(I'm guessing by the looks of that nasty fall...perhaps, a ruptured tendon...) ....have the Blazers chances of winning this series significantly gone up?
Nah, Mutombo wasn't really that key in this series. He was actually hurting them with his play against Oden. Maybe if they move on to the next round though.
Agree. You don't want Yao taking a huge portion of minutes over a prolonged period of time. If it doesn't hurt them in this series it could down the line. Motumbo was still a serviceable player too. The biggest key is that before the Rockets could match Por's tall frontline, now after Yao they've only got Landry (6'9) and Hayes (6'6).
It hurts their ability to match up with Portland's length on the second unit, but Mutombo wasn't really part of their regular rotation. He played less than 100 minutes all season. BNM
I was really sad to see Deke go out that way. It's probably the last time he'll ever step on an NBA floor as a player. For such a good player and model human being, it's a shame that he went down like that.
This injury will help us if Oden is able to capitalize against Houston's smaller bigs. a 4 point night won't help us in Houston.
The stat line tonight was that our centers matched their center. Against Yao Ming in his prime, I'll take that! No centers were offensive forces tonight. But Oden can get going, and score in double figures for sure, doing a lot of damage inside. I think tonight was VERY good for his confidence. iWatas
Yup, I feel the same way. As soon as it happened it was like an official end to an era. It sucks to see that happen. I think it hurts the Rockets big time since we have so much length. Without Yao, they're very small. It looked like we were going to capitalize on that at the end of the 3rd but then the Rockets when on a 7-0 to close out the quarter.
Agreed 100%. If this is career ending, I hope someone (Houston) makes him a highly paid assistant coach. Most of what you pay him will be put to good use helping others. Hell, I'd be all for the Blazers hiring him to help Greg work on his defense (blocking shots without committing so many fouls). He's one of the most generous, compassionate people on this planet. The world needs more Dikembe Mutombos. BNM
He's done for his career. He made that clear in the post game interview on local television. Dikembe Mutombo has officially wagged his last finger. And you guys underestimate the impact this will have on the Rockets. He was our best rebounder and shot blocker, despite being 42 years old, and the Rockets don't have the necessary size to matchups with Blazers (or the Lakers, for that matter) with him gone. The series is yours for the taking.
From a rockets forum Question to mutombo: Is basketball over this season? Answer: Basketball is over for my career. in honor of mutombo [video=youtube;POkyWhh3Ihw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POkyWhh3Ihw[/video] this video is hilarious "I'm a good cowboy because I have a hat on."
I feel for you, man. Sorry to see Mutombo go down. Don't know if we can take the series, though. You guys are still a tough bunch of hombres.
Uh, not all of us. That being said, I honestly feel for the guy considering what a great human being he is.