Why We Love Dikembe Mutombo

weslinder · Mar 26, 2008

http://theloveofsports.com/index.php/site/comments/why_we_love_dikembe_mutombo/

Why We Love Dikembe Mutombo

By Mad Love on 03/23 at 11:47 AM
Forget Lebron, Kobe, Yao and Shaq.

The most engaging man in the NBA is a seven-foot-two, finger wagging, international humanitarian who talks like Cookie Monster. If that doesn’t give it away, I’m talking about Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacque Wamutombo. During the Rockets’ 22 game winning streak and an injury to Yao Ming, the effervescent Mutombo was put back in the spotlight and I couldn’t be happier.

Mutombo left his native country, the Congo, in 1987 to attend Georgetown University on a U.S. Aid scholarship. He intended to major in pre-med. He spoke several languages at the time; English was not one of them. John Thompson Jr., Georgetown’s basketball coach at the time, spotted Mutombo on campus and convinced him to play ball.

Word quickly spread around the country that the Hoya with the endless wingspan was a defensive presence to be reckoned with. He blocked shots in bunches and combined with teammate Alonzo Mourning to form the most intimidating front line in college basketball. Over the next two years he steadily improved, and in 1991 the Denver Nuggets selected him with the fourth pick in the NBA draft.

Though he made a name for himself on the court, Mutombo’s legend was born at a Georgetown college bar. As the story goes, after having a few drinks, the seven-foot-two, African-native walked into the bar and in his grizzly, baritone voice yelled, “Who wants to sex Mutombo?” The patrons all fell silent and looked up at the jolly giant, at which point he repeated, “Who wants to sex Mutombo?”

“Mount Mutombo” was an immediate force in the NBA, averaging 16.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3 blocks per game as a rookie. Throughout the 1990’s and the early part of this decade, he was one of the most dominant defenders in the game.

Early in his career, Mutombo became known for wagging his finger in the face of shooters after blocking their shots, like a mother scolding a child who had misbehaved. His signature finger wag was eventually outlawed by the NBA as a form of taunting, so he began wagging his finger in the direction of the crowd instead.

In 1994, Mutombo was the centerpiece of a Nuggets team that became the first eighth seed to defeat a one seed in the playoffs by upsetting the Seattle Supersonics in the first round. After grabbing the last rebound of the decisive Game 5, Mutombo crumbled to the court and lied on his back, holding the ball above him with a look of ecstasy on his face.

That indelible image of Mutombo has come to represent the gregarious, fun-loving, individual that basketball fans have come to know. Nobody seems to enjoy themselves more on or off the court. We’ve grown accustomed to seeing his ear-to-ear smile as he hugs his teammates after a big victory.

The most admirable of Mutombo’s many great qualities is his generosity. He adheres to the African proverb: “When you take the elevator up to reach the top, don’t forget to send it back down so that someone else can take it to the top.”

Mutombo formed a foundation in his name, dedicated to improving the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Congo. The Dikembe Mutombo foundation recently opened a hospital and research center (named after Mutombo’s mother). Mutombo provided $15 million of his own money for the project.

He donates his time and money to numerous other charitable causes as well, including combating AIDS in Africa and encouraging African parents to get their children immunizations. In 1999, Mutombo was awarded the President’s Service Award - the highest honor one can receive for charitable work - and in 2007 President Bush recognized him during the State of the Union Address for his humanitarian contributions.

The pinnacle of Mutombo’s success on the court was when he helped lead the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA finals in 2001. After the 76ers eked out a 107-101 overtime victory over the Lakers in Game one, I watched with my friends as a jubilant Mutombo spoke to reporters.

When asked about his defense against Shaquille O’Neal, Mutombo replied in a serious tone, “I played great defense against Shaq”, continuing at a slower pace, “All… game… long.” My friends and I laughed hysterically. It wasn’t just his accent and deep voice, it was that Shaq had 44 points and 20 rebounds that night and absolutely torched him.

Mutombo led the NBA in blocked shots for three consecutive seasons from 1995-’96 - ’97-98, and in rebounding on four occasions. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the year four times, a record he shares with Ben Wallace, and has the second most blocked shots in NBA history, trailing only Hakeem Olajuwon.

Mutombo, now the oldest player in the league at age 41, has said this would be his final season. In the twilight of his career his playing time has dwindled as he’s been relegated to a back-up role behind all-star center Yao Ming.

