A Terrible Day For Basketball: Mutumbo Says Career Is Done
by JordanLeDoux on Apr 21, 2009 10:49 PM PDT
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PrintMutombo says career is over
Rockets center went down in first quarter with bad injury
Dikembe Mutombo was jockeying for position with Greg Oden on a rebound late in the first quarter Tuesday night, and in an instant everything changed.
Mutombo, who has been a defensive spark for the Rockets for 5 seasons, fell to the floor. He grabbed his knee and rolled around in obvious pain.
The Rockets said it was a knee strain, but you knew it was more than that. An emotional Mutombo confirmed it after the game when asked if his season was over.
"No," said Mutombo. "It's over for me for my career.
"I might need surgery," said Mutombo. "I'm going to be around for as far as we can go in the championship run. I'll be with my teammates in support and give them the same love that they give to me, but for me, basketball... it's over."
More coming...
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damn....
Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.
Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.
Wow
That’s really such a bad way to end a career. I was very happy with the fans giving him a standing ovation though as he was being carried off the floor.
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
and jay jensen being the first out
Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.
Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.
I think it's the best way to end a career
if you’re 42 and still bangin’ and contributing a major piece to your team, you shouldn’t have any regrets when you retire.
bummer
always loved that dude. He was such a defensive beast.
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
I fell in love with him
back in Denver when he game down with a series ending rebound. The pure joy on his face…it is what sports should be all about…
Support families in crisis in Portland www.give10tell10.org
Yeah, I remembered that moment tonight. He wouldn't give that ball up afterwards.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
MUTOMBO =
One of the best humans to ever play in the NBA. Never forgot where he came from and gave back so much to his native Zaire/Congo. LOVE ME SOME DEKE!!
by The Penguin on Apr 21, 2009 11:00 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Unlike many, the end of Sir Elbows' basketball career is just the close of one chapter in his life
He’ll probably end up an ambassador, a UN, representative, or something along those lines. Great person—great compassion & zest for life.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
Good call
Celebrate the man, he’s been so good for so long. At least he didn’t have something truly tragic happen to him. This world can still use Deke, and I get the feeling that his impact outside of basketball has always been bigger than his impact on the court, as immense as that was.
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Apr 22, 2009 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions
I rec
Not because I’m happy, but due to respect for Mt. Mutumbo.
Travis Outlaw is Mr. Clutch
by two buck chuck on Apr 21, 2009 11:00 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
seconded
REC = RESPECT
OH! IT'S A LOB TO RUDY!! And he Jams it!
From Sergio; the Spanish Armada hooks up again!
that's too bad.
He was a great player, and i don’t want to be cliche, but he seems to be an even greater guy. This is a tough way for his career to end.
.
I dunno
This way he can walk (or limp) away without regret, knowing he’d left it all out on the floor. It’s harder to retire when you think you can still play another year. This injury takes that decision out of Mutombo’s hands. He went down battling with a younger, stronger player, and his body finally said, “enough.”
Now he can move on to the next phase of his life without questioning the timing. Well done, Zeke.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
Much respect for Deke
Sad to see him on the floor like that. He had a long run. Here’s to his continued success in life.
Yeah, I had that thought also
If the Blazers should lose the series, I’d as soon root for the Rockets to beat the Lakers as anyone. They play physical, but not dirty. But now their slim chances of beating the Lakers are probably none.
Then again, maybe that job will fall to our young Blazers. David did slay Goliath, you know.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
dang
this really sucks, props on a great career and good luck in your future endeavors deke. And i can’t wait for the next game were we might see the last finger wag
"Howard, he know me" Rudy
Enjoy retirement, sir. You've earned it.
Dikembe will be remembered as one of the all-time good guys and a dominant defensive basketball player.
Sad to see him go.
the moment i fell in love with that guy
the joy of it
Support families in crisis in Portland www.give10tell10.org
As a native Washingtonian, it's the other way around for me.
Nonetheless, it’s sad to witness Mt. Mutombo’s career-ending injury.
it has to do with "recs"...
under the actions link, you can rec(reccomend) any comment or post. If a post gets 7 or more rec’s, it goes to the top of the sidebar with the other rec’d posts. If a comment gets 5 or more recs, it will turn green so everyone knows of its awesomeness….
