Sixers Notes: Dalembert on own quest to aid Haiti

Samuel Dalembert

was scheduled to land in Haiti yesterday, although the specifics weren't immediately known.

As of yesterday at noon, Marc Cornstein, Dalembert's agent, knew only that the 76ers center was trying to get to his native country with Project Medishare, an agency on the ground in the capital of Port-au-Prince, taking medical relief after last week's devastating earthquake.

Cornstein said Dalembert has worked previously with Project Medishare, even before the earthquake.

On Monday night, Dalembert did not fly home from Minnesota with the Sixers, deciding instead to take his chances on getting to Haiti, which has been a difficult task.

Dalembert, who donated $130,000 last week to UNICEF's efforts, wanted to ensure the safety of his immediate family and provide comfort for those who are ailing.

Cornstein said Dalembert understood the safety risk in making the trip, as well as the tricky situation involving border clearance on both entry and exit.

Dalembert has said he will make more than one trip to Haiti.

"He let me know after the game that he was going there, and I told him to be safe and we'll be praying for him, and I hope everything goes well for him," Sixers point guard Allen Iverson said.

Dalembert is expected back for tonight's home game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers.

"It's important to him to go and be a part of it . . .," Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said. "It's really close to him - not just his family, but the entire community he feels close to."

Andre Miller

, who last season started at point guard for the Sixers, is expected to start tonight for the Trail Blazers. Miller is averaging 12.6 points and 5.0 assists. In July, he signed a three-year, $21 million deal with Portland, choosing not to rejoin the Sixers, who offered him a one-year deal for about $6 million.

Asked whether the team missed a pass-first guy like Miller, Sixers forward Thaddeus Young said, "I think we're good with the guards we've got."

Iverson is second in voting among Eastern Conference guards for the All-Star Game. If the voting holds, Iverson will be a starter for the Feb. 14 game in Dallas.

There has been some frustration vocalized around the NBA that Iverson - and the Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady - would be starters in the game despite seeing limited action.

Iverson, who has played 18 games, scoffed at that notion.

"It don't bother me at all," Iverson said. "If the fans want to see me, they want to see me."

- Kate Fagan