Interesting Article About Dampier

I took this article from another forum, I found this a bit interesting...

From IndyStar: Dampier Considers His Options

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Erick Dampier doesn't come out and say it. But he might as well. The Golden State center who began his career with the Indiana Pacers can opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer. He says he hasn't reached a decision, but he talks as if he already has.

Dampier, who scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds Tuesday in the Pacers' 107-96 victory over the Warriors, was drafted by the Pacers in the first round of the 1996 draft, 10th overall. He was traded for Chris Mullin after his rookie season.

Although he's established himself as an upper-tier center in the NBA, he has yet to play on a winning team.

"I haven't been to the playoffs and I'm not getting any younger," he said. "I'm to the point now where I want to win games."

Dampier, 29, has stated private interest in the Pacers in previous seasons, and the Pacers have returned it. But he recently switched agents, hiring hard-nosed Dan Fegan, and his market value might be excessive for their payroll structure.

If nothing else, he'd like to play in the East, which has fewer legitimate centers than the West.

"I'd have a chance to be an All-Star," he said. "How many centers are there in the East? Not to take anything away from Jamaal Magloire. But he made the All-Star team in the East, so I know I can definitely (succeed)."

The 6-11, 265-pound Dampier would get no argument from Jermaine O'Neal, who was matched up against him for much of Tuesday's game. Dampier had 10 points and six rebounds in the first quarter, but got off just five field goal attempts the rest of the game.

"It was a surprising thing," O'Neal said. "He was making them at a fast rate. He's so wide. We work hard at fronting the post, but he doesn't let you get around.

"Outside of Shaq (O'Neal), he's one of the toughest power post players I've seen. He's so strong and his arms are so long."
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I never really saw much of him till this season. I love his game, I'm sad to see him leave Goldenstate but it seems like he isn't playing his best here. His offensive game is somewhat restricted in this team. If he were in the Pacers, he'd combine with Artest and J'Oneal for some killer defense.

He'd be allowed to score also, the Magic, Sixers and Mavericks should've tried to obtain him. Took so long for him to get recognized, hard to believe he's already been in the NBA as long as KG. Ranks top ten in 10 categories of 13! Ranks #4 in the NBA in Rebounds Per Game(11.8) Ranks #5 in the NBA in Field-Goal Percentage(0.516)
Ranks #16 in the NBA in Blocks Per Game(1.79) Ranks #1 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds(254.0)
Ranks #2 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds Per Game(4.5) Ranks #8 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds(404.0)
Ranks #12 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds Per Game(7.2) Ranks #4 in the NBA in Total Rebounds(658.0)
Ranks #15 in the NBA in Blocks(100.0) Ranks #6 in the NBA in Double-doubles(31.0)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds Per 48 Minutes(6.7) Ranks #6 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds Per 48 Minutes(10.7)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Rebounds Per 48 Minutes(17.4)

That's simply amazing, he's worth a lot, he'd net some real valuable players for Goldenstate if he was given away.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Magic Johnson:</div><div class="quote_post">I never really saw much of him till this season. I love his game, I'm sad to see him leave Goldenstate but it seems like he isn't playing his best here. His offensive game is somewhat restricted in this team. If he were in the Pacers, he'd combine with Artest and J'Oneal for some killer defense.</div>And what makes you think he will be a huge part of the Pacer's offense?

J' Oneal will still be the focal point of that offense no matter what.

 

Can we sign and trade?

 

Yeah. I think at least if Damp leaves, he owes it to the team to let them pull off a sign-and-trade, and get something in return. After all, we did overpay him for several years, and were the only believers when the rest of the NBA ridiculed us for paying 2 centers for doing the job of 1.

 

I don't see Damp doing that. He is too selfish and his agent is too greedy to do such a thing.

 

Mighty suspicious that he has his breakout year this year instead of last year. Could have made the playoffs if he came up big last year.