Remembers Dikembe Mutombo’s Best Game as a Sixers
Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at the young age of 58.
Unfortunately, this premature death came from his battle with brain cancer.
Let’s reminisce on his best and most impactful performance for the Sixers to remember his legacy.
Controversy?
With Allen Iverson winning MVP that year, many basketball fans around the country (especially Milwaukee) suspected that the Sixers were “favored” by the NBA to win the series and go on to the finals to play another big market team in The Lakers.
As the series went on, the Bucks determined the refs cheated them.
Ray Allen said after Game 6:
“It behooves everybody for the league to make more money, and the league knows that Philadelphia will make more money with L.A. than we would with L.A.”
He pulled out the classic take no accountability for losing coping strategy.
I firmly believe the league isn’t rigged, and people make that up to make them feel better about their loss. In reality, the Bucks just played poorly in that series, and they could barely stop a Milwaukee team that hardly beat the Sixers without Iverson in Game 3.
That said, the Bucks were in pure whine mode heading into Game 7 in Philly.
Dikembe Dominates
PHOTO: Howard Smith/Imagn Images
What’s the best way to quiet the hater? Go out and dominate the game. The complaints from the Bucks must have motivated Mutombo to do just that. He and Iverson set the tone in Game 7.
With Scott Williams suspended for Game 7, the Bucks lost a decent rebounding role player who averaged just under 6 rebounds and over a block per game that series. Iverson and Mutombo took advantage of a weaker playoff rotation.
Iverson scored a game-high 44 points, and Mutombo led the game with 19 rebounds and 7 blocks. Mutombo took charge by physically outdueling the whole Bucks team. He obviously took the whining personally, which sent him on a mission to put an end to the disrespect.
His Legacy Still Lingers
Even though Mutombo only spent under two years in Philly, he still holds a spot in our hearts today. Because of his strong play, he ended the team’s 17-year finals drought. After that, the Sixers went on a 22-year drought that still continues today.
Without his performance, I and millions of other Philadelphians would not have had a 76ers finals run in our lifetimes. Hopefully, that changes soon, but those finals remain in our minds today.
Rest in peace, Mutombo.
Thanks for allowing the Iverson “Step Over” to happen.
PHOTO: Howard Smith/Imagn Images
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