As I was reading this article, I realized Dampier is the Mavs 2nd most important player. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Put it in neon lights: Erick is important By DWAIN PRICE Star-Telegram Staff Writer DALLAS - No one has to remind Erick Dampier of his importance to the Mavericks. But Avery Johnson does. "I told him that today," Johnson said after Thursday's practice. "I tell him that every day. I tell him that when I take him to lunch, I tell him that when my wife cooks for him, I tell him that when I call him on the phone. "What do you want me to do, put up a sign on the JumboTron? He knows how much he means to us." The constant reminders from the Mavericks head coach are apparently sinking in. After an inconsistent season last year, Dampier is not only saying all the right things, but the physical play by the 6-foot-11 center in camp shows that he has been very attentive. "I know how important I am to this team," Dampier said. "It's going to be up to me to go out and get the job done each and every night on a consistent basis. I know there are a lot of people depending on me. Guys on this team are depending on me, so it's up to me to make up my mind to go out and get it done every night." In his first season with the Mavs last year, Dampier averaged 9.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in the regular season. In the postseason, however, he averaged only 7.0 points and 7.5 rebounds and teammate Dirk Nowitzki publicly criticized Dampier during the playoff series against Phoenix. Johnson said Dampier has been very active in workouts, including Thursday's practice. Part of that is because Dampier altered his off-season regimen, and concentrated on conditioning instead of lifting weights. Dampier also knows Johnson favors a traditional offense with the center more involved. Former coach Don Nelson employed more offensive sets that used small lineups. "At first when I got here I didn't really know what to do or what to expect. Now that Avery has taken over, things are a lot better." And if Dampier can control the middle the way Johnson envisions, the Mavericks could very well again be one of the top teams in the Western Conference. "He doesn't have to put up Shaq-like numbers or [Tim] Duncan numbers," Johnson said. "He can just maximize his time when he's out on the court. "Whether it's 28 minutes, 38 minutes, whatever the amount of minutes. Just maximize your time."</div> I think in order of importance is 1. Dirk Nowitzki 2. Erick Dampier 3. Josh Howard 4. Jason Terry 5. Keith Van Horn (need a good Dirk backup) 6. Doug Christie 7. DeSagana Diop You?
I don't think he's important as the guys up there, he just comes in and scores which a lot of other guys do. I didn't want to list the whole team, but him and Daniels would have been the next 2 guys
I think that Josh is a little more important then Dampier,he js gives them buckets and a spark from his prescence
I do agree with some of the reasoning, but I think Jason Terry is the second most important player on the Mavs. Depending on how he plays, usually determines the wins and losses for the Mavs. When he is Jason Terry the confident point guard, knowing when to pass and when to attack, the Mavs are hard to beat. When he is Jason Terry unsure whether to pass or shoot, the Mavs tend to lose. Jason Terry needs to establish consistency this season from the guard position. A great example of Jason Terry's inconsistency was the last 3 games in the playoffs against Houston. Game 3 - 13PTS, 7 AST | Mavs Won Game 4 - 7PTS, 4 AST | Mavs Lost Game 5 - 31PTS, 3 AST | Mavs Won In Game 3 and Game 5, Jason Terry was very sure of what he wanted to do on the court and was being the playmaker the Mavs need him to be. In Game 4 he was a deer in the headlights and couldn't figure out how to contain Mike James. As for Dampier, it's easier for the Mavs to replace his presence on the court. The Mavs have the luxury of sliding Nowitzki to C, and playing small ball against teams. The small ball Mavs create all kinds of mismatches on the court, and makes it hard for teams to outscore the Mavs.
