Milwaukee Bucks Player Capsules 2012-’13: Samuel Dalembert
With NBA training camps in the not-so-distant future, it only seems appropriate to start analyzing and evaluating the talent and make up of the Milwaukee Bucks roster heading into the 2012-’13 National Basketball Association season. This edition will feature center Samuel Dalembert.
Samuel Dalembert was acquired earlier this summer prior to the NBA Draft in a trade that sent Shaun Livingston, Jon Leuer and Jon Brockman to the Houston Rockets.
The former Seton Hall Pirate stands 6-11 and weighs in at about 250 pounds. He was the #26 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Dalembert spent eight seasons in Philly before moving onto Sacramento and Houston.
Dalembert will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2012-’13 NBA season and will make an affordable $6.7 million dollars this year.
Fondly known as the ‘Haitian Sensation’, Dalembert has career averages of 8.0 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game and 1.9 blocks per game. He’s 51.8% from the floor and has made good on 70.4% of his free-throw attempts.
Dalembert is known for his ability to defend, block shots and rebound. He is fairly athletic and very long. He is not noted for his offensive game, but he can give you double-digits on a good night with offensive put-backs and cheap dunks when the defense is drawn to penetration.
Sammy D has proven to be a durable player throughout his NBA career as evidenced by playing in all 82 games four straight seasons for the 76ers from 2006-’07 through 2009-’10. However, Dalembert has shown a few kinks in his armor the last two seasons playing in only 46 out of 80 and 45 out of 66 games respectively.
Dalembert will be the starting center on opening night barring an injury. If the Bucks can get him in 70+ games this season at about twenty-five minutes per, they should get a great return from Dalembert.
Dalembert is an energy player and plays very effectively in spurts. For his career he has averaged 25.8 minutes per game. Combine that with the depth in Milwaukee’s front court and it’s a sure bet that Sammy won’t be pushed beyond 25-30 minutes a game, nor should be.
The trade for Sammy Dalembert should pay dividends for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2012-’13. You can expect solid rebounding, shot blocking and defense from the big man and a whole lot of heart, energy and effort. If the Bucks can keep Dalembert fresh and if he can stay relatively healthy, Bucks fans are sure to fall in love with the ‘Haitian Sensation.’
To keep up with my work, please feel free to follow/like me at: Bobby Malecki
