Mavs already sick of Damp

[Vince]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/36171/20050606/is_dampier_on_thin_ice_in_dallas/

Not shocking. You knew this guy was gonna be brutal again when he got his fat contract. GS made a wise choice not re-signing him.

[Sarah]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

Well, Dampier is an average to almost above average Center but he lacks the decipline to go to another level so he is stuck to potential only. But if this guy can realize his capability, he may just be the Center PHX needs. Popovich is known to motivate big men to play D, but I don't think SA is looking forward to working with him.

The NBA teams is in desperate need of a descent big guy (or at least a potential big guy), so I would not be surprise some teams to make some offer for him.

[dieselboy]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

As much as the Mav's change their look every off-season, they could be in for another big change soon.

Dampier is on thin ice, Michael Finley is not the same player he was in '99, let alone in 2003, I think KVH and Stack are FAs, Avery Johnson looks be taking over, etc.

With all that said, they do still have a solid core. If Dampier is shipped out, KVH and Stack leave...The Mavericks could once again, look a lot different.

[Pointguard]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...ice_in_dallas/

Not shocking. You knew this guy was gonna be brutal again when he got his fat contract. GS made a wise choice not re-signing him.

Ehhh, Unless Dallas gets back a cneter better than Dampier, he likely wont be moved (or they ahve a plan to get someone else). Eddie Sefko has been on Dampier's case this whole year, through the good and bad days with Dampier. I wont say this story is false, but I say I'm skeptical.

For all Dampier struggled in, he put up 9.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 55% FGs, 1.4 bpg in 27.3 mpg. Those numbers are close to being the best a center as ever put up in Dallas.

And when Dampier was healthy mid-season and Avery was the coach for 10 games while Nellie was out with surgery in mid January I believe, Dampier's numbers sky-rocketed to 11+ppg and 14+rpg, as his minutes were over 30 a game. I dont know if Avery can have that effect throughout 82 games next year but Avery definately uses and motivates Dampier better than Nellie did, which in all liklihood Nellie hruy Dampier and his confidence (which is key with him).

If he gets 30+ mpg next year, he's close to a 11 and 10 guy that provides one of the better defensive centers in the game and if nothing else, the toughness and big body Dallas needs.

Anyone who watched Dallas in the postseason and regular season could see that when Dampier was on his game, he took Dallas to a whole new level. Its about keeping him there, which has been the problem.

Its funny because while Dampier definatey wasn't as good this season as he was last season, if you increase his mpg up to last season, then his numbers are striking close to what he put up in his career year.

Now some of those decrease in minutes were his foul troubles but other times it was Nellie's likingness to play small ball and keep Damp ont he bench way to long.

Avery's mindset and philosphy is much different. We will see how that plays a role in Dampier.

[Vince]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

For all Dampier struggled in, he put up 9.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 55% FGs, 1.4 bpg in 27.3 mpg. Those numbers are close to being the best a center as ever put up in Dallas.

Inexcusable. During his contract year he put up 12/12 and over 2 blocks per game. He mailed it in same with Mark "Smoke a" Blount.

[Pointguard]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

Inexcusable. During his contract year he put up 12/12 and over 2 blocks per game. He mailed it in same with Mark "Smoke a" Blount.

If he gets the minutes he got last year apose to this year, his averages would be on pace for 11+ppg and 10+rpg. No as good, but definately good for a center.



And any reasonable fan would have known Dampier wasn't going to put up the same numbers on Dallas as he did in Golden State.

He played next to arugably the worst rebound PF in the league in Clifford Robinson. When Ben Wallace played next to Cliffy, Ben's rpg average shot up 3+ rpg. Same happened for Dampier. So you tell me, Is Ben Wallace's lack of production from year-to-year inexcusable? Does Ben Wallace slack off, only play in contract years? As far as points go, last year Dampier was the 3rd or 4th leading scorer on the team. This season Dampier was the 6th leading scorer.

And no he didn't average over 2 blocks in his contract year. 1.8 bpg I believe.

[Pointguard]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

http://dallasbasketball.com/headline_A.asp?pr=

Summary: When Sefko said "Dallas shopped Dampier" he actually mis-quoted himself and should have said something to the effect of "Teams were calling Dallas interested to know if Dallas was shopping Dampier".

Good ole' Sefko.

[dingdingdong]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

Why would they trade the "second best center" in the L?

[Pointguard]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

Prove to me last season (03/04) that he wasn't top 3 among centers, quite possibily #2.

[23]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

Just ask the #1 center


"Damp is soft. Quote it, write it, tape it and send it to him," said O'Neal, who never spoke out against him. "I tell you, there's nothing there."

"I know one day, I'm going to wake up and it's not going to be there," O'Neal said, referring to the soreness in his leg. "When that day comes, whoever we're playing, they're going to be in trouble ... I've been playing like Erick Dampier."

[Vince]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

Oh the mediocrity of the center position in the NBA...

[Pointguard]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

"Damp is soft. Quote it, write it, tape it and send it to him," said O'Neal, who never spoke out against him. "I tell you, there's nothing there."

This said after Dampier put up 15 points and 14 rebounds against Shaq, Dallas winning going away for the 2nd time in the season, winning the season series 2-0, when the first meeting Dallas won by 24 points I believe (Maybe just 22). I'll take soft.


Other Shaq quote:

"Michael Doleac is the best backup center in the league"



Shaquille sure does know how to judge em at the center position, dont you think?

[23]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

I do think Damp is soft.

[dingdingdong]

Re: Mavs already sick of Damp

I do think Damp is soft.

Dampier is softer than Charmin's toilet paper.