I think playing Nowitzki at Center should be a last resort, Dallas doesn't do well with him there and no surprise he had his best ever season with a real center on his team manning the paint
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Maverick:</div><div class="quote_post">I think playing Nowitzki at Center should be a last resort, Dallas doesn't do well with him there and no surprise he had his best ever season with a real center on his team manning the paint</div> Actually the stats tell a different story when Nowitzki is playing center. Terry-Finley-Howard-Van Horn-Nowitzki won 75% (9-3) Terry-Daniels-Howard-Van Horn-Nowitzki won 85% (6-1) The Mavs also win a lot with Dampier at Center, but they do just fine when Dirk is forced to play there. However, when Terry came out of games, the Mavs really struggled. Harris-Daniels-Howard-Nowitzki-Dampier won 46.1% (6-7) Harris-Finley-Howard-Nowitzki-Dampier won 53.8% (7-6) Armstrong-Finley-Howard-Nowitzki-Dampier won 11.1% (1-8) Harris-Stackhouse-Finley-Nowitzki-Dampier won 53.8% (7-6) Harris-Stackhouse-Finley-Henderson-Nowitzki won 30.7% (4-9) Take a look at the link below for all the stats. 82 Games 5-Man Units
Ha, I concede. You win, good post. Thanks for that, it's somewhat interesting. I like how with Bradley we arent even under .500, maybe he wasnt that bad?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Maverick:</div><div class="quote_post">Ha, I concede. You win, good post. Thanks for that, it's somewhat interesting. I like how with Bradley we arent even under .500, maybe he wasnt that bad?</div> Yeah the lineup with Bradley was interesting, but the one with Hendu in the game really caught my attention. They were terrible when he was in the game playing alongside Nowitzki.
I think Dirk can play center fine, but I don't know that he has the defensive capabilities, boxing out skills, or mind-set of a center that are necessary to go up against the centers he would face later in the playoffs. Then again does he have what it takes to go against Duncan and Garnett? I think moreso than against Shaq, Ming, either Detroit Wallace. It's an interesting concept though, looking at the numbers. The Dirk-to-center option was nice for Don Nelson's team, I have my doubts about Avery's style and vision of a center would work with Dirk's strongpoints at the 5 spot. Anyway, about the post: I think the rotation is going to be deep, so I've done the top 10. 1. Dirk Nowitzki - He's the best on the team. They have to have him. 2. Jason Terry - He initiates the offense and when he's hot, so are the Mavs. 3. Jerry Stackhouse - His highs aren't as high as Damp's or Howard's perhaps, but he's always there for the Mavs with smart plays and Offense. 4. Erick Dampier - Someone's got to be Avery's traditional center. The Mavs need Damp to play like it's a contract year. 5. Josh Howard - If he has a real breakout year, it could be something big in Dallas. But, if he can't follow through there are others who can pick up the slack at his position. 6. Marquis Daniels - If Daniels can stay healthy he could take this team by storm and pass 2-5 because of his drive and natural talent. It's important for any team to have a strong, capable 6 man rotation, and he fits into 3 slots. 7. Desagana Diop - The Mavs lost Bradley and may finally realize why it was nice to have him if Diop doesn't pan out. If Diop fulfills his potential then Dallas could have the best depth in the league. If not, they have no 2nd center option except the second-coming-of-Bo Outlaw- DJ Mbenga. 8. Doug Christie - He could return to being one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and give the Mavs a huge lift. But, if not, there are others who play his spot just fine. 9. Keith Van Horn - The poor man's Dirk is still a potent scorer and decent rebounder. It's great to have a backup with such a similar (of course relatively) skill set and size to Dirk's. 10. Devin Harris - This fella' is undderrated and may make other teams pay for not knowing about his arsenal. Many forget that he actually challenged Terry for the starting job at the beginning of last season. It's only a matter of time before Harris just loses it on someone and the Dallas bench becomes the best in the league.... maybe.
