Luc Richard Mbah a Moute quickly becoming D man

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Still fresh from his days in Westwood, Milwaukee Bucks forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is turning heads in the NBA.

And to think ... 12 months ago, people weren’t sure whether it was a good idea for him to leave UCLA for the draft.

USA Today released its inaugural All-Rambis Team, named after the former Laker great. Mbah a Moute was listed as the sixth man for the Eastern Conference on a squad that, according to Kurt Rambis, is only for a guy who ‘can’t be afraid to throw his body around.’

The article raves, ‘Only a rookie, M&M has impressed the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, who says, ‘You don’t see a lot of players who understand the value of playing hard defensively.’ ‘

ESPN analyst John Hollinger announced his own all-defense honors this week, and the power forward was listed on the third team with a similar introduction.

‘It’s rare for a rookie to crack this list, much less move into the upper tier of the league’s frontcourt defenders, but Mbah a Moute was that good. The 6-9 forward from UCLA guarded 2s, 3s and 4s, and with his quickness, long arms and surprisingly developed knowledge, he proved adept no matter the assignment.

‘An unheralded second-round pick, he’s likely to be a regular on this team for years to come.’

-- Adam Rose