No Rest For Dalembert This Summer
Summer is the time when most NBA players retreat to sweaty gyms to work on their game alone with trainers or relax with family and friends. Not Samuel Dalembert. Instead of taking time for himself he’s decided to play for Canada the past two summers.
Before Canada’s game against Lebanon last week, Dalembert sat in the bleachers to chat with Ryan McNeill about what motives him to give up his summer for the Canadian National team, why he has so much respect head coach Rautins, how he’s growing into more of a leader, and how much it would mean to him to play in the Olympics this summer.
Ryan McNeill: This is the second summer in a row that you’ve given up some of your time to represent Canada. What motivates you to give up your summer for the National Team?
Samuel Dalembert: The fact that Leo [Rautins] is the head coach makes me feel at ease and comfortable about coming here because I know he really cares about helping guys to improve. Some of the stuff I was going to do alone in the gym, now I get to do with competition which is better than working in a gym one-on-one. It’s a good group of guys, too. I got to know them last summer and I just love being here. It’s not like it’s a torture. There are teams where you’re like, “oh man, I can’t wait to get this over with and get out of here”. But the guys here, we hang out together all the time. The combination of a lot of things made me want to come back.
McNeill: Playing in the NBA you’re surrounded by a lot of talented coaches, but you’ve mentioned your respect for Leo Rautins. What are some of the things he’s teaching you and how is he helping you to grow as a player?
Dalembert: A lot of times you see in the United States you see athletic, big men running the floor, that do a lot offensively, but unfortunately when you play for certain teams it’s not required that you do all of those things and you have to focus on defense. But, being here with Leo has allowed me to expand my game to do more on the court and build my confidence so when I go back to the NBA without any hesitation I’ll be able to go out there and show people what I can do. I can contribute more during the season and then come back next summer and get better. So overall, for somebody like me who hasn’t played basketball for a long time, I need as much basketball as I can to get better to make up for the fact that I didn’t start playing until the age of 14.
McNeill: I’ve heard you’ve become a vocal leader on this team. What are some ways you’re mentoring some of the younger players? What are some things you’re doing to become a leader this summer for this team?
Dalembert: Being a leader… you need to see the type of people you have around you. As a leader you have to be kind of harsh and mean. Me? The guys know I’m a funny dude. When things aren’t going well I get guys laughing but at the same time they know when I’m serious. They know when I say something I mean it and I’ve proved to them, I can take control in the game at times. That comes with confidence from being able to do it over and over again. It’s not like I’m the solo leader. We have other guys like Jesse (Young) and Dave Thomas. Guys like that also play a great role because they are more family orientated with the team than me. I came last summer and just tried to blend in, now I’m asserting myself and trying to get to know the guys and the guys are trying to get to know me. We get to hang out a lot together and do stuff together. We joke around a lot with each other but when it’s serious we know it‘s serious. I don’t think this team needs a babysitter because everybody knows how serious it is.
McNeill: Alright, final question for you Sam. How important and special would it be for you to get Canada into the Olympics this summer?
Dalembert: Huge! That’s been my main goal and I will do anything in my power to help Canada because for me personally it‘s a great thing to get there. After you get there we want to stay there. Our focus is nothing more than getting to the Olympics this summer and once we get there our focus is getting the gold. That’s how we’re looking at it right now.
McNeill: Thank you for your time Sam, good luck this summer.
Dalembert: Thank you, take care.
Click here to listen to the audio clip of this interview.
Photo Credit: Icon Sports Media
This article was written by:
Ryan McNeill - who has written 207 posts on Hoops Addict.
Ryan McNeill is the editor for Hoops Addict and has appeared on NBA XL and WSRQ 1220. Ryan has covered the NBA with media credentials since the 2007 season.