Growing up in Haiti, Sixers center and The Concierge's favorite player, Samuel Dalembert obviously wasn't exposed to much hockey.
As a benefit for Sixers charities, Sammy D attended a hockey game with a fan who bid on the experience in an auction.
Dalembert was given a #1 Flyers jersey, a Sami Kampanen autographed stick (which he traded for an autographed ball), and he even got to speak French in the locker room with some of the Flyers players.
But he still hasn't picked up all the nuances of the NHL.
Sammy D has been the heart and soul of TDP for the past five years throughout its several incarnations. From The Dalembert Proxy to TDP:Ain't No Deng to TDP: The Return of Ray to this years TDP:The Return of Gay. Sammy D is there year in and year out.
ReplyDeleteSammyD is a great story of a player who came to the NBA way too early after one year in college due to his complete state of poverty. He was raw and unproven but, finally with the ability to use sneakers to play the game, he would blossom. Sure in his early years the refs would punish him for his ability to jump hirer than anyone else and block shots that the NBA wanted to result in points. He spent much time on the bench in foul trouble due to broad based discrimination against Haitians. Each year he improves. Like food in Haiti, he rations his shots, taking only what is needed. He rebounds in traffic like grabbing a sack of grain from the Salvation Army relief truck. Simply, he plays up to the maximum of his ability. He gives everything! but it isn't good enough. It isn't good enough for me, it isn't good enough for you, it isn't good enough for anybody!
Well stated, Uncle Conch. But you make no mention of the fact that he thinks hockey is played with a ball.
ReplyDeleteForce of Habit- the puck does not slide too well on the dirt in Haiti.
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