A Better Bench Player?

[alby]

Erick Dampier

His numbers after 15 games of being benched.

January 14:
15 minutes 2 points 3 rebounds 2 blocks
January 16:
14 minutes 3 points 10 rebounds 1 block
January 18:
17 minutes 7 points 8 rebounds 2 blocks
January 20:
29 minutes 13 points 12 rebounds 3 blocks
January 22:
33 minutes 3 points 10 rebounds 2 blocks
January 25:
20 minutes 7 points 9 rebounds 1 block
January 26:
27 minutes 7 points 9 rebounds 4 blocks
January 28:
16 minutes 2 points 4 rebounds 1 block
January 31:
14 minues 4 points 6 rebounds 1 block
February 1:
20 minutes 6 points 6 rebounds 2 blocks
February 4:
27 minutes 11 points 14 rebounds 0 blocks
Feburary 7:
21 minutes 5 points 10 rebounds 1 block
February 9:
25 minutes 7 points 9 rebounds 2 blocks
February 10:
21 minutes 7 points 5 rebounds 2 blocks
February 13:
23 minutes 11 points 12 rebounds 0 blocks

Averages:
21.67 minutes
6.33 points
8.46 rebounds
1.60 blocks

Per 48
14.02 points
18.74 rebounds
3.54 blocks

What do y'all think?

[capitalcity]

Originally Posted by alby

What do y'all think?

I think those numbers, coupled with his improved attitude, prove Avery is handling this team and all it's movable parts to get the maximum output possible.

I don't really care if Damp is maligned for his contract v. output. We're winning... and he's become an integral part of the squad.

Considering how down I was on him in early December - I couldn't be happier.

[ddh33]

I don't think there is any question that Dampier has been a better bench player. He's less likely to get in foul trouble. He's more likely to get some touches on offense. He has a little less pressure on him. For a lot of reasons, he's been huge for this team lately...

[jayC]

I think some of it has to do with early fouls. As a mav he always plays aggressive until he gets into foul trouble. Two I think that Avery has lit a fire under him with his benching. When Big men came into Nellie's cage they didn't come out. It is also nice to see that Damp has taken the benching negatively.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Actually, save for one or two games very early in the season, foul trouble really hasn't been a problem for him at all. Just another reason why I think he should still be starting.

[G-Man]

I think Damp off the bench also benefits from the matchups. The Mavs got him to matchup with Shaq, but very few teams play huge power guys at center, anymore. Damp found himself chasing guys like Chris Bosh all over the place, and they were too athletic for him. Playing now against backup centers, he's too powerful for them. They lack the offensive skills to expose his slow feet, and they lack the defensive prowness to stop him when he's lumbering toward the basket.

Diop is better suited to defend the quicker forwards many teams now start at center. His excellent help defense is keeping small forwards and guards from racing towards the basket when they beat our guards on the perimeter. The defensive rotations have become almost machine like in their consistancy.

Damp doesn't need to start. He needs to play where he helps the team the most.

[Scoobay]

any stats on how he does vs other teams' starting center vs how he does vs the backups? I'm just interested... as an opposing coach, do you 'change your gameplan' to have your starter going up against Damp more? haha. sorry, did i just say 'gameplan and Dampier' together? Anyway, wondering if it's more the eased off pressure of starting or if it's the downgrade in quality competition he's facing.

grndmstr? other stat hounds?

good post - was wondering what his averages were off the bench...

[wescx]

Don't forget the most important stat.

14-1

[Eman]

Damp is also now, for the season, the 3rd best rebounder per minute, 3rd best, in the NBA.

Pretty nice, ahead of this guy named Duncan down in San Antone, way ahead of this guy named Shaq in Miami.

[bernardos70]

http://www.nba.com/statistics/player...DD=All%20Teams

that says he's 2nd

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by G-Man

I think Damp off the bench also benefits from the matchups. The Mavs got him to matchup with Shaq, but very few teams play huge power guys at center, anymore. Damp found himself chasing guys like Chris Bosh all over the place, and they were too athletic for him. Playing now against backup centers, he's too powerful for them. They lack the offensive skills to expose his slow feet, and they lack the defensive prowness to stop him when he's lumbering toward the basket.

Diop is better suited to defend the quicker forwards many teams now start at center. His excellent help defense is keeping small forwards and guards from racing towards the basket when they beat our guards on the perimeter. The defensive rotations have become almost machine like in their consistancy.

Damp doesn't need to start. He needs to play where he helps the team the most.

This is an excellent, excellent point.