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Major League Baseball fans/media managed to push everyone to get the primary home and away jerseys for the All-Star Games. There’s no reason to believe we can’t do the same thing at the NBA All-Star Games.

RIP Mt Mutombo

Dikembe Mutombo was truly larger than life

So many of us woke up yesterday to the excitement of media days surrounding the league, but were quickly greeted by tragic news: Hall of Fame great Dikembe Mutombo died of brain cancer at the age of 58. I’m not even sure how you begin to put Mutombo’s life, career and impact into perspective. If anything, he most powerfully embodies the NBA’s globalization of the game.

Let’s start with his Hall of Fame basketball career:

• In his first season (1988–89), he ranked 18th in the NCAA in blocked shots while playing 11.3 minutes per game.
• No. 4 overall pick by Denver in 1991, was named second-team All-Rookie.
• Four-time Defensive Player of the Year, more than ever before (1995, 1997-98, 2001).
• Eight-time All-Star (1992, 1995-98, 2000-02).
• Three All-NBA awards (1998, 2001-02)
• Six-time All-Defense selection, three first-team selections (1995, 1997-99, 2001-02).
• Currently ranked 20th all-time in total rebounds (12,359).
• Ranks 2nd all-time in total blocks (3,289).
• Ranks 48th in games played in NBA history (1,196).
• Elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2015.

Many players in NBA history have been incredibly tall and quick. But few had the defensive instincts and timing of the 7-foot-tall Mutombo. He was brazen in the way he defended himself. He would block your shot, Then wag your finger and say: “NO NO NO!” It became a staple of NBA defenses before the league ruined it by making it a taunting violation if he made the gesture toward a player. It is arguably one of the most famous movements/celebrations in sports history – one that is imitated time and time again across all sports. ☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️

Mutombo prevented more shots at the rim than he blocked simply by staying in the paint. He was so masterful at protecting the rim that he earned the eternal nickname “Mt. Mutombo” was awarded. He wreaked absolute havoc on would-be scorers around the rim. Just watch him block Clarence Weatherspoon three times in the same possession. Mutombo wasn’t even afraid to talk nonsense to the very best about how he would never get involved with him. And he wasn’t afraid to keep talking nonsense even after he was underwater. Remember when Jordan shot a free throw with his eyes closed? The trigger was Mutombo talking to him.

Mutombo was also hilarious off the field, thanks to one of the most iconic sports commercials in history. He liked to make fun of himself by appearing in “Mean Tweets.” And I’ve always loved that appearance on Conan O’Brien’s show where it was about the Three Stooges and he was trying to imitate the voice.

All of this embodies the legacy of Mutombo before Let’s get to his incredible philanthropy. The Congo native pushed the sport internationally as the league’s first global ambassador. He was heavily involved with Basketball Without Borders and helped build the infrastructure for the organization in Africa. He was also a major supporter and global ambassador for the Special Olympics. In addition to everything Mutombo did, he put his money where his heart and his words were. His mother died of a stroke in 1997. This led him to fund nearly $20 million to open a 300-bed hospital in his hometown in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The construction took 10 years and the opening took place in 2007.

Dikembe Mutombo was larger than life in many ways. And his impact on the game of basketball and the world will last for decades, if not longer. Rest in peace, Deke.

Media day delivers

Everything you need to know

Boston and Denver had their media days before traveling to Abu Dhabi for some preseason games, but now the rest of the league has caught up. All 30 teams took to the podium, recorded their Jumbotron videos and took all the necessary pictures. So you’re probably wondering what the biggest takeaways from Media Day are. I am So I’m glad you asked! That’s exactly the information I have here for you, and I hit every story with the super-scientific Buy This Story Meter (or BTS for short). It’s a scale of 1 to 5 emojis, with five being purchased the most.

