Dampier - Lack of effort or lack of minutes?

One of the biggest criticisms I've heard of my Dampier Index is that even though the numbers seem to indicate that Dampier should definitely get 30 minutes a night, the reason that often doesn't happen is that a) he isn't playing well or b) he's in foul trouble. David Moore addressed the question here:

Q: Is it too early to start worrying about Erick Dampier’s production? He’s really slumping lately, and a guy his size should be able to pick up more rebounds and points in the paint in his sleep.

Michael P. Reaves, Manhattan, N.Y.

MOORE: It’s not too early. More than a third of the season has been completed, and Dampier is averaging nearly four points and five rebounds less than he did last season. The question is this: Is Dampier not getting enough minutes to be successful or is Nelson not giving Dampier more minutes because he doesn’t deserve them? It’s a little bit of both. Nelson has a quick hook with Dampier and tends to forget him once he’s on the bench. But Dampier is also prone to early foul trouble, and Dirk Nowitzki said the other day that the Mavericks are a different team when Dampier isn’t coasting on the court.

Dampier’s production and minutes have been on the upswing the past week or so. It could be a sign that he’s more comfortable with the system and Nelson is more comfortable with leaving him on the floor.

And then this from the DMN this morning:

"When you're on bad teams, I'm not sure how much of a demand there is on your game," said assistant coach Avery Johnson, who ran Wednesday's practice for Don Nelson, who was ill. "Maybe there wasn't as much pressure.

"But, hey, you got what you wanted. You wanted to be on a championship-caliber team, so there's no more hiding."

The Mavericks don't have to get star-quality showings from Dampier to win. But they do need consistency, which Dampier knows has been missing so far.

"I've had a lot of chances," the 6-11 center said. "But it's a matter of guys getting used to each other, knowing where I like to catch the passes in traffic. Last night, it was wide-open. It's definitely getting a lot better."

Johnson has pushed Dampier to shed any lingering attitudes he may have had at Golden State, where he never reached the playoffs.

To me, it sounds like we're headed in the right direction. Sure, I'm willing to concede that Dampier's inconsistency has been PART of the problem, as has his foul trouble. But I also think, like Moore does, that Nelson has had too quick of a hook with Dampier when he feels that the big man isn't playing well. But thank goodness that we have Avery in the fold. He's made Dampier cognizant of his inconsistency, and he's demanding that he improve. That's what a coach is supposed to do. Not just bench the guy and get mad at him. Demand that he improve, and show him how. Maximize talents, and minimize weaknesses.

Based upon the comments by Avery and Dampier, it sounds like Dampier is having to adjust to higher expectations on a better team and also to not being able to play his way into a groove through touches on the offensive end. I've seen a concerted effort in recent games to get Dampier the ball early, which is definitely a necessary move to get Dampier involved, but Dampier IS going to have to learn how to get himself going in those games where he doesn't touch the ball much on the offensive end unless he gets it off the glass.

Having said all that, at the end of the day I still think my Dampier Index is instructive about Dampier's impact on this team. When he plays well, the Mavericks are difficult to beat. It's up to Dampier AND the coaches to ensure that he plays well, as often as possible.


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