Why Sammy Can't Play
Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Columnist Bob Ford writes about the Eagles, the Phillies, the Sixers and the Flyers.
Why Sammy Can't Play
Bob Ford, Inquirer Sports Columnist
Not that he can't play at all, not that he doesn't do some things that are quite good -- all right, one thing, block shots -- but an instinctive, read-and-respond motion offense is just not the place for our Sam Dalembert.
I tried to make that point in the Sunday Inquirer as we took a stab at predicting the future under new coach Eddie Jordan, who is a motion offense kind of guy.
Beat writer Kate Fagan looked at it from another angle, from the perspective of how the backcourt will have to adjust and what kind of players are required there.
Back to Sammy, I like the guy personally. He's funny and quirky and his Haitian French is as strange as my college French, so we ask each other how we are doing a lot, say fine, and then nod a lot. We boys.
On the court, however, it has always been obvious that just as English is a second language, basketball is a second sport. He's a soccer player -- heck of a target striker, probably -- who was pushed into the game because he just kept growing. It is game he has learned but it is not at the core of his being the way basketball is for kids who have played since they were old enough to get the ball to the rim. Pickup hoops, playground hoops... it's all about screens and motion and cuts to the basket. It's elemental basketball. Sammy didn't get that, and for what he did get he's done well.
But....the Sixers have to move on. The question is how. Dalembert has two more years left at a hefty salary and he looks untradable. We also know that he isn't going to play much, particularly if Elton Brand is healthy and Jason Smith comes back able to play. We also also know that Dalembert gets sulky and could become a problem. He asked for a trade last year when it became apparent he was going to play 25 minutes and not 33 per game. What will he do when it's more like 10?
Easy for me to say, but I think the Sixers have to pay a team to take him away. I don't know what it would cost, maybe half the salary, but he's 6-foot-11 and the goal is still 10 feet off the ground. Someone must want him at some price.
Having him around would not only be a problem for Jordan, but it will make the fresh start seem a little stale. Better to move on now. Comprendre?
Amen.— ArtMooney- The thing is, what is an untradeable contract this year becomes a highly valuable expiring contract next year. If we hold him one more year (admittedly an unwelcome thought), we can get a whole lot more back for him in trade.— FKD215
- gotta love that Billy King— Ruiz the Great
- solid article!— titaneeksixer
- love guys who play when they want, no intensity - then cry when they are not playing. tell him to sit the bench or take a pay cut, in order to get traded. Wonder which one he chooses? Maybe the Canadian National team will take him back?— AllDawk_AllTheTime
- I already traded him to the Knicks for Eddy Curry on NBA Live 09.— low2behold
- Cavs would love him but we would need to take back dead weight in return.— JBP
- More proof that just because you're big and talented in college that it won't neccessarily translate to the pros.— southern eagle fan
- he kind reminds me of manute bol,cept bol could hit the occasional three pointer— soliteryman
- bob, bob, bob- it's called creole- not french- creole- another reporter who just doesn't have any facts- another disappointment in our local media— justatc1
justatc1, justatc1, justatc1 - educated Haitians, of whom I presume Dalembert is one, speak both standard French and Creole. I'm not sure what Ford means by "Haitian French," but if he's referring to standard French spoken with a Haitian accent, he's not necessarily wrong.- thank God for expiring contracts— maximus
- Billy King made terrible signings Willie Green and Dalembert both had 6 year deals. Was anyone else looking to sign both players for that long no way. At least Dalembert provides blocks and defense and can run. He is better than Ben Wallace. But Dalembert is tradeable with his expiring contract. It might be good to trade him mid season when teams are loking to trade contracts. If Atlanta thinks they woudn't sign joe Johnson he would be a good fit. Some other teams Clippers might want to get out of Kaman's or Baron Davis's contract. Chicago with Kirk Hinrich. Utah with Kirck Hinrich— sportsgenius99
- Trade Possibilities for Dalembert : Steven Jackson+Ronny Turiaf, Ben Wallace (2yrs remaining on contract)— kundithomas
- Well said, Bob.....Dalembert cannot get out of his own way and does not seem to get it, regardless of what he is told or coached. His attitude and approach are directly related to his salary and Eddie Jordan will not have time or reason to stroke his ego to cajole a decent performance out of him.....he must go.....thanks Billy King, you really stuck us with one here.— RowdiestMan
