DJ Mbenga’s Role with the Lakers

According to the L.A. Times, third-string center DJ Mbenga “is the physcial force that brings it every day in practice.” Due to his size (7-0, 255-pounds) and strength, Mbenga is able to help out starting center Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol (when he moves to center from power forward). Said Lakers Coach Phil Jackson about Mbenga, “He changes our practices around. He gives us a physcial aspect. He’s a contesting defender, and that makes it tough for the [starting] white team and the [second] blue team to just run overrun [teams].”

Due to an injured hip flexor, Mbenga missed the first five practices but was able to practice prior to the first exhibition game last Wednesday, although his injury reared its ugly head at the last second and rendered him unable to play. After also missing the second exhibition game against the Golden State Warriors last Friday night (Oct. 9), Mbenga was able to practice a little yesterday (Oct. 12). “He lost a little bit of practice this afternoon, but he’s running better. The pressure was too much, too many big guys coming at him from the blue [practice] team. But he’ll get it back by tomorrow,” said an optimistic Jackson before continuing to say, “We definitely want to use him. He’s a guy that we rely on to be backup. But what his minutes are going to be, I can’t tell you that.”

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Posted in General on October 13, 2009

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