http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/p...n=5&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=6.1.1 Mutombo To Play Another Season ... Hopefully with Rockets HOUSTON -- Veteran Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo told FOX 26 Sports on Monday that he will put off retirement and play next season ... and he says hopefully with the Rockets. "I will play next year. Hopefully I will play here again. That's my hope and my wish. My wife keeps telling me I should not walk away right now," Mutombo told FOX 26 Sports Director Mark Berman on Monday. The 40-year-old, 7-foot-2, 260-pound center is the oldest player in the league. He has appeared in 1,123 NBA games while playing for Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston. "My body is responding to the demands so why shouldn't I play," Mutombo said. The former Georgetown University star is also one of the NBA's most beloved and admired players. He was recognized for his charitable efforts by President George W. Bush during last month's State of the Union message. Bush cited Mutombo for his "heroic kindness, courage and self-sacrifice," pointing out that he had helped raise $29 million, including $15 million he donated himself, to build the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center in his homeland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In his 16-year NBA career, Mutombo has averaged 10.3 points and 10.5 rebounds a game. He is second in league history in blocked shots with 3,215. Mutombo, whose signature finger wagging after each block is known throughout the league, trails only former Rocket Hakeem Olajuwon, who finished with 3,830 blocks. Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacques Mutombo (his full name) has averaged 7.1 rebounds and 3.5 points this season as he has started 25 games filling in for the injured Yao Ming.
this works perfectly for my "always have a georgetown player as our back up center" plan. Deke plays next year and backs up yao, and then we draft roy hibbert to fill in.
Exactly, the city of Houston needs to rise up in one loud voice and declare ..... We all want to sex him
Deke will be good to backup Yao for another couple of seasons following this one; there is no reason to look for a replacement just yet, we simply won't find a more qualified/worthy backup Center for Yao than Deke. I think he'll have tremendous longevity. He's always in great shape and is a true professional who's dedicated to his craft. Deke will be around for a while and he will STILL be in demand, unless he decides to retire.
Mutombo is the main reason why Yao has become the most dominant center in Rockets franchise history. We must keep him at all costs, even if it means using the entire MLE + the TE+ Vet Min+ Suras contract. Do it CD!
this guy is flat out amazing!! the quote re his wofe telling him its not time to walk away is astounding. She must hate having his 7'2 ass around the house.
we can probably sign him with veteran minumum, should be affordable even it means Rox has to pay for luxury tax.
Right (I assume you are sarcastic)....Mutombo is definitely one of those guys you want on your roster.
I love Deke, and I agree the Rockets should keep him for next season. I love Yao, but he is not yet the most dominant center in Rockets history. He's going to dominate the league, but he still has a long way to go to be mentioned in the league of Hakeem. Also, the main reason Yao is at where he is, that's due to him having such an excellent work ethic. Although I'm sure Deke teaches him a lot behind the scenes, it's mostly Yao responsible for his progress. The Rockets would be alright if Deke doesn't come back, but I'd love to see him finish his career in Houston.