James Harden wants to be James Harden again: With Paul George gone and Kawhi Leonard injured, Harden said yesterday that the Clippers’ offense will take a toll on him. He mentioned that “they” always said you couldn’t win that way, but then he cited Luka Dončić as the reason you could win. This will be uncomfortable. BTS Meter: 💰💰

Jimmy Butler is all business, no tricks: No dreads. No Emo Jimmy. He said no gimmicks and admitted he had no idea what the hair option could have been. Ultimately, Butler wore his usual braids for media day in Miami. I’m sort of buying this for the 35 year old butler. BTS Meter: 💸💸💸

The Knicks have never heard of Karl-Anthony Towns: Tom Thibodeau declined to comment. Jalen Brunson pretended not to know who Towns was. Josh Hart seemed surprised by the reports. The Knicks cannot comment until the deal is finalized. BTS meter: 🙀

The Wemby CP3 duo will be a lot of fun: Chris Paul is a normal-sized person. Victor Wembanyama is 7-foot-5, although he was listed at 7-foot-4 last season and 7-foot-3 this season. They look great together. BTS Meter: 👽👽👽👽👽

Giannis doesn’t know which teams traded in the East: The Bucks star said he didn’t pay attention to which players went to which teams and would find out from his teammates. I don’t buy that. BTS meter: 🤑

Ben Simmons is ready to go and ready to be great: “I think people forget that as a player I can play basketball when I’m healthy. I’m feeling pretty good, right?” Are you ready for the Simmonssance? BTS Meter: 🚭

Andre Drummond is the best rebounder of all time. He said he was in Philadelphia because he was the best rebounder of all time. His best rebounding season was 16 per game in 2017-18. Naismith Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman had five better seasons. BTS meter: ⛔

LeBron James and Bronny James don’t carpool: LeBron said he still has a lot left at 39, and I believe him. His son and teammate Bronny already said there was no chance they would drive to work together. BTS Meter: 💰💰💰💰💰

Jonathan Kuminga has his sights set on Simon Phoenix: John Spartan is toast. BTS meter: 🐚🐚🐚

Who I? Worries?

Draymond Green had a moment yesterday

There was another story from Media Day that deserved its own section. If you were wondering if we had a strange encounter with Draymond Green, then of course we did. You may remember Green for such honors as being a four-time champion with the Warriors, or establishing himself as one of the best defensemen of all time…or strangling Rudy Gobert…or possibly learning Nothing from his mandatory counseling sessions after he was too violent on the basketball court.

A reporter began a question by saying fans and perhaps even teammates were worried about Green. At that point, Green immediately interrupted him and asked why they were worried. “I am a successful black man in America who is doing incredibly well.” The reporter repeated that people were worried about him, and Green interrupted him again and said there were many more people to worry about.

Green then looked at the ceiling and said Imagine telling a 13-year-old version of him that he would be in his position today and people would be worried about him. He said he told them they were crazy. The conversation quickly shifted to the reporter saying the team needed him to be there every night. Green replied, “I’ve been here almost every night for 13 years.”

When pressed about missing time lately, Green replied, “We all have.” When asked about his suspensions, Green said there are guidelines for suspensions because it is possible. Then he played dumb like he didn’t understand the question before the exclamation point on his thinking helped the Warriors achieve great things, which is true. He contributed significantly to their four titles.

However, if your team missed the playoffs because you were suspended for a few weeks, putting you in an unfavorable play-in tournament situation, it’s probably okay to be questioned about it. Technically he wins the semantics and resume game in this exchange, but it’s a disingenuous way to handle the situation. It would be easy to say that this will make you a thing of the past and that you will be a reliable teammate this season.

Bounce passes

Steph Curry believes the Warriors can be relevant. Is that the standard?

To read The The six most exciting words in hoops: The old Jordan Poole is back!

Read Jovan Buha on how JJ Redick impresses the Lakers early in camp.

Can the Suns’ big three be different with Tyus Jones?

Most clicked in the Monday newsletter: It’s no surprise that Joe Mazzulla has some bizarre practice drills.

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(Top photo: The Sporting News / Getty Images )