<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span id="default"><span id="CCT_Article"> TORONTO -- Warriors forward Matt Barnes recently described rookie teammate Stephane Lasme as being "6-7 or 6-8, but he plays like a 7-footer." But the Warriors decided Saturday that they wanted an actual 7-footer, instead.</p> Golden State gained size without sacrificing athleticism by cutting loose Lasme, its second-round selection this summer, and signing free agent center DJ Mbenga to a deal for the remainder of the season.</p> Mbenga, who is expected to join the team in time for practice Monday in New York, averaged 1.3 points and 0.9 rebounds a game in limited action over three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. His 2006-07 season was cut short when he tore the ACL in his right knee in February, but he appears to have fully recovered.</p> A native of the Congo, Mbenga was brought to the NBA in 2004 by Don Nelson, who was coaching the Mavericks at the time. He was dropped by Dallas on Oct. 30 -- despite having nearly $3.8 million due to him on a three-year contract signed in 2006 -- to make room for veteran forward Juwan Howard.</p> Bouna Ndiaye, Mbenga's agent, said the 26-year-old worked out for the Warriors and Boston Celtics soon after his release. Mbenga ultimately went for Golden State because of his familiarity with Nelson and his fit within the system.</p> "They need some size, some rebounding and some blocked shots, and DJ can run the floor," Ndiaye said. "He's what they need." <span id="default"><span id="CCT_Article"> More so than Lasme, clearly. The 24-year-old made history by becoming the first NBA </span></span><span id="default"><span id="CCT_Article"> player to hail from the African nation of Gabon, but he had only four seconds' worth of playing time in seven regular-season games.</div></span></span></p> <span id="default"><span id="CCT_Article">Source: Contra Costa Times</span></span></p> </span></span></p>
Where's Mbenga going to play? PF I hope. I don't want to see POB's minutes cut, but I suspect he's going to play some center. It's frustrating with the small ball.</p>
I think nobody over 6'9 will play power forward. He'll probably play center behind POB because frankly, I don't even know if DJ Benga has any offense. At least POB has some offensive ability and he's got some sick passing skills. I bet Monty could have used POB decently because I'd imagine he'd find more use for him than with Nelson. But I know that is b.s. because Nelson hates rookies too. Damn coaches!</p> Maybe Nelson trusts Benga more than POB because Nelson had worked with him back in Dallas. So that is maybe why he could see time over POB if POB is struggling. On a positive note Benga does have incredibly long arms and he's pretty darn fast running the floor for a guy that tall. He's just really unskilled as most big men are. I bet he and most of the Sonics' draft picks that were centers could have a "who is more raw" contest and I bet DJ and Sene could tie.</p>
Goddamn... why Nelson trusts Benga more than POB is beyond me. The guy couldn't even dunk it on the fastbreak... Guy has Foyle offense.</p>
I guess I don't read this move the same way you guys do.</p> In the short term (<.35 games), POB's minutes will suffer, but I think Nelson/Mullin are really making this move for POB's benefit, in that, by way of The Congo, they are importing a big strong body to toughen up POB for, ultimately, a lot more playing time by season's end.</p> I think practice just got a whole lot tougher for POB.</p>
I totally would love to believe that. But I think Nelson has an agenda of sorts. He plays our key guys 40 minutes and we have a game tomorrow. Why not give POB, BWright and Belinelli some burn a lot sooner? Nelly is just confusing and its pissing me off.</p>
To me, Warriors just pulled the plug on POB when they didn't extend his contract. We could have locked up POB by spending 2 mils next year and give Warriors a bird right and one more year to observe on supposely long term project. Instead, Warriors decided to give maximum financial flexibility by not exercising 3rd year option. So, playing Benga instead of POB doesn't bother too much, because neither of them will be in our long term plan...</p>
Nothing like a couple of Barnes- free games. What a relief. I wonder if there is any coincidence, No Barnes - 2 wins. Nah too easy. With Jack Back and i thought Pietrus played really well tonight vs NY. I have to ask Barnes who? Barnesy Fife? I wonder if he will get another agent after this season then fire him mid way through summer and then hire another one and then find himself without a job. Maybe he can still get that Arena Football gig or was that flag football at ocean park.? Tecmo bowl?</p> </p> Anyone seen " No Country For Old Men" yet? I have to ask because i just saw it. Pretty intense.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kwan1031)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> To me, Warriors just pulled the plug on POB when they didn't extend his contract. We could have locked up POB by spending 2 mils next year and give Warriors a bird right and one more year to observe on supposely long term project. Instead, Warriors decided to give maximum financial flexibility by not exercising 3rd year option. So, playing Benga instead of POB doesn't bother too much, because neither of them will be in our long term plan...</p> </div></p> Yeah but Benga seems like a project to me too. At least with POB he plays hungry for a new contract next season and we get a little more offense and better hands. With Benga in there, he's so bad it's like playing 4 on 5 ball if he can't finish the layup or dunk. The guy is just horrible inside. It's Foyle again after that contract.</p> And boogs, I'd take Barnes over Pietrus any day of the week. Damn I hate Pietrus' game. I love Pietrus' attitude and the fact he's a friendly joking kind of guy, but he's a basketball simpleton. Barnes is a step above him, I think, especially when it comes to making passes and providing stronger D against forwards.</p> </p>
