Hawks retiring Mutombo's #55

[Andrew]

Hawks to retire Dikembe Mutombo's No. 55 next season

The Atlanta Hawks will retire Dikembe Mutombo's No. 55 next season, about two months after he is enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Mutombo, the shot-blocking, finger-wagging center, spent five seasons with the Hawks. Hawks CEO Steve Koonin says few players matched the impact Mutombo made ''as a player, man and humanitarian.''

Mutombo's number will be retired on Nov. 24, when the Hawks play the Boston Celtics. His hall of fame enshrinement is set for Sept. 11.

Mutombo, who played with the Hawks from 1996-2001, ranks third in franchise history in blocked shots and rebounds per game. He ranks second in NBA history in blocks

I remember when Mutombo signed with the Hawks. That 1996 offseason was quite a memorable one as far as future stars entering the league, and a few big names changing teams.

[Kevin]

About time.

[mp3]

I think in Mutombo fashion they should first reject him and waive the finger!

It's funny with the new rules that if he played today and waived his finger even to the crowd after each block he would still be racking up T's for taunting

[Andrew]

That was already the rule by the late 90s, which is why he'd wag his finger at the crowd rather than the player. MJ was T'd up when he wagged his finger after dunking on him.

phpBB [video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlwUFA5Sric

[mp3]

Exactly, I remember when starting pulling him up on it much like when the players used to wear really really long shorts and players like Sheed during his days in Portland.

I remember the last time he was fined so the next game he wore the shortest shorts imaginable lol

[shadowgrin]

Well deserved.

Would like to see him block his own banner from being raised, finger wag the crowd, then just leave because that's how legends roll.

[Andrew]

phpBB [video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGDZ3S5Y2MI

[NovU]

Sure his finger waving was heck of fun to watch after epic blocks. But also makes you wonder how many times has it cost the team easy baskets because he was late in transition?

Nonetheless, he was quite a defensive force in his days. Not surprised his jersey is being hung.

[Andrew]

Probably not too many. He'd also do it running up the court, or when he swatted the ball out of bounds.

[Andrew]

phpBB [video]