Erick Dampier's Performance: Just What Doctor Carlisle Ordered

[Waleed]

Be honest for a second. Who has been the most surprising Mav so far this young season?

It's gotta be Erick Dampier.

Or maybe you knew this was coming. Maybe you knew Damp would step up in his contract year. Shut up and stop lying.

We all thought Damp would be just like he was the past couple of years, except maybe worse. After sobbing after his potential replacement Marcin Gortat, Gooden was brought in to "start" over him and most MFFLs wanted Damp and his conract (known as the DUST chip) to be traded. We all expected his minutes to be even lower than the high-20s and some just wanted him against Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard.

Damp had other plans. Ladies and gentleman, Damp has arrived.

He is averaging 8.8 point ppg and 9.7 rebounds along with 2.5 blocks per game. That includes a 16 point, 14 rebounds, and 3 block performance against New Orleans.

You might be saying, "only 8.8 points??? Hakim Warrick averages more than that!"

But Damp is not asked to score. That is left to the Fab Five. His scoring is appreciated though, especially the offensive boards. Damp is instead, asked to rebound and block shots. And that is exactly what he is doing.

They call the center position the anchor of the defense. So here's a fun fact for you. The Mavs are 7th in defensive ratings in the NBA (yes I know that's an article in itself!). Coincidence?

[MavsR#1]

He's gonna crush Chuck Hayes and the Rockets!

[Waleed]

Yeah MavsR#1 that was the point of this article....

[MavsR#1]

Damp has been a beast!