Personally have to go with Zo. I believe Zo was more athletic & had a slightly more expanded block zone on the court — contesting shots to nearly 8’ or 10’ from the basket. Mutumbo had more formidable size and equaled ferocity. Both of them being prized centers under Coach Thompson makes them more similar than different tho, and winners on & off the court.
this post was submitted on 23 Nov 2023
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With more size and stars I would go with mutombo for sure. However, if you could both sides of the ball, Zo no question.
If it’s close, then you have to give it to Mutombo for the finger wag. He’d block you and then taunt you with that 9” long meat claw.
Mutumbo pretty easily for me, 3 seasons better than Mourning’s career high is hard to ignore.
And considering that mourning was 'short' for center-standards in the 90s. He had great timing. The Hornets were short in general with Bogues, Grandma and Zo
Mutumbo was the better shot blocker. Alonzo Mourning was better at every other aspect of basketball and the better overall player.
Mutombo was a better shot blocker in absolute terms. Teams that did not have elite scoring big men (Shaq, Ewing, Robinson, Hakeem) had to change the way they played when he was around the paint. Zo was an elite rim protector but not feared in the same way.
I would rather have Mutombo against the higher tier guys but I would pick Mourning if I had to choose between the two because he was better overall.
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