DJ Mbenga?

[nbrans]

Was released from the Mavericks. That marks the second (after Jackie Butler) somewhat promising young center to have been released. Of course, we have the young Hawes/Williams/Watkins trio and the ancient Miller/SAR/KT/Moore quartet, but heck, I say go for it.


http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/Mavs_adding_Juwan_Howard-103007.html

Mavs adding Juwan Howard, releasing DJ Mbenga
Art Garcia | Mavs.com
Posted: Oct. 30, 2007
The Mavericks picked up some much-needed frontline help by agreeing to terms with free agent Juwan Howard today. The contract can’t be completed until Howard clears waivers tomorrow

Howard (6-9, 253) hit the open market after Minnesota bought out his contract and should join the Mavs on the season-opening two-game road trip, perhaps as early as Wednesday night at Cleveland. The power forward has averaged 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds over his 12-year career, including a stint in Dallas over parts of two seasons (2000-01 and ’01-02).

“Juwan was too big of an opportunity to pass up,” president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson told mavs.com. “Juwan is a winner, he’s a leader and he knows the Maverick way.

“He can swing from the ‘4’ to ‘5,’ so it gives us tremendous flexibility on the frontline.”

Howard should join the rotation immediately backing up Gana Diop and Dirk Nowitzki up front. The Mavs were in need of help down low, especially with Erick Dampier out. Brandon Bass was the only other healthy big man with NBA experience on the roster.

The team made room for Howard by releasing four-year center DJ Mbenga, who recently returned from a knee injury. Mbenga (7-0, 240) played three seasons in Dallas and holds career averages of 1.3 points and 0.9 rebounds in 79 games.

Mbenga played in 21 games last season before suffering a torn right ACL on Feb. 7. His only action of the preseason was in the finale against Chicago. Mbenga recorded five rebounds, two blocked shots and an assist in 12 minutes of action.

“DJ needs an opportunity to play and develop,” Nelson said. “We appreciate everything he’s done for us and he’s been a big part of our success. We’re hopeful that with playing time, whether it’s in the NBA or Europe, he’ll be able to join our team in the future.”

 

[Gary]

I don't think either one of them can give the Maloofs anything other than a smaller amnt of $$ in their bank account.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Once again this is where the (lost) opertuenity cost of the Moore signing really comes to light. I have no idea how butler or Mbenga will pan out might be totall busts but I KNOW what Moore will give us and if we were not over stocked and over spent the Kings could have takena flier on one of them.

 

[AriesMar27]

yeah... signing moore really hurts right now... drafting douby has been hurting for a year now... oh well...

 

[CalBears1]

We should've drafted Marcus Williams from UCONN

 

[Big Cuz 15]

this was one of those project guys i was hoping the kings would draft. yes, again the kings blew their load on a VET when we are clearly in a rebuilding stage. why oh why.. it really sucks to be a kings fan right now.

 

[Bricklayer]

Yes, definitely interesting. Both those guys were out there before last season, and as I recall Geoff made an inquiry about Mbenga before he decided to return to the Mavs. Then this summer we were due to get Butler as part of a Bibby deal. So not only 2 large young Cs on the market, but 2 guys who we have shown some interest in in the last year. All we need now is a nice 2-1 or 3-1 trade of creaky old vets and we can bring one or the both in and see what;s what.

And the Mavs here...I mean just duh. Tehir window may have already opened and slammed shut. And now you are dumping young bigs with potential (theoretically) to sign 1000 yr old Juwann Howard. because everybody knows that Juwann Howard = victory, and the piece to put you over the top.

 

[VF21]

I have to think that Dallas got rid of him for a reason and I suspect VERY STRONGLY it has to do with this:

...releasing four-year center DJ Mbenga, who recently returned from a knee injury.

We took a chance on SAR, who was passed by NJ. I'm really actually relieved we won't be taking a chance on someone like Mbenga.

 

[HndsmCelt]

I have to think that Dallas got rid of him for a reason and I suspect VERY STRONGLY it has to do with this:



We took a chance on SAR, who was passed by NJ. I'm really actually relieved we won't be taking a chance on someone like Mbenga.

Sure a TRADE for Mbenga might have beena bad deal but at this point he can be had for under vet min I belive... if he does not perform so what you got him on the super cheap but he IS still a young developing big with some tallent, definatly worth a low risk try.

 

[SacTownKid]

His knee shouldn't be a problem. ACL tear I think, he'll be back to 100% if he isn't close to it already. I would like to see us snatch up one of these nice bigs that just hit the free agent market.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

if the celtics have any $$ left they can have 2 more big bodies in their line up for cheap..

