Dikembe Mutombo’s passing severely hurt the NBA community. He was a defensive pillar and for the league landscape, a monumental figure as a humanitarian. In the current generation though not many got to witness his brutality on the court. An exception as expected though is LeBron James who during the Lakers’ media day reflected on the 7’2″ giant’s remarkable life.

“My condolences go to his family. Obviously, anytime a loved one is gone it’s a lot on the family so my condolences. My well wishes go to his family,” James respectfully said. James got to play against Mutombo during the final stages of his career. The shot-blocking menace played for the Houston Rockets at the time. And even though 42, he was built as robust as a robot.

James had the scars to prove it at the time.

“He fractured my face on my birthday in Cleveland with an elbow. I never even got an opportunity to like tell him about that,” the King recalled. During that game in 2004, James merely ran into Mutombo while chasing a loose ball. Unfortunately, his birthday present from Mount Mutombo was a fractured left cheekbone. “they do not feel good” he further noted.

The aftermath of it was taxing for LeBron James. He lay on the floor for a couple of minutes in pain and eventually had to visit the hospital on his birthday. As a precaution, he wore a mask for a few weeks after the injury, the first time in his career he had to do so. In his career, James managed to face Mutombo 10 times, even when he was on the Knicks briefly.

Dikembe Mutombo leaves behind a lasting impact

Mutombo was a goliath phenom when on the floor. As a defensive anchor, he led the Nuggets to becoming the first 8th seed to trump the top seed in the postseason in 1994. As a memory of his excellence, that is the moment that stands out for LeBron James. “Just remember him getting that last rebound, those last blocks, and just holding that basketball on his back and, like, just in, like, in amazement” he recalled.

But outside of the court, he inspired generations of players to pick up the ball. In particular, for the continent of Africa. After his passing, former Raptors center Serge Ibaka detailed just how prolific of an impact he had. “You paved the way for me and for many Congolese and African youth with your legendary basketball career and charitable actions” he wrote.

Apart from his varied charitable initiatives, in his home country of Congo, he raised wide awareness of health and education. Through his foundation, he opened a hospital as well as a school to ensure the youth and people of Congo have basic amenities in place. Furthermore, in terms of breeding basketball talent, he would always accompany NBA Cares and travel to varied countries. Most recently, he went to Egypt to assist in player camps and even coach the budding players present.

With his two hands, Mutombo denied for than 3,200 shots in his career. However, outside of the hardwood, he transformed the lives of many more and has left behind resources for it to continue being so. “It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans” Joel Embiid said in reaction to the great centers passing.

Aside from leaving the blueprint of being a defensive juggernaut, he also left behind the pathway to do good through basketball fortune and the platform it provides. In all honesty, he personified what it meant to be a legend in every facet of life.