Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 at 10:00 am  |  82 responses

Dikembe Mutombo: ‘It’s Over for Me’

by Marcel Mutoni

From the moment he crumpled the floor, you just knew. And evidently, he knew as well. Dikembe Mutombo’s basketball career came to an abrupt end last night, following a horrific knee injury in the first quarter of Game 2 against the Portland Trailblazers.

The Houston Chronicle caught up with a reflective Deke in the locker room following the Rockets’ Game 2 loss:

“It’s over for me for my career,” said Mutombo…It’s not something that I planned. All I can say right now is I had a wonderful run of 18 years and stayed injury-free. I thank God a lot for all this blessing and putting such great people around me for all of my career in the NBA. I’m just happy. I have to go out with my head high and not be disappointed and have no regrets. I have so many things I can be so thankful for over my 18 years.”

“I have so many great memories,” Mutombo said. “Making it to the NBA Finals, winning the Defensive Player of the Year, winning a blocked shot title. There are so many things I can smile and be happy about all of my accomplishments. Nobody ever thought the big fellow would be the person they’re carrying out of the arena. I was going out like a wounded soldier. I think that was one of the best memories, giving myself up for this league and my team and my teammates.”

There will certainly never be another one like him. Thanks for the memories, Deke.

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  • http://hoops4life.com overtime

    Excellent player. Better human. Mount Mutombo- one of a kind

  • pendejo

    First…
    Kinda sad. One tower less for BRoy to sink.

  • babygab

    1st !

  • http://theghostofroyhobbs.blogspot.com Mo Charlo

    /pours out forty

  • http://www.hoopmixtape.com Simon S.Y Lawy

    yeah, one of a kind … thanks

  • Henkenzo

    …

    what a man, surely will be missed. but 18 years is a lot of memories luckily!

  • http://lacuevacrosscountry.com Slick Nick Da Ruler

    Respect

  • thesubwayconnection

    Thanks, Deke. I hope you finger wag goodbye.

  • http://allanzuss@yahoo.com Mendel

    Congos Finest. They should make million dollar bills in congo currency with his picture on it waving his fingure.

  • Jer Boi

    He was just awesome. From his voice to his game. Awesome.

  • http://www.another48minutes.blogspot.com Gerard Himself

    sad to see him leave the game like this. 18 seasons of what weird voice and finger-wagging, I’ll miss him. Drafted in 1991! Who’s now the longest-tenured player?

  • http://www.obviated.blogspot.com nick

    I nearly won an autographed pair of his shoes when i was 9 years old (some 13 years ago) and I’ve been a fan ever since. He’s been great to Houston as well. We’ll miss you, Deke.

  • RM

    Definite respect. Thanks Deke.

  • http://allanzuss@yahoo.com Mendel

    Still my best memory with him is how hard MJ slammed on him, but to his credit how hard he went up to bust MJ.

  • http://www.obviated.blogspot.com nick

    Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo is, undeniably, one of the classiest individuals to ever play the game. This really breaks my heart a little bit.

  • http://www.obviated.blogspot.com nick

    MUTOMBO FACTOID: Dikembe speaks 9 languages.

  • pendejo

    @Mendel: Sick idea, send the request in to the nearest Embassy of Congo near you.
    And the shoes – man, one of the ugliest design. Ever.
    Remember watching the game where he layed on the floor nearly crushing the rock after Denver eliminated the SuperSonics.

  • http://www.obviated.blogspot.com nick

    For those who didn’t see this happen, I would like the record to show that Deke’s knee buckled, likely tearing his ACL, and THEN Mutombo jumped twice to try to get the rebound. I think that pretty much sums him up as a man.

  • toney blare

    i saw him in a tux walking down fifth avenue in manhattan about 5 years ago. my date was highly impressed when i yelled “DEKE!” and got the one fist salute. Massive respect.

  • http://slamonline.com Russ Bengtson

    Maybe he can pull a Barkley and come back for one more game. I’d like that.

  • http://www.broy7.com nate the great

    man, it sucks, i liked deke a lot. massive respect for him.
    it sucks iv only known him a few years.
    but before watching the game, i was playing 2k9, and just because i liked him i had him as my starting C in fantasy draft. and i murdered my cousin. its crazy cuz i live in oregon, so i was going for broy.. but i had 42 points with Deke. And roy in person had 42, and now Deke’s gone forever.
    Haha thats some weird Omen ish my friends.
    Farewell mutombo.

