Erick Dampier

While he might never live up to his $70 million contract, Dampier remains a solid big man. He grabs boards, blocks shots, and is a physical presence around the basket. His offensive numbers improved with Jason Kidd at the point, and Damp could potentially average near double figures for the first time in Dallas. His free-throw percentage remains a concern, but Dampier is a serviceable fantasy center.

Dampier was having a solid year when a separated shoulder derailed him for the very end of the season and the Playoffs, and the injury is expected to sideline him until this December. He improved dramatically on the offensive end last season, and his .626 field goal percentage would have led the league had he qualified. His ability to grab offensive rebounds (5.4 per 48 minutes) also makes him valuable in deeper leagues. While he's not the double-double threat he once was in Golden State, he's also not the bust that many make him out to be. Fantasy owners looking for high field goal percentage and rebounding could do worse than Dampier. You'll have to wait until December however.

Dampier is big and strong and a presence on the defensive end, but found himself on the bench more and more as last season progressed. The new NBA features smaller and quicker lineups, making his skills less than optimal in that alignment. He and DeSagana Diop will split the center duties. Damp will still get his minutes – especially when coach Avery Johnson needs a Shaq defender – and is a very good offensive rebounder (3.3 ORB/game in 23.6 mpg, 7th in NBA) but he won’t play enough for double-digit rebounds.

Given the $73 million Dallas is paying Dampier, the 9.2 points and 8.5 rebounds he posted in 2004-05 were a disappointment. He started the season slowly, but was working into form in February (12.9 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 60.3% FG-pct in eight games) when he suffered a foot injury. He was never able to regain that double-double form and was abused in the playoffs by Yao Ming and Amare Stoudemire. Damp returns as the starter in 2005-06, and coach Avery Johnson should motivate him. We’re expecting a better Dampier this year, but we don’t believe him when he says he’s the second best center in the league behind Shaq.

Dampier was quite the fantasy revelation last year, pulling down rebounds at an amazing clip. Not only was Dampier a monster on the boards, the 7-foot off-season acquisition also put up double-digit points on a nightly basis and proved to be more than merely a rebounding machine. Dampier should continue to be a force on the boards but expect his point output to decrease as his offensive touches will be limited. Averages of 12 points and 11-12 rebounds to go along with 2 blocks per night seem appropriate here.