H o o p s C o r n e r . c o m
-------------------- November 17, 2004 by Tyson Wirth Top Ten Oldies but Goodies
continued 8 – Sadly, though, we probably have seen the best of Alonzo Mourning. ‘Zo would surely rank higher on this list if it were not for focal glomerulosclerosis, a traumatic kidney condition that robbed him of several productive seasons. Still, it is a testament to ‘Zo’s indomitable spirit that he still plays the game he loves, and a testament to his ability that he still makes this list despite all the medical setbacks. Of course, setting back opponents' field goal percentages were this veteran’s specialty on the court. He has blocked nine shots in a game on seven separate occasions, and has almost 2,000 swats for his career. The man who once averaged over five blocks a game for an entire month (12/99) is far from one dimensional, however. He dropped 50 on a helpless Washington team in 1996, and has amassed over 12,700 points and 6,100 rebounds throughout the years. The 4 time All-Star, though known for his toughness and tenacity on the court, is also a quality citizen off of it. For every shot he blocks, he donates $100 to the Children's Home Society and Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The two time Defensive Player of the Year was thought intelligent enough to be voted head of the National Basketball Player’s Association prior to the ’01-‘02 season. Mourning is a living, breathing cliché; although his exploits on the hardwood are incredible, it’s truly his spirit and demeanor off the court that makes Alonzo Mourning the remarkable human being that he is. 7 – As great a defender as Mourning was, he may have been one-upped by former Georgetown alum Dikembe Mutombo. Or maybe that should be one thousand-upped. Mutombo’s 2,996 blocks (fourth all time) exceeded the great Mourning’s total by over a thousand – an amazing achievement for the eight time All-Star. So incredible is the four time Defensive Player of the Year’s total that if today’s top defender, Ben Wallace, was to continue at his career averages of 2.29 blocks per game and 68 games per season, he would not catch Mutombo until his twentieth year in the league. More than just a shot-blocker, however, Mutombo also cleans the glass with the best of them. His 10,900 rebounds are tops among active players, and he once recorded a 31 rebound game. No slouch on the offensive end, Mutombo has scored more career points than seven of last season’s top ten scorers in their respective careers, a list that includes such guys as T-Mac, Vince Carter, and Paul Pierce. When the buzzer finally sounds on Mutombo’s career, however, he will be remembered more as the man who could block eight shots in a single quarter (2001 at Chicago) than as a dominant offensive force. In fact, in 2001 the Congo native was found so inoffensive that he received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. Dikembe has spread more joy than Mother Theresa and Santa Claus combined. He created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation three years ago to provide humanitarian assistance to his homeland. In 1999, he donated $3 million to start construction on a Congo hospital. He paid for uniforms and expenses for the Zaire women's basketball team during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. When it’s said that Mutombo is a team player, it’s a compliment that rings true far past the boundaries of a basketball court. ------------------- Previous: Basketball Power-Dribbling Drills Back to articles main © 2001-2005 H o o p s C o r n e r . c o m, All rights reserved Terms of service Privacy policy Contact |
|
|