Mavs' Dalembert on being out of shape: 'That's what preseason is for'

Not all players come into training camp in tip-top shape. The ones that put in work in the offseason to add or subtract the standard 15 pounds of muscle (or fat) are going above and beyond.

Dallas Mavericks center Samuel Dalembert, however, isn't going above and beyond. Head coach Rick Carlisle called out Dalembert for being out of shape last week, but that didn't dampen Dalembert's mood.

Instead, Dalembert had a tongue-in-cheek response for ESPN's Tim MacMahon on Tuesday when asked about his conditioning.

"That’s what preseason is for," Dalembert said with a smile after the Mavericks' 96-86 loss to the Denver Nuggets in their preseason opener. "I’ve never been through preseason and seen somebody come in in shape."

Put aside Dalembert's laissez-faire attitude towards using preseason to get in shape because he has another month to regain his fitness. But the notion he never saw anyone over his 13-year career come into camp in shape is patently ridiculous.

Nevertheless, Dalembert did garner praise from Carlisle after Tuesday's game.

"Dalembert’s having a solid camp," Carlisle said. "He came in a little bit out of shape. He’s working really hard to get himself where he needs to be. I thought his minutes tonight were positive."

Dalembert signed a guaranteed one-year deal in the summer and is expected to battle Zaza Pachulia for the starting center spot alongside Dirk Nowitzki.