First double-double doesn’t faze Mbenga

November 9th, 2009, 7:30 am · 5 Comments · posted by JANIS CARR, OCREGISTER.COM

DJ Mbenga has scored in double figures before. Not often, but he did have 10 points against Minnesota last season.

The Lakers reserve center also has had a more than handful of rebounds in a game during his five-year career, pulling down seven against Milwaukee two seasons ago. But never has he been able to put the two components together until Sunday.

Given nearly 30 minutes of play, Mbenga posted his first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds in the Lakers’ 104-88 victory against New Orleans. He also blocked four shots and stole the ball once.

Yet, the quiet 7-footer took it all instride.

“It is just hard work,” he said. “As a basketball player you always want show what you can do on the court.”

Mbenga is getting the opportunity to show off his skills because Andrew Bynum (elbow) and Pau Gasol (hamstring) have been sidelined because of injuries. Mbenga’s minutes will decrease when the two post players return. Until then, he hopes to make the most of his minutes.

“It makes me feel good,” he said. “It’s my job.

“It is challenging as a basketball player, but you definitely want to remember everything you can.”

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J-Dizzle says:

November 9, 2009 at 8:08 am

I gotta get me one of those “Mbangin with Mbenga” shirts. I gotta say though, he’s playing much better hurt then healthy. What he’s holding back from the pain is keeping him in much better control and out of foul trouble. I hope when he gets healthy he continues to stay under control like this.

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Jon C. says:

November 9, 2009 at 3:15 pm

Let’s see: One guy plays with pain, plays hard, plays productively at a reasonable price. One guy misses big chunks of seasons, sits out with minor pain (see his elbow), whines about playing time and is way overpaid. I like Mbenga.

J-Dizzle says:

November 9, 2009 at 5:09 pm

One guy has minor nagging pains that will heal only with time, another guy takes a hard shot across his arm and strains it making him unable to bring his arms up above his head. On top of that, he’s averaging 20pts and 10 rebs a game this season which is actually on par if not a bargain for what he’s making. Mbenga also isn’t going to produce the same numbers he did last night against an inferior team like the Hornets against any other team. Let’s check the Bynum hate at the door. Let’s not forget the 2 big chunks of time he missed were Kobe and Lamar’s fault, not his own.

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- J-Dizzle says:
  
  November 9, 2009 at 5:32 pm
  
  Shaq 11.1pts 7.4rebs $21 mil
  Zydrunas Ilgauskas 7pts 5.9rebs $11.5 mil
  Emeka Okafor 12.1pts 11.1reb $10.8 mil
  Tyson Chandler 7.5pts 7.7rebs $11.7 mil
  Brad Miller 9.2pts 4.3rebs $12.25 mil
  Andrew Bogut 13.8pts 9rebs $10 mil
  Eddy Curry 1.7pts 1.3rebs $10.5 mil
  Erick Dampier 8.8pts 9.7rebs $12.1 mil
  Nene Hilario 13.7pts 9rebs $10.5 mil
  
  Now compared to Bynum at 20pts 10.6 rebs 1.2 blks 2.2 ast and making 76% of his Free Throws I wouldn’t call “overpaid” Compared to all those injury prone overpaid busts up there, Bynum is in fact a STEAL. The beauty about Bynum… He’s 22!! 4 years in the league! While all those guys up there are either in their prime and already peaking, or they are just getting older and are going to get WORSE. Kinda puts things into perspective huh? Shaq, Big Z, Chandler, Okafor… they have an injury history and it’s not because of a foot under his when he’s landing or someone falling into his knees. He’s in excellent shape unlike Shaq or Eddy Curry. Those guys up there are either injury prone, lazy or both. None of them possess Bynum’s potential or athletic ability. None of them can do what he’s doing right now. All of them making nearly what Bynum is making and the #1 there is making $8.5 mil more. Now let’s put the “overrated” and “overpaid” Bynum crap to rest? We could very well have one of those guys on our roster and thank heaven we don’t.
  
  Course, Yao Ming put up 19.7pts and 9.9rebs last season and is due to make $16.4 mil this season and wont even suit up! He can’t land on his own 2 feet without breaking them.
  
  Post Reply

vish sherman says:

November 10, 2009 at 9:10 am

go ahead Mbenga. good attitude, hardwork and good demeanour. These are the fortes of Mbenga. His stock price is going up. Is Jordan Farmar there seeing or listening. Please learn. It is difficult to please Phil Jackson. Mbenga has done that as a role model. Hope Mbenga gets atleast 8 to10 minutes playing time in the crowded front court of Andrew, Pau, Odom, Artest and Josh Powell. Pleased with Mbenga. His entry into the court when the Lakers play brings electricity to the arena.