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Mutombo signed for rest of season

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by AroundTheWorld, Dec 30, 2008.

  1. StevieCrossover

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    nice signing! It'll be nice to have dikembe's presence felt on the court. Miss the finger wagging!!! Dike will teach anybody to never dunk on yao again!
     
  2. WALAWALA

    WALAWALA Rookie

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    Finally a great news since Christmas.
     
  3. aurocketfan

    aurocketfan Member

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    we need this guy badly...
     
  4. bulk

    bulk Member

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  5. bulk

    bulk Member

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    Mutombo, 42, signs with Rockets

    Story Highlights
    Dikembe Mutombo is back with the Rockets, returning for his 18th season
    The 42-year-old Mutombo will serve as a backup to center Yao Ming
    The shot-blocking ace appeared in 39 games for Houston last season

    Dikembe Mutombo, 42, supplants Sam Cassell as the NBA's oldest active player.
    NBA Team Page

    HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Rockets re-signed 42-year-old center Dikembe Mutombo for the remainder of the season on Tuesday, adding an emotional leader and a backup to Yao Ming.

    Mutombo, who supplants 39-year-old Sam Cassell as the league's oldest active player, appeared in 39 games for Houston last season, logging most of his minutes after Yao broke his left foot in February. Mutombo averaged five rebounds, three points and 1.2 blocks.

    The Congolese-born Mutombo became a free agent after last season and contemplated retirement before deciding to come back for an 18th season.

    The Rockets' win-loss record dropped to 20-12 on Monday after an embarrassing 89-87 loss to Washington. Nearly every player on the Houston roster has missed games due to injury this season and Yao has sat out at least 25 games because of injuries over the past three seasons.

    Mutombo started 25 games last season, mostly after Yao broke his foot, and averaged 16 minutes per game. The Rockets traded Steve Francis to Memphis on Christmas Eve, creating salary space to add Mutombo, the NBA's second-leading career shot blocker behind Hakeem Olajuwon.

    The Rockets play Milwaukee on Wednesday and Mutombo was expected to join the team, though it's not known when he'll start playing again.

    The 7-foot-2 Mutombo has played for six NBA teams -- Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston.

    Mutombo's teams have made the playoffs in 13 of his 17 seasons in the league, including three of his previous four with the Rockets. He averaged 14 points and 14 rebounds to help Philadelphia reach the NBA finals in 2001.

    The Rockets have lost six straight playoff series and haven't advanced to the second round since 1997.

    Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
     
  6. bulk

    bulk Member

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    Oops, Sir Jackie Chiles already posted it. And I can't delete my own thread. :mad: :mad:

    Now I'm embrassed. :( :(

    Either way, I feel happy and relieved that he comes back. The Rockets have a leader again.
     
  7. bamtonio

    bamtonio Member

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    its been posted twice already :)
     
  8. redeeming

    redeeming Member

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    feel sorry for the grandpa -- we're really just a mediocre team, at maximum...
     
  9. seaweed

    seaweed Member

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    Very important move. We'll see a different Rockets, because of the change in morale.
     
  10. flamingdts

    flamingdts Member

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    This now raises question to our PF position.

    What will become of Hayes?

    He is going to become a completely situation player, perhaps something like Luther Head.

    I like Hayes as a player, but his offense is so bad that even wide open layups are 50% shots to him. Although Mutombo is not an offensive machine, his height at least gives him the ability to finish plays more reliably, like dunking. Not to mention, Mutombo does shoot a jumper once in a while that will go in.
     
  11. MONON

    MONON Member

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    Most guys explode in less time than it takes to say Deke's full name. :D Women don't like that! :(
     
  12. battousai

    battousai Member

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    I don't it would be an issue with Hayes. he is still valuable to us. of course he has always been a situational player for us, so as Deke.
     
  13. thunder03

    thunder03 Member

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    This should be an upgrade for defense and locker room morale, i am always a fan of Deke. However, this should not be the last piece of the puzzle if Rockets really want and be able to do something in the playoff
     
  14. ClutchCityReturns

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    I just realized that this will be Dikembe's 5th season with the Rockets, which matches his 5 seasons with the Nuggets and 5 seasons with the Hawks, although he obviously won't play as many game as he did with those franchises.

    I just find that interesting.
     
  15. mig0s

    mig0s Member

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    Good news but...

    That's kind of sad...
     
  16. heypartner

    heypartner Member

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    I know someone who once wrestled a bear...
     
  17. The_Yoyo

    The_Yoyo Member

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    go on
     
  18. cwebbster

    cwebbster Member

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    One of my balls is bigger than the other one....should I get that checked out??
     
  19. Landlord Landry

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    Uncle Mu is not the answer.
     
  20. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    42 years old....(chuckle)...

    DD
     

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