Report Cards: DJ Mbenga, Chris Mihm
Both were seldom used big men: Might as well group them together and conserve the Internet's version of paper, right?
We'll start with Chris Mihm, for whom I debated simply linking last season's report card and calling it a day. He may have stepped on the court this year, but the end result was basically 2007's story. A nasty 2006 ankle/foot injury preventing headway into regaining his old form. Mihm began the season active (if not always effective) and notched a few decent starts while Kwame Brown was hurt and Andrew Bynum was still a bench mobber. Then came yet another surgery required (this time to remove a screw from his heel), and he was never in rhythm during subsequent rare court appearances (most recently demonstrated in three disastrous minutes against the Celts).
The good news, however, is that Mihm is confident that after all the trial, error and frustration, he's feeling like his pre-injury self again. How that optimism will play out remains to be seen. For that matter, Mihm's 2009 could go a lot of ways. He could rebound with a solid season as Bynum's backup. He could remain glued to the bench. He could end up on another team, as his expiring, inexpensive deal makes him easily movable. Whatever the future holds, I hope it includes good enough health that Mihm can dictate whatever fate may bring. He's been dealt a very crappy hand along those lines the last two seasons, to say the least.
DJ Mbenga, the cat who put the "taco" in "tacos," found sporadic PT after signing with the Lakers on Jan. 21, along with sporadic effectiveness. There were nights (such as Game 2 against Denver, when Ronny Turiaf's tonsillitis thrust him into action) where he blocked a few shots, pulled down some
boards, even canned a turnaround jumper (followed by the immediate heat check). But there were just as many where he wasn't particularly active on the glass, drew hella whistles and displayed what BK jokingly referred to as the "feathery touch" putting up anything outside point-blank range.
Mbenga is, to say the least, a limited player, which fans often forgot when other Laker bigs were ineffective, prompting curses that PJ wasn't playing a "defensive stopper who brings some offense." Dude's averaged 1.6 ppg on a career. He's also never averaged 10 mpg, meaning he couldn't shore up a D that much. Similar to how Mom now remembers our long deceased family pet as "just the sweetest dog" (as opposed to when Chip was alive and she threatened to get rid of him every other day because this ultra-loving canine was also dumb as a post, more neurotic than Woody Allen and required intestinal surgery to disentangle about three dozen socks he'd eaten, a procedure that failed to curb his taste for footwear), absence often creates positive revisionist history. Mbenga had his moments, but like most raw players, returns tend to diminish as court time increases. I doubt Mbenga will be back next season, but I hope he finds a spot on another team. His journey to the NBA is an unbelievable story, one I'd love to see continue.
Final Grade. Mihm: D/Inc. Mbenga: C-
Hey ladies,
Go outside and "paak da ka".
That would be "park the car" for you LA Fakers who's never been outside of LA.
hahhahahahahh
Lakers suck. I'll be back.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 25, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Folks, We've been feeding this troll for too long! Starve the troll!
Posted by: toad | June 25, 2008 at 12:47 PM
toad,
You're right.
Honestly think that Let's Go C's! is here because it must suck being on a blog surrounded by Celtics fans. Lakers fans are so much more elquent and hilarious compared to the mouthbreathers out there in Boston.
Seriously, this blog rocks!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 25, 2008 at 01:16 PM
JustaLakerFan,
>>>But that is a stubborn PJ thing which does not allow
>>>players to develop.
You mean how he didn't let Farmar develop? Or Vujacic?
or Turiaf? or Bynum? or Scottie Pippen, for that matter?
Stop hating on PJ. PJ plays the players who he thinks are
most likely going to bring wins. And he does develop young
players.
All you PJ haters, go look back on what all the sports writers
were predicting for the Lakers at the start of last season.
Most of them said that the Lakers would finish with an
8 seed and a few said that they wouldn't make the playoffs
at all.
By the middle of the season, the Lakers were in first place
in a tough Western Conference, and that was BEFORE
acquiring Pau Gasol. It was largely the young players
whose vast improvement in level of play raised the level
of the team. Bynum in the starting lineup and Farmar,
Vujacic, and Turiaf in the bench mob were drinking other
teams' milkshakes.