RUDY > MJ
also a great video
tribute
i think the song is really fitting
"Howard, he know me" Rudy
by phillyduck23 on Apr 21, 2009 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Mutombo embraces the ball...
That game will always be a part of my childhood memories. Thanks Mr. Mutombo.
That is the image that is etched in my brain whenever I hear his name.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Apr 22, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Greg made a clean play for the board
But that dont make it hurt any less,love ya Deke
by southern oregon on Apr 21, 2009 11:11 PM PDT reply actions
Its tough to hear Deke is going out like this
On the positive side, he’ll have more time to devote to his family and his philanthropy .
I fear for the day Paul Allen is no longer the owner of the Blazers.
He needs to reproduce soon so we have an heir in succession.
www.dmf.com
Other athletes and people in general really should take the time to learn from his generosity and spirit.
I loved Mutombo
and was one of those who gave him a standing ovation. I also sent him some Reiki to lessen his pain and participated in the standing ovation. It was like seeing an ancient gladiator go down for the last time. Take care Deke you will be missed an NBA legend passes on to retirement.
"Death is not final," Gita says. "If any man thinks that he slays, and if another thinks that he is slain, neither knows the truth. The Eternal in man cannot kill: the Eternal in man cannot die. The soul in man is neither born nor does it die. Weapons cannot cut it; fire cannot burn it. .. What makes you think that you can destroy the soul?"
The Bhagavad Gita
whoops
mentioned the ovation twice but it was an emotional moment and I was proud of my fellow fans. We had been ripe with hatred for the refs up to that point and it was a turning point in the tenor of the crowd in a good way.
"Death is not final," Gita says. "If any man thinks that he slays, and if another thinks that he is slain, neither knows the truth. The Eternal in man cannot kill: the Eternal in man cannot die. The soul in man is neither born nor does it die. Weapons cannot cut it; fire cannot burn it. .. What makes you think that you can destroy the soul?"
The Bhagavad Gita
Great man
and great basketball player. I hate to see his career end this way. Good luck in the future Mutombo.
Hello Dum Dum
He got a long standing O
We kind of knew it in the arena when he went down. Very unfortunate.
"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''
What a great career and a great man
He will do great things with the rest of his life, but its a shame his career is over.
Best of luck to Deke.
GREAT CAREER
GOOD JOB DIKEMBE WE WERE CLAPPING FOR YOU TONIGHT!!!!
by baylessmancrush on Apr 21, 2009 11:19 PM PDT reply actions
Who was the last victim of the Mutumbo finger-wave???
Pretty sure it was in Game 1 of this series
I never understood how that was not a taunting technical foul.
I know it was his thing, but imagine if Sheed did it. He’d have been tossed from the game.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Apr 22, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
But don't get me wrong.
I liked Deke very much. I just don’t know how he didn’t get T’s for that. One other thing I liked about him is he bloodied up Karl Malone with his wild elbows.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Apr 22, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions
I think it was Roy that recieved the last wag
but it wasnt at Roy cause that would have drawn a T
Mutombo was one of the best people basketball has ever had. Hes done amazing work in Africa for AIDS, education, and overall living conditions. He had already said he was done after this year, but i feel so bad for the guy that he had to end his career like that.
Game 1 108-81 Rockets
Game 2 107-103 Blazers
Series tied 1-1
I think it was Sergio
"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 21, 2009 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I was right in front of that play... He blocked Brandon as he tried to lay it in
… and turned at us and wagged his finger.
Yeah
He stuffed Brandon’s dunk attempt and gave him the finger. But he also did it to Sergio.
"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 21, 2009 11:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't realize he'd announced this was his last season
Too bad: he almost made it to the finish line unscathed. But now he’ll never second-guess his decision.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
I want my children to be like deke...
Dude is a class act…
Also, shame on the guy sitting next to me who heckled Mutumbo for being old and brittle. It was rather sad. He did participate in the standing O though, hopefully he simply didnt understand the severity of the situation….
RUDY > MJ
If I had been there
I would have probably tried to start a chant for him. Dude’s earned it…
Proud member of Duck nation!
a few people around me in 116
did try to start a chant but the scene was too weird..