  • http://apeachbasketandadream.wordpress.com Peach B.

    Tough way to go out but he had a full career. That image of him lying on the floor clutching the ball to his chest is the way I will remember his career.

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    So much heart. Thanks for the memories, Deke.

  • el-bot

    maaaaannn….

    MUCH respect Deke
    and thank you

  • James aka…

    why not, as the slam community, collect some coin for his hospital project in the drc? any volunteers?

  • http://www.hoopsvibe.com/christopher_sells-authorHV106.html chiqo

    i’m sure he was in too much pain to do it, but how great would it have been if he had given the finger wave on the stretcher?

  • Josh D

    Great player, sad to see him going

  • Big Bad Boss

    great player! the young guns will miss you, they wouldnt have the chance how it feels when DEKE rejects their dunk attempts., and the finger wag on their face!

  • http://nicekicks.com MeloMan13

    THIS SUCKS. every NBA player recieves hate from some fans or players, Kobe and Shaq come to mind, but i’m almost positive that there is not a single soul in the NBA family that has ill will towards Deke. Much respecttt

  • http://www.sprint.com/sero dma

    No more sexing Mutombo.

  • http://www.sprint.com/sero dma

    i’m proud to be a portlander. nothing but respect and class last night after Mutombo came down. he’s a warrior without a question.

  • henry

    pure class

  • http://nbacheapseats.blogspot.com Chendaddy

    Dikembe Mutombo – all class. Can’t say a bad thing about the guy. How many players can have so long a career and be so beloved throughout it? I miss him already. But not as much as Houston does, I bet. Only Carl Landry, Chuck Hayes, and Brian Cook left to back up Yao Ming and Luis Sola? Aldridge, Przybilla, and Oden are going to have a field day whenever Yao is off the court.

  • stryfee

    hate to see him go like this. thanks for the memories deke

  • Oli

    boy, those georgetown guys (especially centers) surely fight until they fall. first ewing, then zo and now deke (soon ai?). thanks, coach thompson.

  • Tommy Patron

    Much respect!

  • littleshotlarry

    Class act, that guy.

  • el-bot

    MeloMan; i was thinking the same. i don’t see how anyone can rag on Deke.

    he may not play again, but i think [a hope] we haven’t seen the last of him

  • http://idunkonthem.blogspot.com albie1kenobi

    nick couldn’t have said it better @ 10:25, same exact sentiment here. My basketball blog is named after his NBA live commercial when ask what he would do if he gets doubled.

  • Static

    As a Nugg, Atlien, 76er, Rocket, he always brought it and was classy thruout…utmost respect

  • http://idunkonthem.blogspot.com albie1kenobi

    @Russ: when though? Sometime next year when his number gets retired? Barkley got hurt early in the regular season, then came back for a late regular season game

  • RBGdUP

    sad sad day for basketball. He is a SHOE-IN HOF’er in my opinion. Any player who manages to play at his level and remain a relevant defensive force for 18 YEARS deserves a first-ballot. Were gonna miss you Mt. Mutombo.

  • http://fashionsensei.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/jackie-moon.jpg Jackie Moon

    Now, will somebody PLEASE sex Mutombo?

  • clapzilla

    It Was So Depressing Seeing Him On The Knicks Bench A Few Years Ago. I’m Glad He Went Out On A Team That He Loved Playing For. There Should Be A Bunch of Players Wearing A “55″ On An Armband or Something Until The 1st Round Is Over.

  • wanu24

    I’m gonna miss Deke for two reasons: 1) all those damn names of his 2) for his facial reactions whenever he seen a dunk at the dunk contest

  • http://trulyhoops.blogspot.com Collin

    HALL OF FAME

  • clapzilla

    How Come Nobody Has Pointed Out How Ironic It Is That His Last Play Had Him Guarding Old Man Oden?

  • Plasticman

    Sad day indeed. So many memories. He’s left his mark on the NBA and he deserves every bit of the praise that is sure to come his way. Great player. Great man. Greatly missed.
    55 forever.

  • http://sejk.net b55

    big man, big heart

  • Putdekeinthehalloffame

    Thanks Deke for the memories, the great plays and top of all thanks for being a great human being

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