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It's odd to make this post after a 17-12-5 game, and I don't mean to say Sam was a net negative in the game, but in the past someone has asked for examples of Dalembert's low basketball IQ. I think today provided ample examples.

- Seconds left in the third quarter, we've just gotten the defensive rebound, Dalembert gets the rebound. Not only does he not see the Nugget cutting toward Andre Miller to intercept the outlet pass, but he throws his patented "over the right shoulder hook pass" that I've only ever seen him throw, serves no purpose, and only increases the degree of difficulty on the passes. Not only is the LAST thing you want to do is throw a risky pass, but he needlessly adds difficulty to it.
- About 4.5 minutes left to do in the game, AI (the nugget) brings it past half court, pick and roll with AI and Martin. Dalembert sets a soft trap 30 feet from the basket, Martin rolls to the foul line extended, and Dalembert leaves his man to "double team" Iverson, while maintaining about a 5 foot cushion between himself and Iverson. Not only did Iverson not even come close to having to pick up his dribble, but now the nuggets are on a 4-3 situation when AI passes it to Martin. It seems like the setting a screen thing Dalembert still doesn't get. I don't think he understood WHY he wanted to double team there and what the goal he wanted to accomplish was.

I have never seen a less fundamentally sound athlete in my life. This isn't even going into footwork, which IMO is partly about fundamentals, and of which I think Dalembert's is just about as bad as any bigs in the NBA's. Now, this isn't to say he had a bad game today, but I think these are great examples for the people who wanted them. And for the person who says we're not qualified to make judgements on Dalembert's BBall IQ, fooey. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and to post them on a basketball message board that is here to encourage opinions.

If you believe Dalembert has a good basketball IQ, name one aspect of his game that he is fundamentally sound in?

Other examples in this game...

- I think he had multiple 3 second calls against him. One where Salmi pointed out that you can't clear the lane by stepping out on the baseline. Shouldn't a player know that if they are in the NBA?

- He tried to make a pass (on a critical possession late) to a cutter in the lane in traffic. He just needs ot underatand you do not need to make the hard play there. Just pass it back out to the wing if the shot isn't there.

- Had a clear goaltend that he got away with late. I mean he did have some great legal blocks late on Melo, but still is the only guy I have seen that consistently gets called on the goaltend after the ball has already hit the backboard.

- No specific example of this in this game (wasn't really watching for it), but as dbods said, his footwork when defending quicked players is so bad. This is the reason I don't think he could ever defend the PF position if we added a bigger C. All it takes is one jab step or head fake by the offensive guy about 5-6 ft from the basket and Sam completely bites and the O guy blows by him for an easy trip to the basket. He's an athletic C, but that doesn't translate into quick foot speed.

I'd give anything to have the chance to ask him whats going through his head when he tries to set a screen...

I used to think setting a screen wasn't a skill, it was just something anyone could do. Dalembert made me appreciate players that can set screens well.

Thad is more fundamentally sound at 19 than Daly ever will be. Daly will just never get it... but at least he is tall and can jump high, that's all you need to be an above average C and make millions

dabods:

I hear you, bro...but I also see a guy who - in spite of the things that you cite - still had a positive impact on winning a very important game against a good team.

He wants a big man coach? Fine.

Let's see if Bill Walton is available this summer.

(I'm serious)

I hear you, bro...but I also see a guy who - in spite of the things that you cite - still had a positive impact on winning a very important game against a good team.

Not what I'm arguing.

But think about what Dalembert COULD be if he understood the game? There's so much wasted potential there.

Let's see if Bill Walton is available this summer.

The sarcasm meter in practices would be very high.

Dalembert seems a slow learner. But he is a learner. His bonehead mistakes have been decreasing. There was a time when I used to think he'd never learn. But he does seem to...it just takes him time (much more than you would expect).

He's still below average bball IQ at this point but he's not in the bottom 10 or even 20% of big men. Given that he is progressing, it wouldn't surprise me if in two years he even breaks the top half!

On paper he had a good game, but I thought he made a ton of mistakes tonight. His outlet passes are atrocious.

dbodner wrote:It's odd to make this post after a 17-12-5 game, and I don't mean to say Sam was a net negative in the game, but in the past someone has asked for examples of Dalembert's low basketball IQ. I think today provided ample examples.

- Seconds left in the third quarter, we've just gotten the defensive rebound, Dalembert gets the rebound. Not only does he not see the Nugget cutting toward Andre Miller to intercept the outlet pass, but he throws his patented "over the right shoulder hook pass" that I've only ever seen him throw, serves no purpose, and only increases the degree of difficulty on the passes. Not only is the LAST thing you want to do is throw a risky pass, but he needlessly adds difficulty to it.
- About 4.5 minutes left to do in the game, AI (the nugget) brings it past half court, pick and roll with AI and Martin. Dalembert sets a soft trap 30 feet from the basket, Martin rolls to the foul line extended, and Dalembert leaves his man to "double team" Iverson, while maintaining about a 5 foot cushion between himself and Iverson. Not only did Iverson not even come close to having to pick up his dribble, but now the nuggets are on a 4-3 situation when AI passes it to Martin. It seems like the setting a screen thing Dalembert still doesn't get. I don't think he understood WHY he wanted to double team there and what the goal he wanted to accomplish was.