Then last month, in the midst of an historic winning streak by the Rockets, Yao Ming broke his foot and was lost for the season. Mutombo was thrust into action and the Rockets didn’t miss a beat. They won 11 consecutive games with Yao in the lineup and 11 more with Mutombo. Mutombo’s proven that he’s still one of the premiere shot blockers in the league.

He seems to enjoy playing basketball as much as ever, and his teammates love playing with him. During a recent post-game interview, a big smile crept across Rocket superstar Tracy McGrady’s face at the mere mention of Mutombo’s name. Mutombo revealed that his teammates are trying to convince him to return for another season… and he is considering it.

After a recent Rockets’ victory, I watched the jolly giant with the Cookie Monster voice bear hug a bunch of his teammates, and I couldn’t help but wonder… “Who doesn’t want to sex Mutombo?”
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badgerfan · Mar 26, 2008

One more year Deke. You need a championship.

theteam · Mar 26, 2008

"After one season with New York in 2003-04, Mutombo was told by then-general manager and now head coach of the Knicks Isiah Thomas that the day had come, and that blunt message has driven him for the past four years. 'It's still a wound,' Mutombo said. 'My wife and I still talk about it. It's still a bit sad to see the commissioner coming and all those people coming to celebrate the 17 years of my career and accomplishments and you look back and say that about (four) years ago, I had a guy tell me that I couldn't play basketball no more, to go to the beach and onto vacation. That's the same guy who's losing his job tomorrow. ... I never said nothing (to Thomas),' Mutombo said. 'The last time we played at the Garden (Jan. 9), my wife asked me to go shake his hand, to just forgive him. I went and shook his hand and I told him, 'On behalf of my wife, I want to shake your hand and I forgive you for everything you've done to me.'"

I just read this on ESPN ... pretty crazy.
link
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-31-94/First-Cup--Wednesday.html

rox1 · Mar 26, 2008

great article... pls come back next year.

ps i want to sex mt.mutombo

Jeff Who · Mar 26, 2008

How can't you love a fella like Big Deke. This guy is so great

azjw · Mar 26, 2008

Because he's not part of the everyday-hypocrisy.

RedRaiderRocket · Mar 26, 2008

Mutombo by far my favorite Rocket, just got my personalized Mutombo jersey. I am going to miss the big fella when he leaves. One more year Deke!!!!!

jboslett · Mar 26, 2008

Wow, I didn't know that thing about Isaiah. Has he been right about anything...ever?

The_Yoyo · Mar 26, 2008

jboslett said:

Wow, I didn't know that thing about Isaiah. Has he been right about anything...ever?
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he is a pretty good evaluator when it comes to drafts...he did pick tracy with the 9th pick.

but he was ready to ship him to philly along with walt williams for weatherspoon and stackhouse though (i believe those were all the ppl involved)

i would want isiah on draft night in the rockets war room helping with picks but after that i wouldnt want him 20000 feet of the toyota center and rocket front offices

JonBainAramsey · Mar 26, 2008

Motombo is not only one of the best role models in sports, but one of the best role models in people overall

RiceDaddy7 · Mar 26, 2008

Hahaha. Someone should put a giant sign at Toyota Center that says " who wants to sex Mutombo? "

rocketsmetalspd · Mar 26, 2008

What would be great if Deke were to lead the Rockets to the Finals this year and wins it all. Man that would be a story book ending for the big fella.

Yaozer · Mar 26, 2008

I would love to have Mutombo team up with our Bill and Clyde. Bill is gonna have a heart attack.

Milad · Mar 26, 2008

Yaozer said:

I would love to have Mutombo team up with our Bill and Clyde. Bill is gonna have a heart attack.
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Haha, that would be so hilarious! I wouldn't get a word of his commenting but the guy is hot!

double uk · Mar 26, 2008

please stay...Dede

IROC it · Mar 26, 2008

Me want cookies!

saleem · Mar 26, 2008

He is an incredible man.

Ghostbusters · Mar 27, 2008

hi....man.....pay attention to the finger.......

bbinchina · Mar 27, 2008

saleem said:

He is an incredible man.
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his finger is incredible, and his voice is more incredible. Especially when he talked about Yao's injury, he made me thought he was crying

colin2008 · Mar 27, 2008

Stay, Deke.

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