Phil allows players to develop just fine.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 25, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Lincoln Laker,
>>>The other unrestricted free agent I like is Brent Barry.
>>>He would give us a better spot up shooter than any we
>>>had last year
Well, let's just check that.
Last year Barry shot 42.9%
Sasha shot 43.7%
Rad and Fisher shot 40.6%
So not quite better than ANY player we had last year.
Sasha was a better spot up shooter than Barry last season.
It wouldn't be a bad thing to have another high percentage
shooter, but I think if Barry re-signs, he'll re-sign with
San Antonio, like he did when he was cut by Seattle. His
family lives in San Antonio and he didn't want to move
them then, so I doubt he'd want to move them now.
I like the Kurt Thomas idea, by the way. He would have
been a perfect counter to PJ Brown.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 25, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Let's go C's,
CELTIKS STINK!!! kaygee will get OWNED by STUDAMIRE and the SONS. Even SHACK said STUDAMIRE is the best big man in the league over kaygee. GNASH will blow by Paula's weak defense too. THE SONS will put and end to the CELTIKS dynasty dreams!!! Even without the great D'ANTONI!!!
CELTIKS STINK!!!
Posted by: BOOOTLER | June 25, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Let's go C's,
CELTIKS fans don't know how to celebrate like SONS fans. We PAAAHTIED after we beat the Lakers and you just BLAAAHG?? What a DISGRACE to BAAAHSTON!!
SONS WILL OWN THE CELTIKS NEST YEAR!!!
Posted by: BOOOTLER | June 25, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Let's go C's,
You left YA MATHA IN DA KA!! GO PAAK YA MATHA!!
HAHAHAHAHA
CELTIKS STINK!!!!
Posted by: BOOOTLER | June 25, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Let's go C's,
Tell me how my AZ tastes!!!
LET'S GO SONS!!!
CELTIKS STINK!!
Posted by: BOOOTLER | June 25, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Quote: "But that is a stubborn PJ thing which does not allow players to develop."
That's a myth. Farmar, Bynum and Vujacic have all blossomed while playing for PJ. Turiaf got plenty of run this season.
Posted by: Dalton | June 24, 2008 at 09:33 PM
------------------------------------
JustaLakerFan,
>>>But that is a stubborn PJ thing which does not allow
>>>players to develop.
You mean how he didn't let Farmar develop? Or Vujacic?
or Turiaf? or Bynum? or Scottie Pippen, for that matter?
Stop hating on PJ. PJ plays the players who he thinks are
most likely going to bring wins. And he does develop young
players.
All you PJ haters, go look back on what all the sports writers
were predicting for the Lakers at the start of last season.
Most of them said that the Lakers would finish with an
8 seed and a few said that they wouldn't make the playoffs
at all.
By the middle of the season, the Lakers were in first place
in a tough Western Conference, and that was BEFORE
acquiring Pau Gasol. It was largely the young players
whose vast improvement in level of play raised the level
of the team. Bynum in the starting lineup and Farmar,
Vujacic, and Turiaf in the bench mob were drinking other
teams' milkshakes.
Phil allows players to develop just fine.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 25, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Reminder to Dalton and LTLF
PJ did not develop Sasha or Bynum but granted he gave love to Farmar over a much better pg we had in CRIT.
Yes LTLF Crit is and will be better than Farmar.
Pip was not another PJ project but combined with MJ he blossomed.
If Kwame would not have gotten hurt PJ would be starting him over Bynum. He did his usual huimiliation of AB and brought him to tears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za08zWrZ-QE#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcnofw2RCKE&NR=1#
PJ gave him earful which is what led up to tears. why has PJ not given an earful to Luke?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-iCL4GjRL0feature=related#
Kobe coached and helped Sasha way over PJ.
Now you are wrong in that I don't hate PJ. I just sick of his ways of humiliating players especially some young improving players. He can't stand to have them become dominant because then he can't play mind games with them. Remember young Kobe PJ tried to break and failed then tried to trade him? You won't see PJ all over Kobe now or earful because PJ knows Kobe is too dominate and PJ will be ridden out of town in either he goes or I go situation. Bynum is getting there.
