Remembering a Legend: Dikembe Mutombo

We start today with some heartfelt news that has left the basketball world in mourning. The towering defensive legend, humanitarian, and all-around extraordinary human, Dikembe Mutombo, passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer. While he may have started his journey with aspirations of becoming a doctor, the basketball gods had other plans, and boy, did he leave his mark on the NBA.

Known for his iconic finger wag after blocking shots (which became a global symbol of "not in my house"), Mutombo wasn’t just a legend on the court, he was a humanitarian at heart. Standing at 7'2", he racked up an unbelievable 3,289 career blocked shots, making him second all-time in NBA history.

Mutombo was an eight-time All-Star, four-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a six-time All-Defense selection. But beyond the hardwood, he used his massive influence and wealth to give back. His Dikembe Mutombo Foundation has been a beacon of hope in his home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, improving healthcare, education, and living conditions.

Though the Nuggets and Hawks retired his No. 55 jersey, and his name sits in the Hall of Fame, it's what Mutombo did off the court that truly solidified his legacy. From building hospitals to winning humanitarian awards, he’s the perfect example of how sports can be about so much more than just stats.

No one, absolutely no one, could fill those shoes, or that heart. The NBA lost one of the all-time greats. But Mutombo’s towering legacy will live on, both in the game and in the lives he changed around the world. May the finger wag live on forever.

NBA Media Day

Media day in the NBA usually feels like the first day of school, everyone is showing off their shiny new sneakers and talking about how "this is going to be the year." But let's be real, most of it is fluff. That said, there were a few moments worth paying attention to this year, starting with our man Victor Wembanyama.

The Giant Gets Even Bigger

If you thought Wemby couldn’t get scarier on the court, guess what? He’s been hitting the gym hard. In his rookie season, Wemby led the league in blocks, and now he’s packing on 25 pounds of muscle, officially weighing in at 235 pounds. Yup, you read that right, 235 pounds!

The San Antonio Spurs just updated their training camp roster, and it’s clear Wemby’s about to turn into a full-on beast in year two. More weight means more post-up dominance on both ends of the floor. So, if you thought you could body him up before, good luck now.

And, as if that wasn't enough, Wemby’s also got a new veteran teammate to help guide him through this sophomore season.

If you thought 3.6 blocks a game was wild, wait until you see Wemby 2.0.

New Knee, New Hopes

It looks like Lonzo Ball is set to finally make his long-awaited return to the NBA hardwood after two-and-a-half long years. The man with a brand new knee says he’s aiming for the Bulls' season opener. If you’re thinking, I’ll believe it when I see it, you’re not alone, this was Lonzo’s third knee surgery in two years. But the optimism is real this time.

Ball hasn't played since January 2022, with a recovery journey that included meniscus surgery, knee debris cleanup, and finally a cutting-edge cartilage transplant. And after taking part in some 5-on-5 scrimmages this past August, Lonzo is feeling confident. He even said at media day,

Bulls fans, cross your fingers, toes, and anything else you’ve got, because Lonzo could bring that much-needed spark to Chicago.

The Media Day King Stays Low-Key

If there’s one thing you can count on every media day, it’s Jimmy Butler giving the fans something to talk about and laugh about. Last year, it was Emo Jimmy with his straightened hair and eyebrow piercing. The year before that? Those long dreadlocks that never made it to the regular season.

This year, though? Jimmy played it cool. No wild hairstyle, no piercings, just regular Jimmy, rocking the same look you see on game nights. Butler decided to let everyone down easy this time. Maybe he’s saving something for the season opener or he means business.

Clippers Still Banking on Kawhi...But Can He Deliver?

The Clippers are looking at a very different season ahead after losing Paul George in free agency. With Kawhi Leonard still battling knee issues, things are looking tough for L.A. Steve Ballmer’s been pouring cash into this team since he bought it, from paying massive luxury taxes to building a shiny new arena, the Intuit Dome. But despite all the investment, the timing for a real championship run has never been right, thanks to injuries!

Kawhi, being Kawhi, is staying positive, telling reporters he’s not relying on anyone else to carry him or the team.

Here’s the reality, though, unless Kawhi can stay healthy, the Clippers' chances in the wild Western Conference are looking slimmer than a low-calorie protein shake. With teams like the Nuggets, Suns, and Warriors on the rise, LA’s window to compete is closing fast. Coach Ty Lue is probably drawing up backup plans as we speak, but make no mistake: without Kawhi at full strength, the Clippers' championship hopes may once again be just out of reach.

The Golden State Valkyries are Coming

Big news for the WNBA! The Golden State Valkyries expansion draft is officially set for Dec. 6, and all eyes will be on ESPN to see who gets snagged. The Valkyries will become the league’s 13th franchise when they debut in 2025, but first, they need a roster.

Here’s how it works: every WNBA team gets to protect up to six players, and the Valkyries will swoop in and pick from the rest. They can only take one player per team, so the scramble to protect the best of the best is on.

Will some star-studded rosters lose valuable pieces? Who will end up rocking the Valkyries' jersey for their debut season? The drama is already building, and the Valkyries are poised to shake up the league before even stepping foot on the court.

WNBA Playoff Semifinals

More Action Coming Your Way

The semifinals are heating up, and after a first-round filled with sweeps, both series are bringing the fire. Here’s a quick recap before the next slate of games:

Over in Brooklyn, Breanna Stewart did her thing, dropping a cool 34 points to lead the Liberty past A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1. Now, the Liberty have a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five series. Will they keep up the momentum in Game 2, or will A’ja remind us why she’s an MVP contender? The plot thickens…

Meanwhile, in the other matchup, Alyssa Thomas put on an absolute show, flirting with a triple-double and leading the Connecticut Sun to a narrow Game 1 win over the Minnesota Lynx. It was gritty, it was physical, and it was everything you want in a playoff game. Will the Sun continue to rise in Game 2, or will Minnesota find a way to shine?

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team