PORTLAND – Finally, Dikembe Mutombo was getting comfortable. After 16 games, Mutombo began feeling accustomed to the Nets’ system, specifically the offense. He never doubted he would, although it took longer than expected. Execution and understanding would arrive, he felt. As long as he stayed healthy.
So that was why frustration probably outweighed pain as Mutombo approached last night’s game with the Trail Blazers here. Mutombo still was bothered by a sprained right wrist that, although improved, kept his status as a game-time decision. And then there’s tonight’s game in Seattle to worry about as well. Mutombo, though, seemed to wanted to play.
“Nothing’s broken. Just much swelling in there. Stiffness,” said Mutombo who was hurt in Los Angeles against the Clippers Thursday. “I want to [play]. I just worry that if I get fouled, would I be able to shoot the free throws? . . . But I’m going to try.”
On Friday night there was no way Mutombo was going to be ready for the Blazers. Because of the throbbing pain and swelling in and around his wrist, simple chores became equivalent to building four-bedroom colonials with gum wrappers and egg shells.
“It was funny just trying to brush my teeth,” said Mutombo, who by yesterday’s morning workout had shown significant improvement. But enough to convince Byron Scott to let him play?
“The odds of him playing are very slim, especially after talking to Tim [Walsh, trainer]. He said he didn’t have a lot of flexibility in the wrist, can’t grab things. If he plays, basically, he’s playing with one arm,” said Scott, who was undecided between Jason Collins or Aaron Williams as to who would replace Mutombo. “As of now, it’s pretty doubtful that he’ll play.”
That, naturally was news neither Mutombo nor Scott wanted or needed because of the center’s recent strides in the system and because last night was a game that, in light of the two defeats to start this Western segment of the trip, was labeled as “a must game” by Kenyon Martin.
“It’s more frustrating for him than anybody,” said Scott. “He’s starting to understand what we want done on both ends of the court . . . He can’t go through contact. As far as games, we’re going to be missing a great part because he’s been doing a great job on the defensive end. Offensively, I thought the last couple of games, especially the last game against the Clippers, he’s really starting to understand.”
Mutombo, who had proclaimed his desire to lead the league both in rebounds and blocks back in preseason, now seems to grasp the enormity of that mission, given his decreased time. The Nets are intent on keeping him fresh for the playoffs so only once has he cracked the 30-minute mark – ironically against the Clippers in the game where he was injured.
“Sometimes things just happen. You think about improving yourself, get yourself going, energy-wise, concentration,” Mutombo said. “I’ve been feeling so much better for the past four or five games. My reaction in the games defensively has been so much better. I don’t want to see that stop instantly, so hopefully I’ll be okay.”
And make no mistake, this has been hard to accept for Mutombo.