ESPN’s Chad Ford wrote an article this week titled Top Big Men on the Block, i.e. Power Forwards and Centers available for trades. Top names listed include Amare Stoudemire, Raef LaFrentz, Tyson Chandler, Shaq, Brad Miller, Chris Bosh, Antawn Jamison, and the already traded Jermaine O’Neal.
Guess who ISN’T on the list. Go on. Guess. Which big man is NEVER a “top” big man or on the block for trades?
Answer: The supreme waste of $11.5 million, i.e. Erick Dampier.
This is the second article about Damp in recent history. Reason? So many talented players are available, and Dallas is stuck with this underachieving, no point scoring scaredy-cat, with big deer-in-the-headlight eyes, watching bigger AND smaller guys embarrass him in the paint.
No, Damp is never mentioned in trade rumors, and it’s not because of his value. Dampier is one of the least desirable centers in the league. After Shawn Bradley and Damp, perhaps we the people should no longer allow the Dallas front office to make decisions on big men. Think of all that money and opportunity wasted. Think of what Dirk Nowitzki could do with a REAL center to rebound, block shots, and score. Just imagine it.
Dirk is the leading rebounder on the team. His favorite shot is outside the paint. Where is the big man to get all the rebounds when Dirk and Terry miss? There isn’t anyone. Brandon Bass may be the best rebounding paint scorer on the team, and even Bass is more comfortable with a distance shot than powering to the hole.
We can only hope that Dallas will suck it up, trade for Shaq or Chandler, and bring in Dampier off the bench. Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Terry/JJ Barea, and any of a number or REAL centers would make this look like a REAL playoff contender. Of course, to get Shaq or Chandler, Dallas might have to part with Josh Howard. There are definitely some issues at the 3 position without Howard. But a solid rebounding shooter makes every shot more likely to count, and Dallas could afford to experiment at the 3 with someone down low to give them second chance points.
Dampier is so expensive, though, Cuban obviously would hate to spend $10-20 million more for the same position. Winning costs, Mark, just like trading for ineffective players.
