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**Coatesvillain** · 10-01-2006, 08:06 AM

Quote:

After a season of frustration that was brought on not only by the 76ers' dismal season, but also his health, Samuel Dalembert pronounced himself healthy yesterday and eager to live up to the $64 million contract he signed in August of last year.

Dalembert was with his teammates at the Wachovia Center on media day. It was also get-away day, as the Sixers were to take off for Spain, where they will open training camp.

Their first game of the season will be Nov. 1 against visiting Atlanta.

"You know what? The sky's the limit," said the 6-foot-11, 250-pound center, who is entering his fifth year with the Sixers. "I'm not making any excuses. I will push myself to the limit. I am here where I am right now, signed a contract I never expected to sign my whole life, and I'm going to have to work for it."

After showing a lot of promise in 2004-05, Dalembert did not improve last season. In fact, the native of Haiti may have regressed after a quadriceps strain caused him to miss the first 13 games.

From there, Dalembert spent the season mostly trying to catch up and get his timing down. He also sat out three games in February because of an ankle sprain, and wound up averaging 7.3 points and 8.2 rebounds while finishing sixth in the NBA in blocked shots with 2.42 per game.

As the Sixers limped to a 38-44 record, the personable Dalembert appeared troubled by his own situation.

"My spirit is back up, and I'm happy to be here," he said. "There are going to be some down times, and that's part of life. The frustration builds up. Overall, you have to look at the bright side. You're in a way better situation than anybody could imagine, or could have hoped for."

Dalembert said that his off-season workout routine focused on lateral movement, quickness and his first step.

With Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks emphasizing defense and rebounding, the team will need the energy Dalembert provides when he's at his best.

"He had a pretty good stretch when he came back last year, but then he never really got his rhythm," said Tony DiLeo, the Sixers' senior vice president of basketball operations. "Hopefully, he'll stay healthy this year. The main things we want to do this season are play better defense and rebound better. And Samuel is our best rebounder and one of our best defenders."

Dalembert said he is looking forward to working regularly with Moses Malone, who was hired this week to work with the Sixers' big men.

And he is anticipating a rebound season for himself and the team.

"Everybody knows what needs to get done, and we're just going to go out and do it," Dalembert said.

LINK

Kinda wish a part of his offseason regimen worked on his lower body strength so he can hold his position defensively in the post. Let's hope he stays true to his words though.

**Kunlun** · 10-01-2006, 08:32 AM

We can only hope.

**Sliccat** · 10-01-2006, 08:51 AM

Yeah, right. Whatever.

DieSlow69 · 10-01-2006, 10:34 AM

Man you guys are harsh...lol....I still like Sammy and I think he can still bust out of this slump.... I just hope he listened to the critics and will be determined to play harder and like he said GET BETTER!!!!!!

CocaineisaHelluvaDrug · 10-01-2006, 04:22 PM

i hope the offseason workout routine involves working out how to get moses back in uniform because he could do a better job NOW than dalambert the incredible foul machine will ever do....64 million buys you 4 fouls inside the first half and no offensive game at all

another silly king masterstroke........NOT

billfindlay10 · 10-02-2006, 12:20 PM

I will say it again....I would love to have Dalembert on the Raptors....He may not be getting the numbers that you want....but over 8 rebounds a game in limited minutes due to foul problems and over 2 blocks per game is nothing to shake a stick at. His defence will improve over time(and it has) and that will allow him to get more minutes.....look for 10 and 10 this year for Sammy......and if you think that sucks, then please send him to Toronto for Rasho!

**Coatesvillain** · 10-02-2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfindlay10

I will say it again....I would love to have Dalembert on the Raptors....He may not be getting the numbers that you want....but over 8 rebounds a game in limited minutes due to foul problems and over 2 blocks per game is nothing to shake a stick at. His defence will improve over time(and it has) and that will allow him to get more minutes.....look for 10 and 10 this year for Sammy......and if you think that sucks, then please send him to Toronto for Rasho!

I believe you overvalue stats.

10 and 10 for one player, isn't automatically as good as 10 and 10 for another. There are things he does on the floor that hurts the team and can't really be measured via stats.

NeTs15VC · 10-02-2006, 04:13 PM

From reports of a scout at the forum I go to, they said Dalembert has been going to a psyciatrist because he was always in shock when he was playing and now he knows how to give it his all

SirCharles34 · 10-02-2006, 10:24 PM

If he can't improve under Moses Malone's tuteledge, then kid is a lost cause.

**BEEZ** · 10-02-2006, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirCharles34

If he can't improve under Moses Malone's tuteledge, then kid is a lost cause.

Thing is Moses was there for most of last season

Melo's Answer · 10-03-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfindlay10

I will say it again....I would love to have Dalembert on the Raptors....He may not be getting the numbers that you want....but over 8 rebounds a game in limited minutes due to foul problems and over 2 blocks per game is nothing to shake a stick at. His defence will improve over time(and it has) and that will allow him to get more minutes.....look for 10 and 10 this year for Sammy......and if you think that sucks, then please send him to Toronto for Rasho!

Dalembert is no where near trash, hes just not where he should be. But **** if your comparing him to Rasho well no duh youd rather have Dalembert. Id still rather have Dalembert not reaching any of the potential he has then having Rasho on the Sixers.

**Sliccat** · 10-04-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route I-76

Dalembert is no where near trash, hes just not where he should be. But **** if your comparing him to Rasho well no duh youd rather have Dalembert. Id still rather have Dalembert not reaching any of the potential he has then having Rasho on the Sixers.

but his max contract and 5 more years I could do without.

**BEEZ** · 10-04-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliccat

but his max contract and 5 more years I could do without.

Its not a max contract, but its still too much for what he has produced

Sixerfanforlife · 10-04-2006, 08:29 PM

Too much is an under-statement, by the end of his contract (at around age 28, still in his prime) he'll be making 12-14 million. And if Dalembert makes these improvements and BK keeps his job, a more lengthy contract is to be expected.

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