He just needs to be motivated... Whether it is because he is playing for a new contract or some euro is insulting him when he has not done jack all through the playoffs. You just gotta get Damp some touches down low....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">He just needs to be motivated... Whether it is because he is playing for a new contract or some euro is insulting him when he has not done jack all through the playoffs. You just gotta get Damp some touches down low....</div> that 'some euro' fellow you are refering to is a 4 time time nba all-start if i am not mistaken. can't say the same about dampier now can you?
Dampier is a pro, and he shouldn't have to be motivated, but whatever it takes. He really showed up in game 2, and who knows maybe he would have showed up anyway even if Dirk didn't say anything. I would hope that his pride would have been enough motivation after his 0 point game 1 performance. Game 2 shows how important it is for Dallas to have Dampier show up in a game. I expect him to do the same in game 3.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kingrex:</div><div class="quote_post">Dampier is a pro, and he shouldn't have to be motivated, but whatever it takes. He really showed up in game 2, and who knows maybe he would have showed up anyway even if Dirk didn't say anything. I would hope that his pride would have been enough motivation after his 0 point game 1 performance. Game 2 shows how important it is for Dallas to have Dampier show up in a game. I expect him to do the same in game 3.</div> I hope so. I wish the best to Damp. I would love nothing more than to see Damp help Dallas get to the Finals and to play well against Shaq like he has in the past...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting cula:</div><div class="quote_post">that 'some euro' fellow you are refering to is a 4 time time nba all-start if i am not mistaken. can't say the same about dampier now can you?</div> Wow, really? He is also is one of the biggest cry babies in the league. Oh, and he pushes off every time and gets away with it.
Yeah, Dampier's defense and offense has been subpar for the playoffs. Against Houston and the first game against Phoenix, the self proclaimed "Best Center of the West" did jack. He really need to be motivated more- I mean Dallas brought him in for the purpose of giving them an inside defensive prescence down low but he hasn't contributed. I'm guessing this is probably because of his new contract (since he was in contract year last year). Dampier really needs to step it up if he wants Dallas to go far into the playoffs.
I would like to see the transcript of the interview in which Dampier made the "best center in the West" proclamation, just to see the context. That proclamation has been so pre-mature. I think you need to have done something in the playoffs before you can make that proclamation. It has really come back to bite him in the arse ever since. I don't care if he is ever considered the best center in the west, as long as he does what he needs to do help Dallas win. That would be to average 10-15 points and 10-15 rebounds per game (at the very least).
Well Dampier has played poorly again in game 3. He doesn't need to be motivated because he knows the Mavs are counting on him to anchor their defense and he should always do his best. If he could only match the intensity that Mutombo brings to the Rockets the fact that he's still in his early 30's and a few more good years ahead of him. He should also stop proclaiming himself as the 2nd best center in the league. I already heard it twice the first early in the season and the second one just recently. Is he much better than Ben Wallace, Brad Miller, Kurt Thomas and Yao Ming? Right now Jeff Foster, Zo and Jerome James are even outplaying him. What does it take for him to play better? A last season in his contract? I look for the Mavs to trade him for local boy Kurt Thomas in the offseason if his stock continues to plummet. The Mavs are going to get tired of waiting for Dampier to play at his peak.
