MrRant 0 Report post Posted October 9, 2003 NEW YORK -- Dikembe Mutombo signed a contract with the New York Knicks on Thursday, two days after he accepted a buyout and was waived by the New Jersey Nets. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "Adding a shot blocker and rebounder of Dikembe's caliber to our team dramatically improves key areas that we were looking to upgrade," Knicks president and GM Scott Layden said on Thursday. "His basketball resume is so impressive that having the chance to add him to our club was something we were not going to pass up. In addition to his superior skills on the court, Dikembe is a role model that all of young players will look up to and learn from." The Knicks were the worst shot-blocking team in the NBA last season when they missed the playoffs for the second straight season. Kurt Thomas, a natural power forward, has been the Knicks' starting center for most of the past two seasons. Mutombo played in only 24 games last season because of a wrist injury that required surgery around Thanksgiving. The 37-year-old did not return to action until late in the regular season and was sitting on the bench for most of the playoffs. Mutombo, 7-2, 261-pounds, is the NBA's sixth all-time shot blocker with 2,873 rejections and is the only player in history to be named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year four-times (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001). He was named to the All-NBA second team in 2001 and the third team in 1998 and 2002. A three-time NBA All-Defensive first team selection and three-time second team selection, Mutombo ranks first in blocked shots among active players. "I know Dikembe very well through the years and there is no question he'll fit right into our system and thrive," coach Don Chaney said. "There aren't many players in NBA history that can change the course of a game as much as he does." The Nets, currently for sale, cited financial concerns in announcing the buyout of the final two years of Mutombo's contract, which had $37 million remaining on it. Mutombo's chances of playing more this season diminished with Jason Collins and Aaron Williams returning and Alonzo Mourning, Mutombo's teammate at Georgetown, signing with New Jersey as a free agent. Mourning criticized the move Sunday, saying it showed the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions were more interested in money than in winning a championship. Mutombo averaged 5.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.54 blocks last season. He appeared in 10 playoff games, including six NBA Finals games versus the San Antonio Spurs, to average 10.3 minutes and record totals of 10 points and 17 rebounds. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted October 10, 2003 I had a sinking feeling they needed an lanky crybaby center just to feel "right"... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted October 10, 2003 I guess the Knicks didn't learn their lesson after finally getting rid of another broken down old man big man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Well at least give them credit for not signing another tweener forward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Well, this proves it...the Knicks are making a run at the 1976 Sixers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mindless_Aggression Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Well I think it's time to place your bets. Who fucks the Knicks over more, Keith Van Horn or Dikembe Mutumbo? I'm going with the big man personally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 I'll go with Van Horn, because if the Knicks are in an important game (I know it won't happen, but work with me here) Van Horn will curl up into the fetal position and waste 40 minutes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted October 10, 2003 At least Van Horn will play. Mutumbo has "outstayed his welcome" as they say in football. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Well, this proves it...the Knicks are making a run at the 1976 Sixers. What do you mean? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mindless_Aggression Report post Posted October 10, 2003 They won't get the worst record ever or anything (thats the 76 Sixers reference) I doubt they'll even ahve the worst in the league (UTAHHHHH) but it is gonna be some UGLY ass basketball. Not ugly as in Miami Heat defense ball, ugly as in everyone sucks ball. KEITH VAN HORN is their 2nd option after Allan Houston. You think about that and shutter in pure horror. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Uhh. That wasn't in 1976. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers Van Horn may not be a star player, but he's better than people give him credit for. His teams made the playoffs the last two years, so its not like he's dragging them down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest renegade v.1 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 They won't get the worst record ever or anything (thats the 76 Sixers reference) I doubt they'll even ahve the worst in the league (UTAHHHHH) but it is gonna be some UGLY ass basketball. Not ugly as in Miami Heat defense ball, ugly as in everyone sucks ball. KEITH VAN HORN is their 2nd option after Allan Houston. You think about that and shutter in pure horror. What about Mcdyss?? i Would have thought that he would be the 2nd man after Houston. But on the question above i agree totally with the pinjockey, van horn will crack under the pressure, he will roll himself up into a little ball and hide for the whole game, if any pressure comes watch van horns stats to plummet(sp) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Uhh. That wasn't in 1976. Mistyped. The 3 is right below the 6, you know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 They won't get the worst record ever or anything (thats the 76 Sixers reference) I doubt they'll even ahve the worst in the league (UTAHHHHH) but it is gonna be some UGLY ass basketball. Not ugly as in Miami Heat defense ball, ugly as in everyone sucks ball. KEITH VAN HORN is their 2nd option after Allan Houston. You think about that and shutter in pure horror. What about Mcdyss?? i Would have thought that he would be the 2nd man after Houston. But on the question above i agree totally with the pinjockey, van horn will crack under the pressure, he will roll himself up into a little ball and hide for the whole game, if any pressure comes watch van horns stats to plummet(sp) Except for the fact that's not true. Despite Kenyon Martins "Van Horn didn't show up" bullshit, he SAVED the nets on countless occasions in the playoffs. When a big shot comes, Kieth will take it and will make it. His problem in big games is that he comes out all pumped up and you are guarenteed 2 fouls from him in the first minute. Then he will come back in the second quarter and get another foul. If you compare his minutes in the big games to his regular minutes, you see where the deminished stats come from. So yeah, he fouls like a moron in big games, but 4th quarter, you need a shooter, the guy will make the shot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 I didn't watch any of the Nets games, but looking at his Sixers experience in the playoffs any time the ball came near him for a big shot he passed it off. It was like he was deathly afraid to shoot the ball. And his fouls are just utter laziness and a disgrace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted October 12, 2003 yeah hopefully McDyess doesn't break himself again before THIS season...god it's hard being a Knicks fan...the 90s were rough with 2 failed championship runs and the Bulls constantly killing them in the playoffs. This decade is already starting off dreadfully... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
