Erick Dampier

[It_Was_Typed]

Apparently, the Houston Rockets will not be signing Erick Dampier after all. I know Hasheem Thabeet needs the experience, but if the Grizzlies really are adamant about the playoffs this year they need to sign Dampier to backup Marc Gasol.

I know he has his faults (bad hands, no post moves, etc) but he is a big, experienced center that can defend and rebound. I would feel muuuch better with Dampier out there for 10-12 MPG than Thabeet.

Thoughts?

[mid-post]

Apparently, the Houston Rockets will not be signing Erick Dampier after all. I know Hasheem Thabeet needs the experience, but if the Grizzlies really are adamant about the playoffs this year they need to sign Dampier to backup Marc Gasol.

I know he has his faults (bad hands, no post moves, etc) but he is a big, experienced center that can defend and rebound. I would feel muuuch better with Dampier out there for 10-12 MPG than Thabeet.

Thoughts?

Kind of a catch-22 IMO. In terms of development you want Hasheem to get minutes. Or that's the theory anyway .
If Damp joins the roster, is there a squeeze on the minutes at center during the regular season? Is there ill-will if Damp doesn't play much during the regular season? Is Damp OK with being "saved" for a reserve spot if the Grizzlies make the playofs?
It's a good idea definitely, but it's really a question of:
-when would you have to snatch up Damp (because lots of teams could use him)
-what kind of impact would it potentially have on Thabeet's development
-what is Damp going to want for $$$

Normally I wouldn't put any consideration into Hasheem's development, but it looked like he actually tried last night and that he might actually have the desire to compete.

[It_Was_Typed]

It is a catch-22 but if the goal is to make the playoffs, then they gotta sign Dampier even if it hinders Thabeet's development.

I think Dampier was only going to sign for the minimum with the Rockets, so unless someone throws down a more substantial amount, I think he could be signed for the minimum again.

[ThreeYearPlan]

The rumor is that Dampier is so fat that nobody wants to sign him.

[jman3134]

We could still use him even if he is out of shape. BDiddy and other players are not fully in shape in terms of NBA conditioning.

I do not see what is preventing us from signing him. With Dampier on the floor, our interior defense improves immensely.

[dark-child]

To sign Damp is to basically say that while there are (3) Centers on the roster, you only have (1) that you trust. Thabeet has fallen out of favor to such a degree that the Grizz go with a small lineup rather than play him. Maybe it was just playing Phoenix twice in the last four days or it could be a pattern? I would like the signing but you have to move Thabeet or Haddadi in a trade.

[It_Was_Typed]

I would move Haddadi and someone else (Carroll or even Law when he becomes eligible) for a real backup PG.

[jman3134]

Personally, I do not see why we should get rid of Haddadi. Unloading him is not going to yield us any top backup point guard options. He is a project who is still adjusting to playing in the NBA- the speed and defense are different than at the international level. Even still, I feel that he has demonstrated more in games than Thabeet has, while his trade value is probably lower. So, I would just bite the bullet, as I have said time and again, and admit that we made a terrible pick with Thabeet at number 2.

If you then sign Dampier, you can have some option at the center spot. And even with Dampier, Haddadi could see some spot minutes every now and then.

dark-child,

I agree that we do not trust Thabeet because he does not stick with plays. He can initially block shots, but oftentimes he does not do this hard enough to take it away from the player. Then the said player has a second chance opportunity, which he usually wins. Further, Thabeet is horrible on the glass for a player his size. His gambles are not appropriate in our defensive scheme.

[dark-child]

Currently Thabeet's value is as a stop gap in the event managemet can not resign Marc Gasol.

Secondly, to be paired with OJ Mayo in a trade for a larger return.

If these are true than he really doesn't have much value and should be moved as right now he is below servicable.

[mid-post]

I agree with what you guys are saying about Thabeet. I think the Grizzlies will probably give him up until the trade deadline (or maybe the end of the season) before they start floating rumors that he's available in some kind of trade package.

That said, it did look like he was playing hard against the Kings. Whenever he shows the effort and focus it is incredibly obvious and you see flashes of why he might be valuable. Really frustrating as a fan.

[vanjulio]

it's already been said here basically - but Haddadi is FAR BETTER than Dampier. We have no need for him.

[jman3134]

No, Haddadi is not far better than Dampier. If he was, then he would be getting most of the minutes that Thabeet has. The only way that Haddadi is a better option than Dampier is if Erick is out of shape. (basically if the rumors are true)

dark-child,

I hear you on that.

mid-post,

I do not think that it is a lack of effort with Thabeet. It's just a supreme lack of basketball fundamentals/basketball IQ. He does not understand team defense as well as he should. When he blocks a shot, he should block it hard enough to pry it away from the offensive player. (and hopefully to a teammate)