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Donnie Walsh & Co. exploring the possibility of signing free agent center D.J. Mbenga
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Finestrg
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9/2/2008  5:51 PM
Don't understand this at all. TMS is spot on - this guy has no ability to really put his mark on a game one way or another. Guy's a stiff to be honest. And we already have Jerome James who would give you the exact same thing as this guy if you ever played him.

Not sure what's going on here lately. We had a good hustle/energy guy in Balkman, dump him for nothing, then go out and make the trade for Ewing Jr. who Walsh refers to as a good "glue guy." I'll let this one go I guess - Ewing will supply the exact same thing more or less at a cheaper 2nd round price and his roster spot's not guaranteed. If that's the rationale, OK, but Walsh never said that. Basically said Balkman was expendable then later makes the trade for almost the same player, praising Ewing Jr's intangibles up and down in the process. Now (if there's any truth to this current rumor) he's after this stiff Mbenga - a guy that's no better than Jerome James and had absolutely no impact on a team that lost it's center and went to the finals. I understand you don't piece together the bottom portion of your roster with superstars but come on man, they should at least be upgrades over current alternatives.

As far as adding a reserve F/C that could have a real impact on the defensive end, Justin Williams continues to be the best alternative out there that's available. Unrestricted FA that's 6'9"-6'10", huge wingspan, athletic, great motor, showed monster shot-blocking skills & plus rebounding ability in college. And the price is right too. This kid went undrafted and has only had a couple of cups of coffee with the Kings. If they want a shot-blocking presence, go out and sign this kid for probably under $400,000 and call it a day. Could eventually equal Sean Williams' production with the same PT - they're very similiar.
AUTOADVERT
SupremeCommander
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9/2/2008  6:04 PM
Posted by Cosmic:
Posted by SupremeCommander:
Posted by Cosmic:
Posted by BRIGGS:

this would be stored in the who cares dept

And if it happens?

Then it can be stored in the "What in the hell is he doing and why?" department along with Duhon, Roberson, the 2nd round pick, and Ewing Jr.

These are the types of moves a 65 win team makes to shore up it's 11-15 rotation while gearing up for another long promising season.

These are NOT the moves anyone looking to either improve a current team - or tear down and then rebuild an ailing team - EVER MAKES.

Yet, It's what we've got, which is disappointing at best so far.

I agree that these are marginal improvements and the types of moves teams like the Celtics, Lakers, or Pistons make to improve their roster.

But I don't think it's disappointing. Isiah Thomas got this team in this God-awful-****ty-mess making big moves. The only way to undo this is to let contracts run their course. At the very least, the team is chipping away at its weaknesses: a "true" PG, a guy who can shoot, players with bball IQ, etc.

This I agree with but I'd rather have given guys we already have the "stop gap/ride it out" job. Not add more mediocre talent to do the same exact thing. That's all.

G-Nate/Collins
G-Craw/Q

I saw no reason to ADD Duhon/Roberson to that. It's not an improvement now or later, we already have the "stop-gap/wait it out" in house, just seems like a confusing series of moves.

I guess we're in agreement then, although I like Duhon... I think he'll make a bigger impact than most. But all the other moves are pointless to me.

But you definitely know why these moves were made: to keep the Knicks in conversation. That team last season was the worst team I've ever rooted for. That includes some pretty crappy Yankees and Giants teams--and some spectacular Rangers failures.

The moves are being made more to promote the idea that change is a comin. I don't see the Pat Ewing Jr. trade as the only PR move made this summer. I see each acquisition in the same light (sans Duhon, but I realize I'm in the minority).
DLeethal wrote: Lol Rick needs a safe space
LivingLegend
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9/2/2008  6:18 PM
Don't we have to look at Mbenga like this?

Mbenga = NO JJ FAT

I mean - who could argue with swapping out JJ Fat's worn out ass for a kid that will compete and bang when he's on the court?

I think the minor moves Walsh has made are under-estimated and are mostly geared toward giving the team the cleanest start possible while building on the overall competitiveness at the end of our bench. Now I realize some of you guys are sound basketball guys but I have to side with Donnie and Mike's experience before I start clamoring for Balkman over Ewing and a #2 pick or possibly JJ Fat over Mbenga. The only guy that didn't make sense to me was Roberson - I just thought aren't there better guys then him lying around?
franco12
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9/2/2008  6:35 PM
i'd agree- i'd rather sign some undrafted or nbdl type player and roll the dice that they become decent players as opposed to the marginal type talents.
franco12
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9/2/2008  6:35 PM
i'd agree- i'd rather sign some undrafted or nbdl type player and roll the dice that they become decent players as opposed to the marginal type talents.
Elite
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9/2/2008  8:14 PM
4949
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9/2/2008  10:07 PM
Posted by TMS:
Posted by VDesai:

Should do a little TMS' fetish for a shotblocker. At least he hasn't been posting pictures of DJ Mbenga on the Alba thread :).

Seriously, Mbenga isn't much, but he's better than James. He averages about a 0.5 blocks per 6 minutes of play

he ain't the impact type shotblocker i'm looking for... i want someone who can change the game from a defensive standpoint like a Camby or JO... i realize those guys are few & far between so i'd settle for someone like Sean Williams... Mbenga ain't gonna see many appreciable minutes on this team IMO.