Each time Bynum improved PJ would criticise his progress. I can give details but won't unless you want them. But same thing he breaks down players and tries to run mind games and if they improve the credit goes to PJ for fine job when he did nothing.
I say look at Vlade, PJ played mind games and had Vlade looking at PJ during game when he did good things and made 3 point shots as to say did you see that. That is distracting a player from the flow of the game. His erractic substitutions of Vlade pulling him when hot and later puts him in cold and then Vlade not consistant. Well you can't get consistant being yanked around and then be criticised for it. The PJ followers just pick up on the inconsistant and ignore the fact PJ WAS CAUSE IF INCONSISTANCY.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 25, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Ex,
Ditto on Mihm. If the guy is healthy and can come close to the level he was at before the injuries I say keep him. The guy would be better than the vast majority of back up centers and better than some guys that are starting in the league. Plus, despite the crappy hand he was dealt - he has worked hard and been positive - good attitude can make up for some of the skills he might lack. Would I love to get a better defender and more physical presence to back up Drew? Of course, but the reality is there aren't that many guys that fit that bill, and they certainly aren't going to play for chump change just because its the Lakers.
So let Mihm have a crack if he is healthy if not they can cut or try to trade him if he can't play. I just say give Mihm a legit shot to be the back up. Pau can still play some center and if Mihm is in good shape he can play center or slide to the PF spot as well. So can Lamar. Versatility will be good for the Lakers and give them potential to create matchup problems.
I am in no way saying Mihm is THE ANSWER to all the problems the Lakers have but he may be better than a lot of options that are available or realistic.
Eagleboy
Posted by: Eagleboy | June 24, 2008 at 10:00 PM
--------------------------------------------------------
Yes Mihm is a good player but remember he took less money to work out his injuries until he was healthy. Suppose he does have a good season he will then want a much bigger contract. I don't think he is worth it. I think he is a finese player and a foul magnet before he was injured. We need a banger who can body up in short runs against centers (save Turiaff for PFs) and Mbenga fits that plus he is cheap. if AB is in foul trouble then DJ can spell him in short spurts without giving up bulk.
JLF
------------------------------------------------
Dalton,
The Lakers need someone who can come off the bench 15 minutes a game and provide decent defense, rebounding, and offense, playing primarily against other bench players. Mihm can hit that 15 foot shot, he's a good passer and a decent FT shooter.
They don't need someone who can "match up with Duncan"; if that's your standard for improving the bench play you are not going to find anybody available.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | June 25, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Yes you can have someone match up against 2nd stringers and play Duncan etc in short spurts to save AB if in foul trouble without giving up bulk. Mihm is finese and will want more money next year and DJ is cheap sign for as couple of years. Keep Mbenga and trade Mihm and Luke.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 25, 2008 at 04:31 PM
At this point I just don't see us lading Artest. First off, there is no way that Artest excepts MLE ( though I hope I'm wrong on this) 2nd Sac. will not deal him to us...
This would bring up the Marion deal, now I completly agree with Benjamin on this....Marion never felt appreciated in Phoenix, afterall he was doing most of the dirty work for that team.... He would cover Nash's as well as Stoudemier's man multiple times when that team needed a defensive presents for that particular position ( will all know how bad Stoudemire as well as Nash are on defense)...
Here is my trade proposal with Miami which I think will set us for the next 5 years....
Lamar & Vrad for Marion and Udanis Haslem( he was one of the biggest pieces for Miami in that championship run he can also knock down the mid rage jumper and play tough physical defesnse which the Lakers despretly need)...
We solve both of our main problems with this trade our 3 spot and interior toughness...
Posted by: Gino | June 24, 2008 at 11:24 PM
I don't like Artest but he can help. He is a very good defender but a team chemistry destroyer. If Artest opts out then make run at him for MLE take it or leave it.
On the Miami trade Odom dominated Marion so I don't think that is good trade. Plus Marion is more money.