I have never seen a less fundamentally sound athlete in my life. This isn't even going into footwork, which IMO is partly about fundamentals, and of which I think Dalembert's is just about as bad as any bigs in the NBA's. Now, this isn't to say he had a bad game today, but I think these are great examples for the people who wanted them. And for the person who says we're not qualified to make judgements on Dalembert's BBall IQ, fooey. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and to post them on a basketball message board that is here to encourage opinions.

If you believe Dalembert has a good basketball IQ, name one aspect of his game that he is fundamentally sound in?

Th irony is that Dalembert's play tonight was probably the biggest difference from the last time the Sixers played the Nuggets. Sam's effort was light years better tonight and he was dominant. Enough to lead to a very good win over a desperate team.

As one who sits (in the privacy of my own home) and screams at every mistake anyone makes, I cannot say that I have not given Dalembert adequate attention. I was livid when he was out there chasing Ivy. He was too far away to be effective or even bother any pass. Reggie does it all the time (except correctly) and he uncanningly always gets back to his man on time.

The simple fact remains, however, that Sammy has been an extremely important part of much of the success this team has achieved. I believe that he was as important as Miller to the win tonight. Generally, regardless of technique, he is an excellent rebounder, a pretty good defender, and has great hands. I'd like to see him better "front" some guys who can overpower him, but he has improved even that.

I do not care who likes or who hates what player. After I watch the game, however, I never fail to be amazed how fans can slobber over someone who scored minimally, rebounded modestly, could have played better defense, and, in the overall scheme of things, had a lesser effect on the outcome of the game. Conversely, we invariably vilify some others who I think were infinitely more vital to good play.

The beauty (or is it necessity) of this team is that it has at least eleven (counting Booth) who are important to our success, and have made excellent contributions at different times throughout the year. I doubt, though, that anyone really believes that Sammy, or anyone else, is perfect. It just seems that he, Willie, and Reggie, are usually considered less perfect than those who are even less perfect.

I just prefer tonight to stipulate to any player fallibilities and bask in the warm glow of victory from a game that had me more excited before, during, and after, than any in recent memory.

Wow, are you taking over for Ricky and jemagee?

There is no secret that Sam has a limited basketball IQ. However his positives outweigh his negatives. He has played solid, consistent ball this year overall.

Cut the guy a break. He may never "get it". But without his play this year, we would not be the team we are.

sammy has an average basketball iq for a Center(comparing him with other center these days).i don't think that other starting centers like dampier,nesterovic(is he starting?) or nazr mohamed have better iq's

He threw an outlet pass away in the 1st half as well that resulted in a dunk for the Nuggets.

Honestly, at this point I just accept his flaws so they don't drive me nuts any more and I am happy as long as he boards and plays with energy. He is never going to be a fundamentally sound player but he does contribute much more than he did in the past. When he was out of the game tonight we were getting killed on the glass it was a noticeable difference.

As long as he plays with high energy and stays out of foul trouble I think we can live with some of his mistakes.

Sometimes he wears his IQ on his jersey.

Louis Williams wrote:Wow, are you taking over for Ricky and jemagee?

There is no secret that Sam has a limited basketball IQ. However his positives outweigh his negatives. He has played solid, consistent ball this year overall.

Cut the guy a break. He may never "get it". But without his play this year, we would not be the team we are.

I said all of that in my post.

This was brought up before (not by me), and people asked for specific examples. Last night was a perfect night for examples, IMO, which is why I made the post.

To compare me with Jemagee or Ricky I'd have to be obsessing. I don't believe I've complained about Sammy once in my last 100 posts, so clearly that can't be the case.

Sam has played very well this season, but this is a good topic. He makes such silly mistakes on a regular basis, and it is frustrating. My biggest issue lately are his lazy half hook shot outlet passes that seem to always be intercepted or closely contested...sometimes it's like a no look pass no less!!

Sam's been great for this team, but his BB IQ is very limited, and that limitation is very apparent...that being said, he's working his way into being a solid NBA center, and is a huge part of this team's success. Get another big next to him next season, and this team could be very, very tough.

He's still below average bball IQ at this point but he's not in the bottom 10 or even 20% of big men.

really? I can't think of one starting center with less bball IQ and basketball fundamentals. I'm sure there might be one, but I'm blanking right now.

*NOTE* that's not saying he's the least effective, so please don't misread that.

First, there should be a rule that Sammy and Reggie cannot ever try passing to one another, it's just too painful to watch.

Sammy's b-ball IQ was very low when he came into the league and it has improved in fits and starts over the years. He has gotten almost to the point where his limitations are such that most of the time the team can work around his weaknesses. Don't pass him the ball in certain situation or areas of the court, etc. He will always be a flawed player, but good coaching and execution of a good game plan involves working around the flaws of the players on your team and attacking those of the other team. Sam is probably the best player in the league at making you cringe one minute and cheer a great play the next.

As for low B-ball IQ starting centers, Eddy Curry and Darko Milicic are right up there, although their respective laziness makes it hard to know if they know the right play and find it to be too much effort to make it. Sadly, Adonal Foyle is no longer a starter, because he was one guy who made Sammy look like a basketball genius.