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Forget R.O.Y., the Veteran of the Year: Dikembe Mutumbo
Written by Romy Aquino   
Thursday, 23 April 2009 09:30

Deke!

Forget about about Derrick Rose and the Rookie of the Year award.  I mean no disrespect to Rose, but we're introducing a new award. This one doesn't go to that young kid who razzled and dazzled NBA crowds in one season, this one goes to the wiley veteran in the L who's still making an impact after multiple seasons.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you the Veteran of the Year award.  Recognizing the veteran player whose athleticism and speed aren't as fresh as their rookie season but they still somehow have been able to ball in the league way passed their prime, extending their NBA career from the Jordan era into the Lebron era.

 
And the winner is...
 
Dikembe Mutumbo
 
He's one of the classiest guys and one of the best shotblockers to ever play in the NBA.  He may have suffered a career-ending injury the other night against the Blazers but prior to that, Old Man Mutumbo was still balling at the ripe old age of 42.  It's 2009 and Dikembe Mutumbo was playing in this year's NBA playoffs.  I mean, the dude is a warrior.  He's freaking 42!  His NBA career tracks back to 1991 and was born on June 25, 1966.  To put it in perspective, here are some other former NBA players born in '66:  Kevin Johnson, Vinny Del Negro, Tim Hardaway, Danny Manning, all of whom ended their playing careers a while ago but Deke has still been making noise in the L.  You'd figure that 7'2" frame wouldn't be able to handle all that ball-playing but he's on national television balling against young guns like Greg Oden.  This season, he played in 9 games, averaging 1.8 ppg, 3.7 rebounds per game and 1.2 swats per game.
 
His career accomplishments:
  • 1196 career games
  • An NBA career that is almost as old as Michael Beasley
  • An 8-time All-Star and a 4-time Defensive Player of the Year
  • #2 All-time shotblocker behind Hakeem Olajuwon
  • One of the most well known humanitarians to come out of the league
  • And probably the greatest voice, ever.
Deke, get well soon, you're a class act.

This may be the all-time greatest Mutumbo tribute:

 
 
VOY Runner-ups:
 

Shaq!

Shaquille O'Neal

  • Of current players, Shaq is 2nd to Dikembe in the most games played with 1117
  • Shaq played in 75 games this season and the last time he played more than 75 games? The 1999-2000 season with the Lakeshow when he put up a career high 29.7 ppg
  • He led the league in FG% (.609) and trash talk this season
  • He also lead the NBA in Twitter Tweets (1,117) and followers (761,639)
 

J-KIDD!

Jason Kidd

  • Of current players, Kidd is 3rd to Dikembe in the most games played with 1107
  • J-Kidd is still getting it done, he had three triple dubs this season along with a 20 assist game
  • He has played in 81 of the 82 games and is still balling with the Mavs in this year's post season

Who's your V.O.Y.?

 Ballhype: hype it up!

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Comments (5)Add Comment
...
written by Jareth Cutestory, April 23, 2009
Excellent post Romy. Kevin Willis gives this 2 thumbs up.
No Grant Hill?
written by Oliver, April 23, 2009
Grant played 82 games for the first time in his career.
Shaq?
written by Jordan, April 23, 2009
Great post. Love Deke. But Shaq shouldn't be on this list, let alone second. Shaq, despite his nice numbers this year, was the main reason Phoenix didn't make the playoffs this year. Shaq, unlike Mutumbo, is not a class act. He throws teammates, present and former, under the bus as well as former and present coaches (got Michael Curry and SVG fired and disrespected on many occasions two of the greatest coaches of all time-Riley and Phil). I'd say Jason Kidd comes in a very close second, though, there would need to be certain stipulations, like games played, etc. I'd also like to nominate Sam Cassell.
Grant Hill
written by Christian, April 24, 2009
Grant should definitely be on this list— I think if you went to 5 or 6, he would be. His level of play this year (offensively and defensively) has kept the Suns up around 45 wins in the West.
...
written by Ryne Nelson, April 24, 2009
Very interesting question. I agree that Deke needs to be recognized, but if we're talking about the player who had the most impact this season, it's certainly not him. In response to Jordan, Sam Cassell played even less than Deke this year. But I understand where he's coming from. This is a guy who's been a champion and a clutch performer his entire career who unceremoniously fell out of the League. Props to Sammy.

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