Erick Dampier

Erick Trevez Dampier (born July 14, 1975) is a 6'11"/ 265 lbs. center who currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.

Related Topics:
July 14 - 1975 - Dallas Mavericks - NBA

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He is a big and powerful player who possesses good footwork for a "big man". Dampier's offensive input is limited, but he is a very decent defender. However, in the 2005 playoffs, he played against elite centers Yao Ming and Amare Stoudemire and was criticized as inconsistent and foul-prone.

Related Topics:
2005 - Yao Ming - Amare Stoudemire

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Dampier played college basketball at Mississippi State University for four years. He lead that school to the 1996 Southeastern Conference tournament championship, and the NCAA Final Four before being drafted in the first round by the Indiana Pacers.

Related Topics:
Basketball - Mississippi State University - 1996 - Southeastern Conference - NCAA - Final Four - Indiana Pacers

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He played 72 games in his rookie year with the Pacers, starting 21 of them and finishing with averages of 5.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. On August 12 1997 he and Duane Ferrell were traded to the Golden State Warriors for likely future Hall of Famer Chris Mullin.

Related Topics:
August 12 - 1997 - Duane Ferrell - Golden State Warriors - Chris Mullin

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He spent the next seven years, primarily as the starting center, for the Warriors, hitting his peak production in 2003-04 with averages of 12.3 points, 12 rebounds and 1.85 blocks per game. However, some criticized that he stepped up his production because he was in a contract year, and indeed he was considered a top free-agent commodity in the 2004 offseason.

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Eventually he signed with the Mavericks, and in his first season in Dallas he played in 59 games (starting 56), averaging 9.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.85 blocks per game.

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