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Turning Back the Clock
Mutombo providing lift in the middle with Yao out
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Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer
HOUSTON -- Shane Battier glanced over a stat sheet Friday when his eyes caught a glimpse of Dikembe Mutombo's night in a win over Utah.
Nine points. 19 Rebounds. Eight offensive rebounds. And, just for good measure, one blocked shot.
Battier couldn't help wondering if the 40-year old reserve center was adding something to his sports drink.
"I don't know what Deke is putting in his Gatorade, but he should sell it," Battier said. "I know a lot of middle-aged people out there who would pay a lot of money for it."
What else could explain Mutombo's play of late?
Since replacing injured starting center Yao Ming in the lineup on Dec. 26, Mutombo has found the Fountain of Youth heading into Monday's game against Chicago.
The numbers are impressive for the veteran center. Mutombo is averaging 5.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game over the past six games as a starter.
Mutombo, however, has been far more valuable than just those digits.
The 7-foot-2 center has helped the Rockets withstand the absence of Yao with his impressive play.
"This is a critical time for the team with Yao out so I have to do everything I can to help the team," Mutombo said. "I just have to keep going out there and keep leaving everything I have on the court. I have do everything I can to do what coach (Jeff Van Gundy) asks from me."
Mutombo, a veteran who is contemplating whether the 2006-07 season will be his last in an NBA jersey, hasn't shown any signs of breaking down since filling in for Yao.
Despite showing his age early in the season and, Mutombo has been grabbing rebounds and turning away penetrating guards like the Mutombo of old.
He has pulled down at least 10 rebounds in five straight games, a feat that he hadn't accomplished since playing with Philadelphia in 2002.
He's done all of that while playing three times as minutes. On Friday against Utah, Mutombo played a season-high 36 minutes.
"I'm not used to playing that much," Mutombo said after the game. "I played about 30 (minutes) today...maybe I need to go home and sleep."
Van Gundy has tried to pace the center's minutes, but has needed extended minutes from the center because Mutombo is the only player on the team that provides the Rockets with significant size. The coach said that Mutombo's value on the defensive end is immeasurable when Yao is out.
"We don't have a defensive presence inside unless he's on the court," the coach said.
Mutombo's teammates have been just as impressed -- even if they're not quite sure about his age.
"For Deke (Dikembe Mutombo), the clock is definitely turned back, say about 25 years," Rockets guard Tracy McGrady said. "So how old does that make him? 35?"
