Erick Dampier's 10-Day Contract Expires, Hawks To Evaluate Situation

by Kris Willis on Feb 19, 2012 3:03 PM EST

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 23: Erick Dampier #25 of the Miami Heat gets gets in for a dunk past Greg Monroe #10 of the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills on March 23, 2011 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Erick Dampier's 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks expired following Saturday's loss in Portland. Dampier was added to the roster to provide some depth for the front court after losing both Al Horford and Jason Collins to injury earlier this season.

Atlanta can re-sign Dampier for one more 10-day contract or could offer him a deal for the remainder of the season. They also could decide to look elsewhere as they have been rumored to be interested in Kyrylo Fesenko in recent days.

Dampier appeared in four games and played 26 minutes during his stint with the Hawks. For what it's worth, Dampier expressed his desire to stay with the Hawks before Saturday's game.

"It's been great so far," he said before the Blazers game. "It's a great group of guys. I think they are trying to mix in some experienced guys in with this team."

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Hes just not in good enough shape

But he did show some good things tho in his limited minutes. But i’d rather the Hawks try Keith Benson or Fesenko at this point.

by Jonesy24 on Feb 19, 2012 3:34 PM EST reply actions

If he was in better shape

I’d like to keep him around. He’s useless offensively, but he was rebounding pretty well and he does give us a bit extra size when we need it. But he can barely get up and down the floor, and can’t get up like he used to.

I don’t know if I’d rather have Fresenko, but hopefully there’s another option out there for a guy who can chip in 4-6 minutes a game.

Braves will be fine. I'm not worried.

by Bronn on Sep 18, 2011 4:26 PM EDT

by Bronn on Feb 19, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

T-Mac is great for 4 minutes...oh wait

Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl Google+: Ed G

by Duff_Man on Feb 19, 2012 7:40 PM EST up reply actions

would like to try Fesenko

I’m not sure why there is this fascination with Benson. I’m fairly certain he’s not going to provide one minute of value for this team. As long as the knee is right, then Fesenko would be a good attempt at getting some value.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Feb 19, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

Hes playing well in the DLeague

and i’d think the emergence of Jeremy Lin would kill all this dismissing young basketball players without seeing them on the court.

by Jonesy24 on Feb 19, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

well

J Lin actually did something on the court before this. But the likelihood that Benson at 215 lbs from an unknown college that he didn’t dominate on and hasn’t been picked up by anyone at this stage and couldn’t beat out Collins and Ivan Johnson will turn into something – is just highly unlikely. By highly unlikely – I mean not happening.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Feb 19, 2012 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Speculation based off of nothing but his weight

Im not saying the kid is a world beater, but to dismiss him because of his size without actually seeing him play on the basketball court is foolish. Honestly i dont think he’d amount to much either but his DLeague production gives me pause to reconsider…

by Jonesy24 on Feb 19, 2012 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

So, what about those who did see him

Now, I’m never going to stump for our ability to evaluate talent, but I think that you have to actually suck to get cut from the team that drafts you. Next thing you know we’ll be asking for Pape Sy to come back and replace Pargo. So, ok – 230 lbs is STILL not going to cut it down low at the center position.

So, you are reconsidering for an undersized center who is the 90th best scorer, 44th best rebounder, 39th best blocker, and 21st in FG% in the D-League and my dismissing that he can do anything for a playoff team is foolish. If your point is that we should try to develop him, then no problem – let him cut his teeth and get his weight up in the D League, but if you’re asking me to think that I’m being foolish about believing that at the halfway mark of the season that Keith Benson will provide one quality minute for the Atlanta Hawks this year then call me foolish.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Feb 19, 2012 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

Hes tall long and athletic

So why not try him out, its better than being fat overweight and over the hill like Eric Dampier.

by Jonesy24 on Feb 19, 2012 6:05 PM EST up reply actions

because he's not

going to get in the game. That’s why…so, it’s a waste of money. You could say that Damp is a waste too, but I’m just saying that if he couldn’t make it through training camp and not make the grade – then I want to try someone who has actually been in the NBA.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Feb 20, 2012 12:20 AM EST up reply actions

Benson is 230+ lbs. Fesenko has a worse offense vs defense EFF ratio than Thabeet. He cant play inside himself, is clumsy and underwhelming jumping ability. No thx.

Rather have Benson. Who isnt 215 lbs btw.

sf Josh Smith + PF Jon Leuer/PF Ryan Anderson/Kevin Love/Dirk Nowitzki > tweener Josh Smith + tweener Marvin Williams
----
* {#40 Pick Perimeter F Jon Leuer is better than Marvin Williams and Hinrich cost us the pick}

by PointGuardSlim on Feb 19, 2012 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

By the way

Thabeet is inactive tonight while Greg Smith who was just called up from the D-League got first quarter minutes. I don’t know what is wrong with Thabeet but he clearly doesn’t look like an option for anyone at this point.

