The Rockets went on to the lose the game and later find out that Mutombo's injury is to be career ending. The leagues oldest player (42) was quoting saying: "For me basketball is over...I've had a wonderful 18 years staying injury free, so I just want to go out with my head up, no regrets". Even with his most productive years far behind him he was still a valued presence in the locker room and more than a capable re-bounder and shot blocker. No age could diminish his seven foot two stature or his desire to play the game of basketball. Number 55 will finish his career second all time in blocked shots and an average of 2.75 blocks per game.He will also end with career averages of 10.33 rebounds and 9.83 points per game. Averaging virtually a double double and three blocks in 1,196 games Dikembe Mutombo belongs in the hall of fame. He was an eight time All-star who was honored with Defensive Player of the Year award four times. Blocking 3,289 shots over the course of an eighteen year career in which he played for six teams. Joining Allen Iverson to reach the The Finals was as close as Dikembe would ever come to an NBA title; in a David and Goliath series against Shaq O'neal and Kobe Bryant the 76ers could only mount one victory. This is not a tribute to Dikembe Mutombo's hall of fame career as an fearsome shot blocker, or a testament to his immense presence on the defensive end;but a time to further honor his most important contributions, off the basketball court. No player further exemplifies my message given in the Invincible Business blog post. Mutombo achieved great success in the NBA and here in the United States, but he never forgot where he had come from.
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacque Wamutombo was born in 1966 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo also known as Congo-Kinshasa. Mutombo recieved a scholarship to attend Georgetown University as a pre-med major. His dream was to become a doctor and return to the Congo, but he ended up graduating with a dual degree in linguistics and diplomacy. Despite the change in plans; in the end Dikembe Mutombo would fulfill his original quest to aid those in need. Perhaps the most decorated Humanitarian in all of professional sports, Mutombo never forgot the world's true pain by getting lost within stardom. So many NBA stars do indeed come from impoverished backgrounds as their only way out of the ghetto is to be the very best at the game of basketball. Many of them rise from the ashes to become someone new, someone that had never been poor or afraid. Mutombo would not ever let this happen to him because the goal of helping people would be surpassed by no other. Forget forcing a player to donate at least 1% of his total salary (Invincible Business) because there are some men you do not need to force; there is a man so inherently good that fame and wealth only make his will to help stronger.
In 2005 Mutombo was named the "most generous professional athlete" over Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong by Foxsports.com. In 2007 he was inducted into the Humanitarian Hall of Fame and received the National Civil Rights Museums Sports Legacy award. However, his most important contribution was the creation of a foundation in 1997 that has now taken real action. Mutombo's foundation orchestrated the creation of a twenty nine million dollar hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This 300 bed Hospital and Research Center was completed in 2007 after a six year construction process. The Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital was named after his late mother. He has made many other contributions to his home country and to others in need, along with being a legendary basketball player. The end of Dikembe's NBA career will not mark the end of his impact on the world; as we say goodbye to one of the greatest centers of all time we say hello to an inspirational man and story. All professional athletes should strive to make such influences on their communities, the United States, and the world. We of the NBA world will miss you Dikembe Mutombo, but the rest of the world needs you.
No comments:
Post a Comment