If you break down trade it is
Odom for Marion (imo bad but tossup)
Vlade for Haslem ( Why would Miami do this?)
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 25, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Bootler:
hahaahahahhaha
Funny stuff for a Faker.
hahaahahah
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 25, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Let's go C's, I hate Celtics fans and I definitely don't like you. Celtics fans are only there when their team is winning. Laker fans have always been there. I don't care if people think the C's is the NBA's premier franchise. IT's NOT! Celtics won most of their championships when the NBA was not as competitive as today. As we all know, the Lakers won most of theirs during the tough times of the NBA. Let's go C's, get lost! Go back to your lame as* forum.
Posted by: hectorartm | June 25, 2008 at 01:33 AM
---------------------------------------------------------
Bootler:
hahaahahahhaha
Funny stuff for a Faker.
hahaahahah
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 25, 2008 at 05:00 PM
-----------------------------------------------------------
hey have you noticed - let's go C's is on the blog every day, why does a celtic fan spend every day on a Laker Blog ??? Answer; because he secretly wants to be a Laker Fan, there is no other explanation, I mean how many of us have ever even BEEN on a Celtic blog!!!
Tom k
Posted by: tomK | June 25, 2008 at 10:01 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------
All
I already exposed Lets go C's as Butler.
He responded to one of my posts giving his Suns props but forgot to change his name of Let's go C's to Butler. So he is obviously Butler trying to irritate everyone with his Celtic cr@p.
I bet if Suns play Celtics he will be ata loss as who to cheer for. Pathetic.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 25, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Let's go C's!,
Looks like BOOTLER struck a serious nerve in you brah! A took a SONS/CELTIKS comment to get your undivided ATTENTION? That's right, I forgot, you are a Shaq badgeless lover and Celtic 3-party badwagoner. Looks like a FAKER finally faked you out bro! Like you always say, hahahahahahahah! OOPS! ....boohooboohooo...
Maybe I should "dumb down" my posts to get a response from YOU! Paak dat!
With luv brah! Laker pride through adversity baby! Peace!
Posted by: Let's go L's! | June 25, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Mihm needs to go to another team. He is not ready to play with Lakers. Mbenga is a cheap 10th man out there. At least he hustles and bangs some opponent bodies. For the money they pay him, what player better than can you get?
Posted by: salim yilmaz | June 25, 2008 at 06:54 PM
JustALakerFan,
>>>Keep Mbenga and trade Mihm and Luke.
I honestly wish there was some bizzarro world you could go
to where this would actually happen... and a year from now,
you'd be saying they should keep some other stiff and trade
MBenga.
Mihm and Luke are role players. They aren't supposed to
be stars. But both of them are far better players than
MBenga. If they'd have put MBenga on the floor against
Boston, he would have fouled out in about 5 minutes.
But then, maybe if he did stick around with the Lakers
for a couple of seasons, PJ could develop him into a
quality backup.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 25, 2008 at 07:16 PM
JustALakerFan,
Though I love the idea of Odom and Vlad for Marion and
Haslem, I don't think Miami would go for that.
If you're looking to pawn off Radmanovic, then the ideal team
to try is the Rockets. Why the Rockets?
1. height
After 7'6" Yao Ming, the next tallest guy on the roster who
actually plays much is 6'9". At 6'10", Radmanovic would
be the second tallest player on the team.
2. shooting.
The Rockets have one guy who shoots a high percentage
on 3-pointers, Steve Novak. And in fact he's a bit like Vlad,
except a much worse defender (if you can imagine that).
Novak is so bad that he only got in 35 games, despite the
fact that he shot 47% of his 3's when he did get a chance
to play. By comparison, Radmanovic is a lock-down defender.
After Novak, the next best shooters hit 37% then 35%.
Radmanovic's 41% would seem like heaven to them.
The question would be what would Houston be willing to
give up that the Lakers would want. Obviously Ming &
McGrady would be off the table, and probably Battier as
well (it's a shame, as he'd be perfect for the Lakers).