"Slum dunk? You just go to the rim, and crush.. crush the ball in the rim."
- Nic Batum
A fitting homage for a gentle giant in body and in heart
His career might be over but his work is certainly not. Blessing upon you Deke with a complete and speedy recovery.
whoo, Katy bar the door! - Maurice Lucas anticipating Greg Oden's development
A true warrior only stop when he falls
Sorry he didn’t get to play until he chose to stop
""Look. I can touch the rim on my tippy toes.. " – Greg Oden
Dikembe Mutombo is a very classy guy and a legendary warrior......
NBA basketball and the Houston Rockets have suffered a huge loss.
We at Blazers Edge offer our sincerest sympathy to Deke and the Rockets.
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The concussion must have jarred him into "Destroy All Opposition Terminator Mode!" - BlazersOrBust
I loved watching him, and he hangs in my memory.
His name always gave me a reason to doubt playing against his team…if that makes sense. He was fricking cool, and sorry to see him go to this type of injury.
It's kind of odd that it was against Oden too
Lord knows if Oden could be even close to the player Dikembe was…
Proud member of Duck nation!
Sad to see him get injured and go out like that.
Such a great guy, I hated his finger waves SO much—but I would have LOVED it if he was on my team, for sure.
Grace and Peace Deke, in whatever you do. You are a great man.
I'm sorry to hear this
He was one of my favorites and always will be. Good luck in your humanitarian work Dikembe. Knowing you, you’ll do amazing work….
Proud member of Duck nation!
He's the author of my favorite NBA playoff quote of all time
Right after the Sixers stole Game 1 from the Lakers in the Finals, on the back of Iverson’s monster performance, some genius stuck a microphone in Deke’s face and asked his opinion of the game.
Mutumbo responded: IT BE A WAR!
by samuelleejackson on Apr 22, 2009 12:04 AM PDT reply actions
Great guy, I feel terrible for him. That's a tough way to go out.
However, I didnt like that finger wave at Roy the other night. Should have shown some more class there. Don’t taunt and attempt to embarrass one of the class guys in the league like BRoy..
Anyway, he had a great career.
He does it to everybody
It’s actually in the rules that only he’s allowed to do it – anyone else, automatic T. He’s grandfathered in.
by samuelleejackson on Apr 22, 2009 12:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Pretty sure he's not grandfathered in.
I think he simply turned to the crowd and taunted, because that wasn’t covered in the newly-created taunting rule. The NBA simply didn’t bother to close the loophole.
I was there at the game
and it was pretty sad. He got a good hand from the crowd. Couple of jerks behind me were laughing and saying “drag the old man off the court”. Some people have no class.
Here is my Playoff mode signature, that I thought up myself: "Just Do It".
They were definitely the exception, not the rule though
In a crowd that size, there’s bound to be a few thoughtless folks.
The folks in my vicinity were pretty silent and concerned
"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)
A Shame, But It Showed How Classy Portland Fans Are
When he went down, the entire stadium erupted in cheers for the foul, but as soon as it became apparent that Deke was not getting up, everyone quieted. No one wants to see an injury, but for a young guy you figure he’s got a shot at coming back.
Within 15 seconds of him going down, everyone in that arena knew they had seen Dikembe Mutumbo play his finale. Everyone stood up in my section and waited, hoping he would get up. When he started to get up with the help of his teammates, some cheers began, but were snuffed out as soon as he went back to the floor.
We started to cheer anew when it seemed like he was getting onto the stretcher, but again, it stopped when he did.
Finally, after he was placed inside the stretcher, we fans tried vainly to give him some measure of our appreciation for him, as a player and as a person.
Then, they shot the free throws, and it all went back to being a game.
Very sad. So sorry to see Mutumbo go down like that, but at least Portland showed class — real class.
Speaking of class,
Couldn’t we take this thread to reflect on Mutumbo’s great career instead of using it as an opportunity to pat ourselves on the back?
The floor slaps...
