In a heartfelt tribute to the late Dikembe Mutombo, NBA superstar LeBron James shared a memorable and somewhat painful story from his early career. During Lakers media day, LeBron recounted an incident that left a lasting impression on him, both physically and emotionally.
LeBron’s favorite memory of Mutombo is not what one might expect. It wasn’t a shared victory or a friendly off-court interaction, but rather a moment of intense competition.
“My fondest memory of Dikembe Mutombo — he fractured my face. On my birthday in Cleveland with an elbow,” LeBron revealed.
This incident occurred during LeBron’s first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers when Mutombo, known for his defensive prowess and physical play, was with the Houston Rockets.
The elbow from Mutombo left LeBron with a fractured face, a painful reminder of the physicality of the game. Despite the injury, LeBron looks back on the moment with a sense of respect and admiration for Mutombo’s tenacity and skill on the court.
“I never even got an opportunity to, like, tell him about that,” LeBron added.
“He fractured my face on my birthday in Cleveland.” 😅🤕
LeBron shared his favorite memory of Dikembe Mutombo. pic.twitter.com/sRG9G2v1cc
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 30, 2024
LeBron’s story is a testament to the impact Mutombo had on his peers and the game of basketball. Known for his shot-blocking ability and his iconic finger wag, Mutombo was a force to be reckoned with on the court. His passing has left a void in the basketball community, but his legacy lives on through the memories and stories shared by players like LeBron.
