Bismack Biyombo has been one of the breakout stars of the NBA playoffs. His defensive presence and energy has been a major boost for the Raptors and helped Toronto even its series with Cleveland. Biyombo has even brought the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag back to the NBA, although that came as a surprise to Mutombo.
Bismack Biyombo has done the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag without permission from Mutombo
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Biyombo has broken out the finger wag after big blocks a few times this postseason.
It’s been a fun thing that even prompted a response from LeBron James. Like Mutombo, Biyombo is from Congo and said Mutombo is “like his big brother.” Biyombo also said Mutombo gave him permission to use the finger wag.
Bismack Biyombo on his 'big brother' Dikembe Mutombo, and getting permission to do the 'finger wag' #Raptors pic.twitter.com/l4Zlp6TYgb
— Dime Magazine (@DimeMag) May 22, 2016
That’s a great story, except Mutombo said it isn’t true. Mutombo told TMZ that he didn’t know when that conversation took place.
“His claim in the newspaper and everywhere he said I gave it to him,” Mutombo said. “I said, did I gave him? Was it family? Cosign? But you know what, he’s a young man, man, I let him enjoy the fame.”
Biyombo said Mutombo told him he’d give permission if Biyombo signed with the Atlanta Hawks. Maybe Biyombo took that as a joke. Maybe Mutombo was serious.
The most disappointing part of this entire situation is that we don’t have video of Mutombo giving the finger wag to Biyombo to deny permission.
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