It’s exit interview time and the first appointment is with center D.J. Mbenga.
D.J., you did not grow up playing basketball in the States, nor did you attend college here, so your basketball background is not as vast as others.
The two years that you played in Belgium helped get you to the NBA but the one thing you really lack is game experience, with quality minutes over a long stretch.
Still, you are strong and physically imposing, at seven feet and 255 pounds. You have shown potential to develop into an excellent shot blocker.
You averaged two points and 1.7 rebounds per game this season but understandably it is difficult to post more substantial numbers than that when you averaged less than eight minutes of playing time in the 42 games that you played.
Yet, I also look at a pair of games you had this season with the Golden State Warriors before you joined the Lakers.
D.J., you grabbed a career-high seven rebounds and blocked three shots in 14 minutes against Milwaukee. Then, in another 14-minute stint, you scored seven points, pulled down four rebounds and blocked two shots.
And that latter game was against the Lakers, which prompted the team to sign you to the first of two 10-day contracts, when the Warriors waived you.
Often opportunities present themselves in unforeseen situations and the injury to Andrew Bynum created that chance for you to be signed for the remainder of the season.
With Pau Gasol moving back to power forward next season, the Lakers are in need of a dependable backup center who can provide rebounding, be a shot-blocking presence, a low-post scoring option and, above all, someone not afraid to mix it up physically inside.
In the off season, D.J., you need to work on your offensive game and in addition to honing your short-range jump shot, which actually is pretty good, also get proficient in shooting a jump hook with either hand.
Mbenga’s status: unrestricted free agent.
