Basketball

Dalembert Puts Up Monster Numbers After All-Star Break

When Samuel Dalembert was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Sacramento Kings, the Kings were not expecting offense from the 6'11'' center. But since the NBA All-Star break Dalembert has provide the Kings with bonus scoring... tons of it.

In the last five games, Dalembert is averaging a double-double with 18.2 points and 12.8 rebounds. The center is giving the Kings a big defensive presence with about 2 blocks per game and countless ball deflections.

There aren't a bunch of plays designed for Dalembert to score, but he's done a good job of finding spots where he can make baskets.

"Sam's setting good screens and he's flashing to the open spot," said Kings coach Paul Westphal. "And when you set a good screen, the play's for you if you set a good enough screen and they have to switch and it puts the defense at a disadvantage."

Dalembert said that the play of the guards is helping.

"When you attack the big men like everybody does to us, they try to stop the ball first and somebody else has to recover on the weak side, and we have to take advantage of that," he said. "I think it's a combination of both."

Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dalembert had 26 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in the Kings' 127-95 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis. He made 13 of 20 shots, a career high for made field goals.

Samuel Dalembert's stellar performance was overshadowed by an on-the-court scuffle between his teammate, Demarcus Cousins and a couple of opposing players. Cousins would be ejected from the game ultimately.

Source: The Sacramento Bee