As a matter of fact, he's only averaging just over '5' whole precious minutes a game, IN HIS CAREER. Why in the world would Donnie go and make this kind of move? I don't believe it.
I'll never trust this' team again.
Cartman718
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9/2/2008  10:26 PM
Posted by rmears718:

_________________________________________________________________________________________
"But on our team, with our weak perimeter defenders, he would probably average a block a minute!"
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Good point!!!...As of now - there are no shot blockers on the team...Besides Wilson Chandler.

nate against yao LOL
Nixluva is posting triangle screen grabs, even when nobody asks - Fishmike. LOL So are we going to reference that thread like the bible now? "The thread of Wroten Page 14 post 9" - EnySpree
4949
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9/2/2008  10:27 PM
Posted by Finestrg:


As far as adding a reserve F/C that could have a real impact on the defensive end, Justin Williams continues to be the best alternative out there that's available. Unrestricted FA that's 6'9"-6'10", huge wingspan, athletic, great motor, showed monster shot-blocking skills & plus rebounding ability in college. And the price is right too. This kid went undrafted and has only had a couple of cups of coffee with the Kings. If they want a shot-blocking presence, go out and sign this kid for probably under $400,000 and call it a day. Could eventually equal Sean Williams' production with the same PT - they're very similiar.


Justin Williams would fit a D'Antoni system perfectly. He is a real hustler, shot blocker and great on the run, passing in and out, passing - cutting to the inside and scoring. Good call Finestrg. And the dude is a quick jumper, and dunks almost any time he's near the basket. If you wanna get someone effective, Justin Williams is the guy.
I'll never trust this' team again.
GKFv2
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9/2/2008  10:34 PM


The king himself.
Thank you, Rick Brunson.
GKFv2
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9/2/2008  10:34 PM


The king himself.
Thank you, Rick Brunson.
VDesai
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9/2/2008  10:36 PM
Where does this rumor come from anyway?
tkf
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9/2/2008  11:22 PM
Posted by GKFv2:



The king himself.

rofl.. where did you find this.. hahaha.. Song was kind of catchy..

And did he jump from the circle off one step and dunk that ball? wow. he can cover some ground... I have never seen any kind of offense from that guy..... he seems to have a decent shot..

Anyone who sits around and waits for the lottery to better themselves, either in real life or in sports, Is a Loser............... TKF
nixluva
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9/3/2008  12:31 AM
Man highlight videos really can make a guy look good. LOL! I will say that perhaps they see a chance to maybe put a player in a good situation and get more out of him, kinda like Mikki Moore or Diaw. maybe they see something in him that we haven't seen yet. When you look at those shots his form looks pretty good for a really long guy. It doesn't seem like he's totally lost. I've never really seen much game action where they called his number but he didn't look half bad in those shots.
oohah
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9/3/2008  2:40 AM
If D.J. Mbenga were 4 inches taller he'd be one of the better centers in the NBA.

oohah

Good luck Mike D'Antoni, 'cause you ain't never seen nothing like this before!
NumberTwoPencil
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9/3/2008  4:06 AM
Just based on his bio, dude should play for the New Knicks:

Didier Mbenga was born in Zaire and his father was involved in the former Zaire’s government. When his father’s term was over, the reigning regime hunted the old government’s leaders, putting the Mbenga family on the run. The father died mysteriously to unknown causes, but many suspect the obvious.

DJ spent nine months on Hutu death row after being mistaken for a Tutsi, but eventually escaped with the help of a prison guard that was bribed by his brother. The Mbenga family had enough and escaped to Belgium where they received political asylum and eventually, Belgian citizenship.

http://www.interbasket.net/news/177/2008/01/09/10-nba-players-from-around-the-world-0109/
djsunyc
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9/3/2008  1:45 PM
dj mbenga = 15th man on the roster. this is totally inconsequential.
Markji
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9/3/2008  3:27 PM
Posted by djsunyc:

dj mbenga = 15th man on the roster. this is totally inconsequential.
I agree that this isinconsequential. But how can he be the 15th man if Patrick Jr was the 16th man. and Roberson was the 15th man once we got rid of Balkman??

Hopefully this means we will get rid of some other players so as to keep Jr and now maybe Mbenga.
The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense. Tom Clancy - author
Cookdcokehop
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9/3/2008  3:39 PM
"One thing the Knicks have is too many players. They will get packaged and dealt. D'Antoni doesn't like to keep player around if he won't be using them. Don't be surprised if the 12th man is a big, goofy, balls to the wall guy that can goon it up when needed and give his all in practice every day yet still have a sense of humor. These guys are cheap and always looking for a job and D'Antoni loves to have them around. Think Paul Shirley. Think Pat Burke. The goofier and fan-friendlier, the more likely D'Antoni will give him some run time when there's less than 30 seconds left and/or the game is out of reach... "

Paul Shirley > Pat Burke > DJ Mbenga...see the pattern?
GKFv2
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9/3/2008  3:43 PM
Where is that quote from?
Thank you, Rick Brunson.
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Donnie Walsh & Co. exploring the possibility of signing free agent center D.J. Mbenga
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