Mbenga maximizes minutes 11:50 PM CST on Friday, December 16, 2005 By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News Before Friday's game, D.J. Mbenga was understandably frustrated with his lack of playing time this season. He said he hoped the Mavericks saw the value in a player who wanted to be on the court rather than just picking up a paycheck. Then, he went out against Orlando and earned a good chunk of his wages. Mbenga, who had played 12 minutes all season, put in 10 quality minutes in the third quarter, getting four points, two blocks and two rebounds and helping keep the Mavericks in striking distance. "D.J. was a huge spark," coach Avery Johnson said. "We didn't think we would have stayed in the game without that energy boost." Mbenga said he's been biding his time and was ecstatic to get the longest extended time of his career. "You never know," Mbenga said. "I was really surprised they put me in for that long. But I'm glad the coaches are trusting me." On the shelf: Marquis Daniels has been one of the Mavericks' most efficient players, and his absence Friday made Johnson's job tougher against Orlando. Daniels, hit in the head by Phoenix's Kurt Thomas on Wednesday, was out with a strained neck. "When we do our ratings, all of our really good lineups have him involved in them," Johnson said. Daniels said his status for Sunday's game against Minnesota was up in the air. Jackson, Cuban trade barbs: During Monday's visit to American Airlines Center, LA Lakers coach Phil Jackson walked to center court and asked public address announcer Billy Hayes if he was a member of the cheerleading squad. Then, in a Los Angeles paper Thursday, Jackson singled out the Mavericks as a team that "pumps up the volume, intimidates the referees and ... has announcers as hired cheerleaders." There certainly is a kernel of truth in Jackson's comments. And owner Mark Cuban would have it no other way at AAC. "All he did was prove he doesn't know anything about marketing," Cuban said. "And he probably should look up in the stands to see whether the fans are having fun, because those are the people who allow him to be overpaid." Cuban and Jackson have jostled in the media before. "I think he's just having fun with it," Cuban said. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...s.2216159a.html
His overall stat is quite impressive 4 points (2-2 FG), 2 rebounds (1 offensive), 2 blocks, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 0 fouls -- 9 minutes Thats a good game for someone so raw, I think him getting game time this season in blowouts should be a high priority. We need to develop him in time for the playoffs so he can play a good 5 minutes if needed.
I think Dallas should use Mbenga like Darrell Armstrong. When Diop and Dampier aren't that effective than put in Mbenga.
In any case....he needs to play more!! And for the first time, I Feel like he would really deserve it. Otherwise, I hope he leaves Dallas next year to a team where he can play back-up minutes as a center. A team who don't have a Diop, but where he can be Diop. People in Belgium are waiting for DJ getting a fair chance, but it does not seem to happen in Dallas.
