Our thoughts are with ex-Atlanta Hawks player Dikembe Mutombo
Our thoughts and prayers are with ex-Atlanta Hawks center Dikembe Mutombo as he undergoes treatment for a brain tumor. There is not much more known at the time of writing as to how bad it is because the family has asked for privacy and as a writing community we respect that.
Mutombo is a man who does not know the meaning of quit. He was so often the Hawks’ last line of defense and we all remember one or more of his highlight reel rim protection. The finger wave is one of the most recognized moves in the NBA.
The Atlanta Hawks organization and all of us associated with them wish nothing but a full recovery for the NBA legend and Hall of Famer. He has always been a fighter and he is going to have to draw on every ounce of this ability to get through. Now, let’s celebrate some of his time with the Hawks.
Some of the accomplishments Dikembe Mutombo was able to achieve with the Atlanta Hawks.
While Mutombo played with six teams during his tenure in the NBA, he was with the Hawks for the second-longest time. Obviously, he was with the Denver Nuggets the longest, that is where he started his career.
Still, the Hawks managed to sign Mutombo as a free agent prior to the 1996-97 season. He would play 343 games with the Hawks over four and a half seasons. Mutombo played well enough with the Hawks to earn an All-Star selection four times during this time. He was also one of the last All-NBA players prior to Trae Young earning that honor last season.
He also led the league twice in rebounds while with the Hawks and helped them make the playoffs in three of his seasons with the franchise. Overall Mutombo averaged 11.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, and 1.2 assists in 36.2 minutes per game.
Next. The Atlanta Hawks should offer Derrick Favors their final roster spot. dark
Any way that you looked at his tenure with the Hawks, with the exception of championships won, Mutombo was a great presence on the court. Let us hope that we get to see more of him on the sidelines when he has beaten this tumor and supporting the Atlanta Hawks. They are going to have an incredible season with all of their new additions,