Dikembe Mutombo: I would leave today’s NBA stars in the HOSPITAL

CEITEDMOFO

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did a search didnt see this posted

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Speaking during the NBA’s annual visit to London this week, the league’s Global Ambassador told Daily Star Online that the sudden adoption of the three-point shot by centres in the game is not something he could ever have seen himself doing.

“I’m only 0 for 1 from the three-point line over 18 years so I am very happy with my stats,” he joked.

“I would not have seen myself shooting three’s throughout my career. I don’t think it would have helped me – as a person, or as a player.

“I feel fortunate to have had an opportunity to play the style of game that I did play from the 90s.”

The 7ft 2ins centre is revered as one of the most effective defensive players in the history of the game, trailing only the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon in career blocked shots.

He reached six All-Defensive Teams while forever impacting basketball culture with his legendary finger-wag celebration after blocking a shot.

But his combative style of play sometimes came under fire for injuring opponents, with LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman among those to have felt the full force of the Congolese American’s elbows.

“[I liked] beating up people and being more physical.

“I don’t know if these guys who are playing today could have competed in my time.

“So many of them would have been in the hospital a lot. I’m serious. They would not have played.

“When you question them, they will tell you, ‘we are happy with the style of the game we are playing’.

“They would not have played when I was playing with Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing and all them.

“You have to be physically, physically fit to compete.”

Mount Mutombo was sat court-side for an exciting game in London last night as the Boston Celtics rallied back from a 20-point deficit to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers at London’s O2 Arena.

76ers guard JJ Reddikk scored a game-high 22 – but a second-half shooting clinic from Kyrie Irving, Jalen Brown and Marcus Smart kept Boston’s seven-game win streak intact.

Dikembe Mutombo: I would leave today’s NBA stars in the HOSPITAL
 

Robbo

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The physicality of his day is really overrated. Its easy to pull up some youtube links and show some physical stuff.. but go back and watch some old games.. from start to finish... its not as physical as they make it. The only difference is, they are calling flagrants on everything now.
 

Originalman

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Mutumbo....homie you would foul out in 2 minutes. This a league where they don't even let big men contest shots that is why they taking charges and doing verticality in the paint.

The shyt is a utmost joke. Only time you are actually allowed to be physical is with post players when they post up with their back to the basket. Then as soon as they face up in the triple threat you touch them then it is a foul.....:dead:
 

MJ Truth

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Dikembe would still compete in today's game, but good coaches/teams would pretty much render him useless a lot of the time.
 

MJ Truth

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The physicality of his day is really overrated. Its easy to pull up some youtube links and show some physical stuff.. but go back and watch some old games.. from start to finish... its not as physical as they make it. The only difference is, they are calling flagrants on everything now.
While this is true, you've also got to take into the account there was more post play and isolation play which add extra to the overall physical toll taken. But I agree with your point that this idea that the 80s and 90s was so ridiculously physical that nobody could last is overstated.
 

Originalman

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Dikembe would still compete in today's game, but good coaches/teams would pretty much render him useless a lot of the time.

Its the rules changes. I was telling folks on here that having 4 or 5 people outside the 3 line back in tbe day was considered illegal offense. Johnny Redd Kerr use to bytch about this shyt all the time. Especially when the bulls would play the hakeem rockets.
 

Originalman

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While this is true, you've also got to take into the account there was more post play and isolation play which add extra to the overall physical toll taken. But I agree with your point that this idea that the 80s and 90s was so ridiculously physical that nobody could last is overstated.

Yes it is an overstatement. But it was more physical as you stated. I however believe this new era by the league has allowed post players to actually get beat up as a means to force teams to play small or not post up at all. The league wants to force higher scoring and slashing which can't be done with post play.

Post play now the refs basically refuse to call a foul. I have seen post players call for the ball on the block. A pass is thrown and the defender actually rides the post player damn near to the 3 point line. You never saw this back in the day.......the ref would have blown the whistle and cleaned up the post play.
 
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Columbo

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Hes insecure because his limited offense would make him less relevant today, as well as the softer rules. He would be like Deandre Jordan but a better version

In his defense, alotta these point guards we see scoring alot (exp Steph Curry, IT) wouldnt be nearly as effective in his era
 
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