Beaudry Posted June 13, 2001 Share Posted June 13, 2001 My favorite line, "In Game 3, he had 30 points, 12 boards and four blocks". Yeah, Mutumbo really shut him down.. Michael Ventre NBC Sports contributor PHILADELPHIA -- I have to disagree with Shaquille O'Neal. I think Dikembe Mutombo is indeed playing him like a man in these 2001 NBA Finals. Maybe it just seems like there's a disparity in the manhood department because Shaq has behaved like a cranky rug rat. Shaq is awesome, no doubt. In Game 3, he had 30 points, 12 boards and four blocks before fouling out with two minutes left. But relatively speaking, Mutombo kicked his butt. "Something I always look at is the way I've been playing Shaq all my career," Mutombo said Tuesday. "When I look at all the stats and the games that I played, it seems like I've done a great job. It makes me feel so proud of myself. Compared to the rest of the guys I played, Shaquille O'Neal crushes them trying to embarrass them. To me, I've seen that he hasn't been able to embarrass me." Mutombo isn't Defensive Player of the Year only because he has an unusually large wingspan and can disrupt flight traffic more successfully than a deranged air-traffic controller. He is also adept at getting position and holding his ground. He has done a solid job of making Shaq sweat to gain his accustomed spots in the post. And when Shaq can't do what he wants to do, he usually reacts with force rather than brains. He gets frustrated when a defender as accomplished as Mutombo epoxies himself to Shaq's tank-like form. It's as if a Mack truck ran into a brick wall, and rather than back up and maneuver around it, it tries instead to go through. The result in Shaq's case is a rash of offensive fouls and ultimately a disqualification. Said Shaq after Sunday's game: "I wish he'd stand up and play me like a man instead of flopping and crying every time I back him down." Replied Mutombo: "How could I be flopping if I have stitches in my mouth?" I'm in stitches just listening to this. Naturally, there is a certain amount of gamesmanship that goes along with these playoff contests. When he faced the press Tuesday, most of Shaq's ire had expired. "It's nothing but us trying to bring the ratings up even higher," he cracked. What Shaq did after Game 3 was give a shout-out to the officials, telling them to even up the whistles. Shaq's approach is straight from the George Karl school of media manipulation. The next thing you know, Shaq will claim publicly that the league and NBC really wanted the Sacramento Kings to represent the West in this series. Yet Shaq should have avoided this. It's beneath him. He should leave that stuff to Phil Jackson. The coaches are the ones who should be screaming for fairness from the referees. That's their job. They are better suited to taking the inevitable fallout when they whine. When Shaq cries about Mutombo flopping, it makes him sound like an infant with colic. I do not think this is an image he wishes to cultivate. And those quotes tend to have a long shelf life to opponents and their fans. "He wasn't flopping out there," Philadelphia's Aaron McKie said in defense of his teammate Mutombo. "I guess when you get stitches in your mouth, it just doesn't come from running up and down the floor. Somebody had to hit him in the mouth. That's how big guys play under the basket." Big guys. Not big babies. "I've seen guys try and take flops on Shaquille," Sixers backup center Todd MacCulloch said. "But I've never seen Deke try and flop on anybody. When Shaquille O'Neal makes those moves, and he hits you, it's not a flop, you're just getting knocked backwards. And if the referee feels that Shaq's initiating too much of that contact, then he's going to call it." Besides, even if Mutombo was flopping, so what? It's twisted logic to suggest that flopping is less than macho. Flopping is a fine art. John Stockton is one of the great flop artists of the last 20 years, and he's a certain Hall of Famer. Flopping is nothing more than a ruse to convince the refs that you've been fouled. It's within the rules. You don't get ejected for bad acting if the officials don't fall for it. It's smart basketball. I don't think Mutombo was flopping on Sunday. But if he did flop, he did a wonderful job of it. He got Shaq disqualified. Even though LA went on to win the game, he helped to give the Philadelphia 76ers a chance to win and go up, 2-1, in the NBA Finals. If I'm a coach, I give my guy a pat on the back for doing that. "The ability of Dikembe to get the offensive foul called has been very effective," Jackson said, "especially in this last game, in neutralizing Shaq's ability." Shaq needs to shut up and play. He had his way with Arvydas Sabonis, with Vlade Divac, with David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Now he's facing a big man in the 2001 playoffs who won't be intimidated, who won't back down, who won't budge. And Shaq's manly response was to throw a tantrum. "What Shaq does, he does within the rules," Lakers forward Rick Fox said. "His pivots, his attack of the basket is all legal. But individuals