FanNation - The Republic of Sport

J. HOVA: DEVILS ADVOCATE said 08/20, 12:05 PM
I believe that the Lakers need a veteran. They need a grizzled old man that they can rely on to bring the pain for 15-20 minutes a game to spell the recovering from injury Andrew Bynum. As I look at the names on the free agency market, only one jumps out at me: Dikembe Mutombo.

Now before you laugh, Mutombo is perfect. Yes, he is 42 years old but he played very well for the Rockets last season replacing the injured Yao Ming. Mutombo averaged 16 minutes per game with the Rockets last season, and averaged 5.1 rebounds with 3.4 of those coming off of the defensive glass. Add to that another 1.2 blocks per game and you get that old man leadership that this team needed in the Finals.

He should be the choice. DJ, it's your turn.

J. HOVA: DEVILS ADVOCATE said 08/20, 12:38 PM
If Bynum misses 20 games, DJ? Umm...Mutombo replaced Yao who missed 26 games last year. Also that was a 41 year old Mutombo so I really fail to see your point there. As a matter of fact your whole argument is based on assumptions so lets gets to some fact shall we. Fact one: Mutombo's 5.4 rebounds is more rebounds than Chris Mihm and DJ Mbenga had combined. Fact two: His 1.2 blocks per game are equal to what Mihm and Mbenga combined for. Fact three: The Lakers have no one older than Derrick Fisher and he's 33. During the Finals they needed someone to lean on. Someone other than Fisher and Bryant who had playoff experience. Maybe someone like Mutombo who did play in the Finals with the 76'ers against the very same Lakers.

Yes, Mutombo is old but I would much rather have him than the career underachiever that is Magloire. The former Kentucky Wildcat played 31 games for two teams (Nets and Mavs) and averaged a whopping 1.8 points and 2.1 rebounds last season. He's nothing more than a malcontent who can't stay on one team for too long. The Lakers do not need malcontents. They need another strong leader. That folks is Dikembe.

J. HOVA: DEVILS ADVOCATE said 08/20, 12:50 PM
Inability to stay out of foul trouble? And that's what you want for a back-up? Are you kidding me? How can he spell Bynum if he is in foul trouble all the time? Anyway, you are killing me with the age thing. Yeah, he's probably older than 42 but the proof is in the pudding and he's getting it done on the court. You want a center that can play 15 to 18 minutes a game? Well Mutombo averaged 16.8 last season. You want a Center who can step up when the starter gets hurt? Well Mutombo stepped in for 26 games with Yao injured. The only real knock on Mutombo is that he doesn't score but that isn't an issue with a back-up core of Vujacic, Farmarr, Luke Walton, and Trevor Ariza. They are all capable enough of picking up the scoring load and deferring to the Captain of the Court.

The Lakers need defense. They need someone who can pull down the boards, initiate the attack and can stop opposing centers in the paint. All of these things Mutombo can, and has done. Even at the ancient age you describe him as.

He is the choice. Face it.