Hawks sign ‘legitimate center' in Erick Dampier

By Michael Cunningham

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Hawks no longer will have to make do using forwards at center.

The team signed veteran free agent Erick Dampier to a 10-day contract Thursday. He joins Zaza Pachulia as the only healthy centers on the roster after injuries sidelined Al Horford and Jason Collins.

Dampier, who is 6-foot-11, has played in 972 regular-season NBA games. He finished last season with the Heat.

“He’s a legitimate center,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “He’s been in the league a long time. He’s a guy who knows how to play the position, particularly defensively.

“You can look at our team and see we need a big body. I’ve said it all along. Hopefully he can come in and help out.”

Horford is out until at least mid-April after suffering a pectoral injury Jan. 11, and Collins will miss at least another week with an elbow injury. The Hawks have been at a size disadvantage while using forwards Ivan Johnson and Josh Smith to back up Pachulia.

The Hawks can sign Dampier to an additional 10-day contract, but would have to sign him for the rest of the season if they want to keep him beyond that.

Dampier, 36, played in 51 games, with 22 starts, for the Heat last season and averaged 2.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 16 minutes. Rebounding has been his strength during his career, especially on offense, but his rebound rate declined drastically last season.

But Dampier was a pretty good post defender for Miami, according to advanced statistics compiled by Synergy Sports Technology. He said he plans to do the same for the Hawks.

“Try to be a presence on the floor on the defensive end, rebounding, blocking shots,” Dampier said. “And whenever I get the opportunity [to score] close to the basket, try to make the most of it.”

Dampier and Drew both said Dampier isn’t in game shape. He was last listed at 265 pounds, but appeared to be significantly heavier while practicing with the Hawks on Thursday.

Dampier played in 51 games, with 22 starts, for the Heat last season. He said he’s been at home in Jackson, Miss., trying to stay ready while waiting for an NBA team to call.

“I’ve been working out, but I wouldn’t say it’s basketball shape,” he said. “It is going to take a couple of days of practice, a couple games to get out there and get up and down the floor and get my legs back under me. I’m looking forward to it. It’s an opportunity for me.”

Drew said he might use Dampier on Friday to tangle with Magic center Dwight Howard. Next week the Hawks face another powerful center, Andrew Bynum of the Lakers.

Dampier is the big body that the Hawks have been lacking even if he’s not in optimal condition.

“He’s not in the best of shape,” Drew said. “Still, his size is a presence in the middle. He has to get acclimated to what we do and get into playing shape. He gives us the ability to keep guys in their natural position.”