<font size="+2"> Terry passing time in camp with Damp </font><font size="+1">Point guard, center building timing, coordination together </font> <font size="-1"> 09:37 PM CDT on Saturday, October 15, 2005 </font> <font size="-1"> By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News </font> Jason Terry is seeing to it that Erick Dampier has every chance to be successful this season. Two of the wild cards in the Mavericks' starting lineup have spent a lot of time after recent practices working together on passes into the paint when Terry is penetrating and from the perimeter. The goal is to create some chemistry between the point guard and the center, who are under pressure to upgrade their performances this season. "We all have to be on the same page," Terry said. "You look at all the great point guard-big men combinations, and they're on a string. They got great timing, great coordination, especially in the pick-and-roll. "Me making the short pass, the bounce pass, throwing it up high – just finding out where he likes the ball. That's what camp is about. It cuts down on turnovers once the season starts and builds his confidence." Dampier has had a good camp and will see more action in upcoming preseason games, starting tonight at New York. He knows more consistency is needed from him. Terry is willing to do his part. Though coach Avery Johnson wants the 6-2 guard to be a scorer first, he will not forget about the man in the middle. "It's those guys reading each other, Damp getting in the right spot and our guards making passes and getting him the ball," Johnson said. "Spacing is a key. You can't get anybody the ball if three people are standing next to him." Learning where Dampier can catch the ball best is paramount to Terry. Contrary to Dampier's reputation, Terry believes Dampier can catch the basketball well – just not when it's at his feet or over his head. Hence, the passing drills. "I got to find ways to get him the ball, especially a guy that we don't particularly go to all the time," Terry said. "We were very successful last year when he got three or four dunks early. It kept him involved." Things to look for: If the two preseason games on this trip were on TV, viewers would have a couple of interesting things to zero in on. First, Johnson wants to find out where Doug Christie is physically. With Jerry Stackhouse (right knee) probably out for both games, Christie will get a nice test, probably at the beginning of both halves. And there will be other things to watch. "We want our main guys to start playing now," Johnson said. "You'll see some different looks." Among them: Dirk Nowitzki at small forward, Nowitzki and Keith Van Horn on the floor together, Marquis Daniels – having an outstanding camp – as the point guard more often and Jason Terry on the floor at the same time as Devin Harris or Darrell Armstrong in a small-ball look. Briefly: Jason Terry was saddened to hear of the death of Atlanta center Jason Collier. Terry played with Collier for one season with the Hawks. ... Stackhouse sat out his second practice with inflammation in his right knee. Johnson said Stackhouse probably will sit out this road trip, then may play Friday in the exhibition home opener against the Knicks. "He had a little swelling," Johnson said. "It's nothing serious. It's called old age. But we got to make sure we get that swelling down." ... Dampier made 95 of 100 free throws at the end of practice Saturday, then made five more without missing just for kicks. He was 1 of 2 in the preseason opener
Jason Terry showing that he wants to win. They play the Knicks tonight. Im finally gonna get to see the Mavs in action on T.V.
