Mutombo Returns To Rockets Again
Houston Brings Back Ageless Center For Yao Relief
The Houston Rockets are going back to the well again and have re-signed 42-year-old center Dikembe Mutombo to serve as a veteran leader and a much-needed backup for star big man Yao Ming.
Leadership From Veteran
The 7-foot-2 Mutombo will be called upon to give the Rockets an experienced big man in the paint while providing the leadership of a now-18-season veteran of the NBA. Mutombo has helped his teams to the playoffs in 13 of his 17 seasons thus far, including three of the last four with the Rockets. But the Rockets are hoping to finally get past the first round for the first time since 1997.
Return To Second Home
The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has played for six NBA teams - Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston. The native of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) arrived in Houston on September 8, 2004 in a trade from the Knicks for Adrian Griffin, Eric Piatkowski and Mike Wilks.
Mutombo, who graduated from Georgetown in 1991 with a B.A. degree in linguistics and diplomacy, played 39 games for the Rockets last season. Most of his time came after Yao Ming broke his foot in February. For the season, Mutombo averaged 3 points, 5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.
Houston Going Through Injuries
The Rockets have struggled this season at times because nearly every player on the Houston roster has been forced to miss time injured. And the biggest reason for Rockets management to bring in Mutombo was because the fact that Yao Ming has missed at least 25 games due to injuries over the past three seasons.
Finger Wag For No. 2 Shot Blocker
Mutombo brings with him to Houston his renowned finger wag after blocking an opponent's shot. And he has done that plenty in his career as Mutombo ranks second on the NBA's all-time shot-blocking list with 3,278 - behind on Hakeem Olajuwon with 3,830.
Rockets Know What They Are Getting
"We're really happy to bring Dikembe back. Everyone knows what he brings. He's probably the greatest player I've ever had the pleasure to work with in terms of what he does both as a person and for the Rockets," Houston GM Daryl Morey said on the Rockets website on December 30.
"I think he's obviously an unbelievable locker room player and leader. On the floor he's still extremely effective. We think he can help us in many ways: Just like last year with some key matchups when we're playing teams with a lot of size, and also at the big spot which is probably our thinnest spot. So adding depth with Dikembe is extremely important."
NBA's Oldest Active Player
At 42 years of age, Mutombo takes over 39-year-old Sam Cassell as the NBA's oldest active player. Mutombo did not play for Houston on December 31 but should join the team by January 2 at Toronto.
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles