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Knicks sign Mutumbo, are they an instant contender in the East?

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by bamaslammer, Oct 9, 2003.

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  1. bamaslammer

    bamaslammer Member

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    I think this is a great move for NY, even if he only has a few more years left. They are a halfcourt team that needs a defensive anchor. I think if they can get around 9 ppg, 8 or 9 rebounds and a couple of blocks per game out of him in around 30 minutes a night, they could be a contender in the East. But the main thing holding them back is point guard play and if they really want to compete, they must trade for a real point guard.



    NEW YORK -- Dikembe Mutombo signed a contract with the New York Knicks on Thursday, two days after he accepted a buyout and was waived by the New Jersey Nets.

    Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    "Adding a shot blocker and rebounder of Dikembe's caliber to our team dramatically improves key areas that we were looking to upgrade," Knicks president and GM Scott Layden said on Thursday. "His basketball resume is so impressive that having the chance to add him to our club was something we were not going to pass up. In addition to his superior skills on the court, Dikembe is a role model that all of young players will look up to and learn from."

    The Knicks were the worst shot-blocking team in the NBA last season when they missed the playoffs for the second straight season.

    Kurt Thomas, a natural power forward, has been the Knicks' starting center for most of the past two seasons.

    Mutombo played in only 24 games last season because of a wrist injury that required surgery around Thanksgiving. The 37-year-old did not return to action until late in the regular season and was sitting on the bench for most of the playoffs.

    Mutombo, 7-2, 261-pounds, is the NBA's sixth all-time shot blocker with 2,873 rejections and is the only player in history to be named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year four-times (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001). He was named to the All-NBA second team in 2001 and the third team in 1998 and 2002. A three-time NBA All-Defensive first team selection and three-time second team selection, Mutombo ranks first in blocked shots among active players.

    "I know Dikembe very well through the years and there is no question he'll fit right into our system and thrive," coach Don Chaney said. "There aren't many players in NBA history that can change the course of a game as much as he does."

    The Nets, currently for sale, cited financial concerns in announcing the buyout of the final two years of Mutombo's contract, which had $37 million remaining on it. Mutombo's chances of playing more this season diminished with Jason Collins and Aaron Williams returning and Alonzo Mourning, Mutombo's teammate at Georgetown, signing with New Jersey as a free agent.

    Mourning criticized the move Sunday, saying it showed the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions were more interested in money than in winning a championship.

    Mutombo averaged 5.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.54 blocks last season. He appeared in 10 playoff games, including six NBA Finals games versus the San Antonio Spurs, to average 10.3 minutes and record totals of 10 points and 17 rebounds.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1634417
     
    #1 bamaslammer, Oct 9, 2003
  2. B-ball freak

    B-ball freak Member

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    ok, I'm a little confused. Did it say he won NBA defensive player of the year 4 times but All NBA Defensive First Team 3 times. That makes my head hurt.

    :confused:
     
    #2 B-ball freak, Oct 9, 2003
  3. JayZ750

    JayZ750 Member

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    I don't understand how this move makes the Knicks significantly better, but then, in the East, who knows??
     
    #3 JayZ750, Oct 9, 2003
  4. RunninRaven

    RunninRaven Member
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    If the guy was still capable of getting 9 ppg, 8-9 rpg and a couple blocks a game, the Nets would never have released him. The guy's washed up, and the Knicks are desperate. It's as simple as that.
     
    #4 RunninRaven, Oct 9, 2003
  5. CriscoKidd

    CriscoKidd Member

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    yup, and I'd like to add that Layden's history as Knicks gm doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

    His few more years left were up 2 years ago.
     
    #5 CriscoKidd, Oct 9, 2003
  6. bamaslammer

    bamaslammer Member

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    I don't see it that way. Not that I'm defending Layden, but it was strictly done for two reasons:
    1. Mutumbo does not fit the NJ system with its uptempo style. He tends to bog the offense down in h/c like another center from G-Town.
    2. Money, plain and simple. They already had too much money tied up in Mourning and their other big men and to pay a guy who could still play, but who doesn't fit your system is not logical.

    Mutumbo will do fine in NYC and I think those stats are a real possibility in around 30 minutes per game. I think he has two good years at least left in him because he's never really had any serious career-threatening injuries, he isn't much of a scorer so he doesn't take punishment going to the foul line and last year, he looked pretty sprightly coming off the bench against the Spurs.
     
    #6 bamaslammer, Oct 10, 2003
  7. WhosNumber1

    WhosNumber1 Member

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    are you kidding me?! LOL! The knicks contenders? you telling me giving mutumbo to a team with Keith Van Horn and allen houston as stars is now a contender out the east vs a team like the magic!? LMAO...MAYBE an 8th Seed...but beyond that, hahahhahahhahhahah
     
    #7 WhosNumber1, Oct 10, 2003
  8. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    For evidence of his abilities...See...Dream in Toronto.

    DD
     
    #8 DaDakota, Oct 10, 2003
  9. RedHonda76

    RedHonda76 Member

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    C- Mutumbo
    PF - McDyess
    SF - Van Horn
    SG - Houston
    PG - dont care.

    This really looks good on paper. Knicks slow temp game will show Mutumbo to be very effective. They dont need him to score anyway. Thomas will backup Mutumbo and McDyess, unless he's a trade bait for a better PG. Not a bad team , they maybe be #3 in the East, but certainly wont make it to the finals.
     
    #9 RedHonda76, Oct 10, 2003
  10. HOOP-T

    HOOP-T Member

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    No.
     
    #10 HOOP-T, Oct 10, 2003
  11. RocksMillenium

    RocksMillenium Member

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    I really believe Mutombo was cut because Scott had a personal problem with him and didn't have the professionalism to let it slide. Mutombo still has plenty of life left, he played well prior to his injury last year. He's still a dominant defender and rebounder. I hate New York as a playoff team before Mutombo showed up, I think Dikembe makes them one of the best teams in the East. I don't think he's washed up at all. I'm just glad a team like Portland or Phoenix didn't get him.
     
    #11 RocksMillenium, Oct 10, 2003
  12. tierre_brown

    tierre_brown Member

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    Although this move does make them marginally better, I don't think it turns them into an "instant contender" in the east. It's nothing against Mutombo, but his skills have deteriorated. He'll give them a good inside presence, but this team needs a major overhaul and getting KVH was not the way to do it. AT BEST they're a 7 seed in the east.
     
    #12 tierre_brown, Oct 10, 2003
  13. PhiSlammaJamma

    PhiSlammaJamma Member

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    Up until last year, Mutombo was still making major contributions. I don't see any envidence of a decline just yet. This year will tell all once he hits the court. If he's still good for 11 and 8 rebs I think NY makes the playoffs.
     
    #13 PhiSlammaJamma, Oct 10, 2003
  14. dharocks

    dharocks Member

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    I'm still surprised Cubes didn't go after him harder, though his presence might slow the Mavs offense as badly as it did the Nets offense.

    If nothing else, the Knicks are probably the nicest team in the league, with Houston, Ward, Mutombo, and KVH.
     
    #14 dharocks, Oct 10, 2003
  15. HOOP-T

    HOOP-T Member

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    Cuban had to go with the guard from Iceland instead. He's such a freak!
     
    #15 HOOP-T, Oct 10, 2003
  16. munco

    munco Member

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    The East is bad, but I don't think there this bad. They might just be the slowest team in the NBA w/ the addition of Mutumbo. McDyess is the key variable, if he's healthy and plays at an all-star level that changes everything. Mutumbo's offensive game left him in his last year in Philly. Throwing him the ball was an adventure, he couldn't seem to even catch the ball.
     
    #16 munco, Oct 12, 2003
  17. SmeggySmeg

    SmeggySmeg Member

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    certainly makes the knicks better, but how much better is the key?

    the key for the knicks is if McDyess is healthy, but also with Mutumbo it means thomas can man the 4 spot, especially if Dice is out for while at the start of the season.

    Mutumbo, McDyess, K Thomas, KVH and Houston is a nice mix.

    now then you throw Spoon, Othella, Sweetney, Lampe, Shandon in the mix they are so deep at the 4 spot

    but really they have Eisley, Ward and F Williams at the 1 and back up 2 spots.

    mutumbo makes them better, and if Dice plays the key is upgrading the point, wonder what it would take to land Van Exel???
     
    #17 SmeggySmeg, Oct 12, 2003
  18. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    No.

    Mutumbo does not have "a few years" left. He has no years left, starting last year. The Nets are paying him 15 million NOT to be on their team anymore.

    He's not going to be able to give them 30 minutes a night. 20 minutes a game would be significant accomplishment, although for 82 games that is unlikely. He is terrible, just terrible. Dallas ran the other way rather than sign him to the veteran minimum. You really think Scott Layden made a find here? guess again, as per usual, he was the only GM dumb enough to take the guy (shandon anderson, antonio no knees mcdyess, etc, etc.)
     
    #18 SamFisher, Oct 12, 2003
  19. Soji34

    Soji34 Member

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    i think if the knicks can have a healthy season, they'll make the eastern conf finals for sure, if not the nba finals. i mean, their lineup is:
    Motumbo
    McDyess
    Vanhorn
    Houston
    Eisley/Ward

    with a nice bench including thomas, othello, anderson, and more.

    thats pretty nice. could even compete with the western conf teams. (but i highly doubt they'll have a healthy season)
     
    #19 Soji34, Oct 14, 2003
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