Samuel Dalembert would've preferred to be the Mavericks' full-time center. During his first season in Dallas, however, Dalembert was used for about 20 minutes per game, starting 68 of the 80 games he appeared in.
"It was a tough thing," he said during Monday's season-ending exit interviews. "But it was for the best for the team. We really put our differences to the side and we went out there and made the best of what we had. I was very happy to see how the guys responded to it. I was happy."
Dalembert split time down low with Brandan Wright, who averaged 19 minutes per game, and DeJuan Blar, who averaged 16 minutes.
How did Dalembert think he played in his 12th NBA season?
"Considering that we had to split and share the times with each other, I think we really managed it well," he said. "We really managed the situation and we made the best of our time out there. We were able to contribute and be a positive for the team."
Dalembert scored in double figures 18 times and recorded double-digit rebounds 16 times this season. His best outing during the playoffs came in Game 3 as he grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked four shots and scored 14 points during a 109-108 Mavericks victory.
Why can't he perform like that every night?
"You got to play," Dalembert said. "I can't sub myself in. You just have to wait for your times to be out there and make the best of it. I want to play that consistently but ⦠it was a three-big rotation. Any time you get something going and you're really in a zone, then you got to wait another 14 minutes to get back in. It was tough.
"But overall, I'm kind of happy to see the outcome. We really stepped up and made the best of the situation. I want to play like that all the time, but you got to play."
Dallas has a team option on Dalembert for the 2014-15 season. If they choose to exercise it, Dalembert will make $3.9 million during that league year, according to HoopsHype.com. He made $3.7 million this season.
