By CHRIS PERKINS
FOXSportsFlorida.com Heat Writer
Feb. 24, 2011
Erick Dampier is the new starter in the middle, and tonight Miami's muscled-up center gets a big test as he goes against Chicago's Joakim Noah, an active, agile center.
It's not an ideal matchup for Dampier.
But understand this: Just because Dampier is the starter, he's not expected to play 35 minutes and put up a double-double. Dampier is supposed to slow down Noah, lean on him, block him out, make life difficult for him, don't let him grab 12 or 15 rebounds. That's Dampier's job as a starter. If the Heat want someone to match Noah's athleticism, the gig can go to Joel Anthony.
The bigger issue at center might be Zydrunas Ilgauskas' role. He went from starting center to not playing at all Tuesday against Sacramento. That caught everyone off-guard and left a productive player on the bench.
Dampier admitted he was "kinda sorta" surprised he was named the starter.
"I got myself used to coming off the bench," he said, adding he looked to score as a reserve but now he'll look to free up the Big Three as a starter.
Ilgauskas seemed just as surprised as Dampier about the switch.
"I'm OK with it," he said. "It is what it is."
Coach Erik Spoelstra said Ilgauskas still has a role and playing time will depend largely on matchups. Ilgauskas said he understands that approach.
"You've got to help your team and you've got to stay ready," he said.
Noah, who returned Wednesday from a 30-game absence due to a thumb injury, grabbed 16 rebounds in the Bulls' 118-113 loss to Toronto. Noah and backup Kurt Thomas will provide a good test for the Heat's trio of centers.
Center isn't a position of strength for Miami. And the shuffle at starter this late in the season raises eyebrows. However, the Heat have maintained all season this is a three-man position, and that's what we're seeing. The bottom line is the Heat centers, in whatever combination they're used, have to keep the Bulls' centers under control. And that won't be easy.
But Miami's centers have to be able to do the job against Chicago whether it's a single-game matchup or a best-of-seven series.
