Smith could have a shot
with the Sixers this season

Off the Dribble
By Ryan Smith

Call me naïve, but I was counting on Samuel Dalembert this season.
After seemingly coming into his own during the second half of last season, it was beginning to look like the 76ers had themselves a legitimate, big-time force at center.
Even after Dalembert, who enters his sixth season with the Sixers, suffered a stress fracture in his left foot while playing for Canada over the summer in the Olympic qualifying tournament, I stayed positive.
He seemed to bounce back quickly, and was well on his way to full recovery when he pulled himself out of practice on Oct. 11, complaining of pain in the foot that had been fractured.
He had looked pretty good just three days earlier, playing more than 18 minutes in the team’s preseason opener against the New York Knicks.
When he pulled himself out of practice, Dalembert said he was just being cautious, and that he wanted to avoid exacerbating the injury.
Now, as the Sixers enter their sixth preseason game tonight against the Knicks, there is still no sign of Dalembert returning.
There is talk that he may be available for the regular season opener on Oct. 31.
But, at this point, are you willing to hold your breath?
If Dalembert does return on time, how much can be expected of him? How effective will he really be?
The Sixers are in desperate need of a big man to step up and be the dominant force in the paint that this team has so sorely lacked in recent seasons.
The Sixers may want to have a backup plan ready in case this stress-fracture thing lingers.
Free-agent signing Calvin Booth was brought here to be the backup, and it seems he would be most effective if he plays only about 15 minutes a night.
So somebody else must be found to fill the gaping void that will exist when Dalembert inevitably lets us down.
Enter rookie Jason Smith.
He has been one of coach Maurice Cheeks’ most pleasant surprises.
Targeted by Sixers’ GM Billy King, the team traded up with the Miami Heat to draft Smith at No. 20 in the first round of the NBA draft.
While Smith was somewhat of an unknown to Sixers fans, King has been steadfast in saying that he will be an impact player. While the rookie center took his lumps early, he has looked much more comfortable recently.
If the Sixers need him at center, at least Cheeks knows that he can do it.
The 7-foot center out of Colorado State continued his strong preseason on Sunday with 16 points and nine rebounds in 42:35 minutes against the Boston Celtics.
Overall, in five preseason games, the rookie has averaged 9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 30 minutes per game. (You may want to note that these numbers are not too far from Dalembert’s career averages.)
Now Smith is at the point where he is looking for his own shot, something that he didn’t do as recently as summer league games.
To unseat Dalembert on a full-time basis, Smith must get physically stronger and a lot tougher inside. But he has shown that he can shoot and handle the ball, and Cheeks says he’s been happy with Smith’s defense.
And even when the Sixers play him with a small lineup — for example, Kyle Korver, Lou Williams, Andre Iguodala, Rodney Carney and Smith at center — they are still effective in transition because Smith can rebound and is skilled enough to start the fast break.
It has been only five preseason games, but one thing is for sure: Smith has earned himself minutes, whether Samuel Dalembert is ready for opening night in Toronto or not.
And even though it’s just the preseason, the Sixers would be better off if they can get on a roll before the games that count in the standings get underway. ••
Columnist Ryan Smith can be reached at 215-354-3114 or smithry@phillynews.com