Maybe Luis Scola or Carl Landry? Probably not, but
who knows.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 25, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Caliphilosopher
I think we could get Kurt Thomas at a discount. He is 35 and is coming off of a 8 mil contract. There is no way he gets near that kind of money now. He would be the perfect role player for us - in many of the games where he played 20 minutes or more in the playoffs, he got 10+ rebounds, and as you say, can stick the 15 foot jumper if left open on a double team. At this point in his career, he may be looking for a ring, and after the beat down we gave the Spurs, he may see us as his best shot.
ASDF
Yes, Thomas does play better defense than Mihm. He's gritty player who plays with a scowl on his face. Mihm is literally a "poster child" for others dunks.
We can't to much, but this would be nice little addition.
Posted by: Lincoln Laker | June 25, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Mbenga has good potential. He would have contributed postively if he was used during the Finals. Lakers should keep faith on DJ. Go Lakers !
Posted by: miguelito | June 25, 2008 at 07:39 PM
JustaLakerFan
Thanks for the correlation.
Butler = C's makes for a lot of sense.
Great detective work, or actually you were more like waterboarding the poor fool with your replies and he broke under the pressure. haha
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | June 25, 2008 at 09:13 PM
JustaLakerFan,
Thanks for the tip on Let's go C's/Butler. I kind of had that feeling myself. A two-faced blogger huh?. Sick man, just sick! Man, BOOOTLER really struck his nerve on recent posts as I'm sure you have many times. Heck, he might have planned that name for himself just to get his kicks (say it aint so BOOOTLER!).
Based on his utter need to feel important and irritate the thoughts and hopes of all true Laker fans, he does have some health concerns to note as a result of his late night blog attacks. Here's what I mean...
He is sorely lacking in vitamin C/E (too much love for the "no FINALS result" Suns. May need to drink more OJ and eat veggies to help you instead) and has a lovable craving for 22 bowls of Lucky Charms daily (of course, the signing of the three Celtic amigos and the team not winning for the next 22 years. I wonder what kind of marshmallow he might be? hahahaha! OOPS!....boohooboohooo...). Wait a minute! He just might settle for a "3 Musketeers" candy bar instead to keep him going. The sugar level and caffeine is too high now yo!
Wow, a blogger with no regards for his overall wellness. Save yourself brah! Change your diet! It's not too late. Nothing but luv our blog adversary!
Laker pride through adversity baby! Peace out!
Posted by: Let's go L's! | June 25, 2008 at 11:34 PM
LAKERS SUCK
Posted by: SAM | June 26, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Mihm has a history of injury. He will never give you a full season. Mihm will not be available for play when needed.
Posted by: bob | June 28, 2008 at 08:53 PM
"Dear PsychedLakerGirl (aka Ms. Secretary),
The Siberian experiment has been cancelled - just got off the phone with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin; he says that, and I quote, "Siberia is never to be vast enough for that overly excremental heap of flies-buzzing whale blubber. The winds carry for to the western cities of my people, and the smell shall be as if many thousands of Chernobyl-era toilets should overflow into the Pripet Marshes. We afford not to have this disaster unto our Republic. And 'dude' cannot 'rap' to save his family's herds from famine or tick bites..."
At least, that's the gist of what my Babel.org translator came back with.
I have a MUCH better idea...okay, I mean no disrespect, Ms. Secretary...what I meant to say is that I may have a slightly different approach, presented for your approval:
What if we had Jon K over at the CIA pull some strings, and get the Big Err-istotle traded to the Boston Celtics?
What could be better? That would be like putting Castro in charge of North Korea! Roll all of our hatreds into one neat little package. Take 'em out with a single strike (the ordinance ain't gettin' any cheaper!)
And for the people of Boston, well, considering the smell coming off the harbor already, they would never even notice another 400lbs of toxic waste in their neighborhood. It's genious...I think?
Tell me what you think...
"Bloggin' ain't easy, but it sure is fun..."
Big-Daddy-Karyanr
Posted by: karyanr | June 24, 2008 at 11:00 PM "
shut the fuk up fagg0t
Posted by: stfu | July 01, 2008 at 01:11 AM