Rockets re-sign 42-yr-old Mutombo as Yao's backup

Source: Agencies | January 1, 2009, Thursday |

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THE Houston Rockets re-signed 42-year-old center Dikembe Mutombo for the remainder of the season on Tuesday, adding an emotional leader and a backup to Yao Ming.

Mutombo, who supplants 39-year-old Sam Cassell as the league's oldest active player, appeared in 39 games for Houston last season, logging most of his minutes after Yao broke his left foot in February. Mutombo averaged five rebounds, three points and 1.2 blocks.

The Congolese-born Mutombo became a free agent after last season and contemplated retirement before deciding to come back for an 18th season.

The Rockets' win-loss record dropped to 20-12 on Monday after an embarrassing 87-89 loss to Washington. Nearly every player on the Houston roster has missed games due to injury this season and Yao has sat out at least 25 games because of injuries over the past three seasons.

Mutombo started 25 games last season, mostly after Yao broke his foot, and averaged 16 minutes per game. The Rockets traded Steve Francis to Memphis on Christmas Eve, creating salary space to add Mutombo, the NBA's second-leading career shot blocker behind Hakeem Olajuwon.

The Rockets play Milwaukee next and Mutombo was expected to join the team, though it's not known when he'll start playing again. The 2.19-meter Mutombo has played for six NBA teams - Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston.

Mutombo's teams have made the playoffs in 13 of his 17 seasons in the league, including three of his previous four with the Rockets. He averaged 14 points and 14 rebounds to help Philadelphia reach the NBA finals in 2001.

The Rockets have lost six straight playoff series and haven't advanced to the second round since 1997.

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Rockets re-sign 42-yr-old Mutombo as Yao's backup

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