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Speaking during the NBA’s annual visit to London this week, the league’s Global Ambassador told Daily Star Online that the sudden adoption of the three-point shot by centres in the game is not something he could ever have seen himself doing.

“I’m only 0 for 1 from the three-point line over 18 years so I am very happy with my stats,” he joked.

“I would not have seen myself shooting three’s throughout my career. I don’t think it would have helped me – as a person, or as a player.

“I feel fortunate to have had an opportunity to play the style of game that I did play from the 90s.”

(Image: GETTY)

The 7ft 2ins centre is revered as one of the most effective defensive players in the history of the game, trailing only the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon in career blocked shots.

He reached six All-Defensive Teams while forever impacting basketball culture with his legendary finger-wag celebration after blocking a shot.

But his combative style of play sometimes came under fire for injuring opponents, with LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman among those to have felt the full force of the Congolese American’s elbows.

“[I liked] beating up people and being more physical.

“I don’t know if these guys who are playing today could have competed in my time.

“So many of them would have been in the hospital a lot. I’m serious. They would not have played.

“When you question them, they will tell you, ‘we are happy with the style of the game we are playing’.

“They would not have played when I was playing with Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing and all them.

“You have to be physically, physically fit to compete.”

Mount Mutombo was sat court-side for an exciting game in London last night as the Boston Celtics rallied back from a 20-point deficit to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers at London’s O2 Arena.

76ers guard JJ Reddick scored a game-high 22 – but a second-half shooting clinic from Kyrie Irving, Jalen Brown and Marcus Smart kept Boston’s seven-game win streak intact.