New Center Makes Nice First Impression

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span id="default"><span id="CCT_Article"> NEW YORK -- Recently acquired center DJ Mbenga made his debut as a Warrior with 8:43 remaining in the second quarter of Golden State's 108-82 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

Mbenga announced his arrival, however, at the 8:46 mark of the fourth quarter. That's when Knicks forward David Lee slipped past two Golden State defenders and softly tossed up what he assumed would be an uncontested reverse layup -- until Mbenga snapped it right out of the key with arguably the Warriors' most impressive block of the season.</p>

"I just knew where I was supposed to go," Mbenga said.</p>

"That was nice. Really nice," Warriors swingman Stephen Jackson said. "That's what we need from him. We need him to get down there and block some shots. We're not a big team, so another big body is always a plus."</p>

It was the highlight of a 10-minute performance that didn't jump out from the stat sheet -- two points, 1-for-3 shooting, one rebound, three fouls -- but made an impact that was obvious on the floor, where the larger Knicks had hoped to bludgeon the Warriors into submission.</p>

"I thought Mbenga played well," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "He was active and physical. I couldn't ask for more in a first game from the guy. ... If he would have just made that one dunk he'd have really had a nice ballgame."</p>

That was the one real glitch for Mbenga, letting a sure dunk get away early in the fourth quarter as the ball slipped out of his sweaty palms.<span id="default"><span id="CCT_Article"> "We're just trying to help</span></span> <span id="default"><span id="CCT_Article"> each other," Mbenga said of the Warriors' defensive performance. "We play together. We talk a lot on defense, and that helps everybody on defense to know where we need to be. It's pretty cool."</div></span></span></p>

<span id="default"><span id="CCT_Article">Source: Contra Costa Times</span></span></p>
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