The offense improved gradually, and the defense improved exponentially. By the time he was ready for the NBA Draft, teams were eager to draft another Hoya big man. The Denver Nuggets took him in the lottery and Mt. Mutombo was born. Who can forget the classic moment when Mutombo’s (and Reggie Williams’) Nuggets defeated the powerful Sonics of Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp in the first round of the playoffs. The image of Mutombo lying on his back in the lane after the final buzzer holding onto the basketball with two hands like he had found the Holy Grail will always be a piece of NBA History. (Check out the video on NBA.com for a nice recap of the series.)

Whenever Mutombo retires from the NBA, which will probably be sometime in the next 15 seasons, it will be the end of an era. Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, and Dikembe Mutombo were the face of Hoya Centers in the NBA. All three of them were selected to the NBA All-Star Game in 1995 and 1996. Mutombo never had the offensive game of Ewing, or the athleticism of Mourning, but he is quite possibly the greatest shot blocker in the history of the game.

So if you’re out having a drink tonight, raise a toast to Dikembe. And if somebody tries to tell you that Mutombo is overrated, or that he should have retired five seasons ago. Just glare at them and wave your index finger back and forth in their face. It will be a nice tribute.

We talked with some knowledgeable folks a few months ago when he suffered his season ending (and possibly career ending) injury, but today we wanted to wish him well and send him many happy returns. It would be the happiest return of all if he could play in the league again, but if not he’s still a hero.

There are few pros in any sport that have shown the determination, strength, and perseverance that Alonzo has shown throughout his career. If there’s any player who can make one last unlikely and remarkable comeback it’s him. Good Luck, Zo.

Today is a good day to reflect on Roy’s great gift to Georgetown by returning to play one more year with the Hoyas.

And speaking of gifts, what do you think would be a nice present for Roy for his birthday? We think he could use a fancy new tie - he can wear it next summer during the NBA Draft.

First, he was a good player and a very good shooter for the Hoyas. He is famous for making a half court shot in McDonough to force overtime in his senior season, but I know that he took much more pride in another buzzer-beater he had a few weeks later. In the NIT semifinals, the Hoyas were rallying from behind against North Carolina State. Georgetown trailed by two in the final seconds of regulation when Esherick received a pass on the baseline. He knocked down a turnaround jumper from about 18-feet to force overtime. Craig was happiest that no one could call that one lucky.

Turning to his coaching career, don’t forget that Esherick was a 17-year assistant to John Thompson, including during the National Championship season in 1984. And there are also a lot of fun memories from when he was the head coach. His first game ever was a very memorable day, as the Hoyas beat Providence at the MCI Center. After the game, amidst a standing ovation from the fans, Esherick was smiling and waving to one of the luxury boxes, where John Thompson was watching with delight. The Hoyas defeated Syracuse in the quarterfinals of the 2000 Big East tournament, becoming the first #9 seed to ever defeat the #1 seed in tournament history. A week later, Georgetown won a classic triple-overtime game at the University of Virginia. And of course, arguably the acme of his coaching career was the NCAA Tournament victory over Arkansas, courtesy of the last second shot by Nathaniel Burton.

In January of 1999, at the press conference when he was named head coach of the Hoyas, Esherick said, “I consider myself a great fool to follow in [John Thompson’s] footsteps … no matter what happens, I know I was a very good assistant coach.” It seems like he was right on both counts.

We’ve already talked about the current situation in which Big Mike finds himself and about his impressive numbers as a Hoya. Let’s hope his birthday cake comes with a new NBA contract…Make a Wish, Big Fella!

Here are his all-time career ranks for the Hoyas:

• Points: 12th (1,548)
• Rebounds: 10th (739)
• Assists: 22nd (232)
• Steals: 14th (170)

Pretty good numbers, but here’s something that’ll blow you away.

Brandon Bowman is one of only two Hoyas ever to finish their careers with more than 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, and 200 assists. The other player is Reggie Williams - that’s pretty elite company.

Bowman’s statistics are impressive when compared historically, but his significance to the program is much more significant. Bowman was the one player who was a major figure during the tenure of Coach Craig Esherick and Coach John Thompson III. Yes, Ashanti Cook and Darrel Owens were the same year in school, but neither one was as critical a player during their freshman season as Bowman. Without Bowman, the transition between the two coaches could never have been as smooth as it was. Bowman actually had announced that he was going to transfer out of Georgetown; it’s a good thing he came to his senses.

P.S. - Get off Bowman’s case about the foul to setup the four-point play in the final seconds at Notre Dame, everybody knows that call was just another example of referee Curtis Shaw trying to be a hero. Plus, it made for a more dramatic win.