Dikembe Mutombo On The State Of Centers In The NBA
Are traditional centers making a comeback?
Despite what many believe, centers never really went extinct (though there was a short period when many thought that they would).
If you look at the teams today, the majority have at least one big, traditional center (and the ones that don’t are in dire need of one).
The reason why is because they need big bodies to combat against star centers such as Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert, and Karl-Anthony Towns (to name a few).
The guys I listed above have skills and size. And without the right personnel to battle them, opponents will get dominated by these giants down low.
This thought makes Dikembe Mutombo very happy because the need for his position is being revitalized.
Via Sporting News:
"I'm so happy that we still have guys who are performing at the center position like they were back in the 90s," Mutombo told The Sporting News.
“We can point the finger at them and say 'yes, he really reminds me of myself. He really reminds me of the ways we were playing in the 90s.' and those are the things that you see in Jokic and Joel Embiid."
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Mutombo was one of the elite bigs in the game.
He was a defensive monster, racking up 4 Defensive Player of the Year awards in his 18 seasons in the league.
From his rookie season in 1991-92 to the end of his prime in 2002, he averaged 3.4 blocks and 12.3 rebounds per game.
Though he never won a championship title, he did help Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers make it to NBA Finals in 2001.
Final Thoughts
The thought of big, traditional centers being relevant again also brings joy to me.
As a kid growing up in the 90s, I loved watching bigs post up and do their thing.
I loved watching Hakeem Olajuwon’s footwork and Shaquille O’Neal’s pure dominance.
So, to be able to still see that aspect of basketball still alive during a time when fast breaks and perimeter shooting run the game is refreshing.
It‘s just nice to see different strategies and well-rounded game-planning in the half-court.
But what are your thoughts on this? Do you enjoy watching bigs play?