Rivers: Mutombo Expected Back in Houston

Post from December 19, 2008…

One of the most sought-after big man not on a roster, Dikembe Mutombo is most definitely coming back to the NBA this season. The reigning champion Boston Celtics were courting his services, but Doc Rivers isn’t optimistic about him dawning the green in the Garden.

Doc Rivers confirmed on Wednesday that the Celtics are interested in free agent center Dikembe Mutombo, but he also predicted he would return to Houston.Asked if he had talked with Mutombo, Rivers replied, “Always. He’s a good friend. He’s going to come back. I talked to him last week – he will come back.

“We’re over the [salary] cap so it’s tough for us to do a lot of stuff, but we’re looking at everybody.”

If this is true, it’s very disappointing as a Boston fan. As I said earlier, I don’t think that PJ Brown will be playing again as he got his title last season, and it’s obvious that Patrick O’Bryant isn’t ready to step in and be a contributor any time soon, so to lose out on the Mutombo “sweepstakes” will be tough to swallow.

Anyone got a list of serviceable bigs that can help a team win a title?