Inside a surprise package

[zanahale]

Inside a surprise package

11:44 PM CDT on Thursday, July 8, 2004


By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News


First things first concerning Didier Ilunga-Mbenga.

Don't bother with a pronunciation guide. The Mavericks have already invented a verbal shortcut.

"D.J. is what I go by, and D.J. is what I will stay with all year," said Charlie Parker, a Mavericks assistant coach who will head their summer league team.

Ilunga-Mbenga has forced the Mavericks to take notice. The worst-kept camp secret is that he'll be getting a contract, probably for two years, after July 14.

In some ways, Ilunga-Mbenga is a throwback to the days before global scouting, when a mystery player could arrive from another continent and surprise.

Remember Hakeem Olajuwon coming from a Nigerian village to shock the college basketball world at Houston?

No one is saying that Ilunga-Mbenga is the next coming of the Dream, or even the fulfillment of a dream.

But he is a remarkably athletic 7-footer who weighs every ounce of the 240 pounds listed as his official weight. The Mavericks say Ilunga-Mbenga can touch the rim while standing under the basket flatfooted, thanks to a 7-6 wingspan.

At 23, he's been playing basketball for only five years.

A native of the Congo, who moved to Belgium when he was 6, Ilunga-Mbenga speaks five languages (French, Portuguese, some English and two Congo dialects). He also holds a black belt in judo and is remarkably athletic.

Intrigued yet?

For the Mavericks, who annually spin the wheel in a game of big-man roulette, Ilunga-Mbenga is an interesting proposition.

"He wasn't a mystery to us," said Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations. "We've been tracking him."

Nelson sees Ilunga-Mbenga's frame and is reminded of a young Kevin Willis.

Parker likens Ilunga-Mbenga to a shorter Dikembe Mutombo.

Temper the enthusiasm and Ilunga-Mbenga could still be an upgrade for the Mavericks.

Ilunga-Mbenga's contribution will come on the defensive end. He runs the court well, blocks shots and has impressive footwork, timing and leaping ability. Parker calls him the best athlete on the team.

"We need him," Parker said. "He brings that defensive presence."

Ilunga-Mbenga says much of his athleticism comes from judo and says his attributes carry over to basketball.

"Because I can move quick," he said with a smile. "And run, too."

He comes with a few caution flags.

A serious knee injury a couple of years ago delayed Ilunga-Mbenga's NBA debut.

He says he's 100 percent now, and physically ready.

His offense is rudimentary, and he puts the ball on the floor too much. Plus, mystery 7-footers sometimes have a short NBA shelf life.

Ilunga-Mbenga at least has the right attitude.

Asked who his favorite NBA player was, Ilunga-Mbenga said he likes all players, especially "the ones who work hard on defense."

That statement alone should earn him a roster spot.

[ddh33]

I hope we are all pleasantly surprised.

I'm skeptical because Mbenga wasn't even the starter in a lower level league. But I am encouraged because we don't need a superstar for that role. All he has to do is run, rebound, and defend. If he can do that, he can play on this team.

[dude1394]

What was the lower level league? Belgium, congo or the mavs summer?

I thought he was clearly better that pavel in the mavs summer. In fact I like justin brown better than pavel. But that pavel is one big dude.

[FreshJive]

Sometimes Euro teams determine starters based on seniority, because they know that guys with huge upside will be gone soon.

[EricaLubarsky]

Euro leagues certainly don't build a roster around who is likely to get picked up by Americans.

They do have seniority rules like High Schools. Players that have been with the team longer are like upper classmen on the varsity team- they have preference but talent can override that.

Skills in the NBA, dont always translate to those of the Euro league and vice versa. We've all seen the best point guards and power forwards of europe flop in the NBA.

Besides, who gives a damn what he did in Belgium? He's playing well for us. Let's hope he keeps shining against American NBA talent

[Dirkenstien]

I'm thrilled with our tracking down and finding D.J. ...I have a good feeling about him.

[uberfan]

At the minimum he can give us what Keon Clark would (some defense and shot blocking) hopefully without the other issues surrounding Keon.

[DubOverdose]

ESPN radio is thinking that the Mavs will offer Benga about 1million a year.

[freestyle]

Could we have spent our second rounder on this guy to avoid falling into a Marquis Daniels situation with this guy in the future?

[chumdawg]

I'm a little confused about the draft rules myself. Don't you have to declare for the draft? Is there an age limit?

If A) we thought a lot of him, and B) he was eligible to be drafted...then it seems awfully risky not to have drafted him in the second round. Unless, of course, Donnie knew what he was doing the whole time!