8/18/2004 02:04:29 PM|||Shep|||I'm really working hard on topping the famous (infamous?) headlines they churn out in New York. It's fun.

Anyway, so, it appears that in another week or so Erick Dampier will join the Mavericks in exchange for Eduardo Najera. There's some other guys in the deal, but when your name starts with Chri and ends with aettner, everyone knows it's not worth talking about...

Fantasy Impact (Damp-in-here)

Dampier is the Mav's starting center now. The only other C's on their roster are followed by R's (and Bradley, if you count him). With Laettner and Najera out of Dallas, that leaves Dampier with 33 mpg. He may get all of that and more since it would allow Dirk to stick to the PF spot almost exclusively. With Nash out of the scoring column, there is certainly room for Dampier to step in and get 12 and 12 again. Along with his 53% shooting and 2 blocks per game, he has upside like Mt... Well, I don't think there are any mountains in Texas with as much upside as Dampier has right now. Nothing is going to dampen his spirits.

Fantasy Impact (Najera)

Najera may be able to take over Dampier's 25 mpg. Even if he does manage that (a big IF with the Warriors fielding Adonal Foyle at Center and Troy Murphy at PF), he's not going to come up with his 12 and 12. Not going to happen. With Dallas he had about 7, 5, and 1. I'd expect about those numbers but not much more.
|||109285676993952977|||Bring a towel, cause it's gonna be wet! (or at least Damp)