<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.</div> Link
Yeah he said he wants the east , I woudln't be surprised if he ends up at Indiana that's the only thing keeping them away from a championship.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TMac_OwNz:</div><div class="quote_post">that's the only thing keeping them away from a championship.</div> That and a pointguard that can play elite PGs decently
How much cap room do the Pacers have? They'd need at least 10 million, to sign Dampier for about 8.5 per, and their first rounder.
I believe that Jamaal Tinsley will eventually develop his skills, so the only thing we need is a good centre, and Dampier might just be the one, especially in the East.
Well.....Dampier would help out J.O so much..That way J.O wouldnt have to guard the west best big men..He could leave that to dampier..Then he could concentrate on scoring more and getting his blocks...Dampier and J.O well thats one TOUGH inside presence...I mean J.O sending back everything that comes to him and dampier doing his usual cleaning the boards with intensity...Then i think like "tmac_ownz" said..It could be a championship for indiana for at least two years!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">I believe that Jamaal Tinsley will eventually develop his skills, so the only thing we need is a good centre, and Dampier might just be the one, especially in the East.</div> That says it right there, Dampier has such an awesome overall game. He's big, he can defend and score. Teams that'd make good use of him are teams lacking D and size, Magic, Sixers, Mavericks and Celtics. However I wouldn't want him to go there, he needs to taste winning. The Pacers just might be where that is. I'd look forward to seeing him come back. He and J'Oneal would make an awesome combination. Plus Artest, they're already really scary defensively as it is.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Magic Johnson:</div><div class="quote_post">That says it right there, Dampier has such an awesome overall game. He's big, he can defend and score. Teams that'd make good use of him are teams lacking D and size, Magic, Sixers, Mavericks and Celtics. However I wouldn't want him to go there, he needs to taste winning. The Pacers just might be where that is. I'd look forward to seeing him come back. He and J'Oneal would make an awesome combination. Plus Artest, they're already really scary defensively as it is.</div> I know...Imagine J.O and Eric BOTH on the defensive end..Now THATS an intimidating post pair..What guard would want to go in there?..Thats even scarirer than Big Ben...J.O swatting shots all over the place and Dampier OWNING the boards..nd lets not forget dampier can reject with the best of them..1.89 BPG from him..Artest would not let anyone go to the paint..So all in all you have a team that plays man to man defense that will have the affect of a zone defense..So then you will have teams chucking up shots from all over..Haha..SO cruel..lol..Peace!
