Article: Mavs centers thinking big: Dampier wants to start; Johnson wants more production.

Byline: Eddie Sefko

Oct. 6--DENTON -- A popular theory in the NBA is that true centers are virtually extinct. Teams are going with quicker, smaller centers as opposed to traditional, back-to-the-basket, low-post players.

If that opinion is indeed widely acknowledged, allow Erick Dampier to retort. "You tell me how many teams were in the Finals that didn't have a true center," Dampier says. "I don't know of many teams that have won a world championship that don't have a true center."

He's right. Miami had Shaquille O'Neal last season, as did the Los Angeles Lakers when they won three titles earlier this decade. Detroit has Ben Wallace, who ...

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