damn i missed a good discussion. Culperfect, I think Josh should be 3rd or 4th no matter what because he needs to be the Michael Finley to Dirk and Jason Terry. I think that Josh will soon be a better player than Mike but he is definitely needed more than Stack who is just a scorer, a spark off the bench. I just hope that Dampier will play like he can instead of Dirk screaming at him to bring it out if he does then Dampier is the 3rd or 4th behind or in front of Josh. After that i'd go 5.Stack, and 6. Van Horn who need to come in and score score score. 7. Christie who should probably start because of that leadership lost with Finley. 8. Harris, 9. Diop who I really like coming into the camp 40 lbs. lighter being the backup for Damp. 10. Daniels. I really cant find a roll for Marquis with Josh being so good, Stackhouse being a consistant scorer, Christie i think stole his spot and i think for the best.
most important mavs, IMO, in order: 1. Dirk (although he is NOT the franchise player that Dallas keeps envisioning him as) 2. Dampier (only because the Mavs need significant production from the 5 spot to be considered legit contenders) 3. Howard (he'll eventually be the player the Mavs build themselves around) 4. Devin Harris (he's the lone true PG on the roster, aside from DA...Terry is more of a 2, but for the Mavs to go anywhere, they'll need a legit 1 who looks to pass and set others up first and who can defend opposing ones)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Houston:</div><div class="quote_post">most important mavs, IMO, in order: 1. Dirk (although he is NOT the franchise player that Dallas keeps envisioning him as) 2. Dampier (only because the Mavs need significant production from the 5 spot to be considered legit contenders) 3. Howard (he'll eventually be the player the Mavs build themselves around) 4. Devin Harris (he's the lone true PG on the roster, aside from DA...Terry is more of a 2, but for the Mavs to go anywhere, they'll need a legit 1 who looks to pass and set others up first and who can defend opposing ones)</div> Wow, man, strong words on Dirk. I have wondered if he's got what it takes to be their franchise player, and I think it's absolutely possible if he can find himself. I mean, Dirk is really a slower/giant shooting guard. If he could even play the three he'd be more comfortable, but quality 7 footers are so rare in the league, no one's willing to waste his height. It's a shame, but I too have had doubts about where Dirk's limit of success may lie at the PF position. But, I think if Dirk's no franchise player than Kevin Garnett isn't either. Samoan-Maverick- I understand why everyone thinks Howard should be 2nd or 3rd, in fact I imagine he will become a star this season second only on the squad to Dirk. But, they have the security for him to flop, so I think it would be least damaging (of the starting players) for him to get injured, but it would be most beneficial (in relation to all the other players, except Dirk) for him to be healthy. Roundabout thinking, huh? Also, Stackhouse gives the Mavs (especially the younger players) a sense of comfort that even Finley didn't give them. Yes, it's true the most valuable asset about Stack is that he's a great scorer, but sometimes your team stops hitting shots and it's vastly important that someone starts making them. His loss wouldn't be catastrophic either. Another thing: I don't think many fans, Mavs or otherwise, know that much about Marquis Daniels. This guy went toe-to-toe with Carmello Anthony when they were at Auburn and Syracuse, respectively, and almost got the best of him. Auburn lost by one point and was the only team to get that close to Syracuse. I know, that's three years ago... But, after going undrafted this guy made the Mavs and was, according to Don Nelson before the Mavs/ Clippers pre-season game in Oct. 2003, "neck and neck" for the backup swingman spot with Josh Howard. At the end of that season 'Quis was given a handful of starts/ big minute games and in those was consistently (on a squad with Nash, Dirk, 'Toine Walker, Antawn Jamison, Finley, and so on) a top two scorer, steals man, and in the top three in rebounding. Last season there was question whether he would start over Howard until Marquis got injured. Now, he's a season of development behind and listed by several sources (including NBA.com) as the Mavs starting shooting guard. I don't imagine he's that far behind. I think this guy's going to be something huge... That's all, just a rant.
People here are overrating the importance of Erick Dampier. Why do you guys find him so important? He didn't do jack last year for you guys. He was hardly a prescence during the regular season, getting what, 9ts/8rbds/1blk per game? And you call that important? No way. He's overrated and he isn't very good at what he does. He's one of those guys that decided that he should probably try during a contract year, otherwise he won't get paid. And after that, went back to the lackluster play that you're used to seeing of him.
