Samuel Dalembert: Great Performence Bitter-Sweet For Haiti Native

As you probably know, Haiti was hit by a 7.0 earthquake this week. Around 50,000 people are estimated to be dead. The earthquake is the worst in Haiti's history. Towns and even the presidential palace are destroyed. It is a tragedy.

What you may not know is that Philadelphia 76ers' center Samuel Dalembert was born in Haiti. After he heard the news of the quake, he attempted to call family in Haiti. He couldn't get through. Dalembert was distraught.

"You're going out of your mind," he said. "You feel like you're in a cage. You cannot move. You cannot do anything."

Fortunately, Sammy later received an e-mail from his father saying that he and two of Dalembert's siblings were safe. Sam's mother and one sister were safe in their home in Canada.  

However, Samuel does not know other things. I can only imagine what must be running through his mind right now. What happened to other family members? What about friends? Is his old home still intact? No one ever wants think about those types of things.

Samuel must have been fueled by the emotions he felt. Last night in a game against the Knicks, Dalembert put up one of the best performances in his career. He went 6-for-8 with 12 points and 21 rebounds. He was just three rebounds shy of a new career-high.

I'm not a personal fan of Samuel and his playing style, but to go through something like this and have such a great performance is mind-blowing. It is reminiscent of Brett Favre on the night his father passed away. I have to tip my hat to Dalembert. My thoughts and prayers are with Samuel and any of his family and friends in Haiti.