Dikembe Mutombo: Hall of Famer?

[AidaCelt]

To have one of the comparison players as Elden Campbell is an insult to Dikembe. He was a monster in the paint that made players change their shots and is easily a top 10 shot blocker in league history.

He never had the superstar offensive players to go far in the playoffs. Some very good players, but none good enough when he was in his prime; Laphonso Ellis (crueled by injuries), Abdul Raef, Dale Ellis, Antonio McDyess.

Mutombo's stats (across the board) only started declining after playing 11 seasons in the league (after his Philly stint) and yet he played another 9 seasons. If you look at his first 11 seasons he averaged double figure points and rebounds every season as well as over 3 blocks for the majority of those years.

During that period an 8 time AS and 4 time DPOY (among other awards).

The above alone makes him a borderline HOF'er in my opinion. Add his community/ humanitarian work and I think it was a no brainer.

2 points that tip it over the top; the finger wave and his ability to walk into a party, drop 1 line and walk out with a selection of ladies 

[Moranis]

more deserving than Jo Jo White that went in with him.

[Celtics18]

Congrats to Mount Mutombo.  This is much deserved for a great legend of the game.

[sofutomygaha]

I'm of two minds about this. My first thought is that the Hall of Fame is an accolade, and others who have accomplished more on the court should be ahead of Mutombo in line.

My other thought, though, is that it's the Hall of FAME, and Mutombo is without a doubt one of the most famous and beloved characters of his era. No one would write a history of the 1990s and early 2000s NBA and omit Dikembe Mutombo.

[bdm860]

Ha, I didn't realize this thread was 6 years old, so I was surprised to see I had already replied (with a reply that would be worded completely different today, though still support Mutombo getting in).

One thing I think is surprising looking at his accomplishments, for a guy that is so revered defensively it's surprising to see how little he actually made the All-Defensive teams.

4x DPOY sounds right, but only only 3x All-Defensive 1st Team and 3x 2nd Team?

You look at guys like Ben Wallace, 5 straight All-Defensive 1st  Teams or Gary Payton with 9 straight 1st team appearances, or KG with 6 straight 1st Team appearances and 9 total, and I guess I would expect to see something more like that from Mutombo, a long string of 1st Team appearances in his prime.

The fact that there's 28 guys with more 1st team appearances (and 34 with as many). along with 26 guys with as many or more combined 1st and 2nd team appearances, just doesn't make Mutombo seem as special defensively.  (Of course part of that is that 4 guards and 4 forwards get selected every year, while only 2 centers did during Mutombo's time, so it's easier for the guards and forwards to rack up more All-Defensive team awards). 

I still support the man being elected, just surprised to not see even more accomplishments next to his name.

[GetLucky]

Ha, I didn't realize this thread was 6 years old, so I was surprised to see I had already replied (with a reply that would be worded completely different today, though still support Mutombo getting in).

One thing I think is surprising looking at his accomplishments, for a guy that is so revered defensively it's surprising to see how little he actually made the All-Defensive teams.

4x DPOY sounds right, but only only 3x All-Defensive 1st Team and 3x 2nd Team?

You look at guys like Ben Wallace, 5 straight All-Defensive 1st  Teams or Gary Payton with 9 straight 1st team appearances, or KG with 6 straight 1st Team appearances and 9 total, and I guess I would expect to see something more like that from Mutombo, a long string of 1st Team appearances in his prime.

The fact that there's 28 guys with more 1st team appearances (and 34 with as many). along with 26 guys with as many or more combined 1st and 2nd team appearances, just doesn't make Mutombo seem as special defensively.  (Of course part of that is that 4 guards and 4 forwards get selected every year, while only 2 centers did during Mutombo's time, so it's easier for the guards and forwards to rack up more All-Defensive team awards). 

I still support the man being elected, just surprised to not see even more accomplishments next to his name.

The NBA: the only sports league ever where the Defensive Player of the Year isn't on the 1st Team All-Defense (Gasol)

[GetLucky]

I really wanted to post this picture earlier, but I supported Mutombo's HoF run, so I couldn't.

[Donoghus]

Ha, I didn't realize this thread was 6 years old, so I was surprised to see I had already replied (with a reply that would be worded completely different today, though still support Mutombo getting in).

One thing I think is surprising looking at his accomplishments, for a guy that is so revered defensively it's surprising to see how little he actually made the All-Defensive teams.

