<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sixteen seasons in the NBA isn't enough for Dikembe Mutombo. The 40-year-old Mutombo was contemplating retirement after the Houston Rockets were ousted by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs. But dinner with Hakeem Olajuwon changed all that. "To have someone like that, who I admire so much, tell me I have too much to offer to walk away meant a great deal. What Hakeem had to say really motivated me," Mutombo told Houston television station KRIV. "I talked with my wife and kids and they want me to play and my brother keeps telling me to play as well," Mutombo said. Mutomobo, who is set to be a free agent, said he told Rockets owner Leslie Alexander he wanted to continue playing for the team.</div> Source: ESPN
Not a bad decision, although Deke's role would likely be cut short with Adelman as a coach. He's not fast enough to run the floor and doesn't have an outside shot to work well in the offense. He's still very valuable for his defense and rebounding, though.
odds...does saying we have less than a 50% chance to beat Utah, while saying I like our chances make sense now? I hope we bring Deke back for another season, but I wonder how he would fit in Adelman's system.
Deke wil be a key guy to our team this year. Even though he is slow and the fast paced game will be too fast for him, I still think we need him. His rebounding and blocks at age 40 is outstanding. He played amazing when Yao went out.
Does factoring in gettin younger weigh in any of you guys opinions? The fact is we need to get younger. If Mutumbo's willing to fall back and except a role a the 3rd option at center, then maybe. But we're gonna have to get some guys who get up & down the court. I'd love Cato back
Its kind of funny that getting younger means getting a player who will be 33 at the start of the next season. But yeah, if they could get Cato for the same price that NY got him (1 mill), then I think Houston should jump on that. I just like Dikembe a lot, and he is a tough defensive player.
Just because we're trying to get younger, doesn't mean EVERYBODY has to be young. Veteran experience is a must, and as far as I'm concerned, a single 40-year old on the team doesn't mean we aren't getting younger. Dikembe is very valuable to this team and I would love to keep him.
I'm not sure how Deke would do it Adelman's system. If JVG was returning, then it'd make sense and I'm all for it. But since Rick is here, I feel we need a more agile, athletic, mobile backup for Yao.
I don't think the Rockets organization has it in them to say no to Mutombo, they will probably tell him he will be 3rd string if they do want a more athletic center to back Yao up. I guess Jake would not be resigned. "When you dominate the game, anyone can coach." Hakeem Olajuwan said that during the interview after practicing with Yao. Hmm, was that a shot at Rudy T? I know it wasn't, but I've always felt that anyone could have coached the 94/95 Rockets' teams and they still would have won the whole shebang.
Hakeem still helping the rockets out...............I'm glad to hear this (about Deke)....I think he was a little upset at the fact that he didn't get much playing time in game 7 after he came in and made a difference....you could tell by his post game remarks...
Deke is a great guy. In the locker room too. I think the rockets should re-sign him. He can teach Yao how to become a better shot blocker.
