[Feigen] Dalembert signed, sealed and will try to deliver (already) tonight

H-TOWNSFINEST · Dec 26, 2011

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...aled-and-will-try-to-deliver-already-tonight/

ORLANDO – Though Kevin McHale thought asking Samuel Dalembert to play tonight might be a bit unfair, he also knew he would not be able to resist.

Dalembert signed late on Sunday, in time only to go through Monday’s shootaround. Unlike a player acquired in a trade that plays without the benefit of a practice with his new team, Dalembert has not gone through an NBA practice or played in an NBA game since April. That will soon change.

“This is his first time with the team this morning,” McHale said. “It’s probably grossly unfair to throw him out there. We might have to anyway, just because of the guy we’re playing (Dwight Howard) and the fact he (Dalembert) has a comfort level understanding a little bit what Howard wants to do and where we’re going with him.”

Dalembert, however, said he has been able to catch up with the plays he will run through extra study since he arrived in Houston on Thursday night.

“I pretty much got the basic plays,” he said. “I’ve only been with the team a few days and the team has been together for only 14, 15 days. We still have a lot to learn and a lot to work on. But coach said, ‘If you are going to make mistakes, keep on playing hard, make up for it.’ That’s what we’re going to do.

“The basic plays, I can get through them. They’ve been explained to me. I’ve been looking at them. They gave me the play list and a DVD, too. But the main thing to win this game tonight is defense.”

With no practice time, the Rockets cannot gauge Dalembert’s fitness. Even individual workouts cannot fully reflect how he will react to banging with Howard and running the floor.

“We have no idea,” McHale said. “I guess tonight will be an experimental situation.”

McHale, however, knew he would be experimenting.

I’d be shocked if I don’t throw him out there,” McHale said. “I’m sure I will. We’re going to need big bodies tonight and we’ll go from there.”
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This game will be very interesting to watch. Dalembert hasn't practiced with the team as of yet and will be put in tonight to guard D Howard. Lets start this season off with a win! GO ROCKETS!!

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[Feigen] Dalembert signed, sealed and will try to deliver (already) tonight

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