4x DPOY sounds right, but only only 3x All-Defensive 1st Team and 3x 2nd Team?

You look at guys like Ben Wallace, 5 straight All-Defensive 1st  Teams or Gary Payton with 9 straight 1st team appearances, or KG with 6 straight 1st Team appearances and 9 total, and I guess I would expect to see something more like that from Mutombo, a long string of 1st Team appearances in his prime.

The fact that there's 28 guys with more 1st team appearances (and 34 with as many). along with 26 guys with as many or more combined 1st and 2nd team appearances, just doesn't make Mutombo seem as special defensively.  (Of course part of that is that 4 guards and 4 forwards get selected every year, while only 2 centers did during Mutombo's time, so it's easier for the guards and forwards to rack up more All-Defensive team awards). 

I still support the man being elected, just surprised to not see even more accomplishments next to his name.

He also played in a ridiculous stacked era at the C position.  Which spreads out the accolades.  When you're spending most of your prime contending with Hakeem, David Robinson, & Tim Duncan things aren't gonna come easy.

[Moranis]

Ha, I didn't realize this thread was 6 years old, so I was surprised to see I had already replied (with a reply that would be worded completely different today, though still support Mutombo getting in).

One thing I think is surprising looking at his accomplishments, for a guy that is so revered defensively it's surprising to see how little he actually made the All-Defensive teams.

4x DPOY sounds right, but only only 3x All-Defensive 1st Team and 3x 2nd Team?

You look at guys like Ben Wallace, 5 straight All-Defensive 1st  Teams or Gary Payton with 9 straight 1st team appearances, or KG with 6 straight 1st Team appearances and 9 total, and I guess I would expect to see something more like that from Mutombo, a long string of 1st Team appearances in his prime.

The fact that there's 28 guys with more 1st team appearances (and 34 with as many). along with 26 guys with as many or more combined 1st and 2nd team appearances, just doesn't make Mutombo seem as special defensively.  (Of course part of that is that 4 guards and 4 forwards get selected every year, while only 2 centers did during Mutombo's time, so it's easier for the guards and forwards to rack up more All-Defensive team awards). 

I still support the man being elected, just surprised to not see even more accomplishments next to his name.

He also played in a ridiculous stacked era at the C position.  Which spreads out the accolades.  When you're spending most of your prime contending with Hakeem, David Robinson, & Tim Duncan things aren't gonna come easy.

not to mention Ben Wallace, and Shaq and Zo who were both great defenders in their primes as well (though Duncan was generally a PF during Dikemebe's time).  Just a real tough era for defensive centers many of which were great offensive players, which brings those guys more notice and thus makes it easy to be lauded for their defensive prowess.

[Monkhouse]

Mutombo should definitely make it... Hes a 4x DPOY, and has done a lot for the NBA community.

[D.o.s.]

Mutombo should definitely make it... Hes a 4x DPOY, and has done a lot for the NBA community.

Good thing he was voted in this year, then. 

[fairweatherfan]

Ha, I didn't realize this thread was 6 years old, so I was surprised to see I had already replied (with a reply that would be worded completely different today, though still support Mutombo getting in).

One thing I think is surprising looking at his accomplishments, for a guy that is so revered defensively it's surprising to see how little he actually made the All-Defensive teams.

4x DPOY sounds right, but only only 3x All-Defensive 1st Team and 3x 2nd Team?

You look at guys like Ben Wallace, 5 straight All-Defensive 1st  Teams or Gary Payton with 9 straight 1st team appearances, or KG with 6 straight 1st Team appearances and 9 total, and I guess I would expect to see something more like that from Mutombo, a long string of 1st Team appearances in his prime.

The fact that there's 28 guys with more 1st team appearances (and 34 with as many). along with 26 guys with as many or more combined 1st and 2nd team appearances, just doesn't make Mutombo seem as special defensively.  (Of course part of that is that 4 guards and 4 forwards get selected every year, while only 2 centers did during Mutombo's time, so it's easier for the guards and forwards to rack up more All-Defensive team awards). 

I still support the man being elected, just surprised to not see even more accomplishments next to his name.

The NBA: the only sports league ever where the Defensive Player of the Year isn't on the 1st Team All-Defense (Gasol)

Happened to Mutumbo once too (94-95, Robinson made the 1st team over him).