{Houston Chronicle} Even vets like Mutombo, Howard learn new tricks from Van Gundy

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2830847

Oct. 4, 2004, 11:23PM

Rockets get doctorate in D
Even vets like Mutombo, Howard learn new tricks from Van Gundy

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

The first scrimmage of Rockets training camp was moments from starting when Dikembe Mutombo, warming up on a stationary bicycle next to Tracy McGrady, leaned over to his new teammate to share a secret.

In that unmistakable voice, Mutombo, one of the most accomplished defenders of his generation, told McGrady how much he had been learning about, of all things, defense.

What's next? Luciano Pavarotti signing up for singing lessons? Wolfgang Puck trading recipes?

"This is all relatively new to me," McGrady said. "I've been through eight training camps. This is, for me, the (most) knowledge in terms of basketball.

"God knows how many training camps (Mutombo) has been through. He said the same thing. He's learned a lot, things he didn't know about the game of basketball."

McGrady has been raving about pretty much everything since he arrived in Houston last week, and Mutombo seems equally optimistic about his own move. But Mutombo did not expect to be enrolling in advanced classes in NBA defense.

Mutombo had no doubt heard the word on Jeff Van Gundy that makes the rounds. McGrady said Sunday that he definitely had. Long practices. Emphasis on defense. Exercise bicycles for players who don't meet conditioning goals.

But after a career spent as one of the league's best on defense, Mutombo has found a coach who loves the art form as much as he does, one who can teach him details he never picked up in all these years.

"After 14 years, I didn't know I could keep learning," said Mutombo, the NBA's only four-time Defensive Player of the Year. "Coming in here is like being in the classroom. We learn every day."

Mutombo roared with laughter at Van Gundy's description of his age: "He says he's 38, may be 48 and is probably 58."

"Yesterday," Mutombo said, "he was asking me if I was 38 based on the tree planted next to the river. I think it's just a joke. Mutombo's 38."

Mutombo kept smiling when he described being used defensively as if he were 28.

"Jeff was teaching us how to do the rotation, how to trap the pick-and-roll and how to move back, to find the loose ball and try to guard him," Mutombo said. "It's great. I was just a shot blocker waiting for people to bring the ball to the basket. He's making sure I will be part of the whole rotation. I just feel good about it."

He is not alone. The Rockets' next most veteran player, Juwan Howard, took his turn raving about the defensive demands.

"My 11th year in the league I'm learning new things, and I'm excited because I see now how Coach always wins," Howard said. "He's a fiery guy. He's a perfectionist. He makes sure every player is working hard and working hard as a team. But defense is the No. 1 thing. He sees everything."

Van Gundy, who considers compliments anathemas, did not join the chorus.

"I have no idea what they're talking about," he said. "I'm just coaching. ... They're sucking up for a day off."

But Mutombo, Howard and McGrady, the three most veteran of the Rockets' eight newcomers (excluding the injured Bob Sura), have never been known as suck-ups. They might simply have been filled with the optimism of a new start or energized by the first days of camp.

Regardless, Van Gundy can't mind hearing about how much some of his most accomplished players believe in his teaching.

"We are guys that do not have big egos," Howard said. "We want to be coached. Here you have guys all ears and all eyes open. We want to win. So you have to listen because the guy knows what he's talking about."

jonathan.feigen@chron.com


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Rockets Summary


Flop culture
The Rockets' first scrimmage did not give Yao Ming his first practice session against Dikembe Mutombo, but Juwan Howard was challenge enough, though Yao was not entirely in agreement on the offensive foul Howard drew against him.

"He flopped down," Yao said. "He got a charge. For me, it was a stupid play."

Howard did not deny the charge about the charge.

"I was just trying to play good defense on him," Howard said. "As we all know, Yao is a tough player to play against with his stature, and he's a strong guy in there. He's a load. I was trying to do my best to defend him.

"But I probably did flop on the play. I'll say he told the truth."


Sura waits
Guard Bob Sura, who signed with the Rockets in August as a free agent, said he expects his return to the court to be a bit slower than he hoped and perhaps expected. He predicted he would not be able to play until mid-December.

That, however, puts him only slightly off the pace doctors predicted when they said it would take "at least" eight weeks for Sura to begin workouts after back surgery.

"It's going to be awhile," Sura said. "Middle December is probably more realistic. I kind of hoped to be back a little bit sooner than that. But I'd rather take a few extra weeks at the beginning and have the problem cured and be able to finish the rest of the season, the rest of my career without having any problem than try to rush back."

-- JONATHAN FEIGEN