Tersk

When Don Nelson coaches, here are Dampiers averages*

8.8 PPG
7.3 RPG
0.8 APG
2 TOPG
1.1 BPG
.549 FG%
26.4 MPG

Now, under Avery Johnson here are Dampiers averages* **

10.3 PPG
13.1 RPG
1.2 APG
1.1 TOPG
2 BPG
.479 FG%
30 MPG

* means that I didn't include that one game against San Antonio
** means figures aren't exact, I just had to add todays game onto them

There are 2 big difference, theres a +7 rebound differential favouring AJ, plus 7! But then there's the +7 FG% differential. Seeing as to how we don't really look to Dampier as an effective first option, I'd much rather him shoot worse but defend/rebound better.

Unfortunately, I don't watch the games as much as I want to. Whats happening, is Terry running the play through the low-post more?

I think Avery Johnson is great for this team, he just needs to work on making comebacks/defending them

Dragnsmke1

He probably does cuase hes always trying to outthink the opponent...think with the way he played during Nellies absense he got the recognition...like Ive stated, yall were right...Damp and Dirk are a great front court...

__________________
All Or Nothing

mavsman

If Nelson comes back starts with the quick hook for Dampier I will be pissed. Clearly he is a guy who needs to get some sustained time on the floor to be effective.

Some guys you can throw in for a few minutes and they can perform with little minutes ( Henderson, Najera types ).

Dampier needs time to get into the flow of the game. He is performing the way we all hoped when we acquired him. At least he is while Avery is coaching the team. Nelson better not screw up his confidence by yanking him after the first mistake.

Tersk

Wow, Dallas news wrote an article about this
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By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

Don Nelson is back from shoulder surgery, and the No. 1 concern is whether his return as coach will have any impact on the player who benefited most from Avery Johnson's temporary promotion.

Erick Dampier saw his playing time and production go up in the 10 games Johnson coached, and has five double-doubles in a row.

"He's taken a step in the right direction over the last couple of weeks," Nelson said Monday. "We need to keep him going in that direction, improve around him, and we're going to be pretty good."

Dampier didn't put any stock in the switch affecting his play: "I don't think anything's going to change."

If it doesn't, that would be just fine with the Mavericks, because Dampier has been a beast of late.

"Damp's doing what we all thought when we signed him," Johnson said. "It just took him a little while to adjust. He's played seven or eight years in the same system and [was] losing every night. Sometimes it takes a while to get that out of your system."

As for having something to do with the surge in the center's play, the Mavericks assistant deferred.

"That had nothing to do with it," he said. "It's all been him."

Good and soft: Guard Jason Terry was asked to describe Erick Dampier play of late. "He's been playing real soft, to quote Shaq," he said. "But we like soft."

Miami's Shaquille O'Neal called Dampier soft after the Mavericks' win over the Heat on Feb. 1