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[AP] Mutombo signs on for two more years with Rockets

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by macfan, Aug 26, 2005.

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  1. macfan

    macfan Member

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    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3326965

    By JUAN A. LOZANO
    Associated Press Writer

    HOUSTON (AP) -- Dikembe Mutombo signed a two-year deal with the Houston Rockets on Friday and plans to retire after the 2006-07 season.

    "I don't see myself playing after this contract," the 39-year-old center said.

    Mutombo's return gives the team a solid backup to All-Star center Yao Ming. The 7-foot-2 Mutombo is an eight-time All-Star and four-time defensive player of the year.

    "In our opinion he was the best backup in the league last year," Rockets vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey said. "He provided an immense number of wins when Yao was in foul trouble or we were struggling on the defensive end. Our locker room is a really special group of guys and Dikembe, being the elder statesman, is a leader in many of those aspects."



    Mutombo was selected No. 4 overall by Denver in the 1991 draft. He also played with Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York before he was acquired by the Rockets last season in an offseason trade with the Chicago Bulls.

    Mutombo's agent, David Falk, said his client's decision to stay in Houston was not about signing a lucrative contract but about being on a team and in a city that supports him.

    "I just told (Falk) to get the deal done," Mutombo said.

    Inking a backup center is only the latest move in a busy offseason for the Rockets. Earlier this week, the team signed free agent guard Derek Anderson, and the team has also reached deals with veteran guard Jon Barry and free agent forward Stromile Swift.


    "The heavy lifting is over," Lindsey said.
     
    #1 macfan, Aug 26, 2005
  2. kublick

    kublick Member

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    what a summer....
     
    #2 kublick, Aug 26, 2005
  3. zaam

    zaam Member

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    What a day . . .
     
    #3 zaam, Aug 27, 2005
  4. blazer_ben

    blazer_ben Rookie

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    What a offseason indeed!
     
    #4 blazer_ben, Aug 27, 2005
  5. munco

    munco Member

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    :D can't wait for the season to start. we're going to be great. it's going to be an awesome year.
     
    #5 munco, Aug 27, 2005
  6. Pat

    Pat Member

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    #6 Pat, Aug 27, 2005
  7. KALIKULI

    KALIKULI Member

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    Deke's back,priceless!!!
     
    #7 KALIKULI, Aug 27, 2005
  8. jscmedia

    jscmedia Member

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    Now that's what I'm talkin bout !!! ( tribute to Calvin, sigh,)
     
    #8 jscmedia, Aug 27, 2005
  9. jscmedia

    jscmedia Member

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    Sometimes the biggest trade is no trade at all. Beside, crips, I can't think of a year we made more "big trades' in the last 12 months.
     
    #9 jscmedia, Aug 27, 2005
  10. bejezuz

    bejezuz Member

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    Or it's a classic case of misdirection?

    Or signing Deke was the last step before they could safely complete the trade they already have negotiated?

    :)
     
    #10 bejezuz, Aug 27, 2005
  11. funky

    funky Member

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    anybody knows the amount of the deal?
     
    #11 funky, Aug 27, 2005
  12. mr_gootan

    mr_gootan Member

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    "C is for contract. It good enough for me."
     
    #12 mr_gootan, Aug 27, 2005
  13. RocketFan85

    RocketFan85 Member

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    Glad to see Deke sign up for 2 more years. He did great for the Rockets last year and He is one of my favorite players too. You got to love those mean elbows he throws!
     
    #13 RocketFan85, Aug 27, 2005
  14. across110thstreet

    across110thstreet Member

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    the team kept its chemistry AND improved its roster to boot...
     
    #14 across110thstreet, Aug 27, 2005
  15. Rocket_Boy_34

    Rocket_Boy_34 Member

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    Deke was a HUGE difference maker last year. He was a key to the Rockets playing as well as they did. Even if people outside of the Rockets and their fans don't realize how big it is for us to retain him, I'm sure we all know that this is a big deal for us. How many backup centers in the league could come out and do what he does, so consistently. I'll take the leadership and experience over youth and speed of a younger backup,...especially on such an already young Rockets starting squad.
     
    #15 Rocket_Boy_34, Aug 27, 2005
  16. macfan

    macfan Member

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    Deke was the third most important player to the Rockets last year, considering Yao only gave us 30min/game. He is an integral part of this team. He will be a big part of our main rotation next year which will probably look like this in terms of min/game (high to low): McGrady, Swift, Ming, Anderson, Sura, Howard, James, Mutombo, Wesley
     
    #16 macfan, Aug 27, 2005
  17. Williamson

    Williamson JOSH CHRISTOPHER ONLY FAN

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    Barry isn't even making your rotation?
     
    #17 Williamson, Aug 27, 2005
  18. macfan

    macfan Member

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    Sorry, I forgot. Add Barry to the end of the list. In the playoffs however, rotations are tight, so it's either Barry or Wesley.
     
    #18 macfan, Aug 27, 2005
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