Dallas Mavericks: Samuel Dalembert’s Best Games In 2013-14

By Cole Mentzel | Jul 28, 2015

May 2, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Samuel Dalembert (1) reacts to his team taking the lead over the San Antonio Spurs during first quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Samuel Dalembert recently signed a minimum deal to return to the Dallas Mavericks for the 2015-16 season. He played in Dallas during 2013-14 when the Mavericks forced the San Antonio Spurs to seven games in the first round. That summer, he was traded to the Knicks as a part of a package deal to help bring Tyson Chandler back to Dallas.

Now, things are back to the way they used to be in Dallas because Dalembert is on the team and Chandler is gone, yet again. Let’s take a look at Dalembert’s best games in Dallas during the 2013-14 season:

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Nov. 22, 2013 – 18 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks

In a night in which the Mavericks beat the Jazz 103-93, Samuel Dalembert played all over the floor. He was hitting mid-range shots, catching alley-oops and even denying players at the rim. That night, Dalembert was matched up with Enes Kanter who was just entering his third year in the NBA.

Dalembert was able to hold him to just two points on 1-of-6 shooting and Kanter finished the game with a +/- of minus-17. Dalembert, though he was the best big on the floor in this game, controlled the flow on both ends and had an impact that ultimately led to a Mavs win.

Feb. 5, 2014 – 14 points, 10 rebounds

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Another double-double for Dalembert led to another win for the Mavs, this time over an impressive Memphis Grizzlies team. Dalembert only played 23 minutes but shot 6-for-10 against Marc Gasol and his incredible defense. Dalembert held Gasol to 12 points and forced him into six turnovers, showing that he was still able to guard the elite big men in the NBA.

March 23, 2014 – 12 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 7 blocks

Though the Mavericks were not able to pull off the win against the Nets in this game, Samuel Dalembert again had a dominant performance against the opposing big men. He added another double-double to his resume while he never had to face a true center the whole night.

He held Mason Plumlee and Andray Blatche to five points each while keeping their field goal percentage low throughout the process. It may not have shown too much because of how good the Nets guards were but Dalembert did his part in protecting the paint.

April 4, 2014 – 14 points, 14 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal

The Mavericks got the win against a struggling Lakers team in a game where Samuel Dalembert had another double-double. His minutes were kept low again (21) and 10 of his 14 rebounds came on the defensive end of the floor. He faced off against Jordan Hill, who also had a double-double in a very physical battle beneath the rim.

April 26, 2014 – 13 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks

This game was slightly different because it was in the playoffs and against the Spurs. Game 3 was known as the game where Vince Carter hit his famous corner three but Dalembert had a lot to do with keeping the Mavs within striking distance, including sinking two late free throws. He stayed physical on the defensive end and was able to grab rebounds effectively on both ends of the floor.

The video below highlights a particular play in which he used his size to get to the bucket and draw a foul.

Samuel Dalembert had a rough season with the Knicks last year but will be returning to a winning atmosphere in Dallas. The team will most likely be in the same position they were in when he was last on the team: fighting to lock up a playoff spot. Dalembert doesn’t instantly solve the problem for the Mavs at the center position but he definitely helps.

Though it’s not something that is obvious, Dalembert’s defense can come in handy on nights when the team is facing elite centers. It is still unknown as to whether he will start or not but he should fit in just like he did back in the 2013-14 season. Look for him to have more productive games this season in his return to Dallas.

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