Sixers @ Magic 2/22/08

[underpressure]

Supply and demand does not apply in Dalembert's case. We signed him already pre-emptive and did not even know how much the Hawks would have offered. Before we even tested the market, we already signed him.

I would like Dalembert if he was not that costly. I am expecting of a player who is almost earning as much as a franchise-player (last year: around 12 million) more than a couple of blocks a game and some defense.

[tk76]

Look at the list of centers at or about his salary that I posted (there are 14 centers or C/PF being paid more than him.) He is a 10M/yr center in this league. Centers are paid too much because they are in general not as many decent ones as other positions.

[underpressure]

Because teams overpay their center, we should do the same? Seriously, there are enough solid centers who do the same thing like Dalembert on a lower scale but earn less money. Brian Skinner comes to my mind, Diop or even Kendrick Perkins. None of those mentioned players earn or will earn more than the midlevel exception.

As I said, I would rather have a worse center with a decent contract than Dalembert. That's for me a no brainer.

[freshie2]

Sounds like the Sammy D version of the 'Iguodala is no better than Jamario Moon' posts. Very few players in the league earn their big contract...Sam was a yojng FA center after a very impressive series against Detroit. The contract was a gamble, which they probably have broken even so far. Sam is a 26 year old center averaging a double double and 2.4+ blocks a game. Skinner, Perkins and Diop are nice, cheap backups, but ultimately they aren't nearly as valuable as Sam.

[tk76]

underpressure, I agree Sam is only a second level center, and 3rd level centers can be gotten for a lot less. I think it would be fine to go with that kind of bargain center if we had a star level PF like how Duncan, Garnet and Bosh play next to 3rd level centers.

until we get a star PF I think I'll stay on Freshie2's side of the Sammy debate.

[dond]

I also believe that Sammy has not finished developing. That may sound odd as long as he has been in the League, but remember he came in with almost no basketball skills. As long as he continues to work on his offensive skills he will improve little by little. As others have said ... with a big-time PF along side him, he will be just fine.

[SendEm]

See no one believes that Dalembert is "grossly overpaid". Sure he might be overpaid by at most $4 million dollars but when I think "grossly overpaid" I think of the Keith Van Horns, Reaf Lafrentz, Larry Hughes, etc. etc. etc. who are just stealing money.