<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Dampier had 13 points and six rebounds Friday as the Mavs lost in overtime to Phoenix, 130-126, and were ousted from the playoffs. Walton's criticism came on the heels of Shaquille O'Neal saying that he was "playing like Erick Dampier," which was why he elected to sit out the last two games of Miami's sweep of Washington. Even Wizards coach Eddie Jordan referenced Dampier disparagingly after that series, congratulating the Heat for winning without their center, Dampier. Walton said the Mavericks, who usually are ahead of the curve on league trends, may be behind on the latest one. "I may be crazy, and I'm ready to be proven wrong at any moment," Walton said. "But what do you do with Erick Dampier? You decide you got to have a big guy to play against Shaq and Duncan and Ben Wallace. Now, you get Dampier. But Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard, at 22 and 19, they're showing what the real future of big men are." </div> Source
Walton should shut his mouth for gods sake. Dampiers a solid 12/7 player n last nite he played great (blocking stoudemire and with three monster dunks) Dampier mite not be as flashy as Stoudemire, but u need players like him to win championships n clog up the middle. Waltons completely off.
Dampier has the money that they didn't give to Nash, and most nights, he can't seem to guard a chair.
Walton is completely right for calling out Dampier. He was signed to a huge contract to improve on the numbers he put up last year for the Warriors. He's been a bust all season long and didn't show up in the playoffs. He couldn't use his brain enough to stay out of foul trouble in Round 1 or Round 2. Last year, in his contract year, he averaged a double double and was very active on defense. His numbers dropped significantly from a season ago, instead of improving on his career bests. If playing in the post season isn't enough to motivate you, than you probably don't belong in the NBA.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CB4 RAPTOR MVP:</div><div class="quote_post">Walton should shut his mouth for gods sake. Dampiers a solid 12/7 player n last nite he played great (blocking stoudemire and with three monster dunks) Dampier mite not be as flashy as Stoudemire, but u need players like him to win championships n clog up the middle. Waltons completely off.</div> Dampier is a solid 12/7, inconsistent, foul-prone player who is paid upwards of $10 million per year. This might not mean that Phoenix would have been better with Nash, but you would expect a lot more out of a guy who has a huge contract. He was a non-factor all of the Houston series and his production has been sporadic against Phoenix. Walton is completely right in calling out Damp.
Erick Dumpier is not averaging 12/7, where did you come up with that figure? In the 2005 regular season he averaged 9.2 PPG & 8.5 RPG. 2005 Regular Season -- 9.2 PPG // 8.5 RPG 2005 Post Season Rnd 1 -- 6.3 PPG // 6.4 RPG 2005 Post Season Rnd 2 -- 7.8 PPG // 8.7 RPG Look at a player like Nazr Mohammed, he makes half the money Dampier does and he's putting up these numbers off the bench for the Spurs in the playoffs. 2005 Post Season Rnd 1 -- 7.6 PPG // 9.0 RPG 2005 Post Season Rnd 2 -- 8.3 PPG // 6.3 RPG
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Erick Dumpier is not averaging 12/7, where did you come up with that figure? In the 2005 regular season he averaged 9.2 PPG & 8.5 RPG. 2005 Regular Season -- 9.2 PPG // 8.5 RPG 2005 Post Season Rnd 1 -- 6.3 PPG // 6.4 RPG 2005 Post Season Rnd 2 -- 7.8 PPG // 8.7 RPG Look at a player like Nazr Mohammed, he makes half the money Dampier does and he's putting up these numbers off the bench for the Spurs in the playoffs. 2005 Post Season Rnd 1 -- 7.6 PPG // 9.0 RPG 2005 Post Season Rnd 2 -- 8.3 PPG // 6.3 RPG</div> Excellent point but Mohammed is starting, though Tim Duncan plays as much or more C than he does in most games. Cuban was stupid to sign Damp for that much, i believe he has a track record for coming up big in contract years and resting while he has guaranteed money. I'd bet he wouldn't mind getting cut by Dallas just to get paid for doing nothing. Damp may also have come up bigger if he didn't have to deal with Yao or Amare, both of which he doesn't match up well with, but all signs from the regular season point to an improductive post season, no matter the match-up.
Dampier is useless...I knew so (as did everyone else) even last season, when he posted decent numbers, but it was only because it was his contract year...the man gets 4 fouls a game, and about 9 points and 6 boards or so a game...all he does is clog up space as he thinks hes a valid scoring option for the Mavs... his statement how he was the second best center in the league is the funniest thing I've heard in a loooooooooooong time...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">Damp may also have come up bigger if he didn't have to deal with Yao or Amare, both of which he doesn't match up well with.</div>Well they didn't pay him the big money to guard Shawn Bradley.
^LoL so true, but enoughs been said. Dallas ovepraid Damp, expecting atleast improvement, but he hasn't been playing well at all, espcially for his pay cheque.
I think Walton's quote is less a critique of Dampier and rather more a critique of the Mavs. They decided to sign Dampier for big money in hopes of cotending against teams with bruising centers like Shaq, however, Walton cites that from now on teams will have centers resembling guys like Stoudemire and Dwight Howard. He proports that the new breed of center will be athletic and quick-footed. Now, I'm not sure if that is more a trend or the future of the league, but no matter what the future holds, Dampier has under-delivered the value of his contract. For that matter so has Dirk. Bottomline, the Mavs played below expectations and below ability, and now their at home watching the rest of the playoffs on TV like the rest of us.