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

He's a product of the Dallas diamond-in-the-rough previously no-namer free agent signings, and a couple of them (Barea and Bass) are currently contributing well for their team, while others (Marquis Daniels) are making loads of cash elsewhere. He's not very talented on the offensive end, but he is a solid space eater with solid bulk. His best asset will be his shotblocking. In the couple of games I have watched of him, it seems to me's an irregular, almost unorthodox sort of player. If we do end up signing him, the phrase "one's man's trash is another's treasure" hopefully will apply because we would have signed the benchers (Udrih--SAS and Mbenga--DAL) from winning teams.

 

[sactownfan]

well this guy was at the game. interesting

 

[nbrans]

Amick confirms the Mbenga sighting:

There was an out-of-place DJ Mbenga sighting at the Kings-Sonics game, though I've yet to have someone tell me that he should be expected as the Kings' newest frontcourt addition.
The 7-foot, 240-pound Mbenga was waived by Dallas on Oct. 30, having played in just one preseason game after returning from an ACL injury last Feb. 7. In the one game against Chicago, Mbenga had five rebounds, two blocked shots and an assist in 12 minutes of play.
It would make perfect sense that the Kings worked him out and were considering signing him, although he remains not only a recovering hobbler but a player who didn't start playing basketball until later in life and who's in need of major development. Folks on the Sonics' side gave no indication he was there to meet with them, so it's a mystery for now.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/008958.html


My guess is that we gave him a workout and physical to see if he's recovering from knee surgery and are deciding whether to:

1) cut Justin Williams because of the legal trouble and sign Mbenga
2) cut Watkins and sign Mbenga
3) cut Greene when Udrich is ready and sign Mbenga
4) don't sign Mbenga

I doubt Mbenga was there to watch a game between such stellar teams as the Kings and Sonics

 

[CalBears1]

I bet you that Williams will not be a part of the Kings regardless of the outcome of his pending investigation. The Kings don't even list him as being a part of their roster in their programs at the game.

 

[Bricklayer]

Amick confirms the Mbenga sighting:

There was an out-of-place DJ Mbenga sighting at the Kings-Sonics game, though I've yet to have someone tell me that he should be expected as the Kings' newest frontcourt addition.
The 7-foot, 240-pound Mbenga was waived by Dallas on Oct. 30, having played in just one preseason game after returning from an ACL injury last Feb. 7. In the one game against Chicago, Mbenga had five rebounds, two blocked shots and an assist in 12 minutes of play.
It would make perfect sense that the Kings worked him out and were considering signing him, although he remains not only a recovering hobbler but a player who didn't start playing basketball until later in life and who's in need of major development. Folks on the Sonics' side gave no indication he was there to meet with them, so it's a mystery for now.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/008958.html


My guess is that we gave him a workout and physical to see if he's recovering from knee surgery and are deciding whether to:

1) cut Justin Williams because of the legal trouble and sign Mbenga
2) cut Watkins and sign Mbenga
3) cut Greene when Udrich is ready and sign Mbenga
4) don't sign Mbenga

I doubt Mbenga was there to watch a game between such stellar teams as the Kings and Sonics

Well that's promising (on a low level of course).

Of course if it ends up being Justin out, Mbenga in, not sure how much we gain, but Justin may or may not be lost to us.

P.S. doubt we have already made the decision to can Justin, just because if we had there is no reason not to have already done it.

 

[ovrush]

There is also an espn insider article saying that he is currently working out/rehabbing in Sacramento. Don't see why he would be working out here unless there's a high probability of him joining the team.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insi...lumnist=sheridan_chris&page=Unemployed-071107

 

[Bricklayer]

There is also an espn insider article saying that he is currently working out/rehabbing in Sacramento. Don't see why he would be working out here unless there's a high probability of him joining the team.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insi...lumnist=sheridan_chris&page=Unemployed-071107

Oh to not have a roster/salary cap clogged with the likes of Brad, Mikki, Shareef, and Kenny. That's over half your cap right there ($30+million), and 4 of the 5 or so bigs you're likely to have active every game.