Dampier cannot catch a break. Not sure if you guys caught Shaq's comments on BSPN today ... Shaq was addressing the way he's been playing "I look like Erick Dampier right now, that's not me, I need to get healthy." Shaq has always had it in for Dampier, after Dampier made the comment he's the best center in the West. Dampier struggled again tonight, getting into early foul trouble and being a non-factor once again. I think the Mavs play better in this series with their small lineup anyways. They took control in game 2 with Daniels, Howard, Dirk, Finley, and Terry on the floor at the same time. I used to always see Dampier in the clubs after Warrior games or the night before a game. He likes the late night lifestyle (especially the women), and I know he had a terrible work ethic when he played with the Warriors, Mark Grabow used to complain about him all the time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Dampier cannot catch a break. Not sure if you guys caught Shaq's comments on BSPN today ... Shaq was addressing the way he's been playing "I look like Erick Dampier right now, that's not me, I need to get healthy." Shaq has always had it in for Dampier, after Dampier made the comment he's the best center in the West. Dampier struggled again tonight, getting into early foul trouble and being a non-factor once again. I think the Mavs play better in this series with their small lineup anyways. They took control in game 2 with Daniels, Howard, Dirk, Finley, and Terry on the floor at the same time. I used to always see Dampier in the clubs after Warrior games or the night before a game. He likes the late night lifestyle (especially the women), and I know he had a terrible work ethic when he played with the Warriors, Mark Grabow used to complain about him all the time.</div> Shaq has always had it in for Dampier. He was one of the players that could body up on Shaq. But he knew Damp was ultimately a big scrub...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq has always had it in for Dampier. He was one of the players that could body up on Shaq. But he knew Damp was ultimately a big scrub...</div> The Mavs certainly need Dampier to step up, but he's automatically at a disadvantage guarding Stoudemire, who is much quicker and more explosive than Dampier is. Damp also isn't much of a talented offensive player so it would be great if he scored 10 a game to at least make Stoudemire work. However, that hasn't happened and most likely won't. Dallas is better off playing small ball anyways, but finding someone who is quick enough to guard Amare will be key in deciding the series.
Damp has talent, he's jsut an idiot who can't be bothered reaching his potential. Technically it doesn't matter because he's earning the cash he wants, but for the sake of his team, it would be nice to for him to play his hardest.
Any time a player's stats go up considerably in a contract year, like with Dampier last year, you need to weary. He's obviously one of the better centers in the league regardless, and he has the physical tools to be a 15, 12 guy consistently (which probably would make him the best C in the West), but it seems like he has a problem with self-motivation.
It seems that the Mavs can only count on production from Dampier in even-numbered games. game1: 0 pts/ 5 rebs/ 0 blks = Mavs lose game2: 15 pts/ 12 rebs/ 1 blks = Mavs win game3: 4 pts/ 4 rebs/ 2 blks = Mavs lose game4: 13 pts/ 11 rebs/ 4 blks = Mavs win And, as Damp goes, then so goes the Mavs. His play is absolutely crucial for the Mavs to win this series.
Agree with you kingrex. Dampier is the X-factor for the mavs and he controls the team's destiny in the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dallasdude:</div><div class="quote_post">Agree with you kingrex. Dampier is the X-factor for the mavs and he controls the team's destiny in the playoffs.</div> In fact, Dampier was brought to this team for the specific purpose of getting over the playoff hump. This current version of the Mavs have NEVER had a legit NBA center. Some say they still don't, but I believe Damp has the tools to be a good center. I just hope he can elevate his game because it will only get tougher from this point on.
He has also had to face matchup problems in both the rounds so far in the playoffs, making the Mavs go small ball for long periods. Hence he hasnt had a chance to be involved too much either. He should however be ready for the challenge if Dallas progresses to the next round to face the big men of Seattle/SA and Detroit/Miami.
Damp just needs to stay out of foul trouble. When he stays in the game for the first 5 minutes of games he is normally very effective. As mentioned above his stats are very impressive when he gets good minutes and avoids silly fouls. He is no doubt the key to Dallas future playoff success this year.
He may be in a mismatch against Stoudemire in this series and Yao in the last series, but he is still the Mavs best option at the center position. Small ball is a nice second option, but if the Mavs win it all, it will have be their conventional line-up that will take them all the way.
There's something I never got about why the Mavs would have gone out to get Damp in the first place. I know that with the departure of Shaq, the West is short of quality big men and that the Mavs thought that acquiring Damp, a quality big man, would increase their chances of making it to the NBA Finals. However, Dampier is not suited for Nelly's style of offense. He is more of a halfcourt, offensive putback type player, but he won't be able to fully do what he does because the Mavs may have jacked up a shot before he even got half way upcourt. With Nellie, and more AJ, preferring to play a more uptempo style of basketball, I really think that Damp is the odd man out. Do Mavs fans feel that the Dampier trade did the team more harm than good?
