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kg_veteran · 12-06-2004, 10:48 AM

Good article by Sefko (stolen from JP at LMF, which is why I don't have a link)...

Dampier, beyond numbers

08:17 PM CST on Sunday, December 5, 2004

Eight points, seven rebounds.

If those are the numbers you use to evaluate Erick Dampier as the Mavericks' season hits the quarter pole this week, you'd have no choice but to declare the big off-season move a bust.

You'd be wrong.

Yes, the Mavericks can get those same numbers out of Shawn Bradley. And for that small, loyal group of Bradley supporters out there, we think he's doing an admirable job of backing up Dampier, a role that could be perfect for him.

But there are three reasons why Dampier already has proven to be a massive upgrade in the paint.
Mavericks/NBA

First, with him guarding centers such as Yao Ming, Brad Miller and Jamaal Magloire – All-Stars, all of them – the Mavericks don't have to send a double-team as quickly as they used to.

Second, on offense, he creates driving space for teammates and rebounding space for himself.

Third, and most important, he forces opponents to guard Dirk Nowitzki with a power forward. Yes, there are times when opponents still stick a small defender on Nowitzki, but that means the opposing power forward must guard either Josh Howard, Marquis Daniels or, when he returns from injury, Michael Finley.

"The biggest thing they did in the off-season was get Dirk back to power forward," said Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy. "Nobody can guard him there."

Nowitzki is benefiting from Dampier's presence. That alone makes the sign-and-trade for the true center worthy of a lengthy grace period before we draw conclusions based on numbers.

12-06-2004, 10:48 AM	#1
kg_veteran Old School Balla Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 13,097	Dampier, beyond numbers Good article by Sefko (stolen from JP at LMF, which is why I don't have a link)... Dampier, beyond numbers 08:17 PM CST on Sunday, December 5, 2004 Eight points, seven rebounds. If those are the numbers you use to evaluate Erick Dampier as the Mavericks' season hits the quarter pole this week, you'd have no choice but to declare the big off-season move a bust. You'd be wrong. Yes, the Mavericks can get those same numbers out of Shawn Bradley. And for that small, loyal group of Bradley supporters out there, we think he's doing an admirable job of backing up Dampier, a role that could be perfect for him. But there are three reasons why Dampier already has proven to be a massive upgrade in the paint. Mavericks/NBA First, with him guarding centers such as Yao Ming, Brad Miller and Jamaal Magloire – All-Stars, all of them – the Mavericks don't have to send a double-team as quickly as they used to. Second, on offense, he creates driving space for teammates and rebounding space for himself. Third, and most important, he forces opponents to guard Dirk Nowitzki with a power forward. Yes, there are times when opponents still stick a small defender on Nowitzki, but that means the opposing power forward must guard either Josh Howard, Marquis Daniels or, when he returns from injury, Michael Finley. "The biggest thing they did in the off-season was get Dirk back to power forward," said Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy. "Nobody can guard him there." Nowitzki is benefiting from Dampier's presence. That alone makes the sign-and-trade for the true center worthy of a lengthy grace period before we draw conclusions based on numbers. __________________ The Official KG Twitter Feed