As much as the Los Angeles Lakers need all the help they can get this upcoming season—I don’t think the services of their former back-up center DJ Mbenga would be needed. However, according to league sources, the New York Knicks think otherwise.
From Marc J Spears:
The Knicks announce signing of center Didier Mbenga, an ex-Laker who spent the last two seasons playing overseas in China & the Philippines.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) October 8, 2014
Mbenga, 33, was part of the 2009 and 2010 championship team with the Lakers and wasn’t really able to deliver significant contributions when it mattered most. But despite this lack of playing time, he was somewhat a crowd favorite whenever he gets the opportunity to step on the floor. He had his moments with the purple and gold, when he made his first start against the New Orleans Hornets (November 6, 2000) due to the injuries of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. And at the end of the game, he finished with an impressive double-double, 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
For the Knicks, this move may seem to be quite questionable, but the most probable reason for it would be Mbenga’s familiarity with the Triangle Offense and of course his relationship with rookie head coach Derek Fisher and Knicks president Phil Jackson—as both will be hoping that he can still be reliable when needed. His size and experience would be the best things he could offer on the floor but besides these, we don’t know anything else.
In the last two seasons, the Congo-native ended up playing overseas, specifically in the Philippines (2013) and China (2012)—as no team showed interest in him.
Now with a new opportunity to play again in the highest stage of basketball, he better make the most out of it and be always ready to play every game. There may be still some fuel left in the tank and this chance would be the best time to use what’s left.