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**Coatesvillain** · 12-07-2004, 10:51 AM

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ATLANTA - Jim O'Brien made it official Monday night.

Brian Skinner is the 76ers' No. 2 center behind starter Marc Jackson; Samuel Dalembert, who appeared to be one of the 76ers' cornerstones coming into the season, has been demoted to be the third big man.

"Brian has earned playing time over Sammy," said O'Brien prior to Monday's game against the Hawks. "We signed Brian to a long-term (four-year, $20 million) contract because he can play.

"Over the last five games, he has played well when he's in there and our production isn't as high with Sammy in the lineup as it had been with him earlier in the season."

Dalembert, a fourth-year pro, received the bulk of the backup minutes (211, compared to Skinner's 114) through the first 15 games this season.

Through Sunday, Dalembert was averaging 4.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 19.2 minutes this season, while Skinner was at 2.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.4 blocks and 11.4 minutes.

"I would say you could look at Sam's situation or Brian's situation and Aaron McKie," O'Brien said. "I went with veterans the other night (against Houston). I like maturity on the court - guys that know the nuances of the game. Sam, because he started the game so late [in his life], is not a nuance guy. He has to learn the little, finer points of NBA basketball."

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I actually was a big supporter of Brian Skinner getting more minutes, but when will O'Brien understand you can play Jackson, Skinner and Dalembert in the same game? You don't have to sit one to give another one time. All this is, is musical chairs for everyone outside of Iverson, Iguodala, and Korver.

I guess stats showed him that Dalembert wasn't productive, don't think about how you ruined his confidence by benching him and giving him so many DNP-CDs. Last year Sammy had his best season down the stretch because Alex English was working with him on his offensive game, and Chris Ford gave him confidence with the minutes and played a defensive system that allowed Dalembert to succeed.

In the offseason, I was saying I hoped the Sixers didn't sign Mark Blount because I knew Dalembert would've went to the bench.. it appears that it didn't matter anyway.

**Coatesvillain** · 12-07-2004, 10:59 AM

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O'Brien reads the numbers as if they were tea leaves. He charts individual production with statistics and tendencies that never show in a box score; he charts the effectiveness of lineup combinations and measures the way guys handle ever-changing roles. You couldn't necessarily make a case for the Skinner/Dalembert flip-flop via the box scores of the previous five games.

Dalembert, for example, appeared for only 3 minutes against Orlando and did not play against Houston, but had 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks against Washington in the final home game before the start of the trip. Skinner had seven points and five rebounds against the Magic, was scoreless in 6 minutes against Memphis and was scoreless with four personal fouls in 12 minutes against Houston.

Last night, Skinner had two points and four rebounds in 13 minutes. Dalembert remained locked to the bench for the second straight game.

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chewgum · 12-08-2004, 03:40 PM

seriously, I feel sorry for you guys in Philly. Damn a team like the Lakers would kill to have Dalembert start, and here you guys have Dale a 3rd stringer behind Jackson and Skinner whom would have a hard time starting for most teams in this league!

mellow-dramatik · 12-09-2004, 06:39 AM

thats true man sammy should be a starter and coach dosnt even realise thats philly is 6-11 n should give sammy 30 mins to prove what he can do

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