Feb 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Samuel Dalembert (21) shoots the ball as Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee (34) defends during the first half at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Samuel Dalembert had one of the best NBA games that you’ll see last night. It was likely the most efficient night of any basketball player this season–he made LeBron James look like child’s play.

Dalambert had 35 points and 12 rebounds in only 27 minutes of playing time. Dalembert had 27 points in only 12 minutes of play and had only missed one shot at that point. He missed four shots in all last night.

The Bucks ended up folding in that game after a late push by the Denver Nuggets, but that wasn’t Dalembert’s fault. He had the best game of his career undoubtedly and probably made escalated the trade hype surrounding him.

There are a number of teams who could be after Dalembert, but it may be later rather than sooner when the Bucks deal him. The trade deadline is in 15 days, but Larry Sanders went down with an apparent back injury last night. His MRI came back negative today but there has been no word on his status for the Bucks next game.

They could hold off on trading Dalembert because of the Sanders injury, but if Sanders is cleared to play then we may see Dalembert move soon.

The Boston Celtics could use a big like Dalembert. He’s a rebonuder and a shot blocker–something that the Celtics lack. Yes, Garnett is a great defender but he’s not going to erase shots at the rim or give a boost in rebounding. Obviously, Dalembert isn’t a max player but he’ll have a minimal impact on the Celtics defense and rebounding.

Its unlikely that the Celtics would be interested in bringing Dalembert in because of his contract and his age. Dalembert is on an expiring contract, yes, but if you’re trading for him that means you’re looking to keep him. The Celtics would have to resign him to a deal that they may potentially regret in the future, or he could possibly walk depending on the circumstance.

Dalembert is also 32 years old. Its not like the Celtics are a contender this year, so they really don’t have any need for him. But if they were going to make a final push, he’d be a piece that the C’s would possibly be interested in. This is likely the last season that we’ll see the Garnett and Pierce duo in Celtic green so it wouldn’t be very smart to give away possible assets for a center that wasn’t a very hot commodity before last night.

Jan 16, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard DeAndre Liggins (25) attempts a shot against Denver Nuggets Timofey Mozgov (25) during the second half at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

”That doesn’t make a lot of sense to radically change the team when you’re trying to compete to win it all.  We have been and will continue to look to upgrade our team, but I think it’s always more unlikely that that happens than likely.  You have to produce.  It’s my job to look at the bigger picture. We have to live in the moment and try to win and help our team have success, but at the same time, if it’s not happening on the court, than there has to be changes made, absolutely.”

–Danny Ainge via WEEI 

Is Danny Ainge right?

There’s a certain validity to the concept that major shakeups could disrupt team chemistry.  But let’s be honest:  The Celtics are not a team without holes.

The C’s currently rank near the bottom in the following statistical categories:

• Points in Paint 37.7 (25th in league)
• Three Point Production (28th, 16.5 ppg)
• Offensive Rebounding (29th, 8.3 per game)
• Rebound Rate:  47.8 (28th)
• Shot blocking (28th, 4.0 per game)
• Fouls per defensive play:  25th, 19.7 percent
• Free Throws Attempted per off play:  22.3 (23rd)
• Opponent three percentage (22nd) 36.6
• Fourth Quarter Offense 23rd (22.5 ppg)

A cursory glance of those weaknesses reveals a reoccurring theme:  lack of interior presence.

It may be obvious without analyzing those stats, but the C’s need an inside presence.  Ranking near the bottom in points in the paint, all rebounding categories and shot blocking clearly demonstrates that the C’s need a true center.

Fab Melo is still a couple seasons away from being the answer there, and Kevin Garnett is still a power forward pressed into duties at the 5 spot.

The thing is, Ainge has to be aware of these facts, and yet he isn’t seeking to change the team?

Let’s key in on two words from Ainge’s statement though: “radically” change.

Some minor tinkering is definitely in order, and it’s not as though there is a shortage of available bigs to help fill the glaring deficiencies.

The Heat have expressed interest in Timofey Mozgov.  Shouldn’t the Celtics, too?

