Mbenga's emergence 'shocking' to Nelson <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rookie free agent already Mavs' backup center, coach says 12:12 AM CDT on Saturday, October 23, 2004 By DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning News D.J. Mbenga was viewed as an intriguing prospect when the Mavericks opened training camp. "I'd say right now he'd be my backup center," coach Don Nelson declared Friday before the team left for weekend games against Milwaukee and New York. "How do you keep him off the floor?"Erick Dampier, Calvin Booth and Shawn Bradley were projected to be the team's top three centers. The idea was to develop Mbenga and first-round pick Pavel Podkolzin in the hope they could contribute next season. Mbenga has forced the Mavericks to amend that plan. The 7-foot rookie free agent has averaged 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and one blocked shot in three preseason games and is the sort of active, athletic presence the team wants on the court. Booth, who isn't as strong or physical as Mbenga, is picking up more time at power forward to accommodate the rookie. "I'm surprised," Nelson said of Mbenga. "I didn't think he'd be ready for a year, and here he's ready now. "He's not getting in foul trouble. He's dominant. Every single practice, every single game, he's been a factor. It's amazing what he's done. He's improving every day." Podkolzin, meanwhile, was scheduled to arrive in New York on Friday night from Russia. He'll fly to Dallas today, undergo his physical and begin individual workouts with Mark Bryant and Greg Dreiling. Look for him to spend the season on the injured list after he undergoes surgery to correct a pituitary condition. "This is kind of shocking to me," Nelson said of Mbenga's emergence. "But it's happening in the flow of the camp, and it's like a train. You can't stop it. "I'm not trying to stop it." </div> Link
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Well the stats are right just looked up his stat sheet. Woohoo we may get a chance to see what this guy can do. He's doing all that in just 17.7 minutes of play and only played ball for about 4 years of his life.
MBenga Rules Best news I've heard in a long time. The guy is an antelope, I don't think I've ever seen a guy get from one end of the court to the other. Before the last game, I saw him shooting turnaround J's from 15 feet and swished about six in a row. Of course, that's something to look forward to about three years from now. For now, rebounding and blocked shots is enough. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he doesn't get in Nellie's dog house. By the way, Booth seems like Power Forward is a natural for him. I expect him to beat out Alan Henderson. That gives the Mavs a Power Forward/Center rotation with a lot of size. It will sure be a plus for those San Antonio games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SunshineRain:</div><div class="quote_post"> By the way, Booth seems like Power Forward is a natural for him. I expect him to beat out Alan Henderson. That gives the Mavs a Power Forward/Center rotation with a lot of size. It will sure be a plus for those San Antonio games.</div> That was exactly what I thought as well. I'd rather have Booth backup Dirk rather than Alan. I hope to see DJ atleast 5 mins a game this season.
Calvin Booth is a power forward. His style of play is suited to the four, and he played his best basketball in Seattle at the four. He was forced to play the five a lot, and in the West with no interior help in Seattle, it really did affect him as a basketball player. DJ Mbenga is exactly how good NBA scouts earn their money, is looking like a real find at the moment.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post"> DJ Mbenga is exactly how good NBA scouts earn their money, is looking like a real find at the moment.</div> Exactly! I couldnt believe that hes only been playin ball for 4 years! Wasnt Olowakandi the same way? He started playing ball in college or something?
Mbenga didn't play much vs. the Kings today (we won 113-93). I don' know if Nelson is keeping him as a surprise for the Kings in the opener. I believe he'll be a special player to watchout for.
I saw that he fouled out in 11 minutes against San Antonio. Don Nelson said this was his biggest fear, since he's a rookie, smart veterans might lure him into fouls. At least he still had 2 blocks in that time. He needs to be agressive, but avoid stupid fouls. Don won't give him the backup center role if he can't stay in the game.
Mbenga during the summer league averaged 4.8 pts, 4.5 boards. He also swatted a little less than 3.0 blocks a game (2.87 blocks to be exact in 24.5 minutes and 5.5 fouls.) Mbenga during the Pre season has improved his averages in fg% from .428 to .545. He also caroms 3.9 boards in 14 minutes almost double his training camp average (per minute averages.) But he's foul ave is still the same. Reports say that there have been more block shots not listed at the stat sheets.
Maybe I ate my words. He might not be the Dalembert type of playe, might be a beast in his first year, I mean hell look at Daniels.
Will Didier M'Benga make the 12 men roster? Nowitzki, Finley, Stack, Daniels, Terry, Howard, Dampier, Harris = 8 Then: Booth, Bradley, Henderson, M'Benga, Dickau = 5 Who will not be making the roster? Anyway, we in Belgium are all watching his performance from very close. Too bad for you that we are not enough for a Yao-effect But the first M'Benga jerseys have arrived in the fan shop of his former team.
I`ve been trying to find some vids around the web for him. Anyone know where I can go to get a look at DJ.
I was just happy to see his mug on the highlights in the TNT report even though I haven't seen him play a lick. Oh and good win for the Mavs and cool robes for the Mav players after talking with Dirk.
