LA Clippers: Mfiondu Kabengele the Big Winner of Preseason

Among the good and bad we’ve seen in preseason for the LA Clippers, Mfiondu Kabengele has raised his stock the most so far.

Before I say anything about the LA Clippers or Mfiondu Kabengele, let me say what I think is important to be said before any preseason piece: it’s the preseason. We’re not seeing the team trying to win games right now, and things are going to change.

That said, Kabengele has looked like a real NBA player this preseason, like somebody who could potentially contribute to the rotation in the coming season. In 18 minutes per game, Fi has put up a statline of 6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.

Is that going to set the world on fire? No, but a per-36 minute statline of 12/6.6 with almost 3 blocks, if that level of production continues into the regular season, is a quality statline for somebody who would be our 3rd big.

Not to mention, he’s proving more capable of stretching the floor, connecting on 40% of his 3.3 three pointers per game. The ability to play the stretch five is crucial for young bigs in today’s NBA, and Fi has never been afraid to shoot the ball from deep.

Add in his shot blocking – including a block on Rudy Gobert that would make Fi’s uncle, Dikembe Mutombo, proud – and you’ve got the basis of a player that the LA Clippers could seriously use in the rotation.

In his media day appearances, Kabengele mentioned that his focus, and the focus of the coaching staff, has been for him to play a vocal role on defense and contribute in whatever area he could help the team win. So far in preseason, Fi’s work to improve is showing.

Again, it’s the preseason. I’ll feel more confident in Kabengele if he can show this same improvement over the course of some regular season games. But we’ve gone from the Clippers not taking him to the bubble, all the way to talking about how he could potentially contribute this year. In my book, that’s already a win for Fi.

Fans of the LA Clippers have been excited since Kenny Atkinson came aboard, due to his track record with developing young players. It’s possible that Mfiondu Kabengele will be another success story that Atkinson can point to.

Just the improvement we’ve seen so far speaks to the work ethic that Fi has. If this continues, we could be seeing a very legitimate third big man in the rotation. That would be huge as the Clippers move forward with several first round picks being shipped out.