Mozgov was praised by Nuggets coach George Karl, as he said he “belongs on the court.”  But Denver can’t accommodate that.  They already have Kosta Koufos and JaVale McGee usurping all the minutes at center.

That makes Mozgov, who only gets paid $2.6 million a year, entirely expendable.  And the C’s have the assets to move for him.  It would require a little bit of creativity on Ainge’s part, but a combination of lesser players could snag Mozgov, or even a second-round pick.

If the Nuggets wanted to take on Chris Wilcox to be a third big on their team and a second round pick, they may pull the trigger.

But Mozgov may not be the best big available.

Jan 11, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Samuel Dalembert (21) shoots a layup against Detroit Pistons forward Austin Daye (5) at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Samuel Dalembert is seldom used on the Bucks, a team with more bigs than they know what to do with.  They already have Joel Przybilla to fill his role as third center…making Dally a costly redundancy.

Dalembert receives $6.6 million per season, but it’s quite possible the Bucks buy out his contract.  That would make him available for a low price, even possibly the veteran minimum.

The best part about Dalembert is that he would go a long way towards shoring up the shot blocking weakness.  He still averages three blocks per-36 minutes, and can still play.  He’s 31 years old, but just two seasons ago in Philly, he averaged a double-double with blocks to boot.

Ainge said he is opposed to making major changes, but some minor tinkering is order, especially after Darko Milicic departed to take care of his ill mother in Serbia.

Now’s the time to work those wires, Danny, and bring the C’s a big man capable of helping in the paint!

Mar 8, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange center Fab Melo (51) scores as Connecticut Huskies forward Tyler Olander (10) looks on during the second half of the third round at the Big East Tournament held at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

Fab Melo averaged just 1.8 points 4.8 rebounds 1.0 blocks 28.6% from the field 50% from the line in the Orlando Summer League, prompting many Celtics fans to wonder if he may be the next bust of Hasheem Thabeet magnitude.

Make no mistake, Thabeet was a much more touted prospect, drafted 2nd overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, but has already played for three teams thus far since then and is about to enter his first season with his fourth squad in Oklahoma City.  His numbers have been horrid so far:  2.2 points per game and 1.7 rebounds per game, with nearly one block per contest.  This all comes after averaging 13.8 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game at UCONN with 152 blocks in his senior season, including a triple double against Providence in which he totaled 15 points, 11 rebounds, and ten blocks (!).  The sky was the ceiling for Thabeet, who was compared to NBA great Dikembe Mutombo.

The ceiling for Melo has been more compared to Samuel Dalembert, but if Melo reached that level it would still best what Thabeet has done so far — by a long shot.  Melo was said to have played decent defense in summer league, showing the shot blocking ability that made him a late first round pick.  He played hard, diving for the ball, and even showed a few flashes on offense, despite the uninspiring stats (hard to get too excited about 22% FG).  Besides, it was his defense that got him drafted, and learning from Kevin Garnett will only make that ability even better.

Again, the expectations is what makes things different here.  Some are hoping for nothing more than a modest state line of five points, five rebounds, and a block and a half per game.  Others set the bar way too high, considering he was taken 22nd overall and missed the NCAA tournament, which could have either helped or hurt his draft stock.

So that Sam Dalembert upside? Dalembert’s career stats come out to 8 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, and 1.9 blocks per game in almost 26 minutes per night.  HIs best career season came in 2007-08 as a member of the division rival Philadelphia 76ers, when he averaged 10.5 points per game, 10.4 rebounds per game, and 2.3 blocks per game.  If Melo can play to that level, he is worth every bit of his draft spot, and Dalembert himself was taken at a similar position at 26th overall in the 2001 Draft.

So, we all know the obvious:  It could go one of two ways for Melo — bust or smashing success.  The middle ground is possible as well, but to me it seems he’ll either “get it” and be a great success, or he’ll fall into obscurity and be out of the league in a few seasons if he doesn’t adapt to NBA rotations and not playing in a zone defense anymore as he did at Syracuse most of the time.

Melo’s athletic abilities give him the potential, but it will be refining the mental aspects that can make him a success.