Tyson Chandler’s absence doesn’t mean the Knicks are without a shot-blocking presence in the paint.
Samuel Dalembert is ready to fill the void.
“That’s what I’ve been doing throughout my career,” the former Seton Hall big man said on a conference call Friday. “I’ve always been a defensive guy, I’ve always been able to protect the paint. I don’t think it should be a problem. I fulfill that role.”
The 11th-year pro was part of the blockbuster trade with the Mavericks on Wednesday that netted the Knicks two second-round picks, used on Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, along with point guards Jose Calderon and Shane Larkin and shooting guard Wayne Ellington in exchange for Chandler and Raymond Felton
The 6-foot-11 Haitian product, the only center currently on the Knicks roster, is thrilled to be back on the East Coast, where he attended high school (at St. Patrick in Elizabeth, N.J.) and college. Dalembert, due to make $3.9 million on the last year of his contract, spent the first eight years of his career in Philadelphia with the 76ers. He enjoyed his best season there, averaging a double-double of 10.5 points and 10.7 rebounds in addition to 2.3 blocks per game in 2007-08.
“I’m just happy to be back and be on a contending team,” said Dalembert, who was in Times Square on Wednesday night when word of the trade broke. “I’m just excited. I can’t wait. … I had my share of the West Coast already.”
Dalembert has bounced around since leaving the Sixers, spending one season each with the Kings, Rockets, Bucks and Mavericks. This past year, he appeared in 80 games and averaged 6.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 20 minute a night while shooting a career-best 56.8 percent from the field — comparable to the numbers Chandler produced given his minutes.
Dalembert, 33, said he has spoken to Carmelo Anthony in the past and spoke glowingly of the free agent’s desire to win. He hopes the high-scoring forward returns to the Knicks.
“He can take care of the offense and I can take care of the defense,” said Dalembert, who has played in 854 games in 12 seasons.
Calderon raved about Dalembert’s team-first attitude, his desire to do the dirty work and his long arms and defensive prowess.
“He was really important for us,” Calderon said. “When he’s playing good, we were winning games. He’s a great, great player.”