Maybe I am overreacting... but Mutombo has to be one of the more effective players while getting a DNP-CD. The guys just seem more energetic having the 42-year-old cheerleader around. The team seems more fired up than shortly before his signing. Better defensive energy, more towel waving on the bench. Artest putting his arm around McGrady's shoulder during timeouts. I think this is what you get when you have veteran cheerleadership. Good to have a guy without an agenda and is not embarassed to act like a Red Rowdy/Power Dancer. The team missed the boat somewhat not clearing salary space and getting him back earlier. Glad they got him now, though.
Rafer was critical in helping Mutombo lead the cheer from the bench in the 4th. Couldn't have done it without his cheering. Bad game for him. Good thing Brooks did well. Both of them struggling from the field over the last few games sure didn't help.
I really like it when he went up to Artest after he fouled out to talk him down, it appeared he might have prevented Artest from getting mad enough to pick up a T in that crucial moment in the game. Intangibles FTW!
Well, seeing Dikembe on the bench is definitely a welcome sight. However, is cheerleadership a word? If it is then is cheerocracy? Cheertatorship? Hmm... Update: Just looked it up. It is not a word. Neither are the other two.
If lockeroom is divided, it's important to have someone trusted and respected by all to cheerlead wholeheartedly when everyone else is a bit pissed at somebody. Dikembe raised millions for hospital from varierty of sources, he knows how to work people. Can heal the team. He may be the one to bring McGrady mentally into the fold, particularly if teammates are annoyed at him.
This is probably just me being paranoid, but did you notice that Deke sat between Tmac and the rest of the team the whole game? As for the topic... I said a long time ago that more than his height and blocking I miss the way he was on the sideline. He's just enthusiastic about the game and it's infectious. So glad he's back.
Somebody has to keep TMac from being iso'ed by us. As stated before... I think management underestimated that impact. Particularly with Adelman being more of a "hand off" guy. Somebody has to help deal with potential lockerroom unhappiness, set example for rookies, etc. I think the reports were that Mutombo took Landry under his wing last year-- told him to get rid of stupid haircut, for one thing. Heard Dorsey have maturity issues this year... wonder if it could have been avoided had Mutombo been around to set him straight. BTW, the height and shotblocking is important, too. I think Chuck, Scola and Landry struggled somewhat on the defensive end this year when they were the only options as backup centers. They do fine in some situations, but when you have to deal with size, or when the team is struggling to keep guys from the lane, it hurts not having a true big other than Yao.
Mutombo is great. He has always been, and always will be. So I'm not surprised if our players are getting more energy from Mutombo. Not to mention, hopefully Mutombo's return will light a spark in McGrady. I can't wait to see McGrady's first minute on the court, it might not come any time soon, but I'm sure it'll first happen on the Rockets homecourt.
Mutombo is great. He has always been, and always will be. So I'm not surprised if our players are getting more energy from Mutombo. Not to mention, hopefully Mutombo's return will light a spark in McGrady. I can't wait to see McGrady's first minute on the court, it might not come any time soon, but I'm sure it'll first happen on the Rockets homecourt.
Way to go, Uncle Mutombo!! Our glue guy on and off the court. i hope RA will give him like maybe 5mins average PT just to let him get the feel of the game again and not wait until Yao gets injured (knock on wood) like what happened last year
