DIKEMBE REFUSES TO DISCUSS ISIAH By MARC BERMAN http://nypost.com/sports/knicks/28893.htm August 11, 2004 -- Former Knicks center Dikembe Mutombo couldn't say enough nice things about owner James Dolan and Garden prez Steve Mills as they supported his attempts to build more hospitals in Africa. But when the subject turned to Isiah Thomas, Mutombo stopped in his tracks. "I have nothing to say about Isiah," Mutombo told The Post in a telephone interview yesterday. "I don't want to discuss him. What am I going to say? We haven't even had a conversation." Last Thursday's finalized Jamal Crawford trade ended a cool relationship between Mutombo and Thomas, who began shopping the 7-2 shotblocker soon after taking over for Scott Layden Dec. 23. Thomas was unable to move the Layden acquisition at the trading deadline but instead dealt for center Nazr Mohammed to supplant Mutombo as the Knicks' starting pivot. Thomas felt Mutombo was too old and slow to be a big part of his retooled Knicks. "It's very sad. I'm very sad to leave the city of New York," Mutombo said. "I built a personal relationship with Steve Mills and James Dolan, not just on the basketball court but off it." Mutombo, who returned from a family vacation to the south of France Tuesday, is unsure he wants to play for the rebuilding Bulls but won't retire. He planned to speak to his agent David Falk last night about their strategy. Falk likely will try to force a trade to the Rockets. "I still feel I have three, four years left in me," said Mutombo, 38. "A lot of GMs want me on their team. It's not like Mutombo's done. My age has nothing to do with what I want to accomplish. I know what it takes to win and that's one of the things left is winning a championship."
You've got to have at least one person on your team with the ego to refer to themselves in the third person.
In other news, Treasures manager rejoices at opportunity to reunite gentleman's club conoisseurs, Dikembe Mutombo and Patrick Ewing.
The Houston Dinosaurs are quietly taking shape... what the hell, if we are going to win in a narrow window of opportunity first, why not go the full mileage.
Houston trades: SG Adrian Griffin (0.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.5 apg in 7.0 minutes) Houston receives: C Dikembe Mutombo (5.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 0.4 apg in 23.0 minutes) Change in team outlook: +5.0 ppg, +5.7 rpg, and -0.1 apg. Chicago trades: C Dikembe Mutombo (5.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 0.4 apg in 23.0 minutes) Chicago receives: SG Adrian Griffin (0.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.5 apg in 19 games) Change in team outlook: -5.0 ppg, -5.7 rpg, and +0.1 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED Due to Houston and Chicago being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Houston and Chicago had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out unless trade exceptions were used for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. first time ever using Realgm. Quite fun. Since he's going to FORCE a trade, why don't we just trade him for griffin or someone? I think Eric Piatkowski might come in handy next season and last season was one of his worst performances of his career, according to many because of his ankle injury. I can see how it may have affected his shooting and like everyone says, shooters don't suddenly forget how to shoot.
When old players say "I have another 3 or 4 years in me" it sounds as if they are trying to get a contract extension. I think Mutumbo would be an adequate back up for Yao for one year, but I seriously hope he doesn't think we need him bad enough to offer an extension so he will push for the trade. For one thing, if Yao goes down for any period of time during the season, we would need his back up to pick up significant minutes and Mutumbo is probably only good for 15 or so which means we would have to play very small for large segment of those games. True if Yao were out for season you would just write off the year anyway but if he were out say 20 games having a full game capable replacement could be the difference in making the playoffs. I know he's been cut by the worst teams in the league but Steven Hunter still might be worth stashing away just in case the unthinkable happens.
i think CD would get fired if he guarenteed an extension, if not by Les, by the fans. Everyone in the Toyota Center would be like "fire Carroll" like the Knicks fans did to Cheaney.
The third person thing is annoying. It also annoys me when people refer to athletes as "A [athlete name]" like this: This team can really use a Mutombo. A Mutombo will block shots and rebound. A Mutombo will provide quality back up minutes. Last I checked, in the NBA, there was only one Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacque Wamutombo.
GP, I think you hit it on the head about Deke asking for an extension, and i would bet the Rox are playing it conservative on giving one. It could take a couple of weeks to see who blinks first!
