Dikembe Mutombo

What else is there to be said that has not already been said? Deke was Deke, and he will be missed. One of the greatest defenders of all-time, certainly among the greatest philanthropists in the annals of NBA history, great teammate, workhorse, a guy who showed time and again that he still had the juice...

It shouldn't have ended this way. It shouldn't have ended with an injury, but with a decision. It shouldn't have ended without a ring. Even if the Rockets win it this year, it won't be the real deal for Deke because he won't have been able to step on the floor in the Finals, cherishing every moment. He won't be there to grab that last rebound like he did against the Sonics. This is a crime, Fate robbing Mutombo of what he rightly deserves for the efforts he has put into his career and into the world. How many players can say they've put nearly $20 million of their own money into building a hospital in their hometown? How many of them have touched the lives of so many with such meaning?

How many players ever truly develop the distinction and personality that he has, despite or perhaps because he's nigh-unintelligible 75% of the time because of his inimitable voice?

Dikembe Mutombo wasn't a player in the NBA, he was an NBA institution, and his absence is a loss felt keenly around the league.

He will be missed.

:wavefinger:

One more time, Deke...