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by Kris Willis on Feb 19, 2012 9:38 PM EST up reply actions

If we had a rational GM

we would not be worried about whether or not to resign Dampier and when Collins will return. Neither one should be on an NBA roster and the only reason they are is because we have been unable to find a true center for some time now. They could not control Al’s injury, which is understandable. But in no way should he be a center, and in no way should we not have a young prospect on this team. Maybe we should have kept Benson or someone who has some athletic talent.

by Dwalk1217 on Feb 19, 2012 5:02 PM EST reply actions

I'll agree with the lack of center options

but I’m just saying that Benson is not the answer to that question. Period.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Feb 19, 2012 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

How many truce centers are there? and how many are available

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by Kris Willis on Feb 19, 2012 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

this is tied to

our GM and scouts having a vision for what we need. You can’t just go pick one. The Pekovics, DeAndre Jordans, etc are developed or picked with those extra draft picks that we sell or throw away signing the Cenks and Papes of the world. So, you’re right – they don’t grow on trees and they also aren’t necessarily home runs when you do pick some. You have to take the chances on a few

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Feb 19, 2012 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

Doesn't that completely contradict your argument against Benson?

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by Kris Willis on Feb 19, 2012 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

Not really

I get how you could see that being the case, so the fact that Benson isn’t good is where I stand on the one game I watched of his and that there’s no way he can be our center without eating and bulking up in D-League or overseas first, so if the Hawks actually drafted and stashed him away, then keeping Benson holds, but having him sit on the bench would fly in the face of what I’ve said about many of our young talent that we’ve just let sit on the bench. I think the point Jonesy makes about Lin is instructive in the way of why you have to let players get a chance on the court when they can handle it. I don’t think Benson’s body can handle getting on the court as a center. The only way I could advocate trying Benson is if we are giving up on the season. Then, yeah sure – let him play and see what happens, but I don’t think anyone is trying to do that. Now, someone who i think needs more time to develop is Ivan Johnson. We need to figure out if he can develop into a solid rotation player. Right now, I’m not sure if he’s more than a 5-10 minute energy guy right now, but can see that with some comfort in the league that he can get to 15-20 minute poor man’s Haslem.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Feb 20, 2012 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

I agree

I was intrigued with Benson after they drafted him but I had heard zero good things about him during his stint overseas or throughout training camp. You have to feel like if they had thought he could help at all then he would be on the team because he was cheap.

Also agree with your Johnson assessment. I’d like to see him get some consistent minutes at the PF where they can see what they have.

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by Kris Willis on Feb 20, 2012 8:37 AM EST up reply actions

Problem is we have Stackhouse

Which is taking roster spot and money of a big man. This is the dilemma. Whomever gave an ok to that move has explainin to do

by ATLpaul on Feb 19, 2012 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly

give guys a chance to play.

by Dwalk1217 on Feb 19, 2012 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

Given the general lack of big men available

Stack being on this team doesn’t bother me one bit. They aren’t going to sign anyone that is available to more than a minimum deal anyway.

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by Kris Willis on Feb 20, 2012 8:39 AM EST up reply actions

Well

I’m not going to agree with that one – the point here is that you want players (esp. on a day when Marvin is missing) that you can actually play them. You can’t play Stack and compete, so that’s a problem. I hate that he’s just on the team for guidance – not to back track on my point, but I’d rather give that slot to a young guy (doesn’t matter what position). It’s not even a good idea from the salary that you have to give him. You save $900K almost by doing so and we know we need to save every nickel.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Feb 20, 2012 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

From the Gearon interview it seems like Josh Smith is effectively our "center" and Drew/Sund/Gearon are enamored with small ball.

by PointGuardSlim on Feb 19, 2012 5:28 PM EST reply actions

Im fine with that

Hes proven to be able to handle it for short stretches against the majority of centers in this league

by Jonesy24 on Feb 19, 2012 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

Where is Randolph Morris when you need him? (China apparently according teh Google.)

by redwards95 on Feb 19, 2012 6:17 PM EST reply actions

by Kris Willis on Feb 19, 2012 9:40 PM EST up reply actions

he hasnt improved defensively. Still soft and pudgy. :D

by PointGuardSlim on Feb 19, 2012 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

Can we please get a center here like yesterday?

How much more time do we need to evaluate?

To expect Smoove to play center is a joke. Insanity. Ludicrous.

It is like saying a middleweight can beat up a heavyweight. Never happened. Never will happen. Get a freaking center here first or don’t let Damp walk

by ATLpaul on Feb 19, 2012 7:58 PM EST reply actions