Chron: Mutombo says he can get Rockets back on track

CheezeyBoy22 · Jan 14, 2009

There was no need for background checks, lobbying efforts or Senate confirmation hearings.

The only voice vote that counted was that Cookie-Monster-gargling-razor-blades-in-a-blender rasp that let everyone know the Secretary of the State of the Rockets was back at his post.

"There is much work to do," said Dikembe Mutombo. "It will take time. I don't want to be stepping on anybody's shoes, because I just got back. But I will find my space to let them know I am the oldest guy here, and they should listen."

He had sat at his locker listening and stood by in practices observing through five games and for nearly two weeks and had intended to pursue his first round of détente amid a fractured atmosphere prior to the game against the Lakers.

"It was going to be a secret dinner Monday night, but it didn't happen because other things came up," Mutombo said, grinning. "So now I have to set up another one. I'm planning to get people under the ground and into the bunker, and we're going to discuss the problems like Vice President Dick Cheney. I've got the people that I'm planning to pull out, take them into that bunker and try to get things straight. Don't worry. I will take care of things."

In his 18th trip through the NBA, the 42-year-old Mutombo's role is part backup center, part psychologist and part warden on a team that this season has buzzed off in more directions than a hive of drunken bees.

After the injuries to Tracy McGrady, Ron Artest and Shane Battier ruined any hope for a smooth start, the constant change of rehab plans, the ins and outs, and 15 starting lineups produced the chaotic atmosphere that might as well have sent the "Bat Signal" to Mutombo in Gotham City.

"I had so many guys on the team calling me, all the way to the trainers and the equipment guys, saying, 'Deke, you better get here quick. It is a state of emergency.'

"Since I've been back, I've been more outspoken and I can see things are changing a little bit here. But we are not there yet. We are still far away from what we need to be as a team in the locker room to get ready for games."

Mutombo got his first taste of action this season in the second quarter against the Lakers, playing just under 4½ minutes, hitting a layup and a tip-in and grabbing one rebound. But he didn't get a blocked shot or a chance to wag his finger.

"I was hoping I was going to get more than that," Mutombo said. "I think the coach is hesitant about my conditioning. But my conditioning is there. We had a wonderful practice, and I know that I am ready."

Coach Rick Adelman does not intend to use Mutombo to spell Yao Ming nightly. He feels comfortable with the production and the effort that he's getting out of Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes on the front line.

"I think you'll see him (Mutombo) against certain people, for sure, behind Yao when we really get undersized," Adelman said. "But against a lot of teams, we're really better off with the smaller people at both ends of the court.

"I said at the time, to get Deke back, there were two important reasons. His impact on the team off the court and in the locker room is huge. But I think, God forbid, something should happen to Yao for a period of time, Deke's a perfect guy to put in there.

"Right now, it's tough for him to get going, playing three or four minutes at a time. That's why I say it's really important to have him for insurance — and his impact in the locker room is enormous."

The respect Mutombo gets from his teammates is obvious. Before Saturday night's game against the Knicks, McGrady, who wasn't playing, stopped by his locker briefly and then walked across the room toward "the godfather" with a smile.

"We've got a lot of things to work out right now," said Battier. "I think we've stabilized things a bit, but it's a process. I don't think Deke's been around long enough yet to just fix things. Remember, this is a different team from last year. Everybody doesn't know him.

"That may be the answer: Deke coming in here and knocking around a few heads. If he does, I think it will be beneficial. If there's one guy who could do it, it would be Deke."

Mutombo let out a deep sigh that turned into his trademark roaring laugh as he considered the burden of his so many tasks.

"My hands are full with all the things I need to reach all of these young guys before I leave the game. I'm not done yet. Just let me get them into the bunker like Vice President Cheney. I won't start any wars. And I won't shoot anybody in the hunting field either. Everything's gonna be fine."
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I didn't see this posted yet.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6211241.html

durvasa · Jan 14, 2009

So now I have to set up another one. I'm planning to get people under the ground and into the bunker, and we're going to discuss the problems like Vice President Dick Cheney.
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So Mutombo is saying Cheney is one of our problems?

