Dalembert doing what he can

I'm going to take a brief respite from basketball to deal with "real world" issues.

For those who have known me, both on this site and through other venues, I haven't been the biggest Samuel Dalembert fan for quite some time. For me, he's been one of the most frustrating athletes in the city of recent times, right up there with Derrick Coleman during his first stint here. A guy with the physical tools to dominate defensively and on the boards, held back by a seemingly below average basketball IQ and a questionable work ethic. After years of "he's only been playing basketball for (X) years", and "this will be the year he gains consistency" I gave up. My Samuel Dalembert fatigue had reached its breaking point, and I was ready to move on. The exorbitant salary (which isn't his fault) was the icing on the cake.

Two things I have to concede:
1) He's playing tremendous basketball, especially the past two weeks, but really for the entire year. If this becomes the new Samuel Dalembert, I'll gladly admit being wrong.
2) More importantly than his basketball play, I have to give him major props for his humanitarian efforts. He's always been active with both his time and money, and his response to the Haita tragedy is no exception. Not only is he donating $100,000 of his own money, but he's willing to match any amount the Sixers fans tonight at tonight's game.

From what I've read, it appears Dalembert's immediate family and friends are safe and accounted for. Even so, the urge to help still lives on inside Dalembert, and as a human being I can do nothing but applaud his efforts.