do it to get Dalambert for this season and to take a look at Whiteside... DD
if it nets us Whiteside, then possibly. but this is exactly the type of bandaid i am afraid of. someone that will come in and get us the worst lottery pick, but will not take us to the next level. At the same time, we need to get something for Yao. This is going to be an exciting trade deadline.
Exactly, unless it nets the Rockets something for the future, there is no reason to do it to salvage a year in which they are not contenders..... DD
When has this guy ever been happy while wearing his uni? He's young enough and fits a need and will get traded somewhere for more than he's worth but, what day will be circled on the calendar for his first b****in'?
I wouldn't trade much more then Yao's deal for him BUT Sac Town may want something of more value for an expiring deal. Heard NY maybe in play for Dalembert and Casspi, it might depend how much Sac Town values Yao's insurance money.
Dalembert would be a really good fit here i think. He's got the tools that we're lacking - height, rebounding, and shot blocking. I mentioned in another thread (cant remember which one) that in the games we've lost to playoff teams, we've lost by an average of 4.75 pts - that's 2 1/2 plays per game that we've come up short - imagine if we get ONE ADDITIONAL defensive rebound, ONE ADDITIONAL blocked shot, and ONE CHANGED shot for the opposing team - that's 3 additional possessions that we've gained back. I know that's not exactly the IDEAL way to look at things, but our biggest weakness is not scored, but its a true big man, and Dalembert would fill a huge void. And if things go well this year, sign him to a reasonable contract next year. Perhaps a $2-3mil/year for 2 or 3 years. All of these droughts that we go through wouldnt seem as bad if we a big man stopping the opposition on the other end.
He's as good as your going to get in all honesty. And right now in the NBA, stop gap Centers are all there really are. No team in their right mind is thinking about trading even serviceable centers like Roy Hibbert, Nene, etc. because they know if they allow them to be traded... well they could end up like the Rockets. And we all know what teams cant do without a presence in the middle. His contract is up at the end of the year and he could probably be signed for the MLE next season. Given what else is out there, you take what you can get and develop players like Hill and Whiteside (if they could snag him in the trade) for the future.
Some people believe we are one shot blocker away from being a good defensive team. Acquiring Dalembert would answer that question one way or the other. It may give us an idea of whether we need to just tweak the roster or blow it up and start over. It may show that even with a big man in the middle, Adelman still can't teach a team to play defense. I think acquiring Dalembert would answer some questions, so I say do it.
Yeah....its a win ,win situation for everyone........but i see them milking Yao for financial purposes instead.....atleast for as long as they can.
That might work but I dont think Sac wants ole man miller back with a new contract to boot.....but Miller playing PF with Cousins is interesting.....inside/outside game with your two bigs!!
You have to have the personnel on your team to be able to PLAY defense. Your perimeter defense can not lock down offensive players 100% of the time due to pick and rolls, back door screens, cuts, etc. A shot blocker/paint clogger is imperative to a defensive team. After Adelman took over, we were still top 10 in defense, until LAST YEAR. What's the difference between then and now? No Yao and no Deke. And at the same time, i think this goes back to Morey - he's collected a lot of offensive weapons, but not a lot of two way players who can score and play defense. Just look at the top defensive teams in the NBA, and they all have legit shot blockers and centers. Boston-Shaq, Orlando-Dwight, Spurs-Duncan, Mavs-Chandler, Bulls-Noah, Thunder-"IbLocka", Heat-Bosh/Ilgauskus/Dampier.