 

[Dime Dropper]

I'm not getting too excited about Mbenga. Firstly, despite what alot of people here seem to think, he's not exactly young. He's 27 IIRC. We wouldn't even have enough minutes for him with out group of monsters controlling the boards . And, he's a C more than a PF, I don't want anyone else taking mins away from our highest picked rookie in years. This, (along with the next few years) should be a year for the few kids we have and to put ourselves in a better position for the future by getting the best picks possible.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

IMO I don't believe Mbenga is an upgrade over Justin Williams. One poster already mentioned it already: age. Yeah, he's only 27, but based on his limited minutes and the few NBA seasons he's played, that may be more of a detriment than it is a blessing. I just don't believe he has much in him, besides being a space eater and shot blocker. Yeah, he's big, rather active, mobile etc...but I wonder if those injuries he's had may have an effect on that part of his game. Yeah, I realize he hasn't got much of a chance playing for Dallas as a third string center there no less, but I really wonder about his offense...does he have a low post game, a jumper? I think I've seen flashes of both in Dallas's jacked up offense, but in a lower level team like ours I wonder where he will exactly fit. J-Will definitely is more up tempo, athletic, rebound hungry, defensive minded etc than Mbenga from what I can see.

 

[Entity]

Mohammed Sene plays for Seattle and Marmadue N'diye lives in Sacramento. In fact Sene was working out with N'diye before the draft last year in Sacrament. Mbenga is from the same area in Africa and Marmadue is seeming to be the NBA ambassador to players from that Native land. I am guessing that may have something to do with him being at the game last night.

 

[Bricklayer]

but I really wonder about his offense...does he have a low post game, a jumper? .

I think Kings fans really really REALLY have to get over that as some sort of qualifier for a useful big man.

Useful big man trait #1 -- rebound
Useful big man trait #2 -- block shots
Useful big man trait #3 -- post game

Anything else is complete gravy. And even the post game is gravy when you get down to it as long as you are nto looking for a star. Mbenga may, MAY, have two of the three things listed above. That's why there's intrigue. And whether he's got a jumper or not...well let's just say Mikki Moore has a jumper. Yay.

 

[nbrans]

And I'd just like to add that Justin Williams is not a center -- sure, he played center a bit last year, but the guy is 6'9". Athletic, yes, but he's really a power forward on a proper roster. Mbenga is a full 7'0", and athletic at that. Who knows what he's capable of because he's hardly played, but there's something to be said for that size.

I'm not saying it should be an either/or thing between Mbenga and Williams -- I wouldn't mind seeing both on the roster, but I don't think people should discount the benefits of an athletic seven footer.

 

[sactownfan]

I would actually love to watch a Miller/ Hawes combo with both switching up at PF/C and see Moore/Williams/Watkins/Mbenga as the back ups...

maybe Kenny Thomas will get so pissed about never seeing the floor he will do something crazy like opt out at the end of the year..... ? SAR is just looking done, but i will give him a bit more time to rehab.

Best case is We pick up Mbenga and trade one, two or all these guys...Kenny thomas, Miller, SAR, for picks to try and draft another big that will actually be a star/ balanced force in the next couple of years...

 

[SacTownKid]

Mbenga has a pretty good jumper. Not a solid post game but a decent jump hook.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

Signed by goldenstate

 

[fnordius]

Signed by GS, who had to waive Stephane Lasme to do it.

Lasme for our empty roster spot, anyone?

Positives: really exceptional shotblocker, with an acceptable offensive game to go with it. In the preseason, got 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 blocks per 48. Blocked that well in college, too, so it wasn't a statistical fluke.

Negatives: Tweener (6'8", 220 lbs), will turn 25 in December.

Yes, I'm sick of tweeners, and 24 is old enough that he may not get a lot better. But compared to an empty roster slot, it doesn't seem so bad.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Signed by GS, who had to waive Stephane Lasme to do it.

Lasme for our empty roster spot, anyone?

Positives: really exceptional shotblocker, with an acceptable offensive game to go with it. In the preseason, got 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 blocks per 48. Blocked that well in college, too, so it wasn't a statistical fluke.

Negatives: Tweener (6'8", 220 lbs), will turn 25 in December.

Yes, I'm sick of tweeners, and 24 is old enough that he may not get a lot better. But compared to an empty roster slot, it doesn't seem so bad.

ask yourself this question.. do we have minutes for him? sure he sounds nice but do we have minutes? there are bunch of grumpy vets not getting enough and young guys struggling to get some also.

 

[fnordius]

ask yourself this question.. do we have minutes for him?

Yes, if we stop playing Moore much. Otherwise, no. We have a 10-man rotation now, tepid though it may be, so there's no room for anyone (Mbenga or otherwise) but maybe another backup PG.

PF/C: Miller, Hawes, Williams, Moore
SF: Artest, Salmons
SG: Martin, Garcia, Douby
PG: Udrih

 

[Bricklayer]

Warriors just picked up Mbenga.


Who would have thunk that the freakin' Warriors would recognize the value of a shotblocker/rebounder more than us?