The Dalembeast got kicked off Team Canada?
Sam Dalembert wasn’t exactly killing it in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Athens, Greece — the most high-profile name on Team Canada posted just four points and two rebounds (plus three fouls) in their opening game against Slovenia. After Sam sat out the next game against Korea, word came down that he’s left the national team. From Philly.com:
A source familiar with the situation said Dalembert had a major falling out with Canada coach Leo Rautins as the team was boarding the bus for yesterday’s qualifying tournament game against Korea in Athens, Greece.
“This is extremely disappointing because a lot of effort was made to make this work,” Rautins told the Daily News last night. “Sam’s teammates are extremely disappointed in him and how he alienated himself from them.”Rautins said the rest of the players are unified and that – given the circumstances – feel they are better off without Dalembert.
While Dalembert didn’t comment on the situation, his agent, Marc Cornstein, did:
“To question his desire seems a little ludicrous. If someone can explain what agenda Sam would have, I’m happy to hear,” Cornstein said. He later added, “It’s been fairly well-documented that they’ve had a difficult time recruiting NBA players to play for them. Sam was a willing participant, becoming a citizen, playing last summer and this summer, coming off 82 games with the Sixers. If I have this right, he was there Day 1 of [Canada's] training camp … Good luck to Canada getting another NBA player to run to sign up.”
With the way Jason Smith is putting in work in the Vegas Summer League, The Dalembeast better get it together before he loses his starting NBA job, too.
Read the whole story HERE.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
JA says:
Question: if you were making $10 million a year, how big would *your* ego be?
July 17th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
shake&bake says:
He’s from Haiti anyways.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Scott says:
I don’t know what his agent is talking about Team Canada has Joel Anthony, who is a part of the Miami Heat, who cares if he only played 24 games, he started one of them!! lol, but ya, Sam needs to get his shit together, Leo seems like he’d be a players coach, demanding but fair, plus he’s no dummy, he knows his team needs a well-playing dalembert for the team to succeed. So if he’s kicked Sam off the team, you know Sam did something special to earn that.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
JA says:
Follow up: if you do happen to make $10 million a year, drop me a line the next time you’re in Toronto and are in need of a drinking buddy
July 17th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Ross says:
@JA
That would have nothing to do with how I’d represent my country.
Besides, I only make $9 million a year.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
pittbull says:
As a canuck ill hook u up with the canadian bball update none u care about. the Beast had been a disappointment in the first game and supposedly his attitude was an ongoing problem.
Rowan Barrett (i know who?) has been out go to guy droppin sick step back triples to keep our olympic hopes alive
July 17th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Imperial-Mel says:
I didnt know he was from Canada….
July 17th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Data says:
He was born in haiti and moved to Canada (montreal) as a young teenager where he played some HS ball. I know from an insider that he was just showing up and not putting any effort into practice. I was told at a mornign shoot around he was still playing with his shoes off until the coach got there and held up the start of the drill so he could go get his shoes.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Austin Burton says:
He played high school ball in Canada and I think lived there for a few years prior.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Kobeef says:
Not that it is right but you have to give some extra space to your best player if he needs it. Just ask Scott Skiles what happens to your team when you play the “Mr Tough Guy” card.
I think this was a stupid move by Rautins. I mean how do you question the heart of a guy who became a Canadian citizen just to play on the team?
July 17th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ Kobeef
If Leo kicked him off the squad and he supposed to be the “best player”, he definitely did something special.
To flipside your argument, ask Isiah what happens when Steph quits on the team on that west coast trip and the whole team agrees that his ass should be suspended and Isiah starts him the next game…..
July 17th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Don Mega says:
Leo Rautins has no friends
July 17th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Data says:
Anybody familiar with the canada bball program will tell you that leo rautins is just a figure head he doesn’t really do any of the coaching. Dave Smart the assistant coach does all the coaching.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Dagomar says:
Data, and you’re familiar with the program? Give me a break.
This is why people who haven’t really grown up in a country should not represent that country. It’s possible Dalembert never really identified with the Canadian cause, hence his attitude problems. I always thought he was wildly overrated anyway . . . just a version of Varejao, with a similar offensive game.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Len Bias says:
word on the street is that Sam said some smack the some greek reports and coach didnt like what he had to say
Sam also wasnt going to team meals and was spending all his time with a crew he brought
July 17th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
tealish says:
Speculation only, but the likely scenario here is that Dalembert became a Canadian citizen so he could participate in the Olympics. He felt he was Canada’s gift, with Steve Nash gone and no other legit NBA players on the roster. Thought he could slack off and when he wasn’t treated as if he was the savior of Canadian basketball, he got his panties up in a bunch. Leo kicks him. End of story.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
carlos burgos a.k.a DaQuEStiOn says:
sam dalembert absolutely sucked in the tournament. He was supposed to dominate the international competition, instead he put up 4 points and 2 rebounds?!?!?! wtf is that
July 17th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Data says:
@Dagomar
I’m very familiar with the program my formar teammate was invited to play for them but declined and my coach is very good friends with ass coach dave smart which is why if you read yesterday’s smack comments i broke the story then!
July 17th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
dagwaller says:
I’m still laughing at JA.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
doc says:
Team Canada sucks anyway,thats why they went after Sammy of all people in the first place.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Borgs says:
tealish is on the money. I would’ve booted him even if he averaged a double-double. You’re part of the team and committed all the way or you walk.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:17 am
L3gend says:
Could we please stop calling him the Dalembeast!??!?!! He didn’t show up for the playoffs, He had his appearances in the regular season and now CANADA doesn’t want him! He’s a very overrated big man who HAD a lot of potential.
Now with Brand coming in, J Smith learning the game and Speights showing some potential in summer league, DALEMBUM is setting himself up to become a NBA journeyman. He had one good season, similar to Theo Ratliff in Philly, Mutumbo in Philly, Matt Geiger in Philly, Derrik Coleman in Philly….notice the trend? All had one good season, got paid and never showed up again.
Let’s not forget that Dalembum lost his starting job to STEVEN HUNTER a couple of seasons ago. And let’s also not forget, that he was upset at the decision. So this nothing new with him.
Let’s watch and see how this seasons antics unfold with Brand, a hungry Thad Young, a smarter J Smith, a hustlin’ Reggie Evans and potential in M Speights. We will see if he puts up or pouts.
Yes, I did say DALEMBUM.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Kudabeen says:
In this article they talk about why Sam was kicked off the team and his issue from his POV, but in describing the people that made up his “entourage”, I think a mistake was made…I think…
CRAZY:
“Dalembert said his so-called entourage included a close friend, his girlfriend, and his high school coach from Montreal and his wife.
“I don’t have a ‘crew,’ ” he said. “I have four nice people.”"
HIS GIRLFRIEND and HIS WIFE? Then he says I have 4 nice people?
Article:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20080718_Dalembert_tells_his_side_in_Team_Canada_dispute.html
August 25th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
kudableen_is_an_idiot says:
His coach’s wife…