| Double D's Authored by Jeff Stotts - November 24, 2005 - 12:56 pm
During last week’s 83-80 victory over the Denver Nuggets, the Dallas Mavericks’ centers combined for four points, sixteen rebounds, and six blocks. The problem is, starting center Erick Dampier contributed 0 points, 0 rebounds, and yes, 0 blocks. Dampier, stuck in early foul trouble, was on the bench watching as his backup, newly acquired DeSagana Diop, put up career highs in minutes, rebounds, and blocks including the game-ending swat of a Carmelo Anthony runner.
Fast forward four days to the game against the then unbeaten Detroit Pistons, and the box score tells a different story altogether. There was Dampier crashing the glass and outplaying All-Star Ben Wallace. The Mississippi State Alum finished with 16 points on 8-9 shooting while grabbing a season high 16 boards while Diop contributed with 6 boards and 3 blocks. If these games show us anything, it shows the importance of having both centers in the lineup .
Brought in last off-season Dampier was the Mavericks first true center since James Donaldson. Before Damp arrived the list of starting centers was filled with disappointments and failed potential and included names like Shawn Bradley, Raef Lafrentz, Evan Eschmeyer, Popeye Jones, and Wang Zhi-Zhi. Unfortunately for Mavericks fans Dampier failed to meet their lofty expectations and his first season was marred with inconsistency. His play throughout the playoffs followed the same path drawing criticism from Dirk Nowitzki. As the off-season began, the Mavs made signing an athletic backup at center a priority. They found their man in Diop. Diop, an outcast from the Cleveland Cavaliers, reported to Mavs camp 25 pounds lighter and appearing extremely agile. The off-season commitment to weight loss proved useful as Diop shined throughout the preseason.
Early this season it appeared there maybe a controversy brewing surrounding the starting center position. Diop’s sudden emergence came at a bad time for Dampier has he again struggled with consistency. However the fact remains the Mavericks need Erick Dampier. He is physically stronger than Diop and is better suited to battle down low against the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, and the other starting big men in the league. Dampier will never put up the numbers he did his final season in Golden State but he remains an asset. It also should be noted just how good the Mavericks are when Dampier plays well. Including the recent win over the Pistons, the Mavericks have won 14 of 19 games in which Damp has recorded a double-double. Unfortunately for the Mavs the double-doubles tend to be few and far between. However, this year the Mavericks are better prepared to handle Damp’s inconsistency and knack for picking up fouls. Enter DeSagana Diop. The 7 footer from the Senegal as been an amazing spark from the bench and has silenced the critics that scoffed at the contract the Mavericks gave him this off-season. His weak offensive game make him better suited for the bench and it keeps Dampier’s confidence and morale high. Coach Avery Johnson seems to realizes the situation and remains committed to keeping Dampier in the starting lineup.
The center position has always been a question mark in Big D but now it seems the Mavericks have acquired a potent two-headed monster. While DeSagana Diop has shown promise he remains a vital part of the Mavericks bench as Dallas has shown commitment and confidence in their $50 million investment named Erick Dampier. Teams like the Spurs and the Pistons have shown that you reach the next level by adding centers not subtracting them and the Mavs seem to have caught on to this trend and have added two capable big men. Keeping Dampier and Diop healthy and happy is key if the Mavericks are serious in their attempts to win that elusive championship. |