This needs to go to D&D, obviously.

bloop · Jan 14, 2009

no he's saying he's going to be the power behind the throne like dick cheney

obviously yao/tmac/artest are the stars like GWB. but mutombo is going to get everything organized and everyone to toe the line like cheney did in the first administration

ClutchCityReturns · Jan 14, 2009

"Step ya game up!"

CheezeyBoy22 · Jan 14, 2009

I think it's important to have deke there in the locker room. I think he plays a large part in keeping the team in line.

esteban · Jan 14, 2009

Mutombo is one of my favorite humans on this planet!

KingLeoric · Jan 14, 2009

Mutombo should be the true leader of the team!

Rocket1 · Jan 14, 2009

"I wont shoot anybody in the back in the hunting field" LOL

redao · Jan 14, 2009

I love Deke Cheney.

Will · Jan 14, 2009

I love Dikembe Mutombo. I don't think his NBA game is much better than mine at this point, but if he can help fix our $21M problem, he's well worth what we're paying him.

bbjai · Jan 14, 2009

Will said:

I love Dikembe Mutombo. I don't think his NBA game is much better than mine at this point, but if he can help fix our $21M problem, he's well worth what we're paying him.
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are you as tall as Dikembe if not I think his NBA game is still miles ahead of yours

But honestly I think he can fix alot of our problems. We should have signed him from the beginning.

JujuxG · Jan 14, 2009

gotta love deke, i hope the coaches will give deke few more minute.

God's Son · Jan 14, 2009

deke is my second fav rocket of all time behind dream. the guy has more leadership, heart and guts in him than the entire damn team combined. make no mistake about it: he is the ONLY true leader on the team. hes the secretary of state and secretary of defense in one

GO DEKE!

God's Son · Jan 14, 2009

i should add the rox can not let deke go when he retires they need to bring him back and have him around the locker room in some capacity, maybe as assistant coach or whatever

dekes true value is off the court

Doc Rocket · Jan 14, 2009

What is there to fix? The locker room's fine. Everybody's giving great effort, getting along, and enjoying each other's company.

It's all BS...remember that.

The_Yoyo · Jan 14, 2009

Doc Rocket said:

What is there to fix? The locker room's fine. Everybody's giving great effort, getting along, and enjoying each other's company.

It's all BS...remember that.
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Ha I knew Bobby Sura had something to do with this after seeing him courtside for a few games this season!!!

Drizno · Jan 14, 2009

Doc Rocket said:

The bird is starving, and the cow is being led to the pasture of efficiency by a "retired" shepard... The new and improved Tim Breaux will provide worms for the hungry
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Calling tinman and DaDa... decipher this one!

Easy · Jan 14, 2009

"That may be the answer: Deke coming in here and knocking around a few heads. If he does, I think it will be beneficial. If there's one guy who could do it, it would be Deke."
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When I read that, I just imagined Deke giving a guy his elbow on the head just so he would listen.

I like "Deke Cheney" LOL

Easy · Jan 14, 2009

Doc Rocket said:

What is there to fix? The locker room's fine. Everybody's giving great effort, getting along, and enjoying each other's company.

It's all BS...remember that.
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Seriously Doc, nobody was saying that the locker room's great. What some people here questioned was whether it was really as gruesome as you described. (You said it was worse than what you described!) None of the reports in the press has confirmed it either way. So we'll see. If what you said was real, then it will come out eventually.

professorjay · Jan 14, 2009

Easy said:

Seriously Doc, nobody was saying that the locker room's great. What some people here questioned was whether it was really as gruesome as you described. (You said it was worse than what you described!) None of the reports in the press has confirmed it either way. So we'll see. If what you said was real, then it will come out eventually.
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I'm taking everything w/ a grain of salt, as are you...but even Deke's quote alludes to it:

"I had so many guys on the team calling me, all the way to the trainers and the equipment guys, saying, 'Deke, you better get here quick. It is a state of emergency.'
Click to expand...

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