It's About Time!

AMONG THOSE assured of making their postseason debuts this weekend, the Mavericks' Erick Dampier (above) should be the happiest. Before landing with a contender in Dallas, the 29-year-old center began his NBA career with the Pacers in 1996--97--the only season of the last 16 that Indiana missed the playoffs--then spent seven years with the woeful Warriors. Here are the active players who, at week's end, had logged the most regular-season games before reaching the postseason.

 

PLAYER,CURRENT TEAM	REGULAR-SEASON GAMES
ERICK DAMPIER, Mavericks	554
JASON TERRY, Mavericks	482
DANNY FORTSON, Sonics	402
MOOCHIE NORRIS, Rockets	398
QUENTIN RICHARDSON, Suns	358
BRENDAN HAYWOOD, Wizards	287
KEYON DOOLING, Heat	275
GILBERT ARENAS, Wizards	262
TYSON CHANDLER, Bulls	260
KWAME BROWN, Wizards	251

COLOR PHOTO

BOB ROSATO