Erick(a) Dampier Warns Tony Parker

Upset about being dismantled in game two, Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier—also known as Erica—had this forewarning for Tony Parker:

"Every time he drives the lane, we have to put him on his back," Dampier said, according to The Dallas Morning News. "The first foul has to tell him he's in for a long night."

He later went on to say, "My first foul Thursday night is going to put him on his back, I guarantee it."

Strong words from a not so strong man. The self-proclaimed best center in the NBA has a few things coming to him if he thinks he is scaring anyone.

If anything, I would bet my bottom dollar that the first play of the game is a pick and roll with Tim Duncan that would force a switch with Dampier and have Parker take him to the rack.

The Mavericks' center needs to worry more about how to stop Parker and also when to keep his mouth shut. The last thing the Spurs need is motivation.

I'll be the first, and most certainly not the last, to say the Spurs have more playoff experience than any other team in the postseason, and one thing an opposing team shouldn't do is give them further reasons to embarrass you on your home floor.

Another reason to keep quiet is the fact that the Spurs have a well known dirty player on their team as well, Bruce Bowen. Don't be surprised if Dampier gets one or two elbows thrown his way on Thursday.

I was on the fence about who would win on Thursday, but the remarks made by Dampier made me—and should make all Spurs fans—confident the Spurs will roll the Mavs and take back home court advantage.