The Case for DJ Mbenga

critical_beatdown · Post #1 » by **critical_beatdown** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 7:22 pm

DJ has played 48 minutes for us so far, and put up 14 and 16 with 7 blocks.

We should keep this guy, as he's a beast and gives us added toughness off the bench. As a jujitsu expert, he also obviously has some self-discipline and ability to adapt/learn.

He needs to cut down on the fouls, as he's picked up 14 in 48 minutes, but it's obvious to me that this dude is going to be a real banger in this league, once he has more time to acclimate himself to the professional game (having started playing/learning basketball late in life).

Even with the addition of Gasol, we should definitely sign Mbenga for the rest of the season, and not only for depth, but because this guy is a keeper, and will only get better with more experience (and the right teaching...need I say Kareem, who has a similar interest in the martial arts as well?).

Again, in 48 minutes, Mbenga numbers:

14 points, 16 rebounds, 7 blocks, 14 fouls

rhp1990 · Post #2 » by **rhp1990** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 7:22 pm

14 fouls lol

FukaX · Post #3 » by **FukaX** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 7:24 pm

hes doing a good job hitting people and not letting any easy baskets or and 1.

Hes worth keeping

critical_beatdown · Post #4 » by **critical_beatdown** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 7:26 pm

We knew about his foul proclivity coming in though, so that element of his numbers is not a surprise.

The big surprise is the 14 and 16 with 7 blocks.

From a very unseasoned player still learning the game, with phenomenal size and what looks to be excellent athleticism, we would be foolish to let him go, especially since we have Kareem Abdul-Jabbar around to teach him the Black Belt level of big man basketball (and DJ comes uber-cheap right now).

KB89 · Post #5 » by **KB89** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 7:42 pm

But ZOMG, Jelani McCoy is available!!!111!

Post #6 » by **milesfides** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 7:46 pm

He's a decent backup center, without a doubt we should keep him

ak777 · Post #7 » by **ak777** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 7:52 pm

I would like to keep him for rest of the year.....this guy makes minimum, has good hands and blocks the shots.....

He needs to learn how to stay out of foul trouble and the lakers assistant coaches should be able help him with that

Erik Eleven · Post #8 » by **Erik Eleven** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 8:03 pm

He's our new Mark Madsen type maskot player

TommyTheCat · Post #9 » by **TommyTheCat** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 8:07 pm

dj>>kwame

EiRON · Post #10 » by **EiRON** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 8:08 pm

DACOS!. LOL. Yah I like the guy. We should keep him.

0HeadAche0 · Post #11 » by **0HeadAche0** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 8:33 pm

I want to keep him badly but is there a spot for him with Gasol, Odom, Mihm, Bynum, Turiaf?

I think he has real energy which is what you want for someone who will only get barely 5mpg when all healthy all you can ask for is hustle and he gives you that.

critical_beatdown · Post #12 » by **critical_beatdown** » Sun Feb 3, 2008 9:06 pm

You can never have too much 7-foot depth, especially when one of them is a guy like DJ with possible breakthrought talent and who won't mind sitting on the bench and soaking everything in.

Plus, Mihm is still a question mark, Ronny has his occasional injury issues, Bynum is out for another month at least, so we actually still need DJ at the moment, since Lamar isn't a reliable C option.

lakeshow248 · Post #13 » by **lakeshow248** » Mon Feb 4, 2008 1:09 am

I love DJ he has played really well so far, I would rather have him over Coby Karl if it came dwn to it...DK knows his min a limited so he goes for all the blocks and the game vs. Dallas he played great against Dirk. He is like the cheaper version of Kwame.....

And i see he asks kobe out their where he needs to be, I like him a lot even over Mihm maybe he has been that impressive, he even has his hands ready in high post looking to get ball and find kobe .....

DJ is a keeper i would really like him over Webber......

MAMBAEMD · Post #14 » by **MAMBAEMD** » Mon Feb 4, 2008 5:56 am

Keep the DJ for sure.
His D, shot blocking, rebounding, good attitude and fouls will come in handy the rest of the season and the playoffs.

Tommy Trojan · Post #15 » by **Tommy Trojan** » Mon Feb 4, 2008 4:25 pm

His a keeper, but what happens when Kwame get's released do we still pick him up? that's the question that we might think about before we pick DJ up for the rest of the season

Lost Angel · Post #16 » by **Lost Angel** » Mon Feb 4, 2008 5:06 pm

will Kwame get released?

I like DJ Taco way more than Mihm.

Mihm is out.

and no one replaces Turiaf as the mascot, not even DJ Taco

hermes · Post #17 » by **hermes** » Mon Feb 4, 2008 5:27 pm

milesfides wrote:He's a decent backup center, without a doubt we should keep him

agreed

LA-LA-Land · Post #18 » by **LA-LA-Land** » Mon Feb 4, 2008 5:51 pm

Lost Angel wrote:will Kwame get released? I like DJ Taco way more than Mihm.

Mihm is out.

and no one replaces Turiaf as the mascot, not even DJ Taco

can u imagine that same ad with ronny in there? i would love to see it.

TACOOOOOO!

Erik Eleven · Post #19 » by **Erik Eleven** » Mon Feb 4, 2008 6:04 pm

Time for KAJ to go to work with Mbenga...

daddyfivestar · Post #20 » by **daddyfivestar** » Mon Feb 4, 2008 9:26 pm

DJ Mblockya is Mihm insurance.

Mihm may never see the court, so keeping DJ around, learning the D rotations, will help should he be needed come playoff time.