How many times did Mutombo make it past the 2nd round when he was a starter?
The only reason to hate this comparison is because Mutombo is old and retired.
Agreed. It’s backintheday syndrome.
The first time Deke got out the 2nd round? 2001... at 34 years old, playing with a top 5 superstar/reigning MVP (Iverson).
The 2nd time? 2003... as a 36 yr old backup center, playing with a top 5-10 superstar (Kidd) who already made it to the Finals the year before without Deke.
And I knoooow folks aint gassin up Ben Wallace “leading” Detroit passed that 48-win 76ers team in the ‘03 East (before then getting swept by NJN) as some gold standard.
Everything after that was with Rasheed as their top talent and Billups as their leader, FMVP, and even top 5 MVP candidate (‘06). DET continued to make the ECFs after Ben left.