I think most everyone know he was fairly seriously hurt after he did that…
"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)
I love Deke
I don’t care who he played for. The guy is a class act. One of the players that ALWAYS played his heart out. He was so into it, it is so hard to see him go like this. He is a relic of the NBA past, and I mean that in the best way possible. He deserves his finger wag.
he was in the L for most of my life
I remember by dad telling me Deke had to kill a lion to become a man when I was little, lord only knows if it was true but regardless I have always loved the guy and how he played
get big
That's probably a true story
I don’t think Mutombo would have let a lie be perpetuated like that. And after you’ve faced a lion (sans gun), how scary can the NBA be?
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
Shame on me: I grew up a Warriors fan but I mixed that up
The image of skinny Manute battling the lion is vivid. I believe Manute is Dinka (“The Dinka Dunker”) and that they’re into that kind of thing.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
get well big guy and spend more time helping out his countrymen in the Congo.
BTW anybody know his real name is Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo?
Hopefully we can use Greg and Joel to control the paint and wear Yao down and pull out a win or 2 in Hou.
"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." - Bill Simmons 6/26/08
ADDENDUM
Looks like he has a torn patellar tendon
Link
"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." - Bill Simmons 6/26/08
by SpyderRyder on Apr 22, 2009 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Oh that's painful
I have an injury on mine and it’s agony a lot of the time.
I hope the fact that Houston is famous for it’s doctors helps you along quickly Mr. Mutombo.
Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit.
it is very sad
but I felt as honored to have been right there to see Dikembe’s final two games as I would have for almost any player of all time.
Amazing guy.. I can’t believe he played until he was 55!!! Yea.. i know.. you probably think he is only 43 based on the lies he told when he entered the NBA, but I swear that Patrick Ewing has even stated the truth; Dikembe was the oldest professional basketball of all time and I’d still have played him over ..
"Slum dunk? You just go to the rim, and crush.. crush the ball in the rim."
- Nic Batum
Mt. Mutombo #1
That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey
by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 2:36 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
The big guy will be missed
He had a great run at it and will continue on contributing off the court. The guy is a legend…..and he was good at basketball.
MT Mutumbo4Life.
Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game
It is a sad day for fans of basketball.
What an amazing humanitarian, class act on the floor, and all around great man. Good luck in wherever this takes you Deke, you will be missed.
Regarding BRoy:"Another day, another buzzer-beater. This man is so clutch he sets his body clock to go off one second before his alarm does every morning."
~Rob D from NBAmate
Much respect for Mt. Mutumbo
One of the few times I couldn’t help smiling in game 1 was when he broke out the finger wag.
One of the best ambassadors this game, or any other, has ever seen. May he continue to make miracles happen.
Here’s hoping even greater things are in store for Deke. Hats off to a legend on and off the court.
Q: Is Greg favoring his knee?
Frye: He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors.
Misspelling in the headline of this post: M - U - T - O - M - B - O.
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
Unfortunate that he’s hurt but I do have to confess a loathing for his finger wagging crap. He messed with Karma.,
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacque Wamutombo
He has off-court achievements that put most NBA players to shame. He also played in the league for an absurdly long time, especially for a big man. Karma.
More than a great player....a great man.
We have not heard the last from Deke Mutombo.
Did you know that he’s a member of Mensa?
Also, I wonder if at the end of the season he’ll finally reveal his true age (if in fact it’s different from his official age).
Hit it. Yes he did. Ohhhh yeah.
by Badalona Baddie on Apr 22, 2009 10:03 AM PDT reply actions
Game 2 download?
I’d love to chill and watch this game again today. QAnybody have a good site to download from?
"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 22, 2009 10:33 AM PDT reply actions
my favorite quote about deke
is how he speaks 6-7 languages but no one could understand any of them..
"Slum dunk? You just go to the rim, and crush.. crush the ball in the rim."
- Nic Batum
You saw how truly tough mutombo is he went for a block even after his knee blew out, thats real HEART
Nba will miss him, need more players like him.
if brandon roy played for toronto he'd be brandon waaaaah
Props to Dikembe
Great player, even better human being. What he has done in Africa is truly amazing. I wish him nothing but success in his life after basketball, what he is doing is beyond words.
I believe in Greg Oden. To all the haters - get down with the program or stay off the wagon for all time. #52
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