http://www.sacbee.com/2010/11/03/3154430/stalwart-defenderhas-it-all-covered.html
Last week, Kings coach Paul Westphal turned to center Samuel Dalembert to start the second half in Cleveland, where Sacramento's defense was being picked apart by the Cavaliers.
And when Toronto's Reggie Evans started Monday's Kings home opener grabbing rebounds seemingly at will, Dalembert helped slow the Raptors forward.
In both games, the Kings trailed by double digits, and Dalembert helped rally the Kings. His role will remain the same tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers, at least for now.
Rookie DeMarcus Cousins is the starter. He claimed the job while Dalembert nursed a leg injury in training camp. But Dalembert has played more minutes in each game since missing the first game.
In the Kings' 111-108 win over Toronto, Westphal used both players late in the game – Cousins on offense and Dalembert on defense.
Although teams are scoring big in the first half against the Kings, Westphal isn't planning to start Dalembert.
"I don't see any big reason to change things right now," Westphal said.
Deciding between two centers is a luxury the Kings didn't have last season. Spencer Hawes was the one true center on the roster, and he was dealt to Philadelphia as part of the trade that brought Dalembert to Sacramento.
Now the Kings have plenty of size, and they'll need it tonight against the Lakers.
"We certainly have more inside presence than we've had," Westphal said. "The Lakers have size at every position, and that makes it difficult."
The Kings' first-half struggles on defense have made their three victories difficult.
Facing a Lakers frontcourt that's among the biggest – even without center Andrew Bynum as he recovers from knee surgery – presents the largest challenge for the Kings' centers this season, especially with the skilled Pau Gasol leading the way.
The past two offensive-minded centers the Kings faced were New Jersey's Brook Lopez (29 points) and Toronto's Andrea Bargnani (28 points).
Cousins picked up early fouls against both, but he said the Kings are ready for the Lakers.
"I believe the bigs should play pretty good against them," Cousins said. "We face it every day. … We've got to go in and jump on them early."
If that doesn't happen and the Lakers are scoring at will on the inside, look for Westphal to turn to Dalembert.
Dalembert had 14 rebounds Monday. He has watched his teammates struggle, then he has come in and settled the unit defensively.
Dalembert isn't used to coming off the bench. Entering this season, he had started 491 of 582 games.
Dalembert said the Kings can't afford a slow defensive start tonight. Slowing a player the caliber of Gasol isn't easy after he has gotten on a roll.
"It's always tough," Dalembert said. "Sometimes you have great players that start off in a good rhythm. That's why we have to make sure that doesn't happen. If they start to get in a good flow, it's going to be tough. It's going to be long night."
Dalembert and Cousins have worked well together. Dalembert, in his ninth NBA season, teaches the rookie how to defend.
Cousins hasn't needed much help on offense, however. He has been a big part of the scoring, especially late in games, giving the Kings a formidable paint presence.
"I think it works well," Cousins said. "Sam's a defender. That's what he's great at, and I'm still in the learning process of being a defender."
