Dikembe. Four time defensive player of the year. The last memories I have of Alonzo in his prime are in the playoffs, where his jump hook got blocked repeatedly. His countermoves weren't good enough to rely on. Not that Dikembe's post moves were great, but he was effective because of his height and ability to create space (with his elbows).
I like Zo's intensity on the court.. it seems like every step he takes out there is a freaking triumph and worth screaming and flexing about. BUT I gotta go with this:
You guys realize that this is how mutombo plays when he stores his energy from not playing earlier in the season. Yao's gonna come back and mutumbo is gonna sit again and do this fantastic play in the playoffs for us. I'd be scared if i was an opposing team's center.
Alonzo Mourning in his prime definitely. Not saying Mutumbo's as limited as Ben Wallace on the offensive end but you can't count on Mutumbo to give you a made bucket late in the game or much during the game like you can with Mourning. Mourning's a 2 time Defensive POY himself. Mourning blocks about the same rate as Mutumbo and if not for so much missed time already we'd be talking about Mourning catching up to Kareem in a couple more seasons also (Mutumbo has 2 years and more than 300 games over Mourning in his career).
You wouldn't, but I would. I am very aware that the Deke we see now is not the same guy from the 90's, but he still wasn't a reliable enough scorer for my taste. Basically unless a post player is dominant on the low block, he needs to have a consistent jumper. That's my take. He was great, don't get me wrong. I'd just rather have prime Zo given the choice.
He is better per 48 but he can't sustain it for that long. Mutombo can stay on court longer even though he is older. I like Deke's boarding over Zo's offense.
Zo is probably more talented overall, but I still think Deke is more "clutch." That counts for a lot, my bbs-mates! These playoff stories made a big impression on my thinking: 1) Nuggets (no 8 seed) over Sonics (1 seed) in 1994. http://www.nba.com/encyclopedia/moments/60moments_51-60.html They Nuggets came back from 2-0 to win 3-2. They were down 3-0 vs the Jazz in the next series and then came back, only to be defeated in game 7. In the Sonics series, Seattle was completely shut off from the paint by Deke. 2) 1997 playoffs for the Heat. http://www.nba.com/heat/history/playoff_history_1997.html After winning 61 games in the regular season, the Heat barely win their 1st round matchup (3-2 vs. Orlando after Shaq bailed). Then they squeak by NY. Then they get completely crushed by the Bulls. One of the more embarassing Conference Finals, especially considering how many games they won in the regular season. Also, Zo's team lost some other playoff series to Knicks teams with no talent (coached by JVG himself).
Zo has been my favorite non-rocket since he entered the league so I am alittle biased but have followed his career closely and know his impact. In their primes, i'd take Zo. The guy was a guaranteed 20 and 10 with almost 3 blocks per game a night and lead mediocre teams to 50+ win seasons.....Zo played with T. Hardaway (although very good, was much declined from his warriors years), D. Marjerle who only played in games and couldn't practice much b/c of his back and other injuries, PJ brown (great rebounder/defender but hardly a star), Keith askins and bruce bowen (both decent role players), Ike Austin & Anthony Carter (nuff said), Rex chapman, and on and on. Mashburn was the closest thing he had to a sidekick superstar and Mash was never a superstar. He was also 2-time defensive player of the year and should have been MVP in '99. I love Deke but I would take Zo. Both guys are amazing in what they are doing these days. Yes Zo is 5 yrs or so younger but is playing after having a freaking kidney transplant and is pounding with other guys, not a perimeter player like Sean Elliott. Both guys are also great people off the court. Zo and Deke contribute so much money, time and enthusiasm to their causes and to each others that it is awesome to see. In the end I think both will and should go into the Hall. Zo got his title last season (and don't say he didn't deserve it-without him they don't win game 6 in Dallas or even get to the finals with Shaq's decline and foul troubles). Hopefullt Deke can win his this season. Go Rockets!
whether he deserves hof status can be debated, but his influence on the game in his prime has nothing to do with his receiving a championship ring in the capacity of a bench player. putting the two together (hof status and championship ring) implies that his being a hof player allowed him to lead his team to a championship ring. that is obviously not true and never happened. his ring has the same significance as the ring that nesterovic got with the spurs.
huh I did not say that "his influence on the game in his prime" had something "to do with his receiving a championship ring in the capacity of a bench player." The guy led mediocre teams to 50+ win seasons, and it showed in the playoffs with all those tough losses to lower seeds. He did lead them to the Eastern Conf finals but lost to the Jordan led Bulls which everyone else did in 90's. Zo was an integral part of the Heat championship run. I highly doubt M. Doleac would have contributed anything near what Zo brought to the table, especially with all the foul trouble and decline of Shaq. Nesterovic is a scrub and can't be compared to ZO...ZO with an IV in his arm and hospital scrubs is more effective on the bball court than that fool so don't even go there. Zo and Deke WILL both be in the HOF, I guarantee it.
People should consider that Mutombo is big contributor towards the Rockets first championship. His team knocked out the dreaded Sonics that year who ALWAYS had the Rockets number at that time. When Mutombo did the infamous triumphant laydown on the court after the series final buzzer, I was feeling almost the same exact thing for them doing that Mourning sank a last second 20 foot against the Celtics in '93-'94 one year to advance to the next round. For a while it was one of the more clutch playoff shots. Its what I meant in my earlier post saying you can't rely on Mutombo to do that for you (though it is a team game and you just give the ball to the next person that can)
Both are good centers but I choose Mutombo cuz he's playing like he's 10yrs younger and looks like he could do it for another year!!! (not that he's planning to)