who don't match his size and weight, when bodies match, some of these individuals go flying. It may be perceived as overly forceful, but it isn't." Of course, Jackson defended his center, comparing Shaq's difficulties to those of Michael Jordan. "Michael would get fouled on every play," the Zen Master recalled, "and still have to play through it and just clear himself for shots instead and would rise to that occasion." Rise to the occasion. There's a notion for Shaq to ponder. "Both guys are battling and it's become, I guess, now a war of words than just a war on the court," the Lakers' Derek Fisher said Tuesday. "But I think they'll both just go out and play hard." Maybe instead of blaming somebody for his foul trouble during the first series in which he is really being challenged, Shaq should work at his game. He should study tape. He should figure out ways to maneuver around the wall of Mutombo. That would be how a man deals with a problem. What he shouldn't do is get so immersed in his Superman fantasy that he believes the only way anyone can defeat him is by doing something underhanded. A real man either presents a challenge, or rises to accept one. He doesn't look for a reason to discredit his foe. Besides playing the referees and making excuses for his Game 3 ouster, there's another reason why Shaq leveled the flopping charge at Mutombo: It's his way of motivating himself. He needs to perceive that there are dark forces out there conspiring to slay the giant. It's just too bad he had to be such a child about it. Michael Ventre writes regularly for NBCSports.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted June 14, 2001 Share Posted June 14, 2001 I hope Ventre was watching Game 4 last night ALL NBA stars complain about getting fouled, because they ARE fouled, it is the only way to stop them. If the refs had been calling these games really close guys like Geiger and MacCullough would rarely make it into the second half before fouling out. The thing with Mutombo is humorous because they both know it is a psychological ploy. Dikembe has played good, hard defense on Shaq and Shaq knows that. Shaq used the comments to motivate HIMSELF to play better in Game 4, a point Ventre is obviously too stupid to pick up on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted June 14, 2001 Share Posted June 14, 2001 Shaq walks more than the Amish. Watch his feet shuffle everytime he's under the hoop.....walk, walk, walk, offensive foul...elbow to someones face. The NBA has an image problem because most people are smart enough to know that it's hardly an even playing field. ------------------ Late Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted June 14, 2001 Share Posted June 14, 2001 Shaq is the best player in the league. Nobody shuts him down. That said, Mutombo has proved he is the best in the league at defending him. ------------------ <IMG SRC="http://a4.g.akamaitech.net/7/4/623/001/nfl.com/images99/Redskins/ftp_was.gif" border=0> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted June 14, 2001 Share Posted June 14, 2001 Mutombo is a quality defender. Enough so that if the Bucks had made it to the Finals, I think Shaq would have scored 45-50 every game against Ervin Johnson. You can only see Mutombo's effort in relative terms because Shaq is going to get his share of points every night. As far as the "not fair" argument regarding Shaq. I remember seeing the same arguments about Kareem. People said the basket should be raised because it was unfair that someone 7'2 could get a hook shot off at that height where it was impossible for someone else in the NBA to block it. Waah, Waaah, little baby. let people keep complaining, I will just keep counting the rings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaudry Posted June 14, 2001 Author Share Posted June 14, 2001 Shaq is averaging 34 points and 16.5 rebounds for the series. Both are above his season averages. I can't see how Mutumbo thinks he is doing such a great job. Here is another Laker Hater article: http://espn.go.com/page2/s/wiley/010614.html ------------------ ShonyX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trevor Posted June 14, 2001 Share Posted June 14, 2001 Shaq walks more than the Amish. Watch his feet shuffle everytime he's under the hoop.....walk, walk, walk Shaq might travel a lot, but so does Iverson, as a matter of fact, I would be willing to bet Allen travels 50 percent of the time he touches the ball. And if Dikembe is the best at playing Shaq, then the Lakers are going to win many a title. [ by Trevor on June 14, 2001.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaudry Posted June 14, 2001 Author Share Posted June 14, 2001 Anyone else notice that Iverson ****es to the officials after every play. He's non-stop! Shaq gets a call against him, and he just walks the other way. ------------------ ShonyX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen-like Todd Posted June 14, 2001 Share Posted June 14, 2001 What I find funny about Iverson is his constant stumblin bumblin routine. Poor little Al, pushed around by big boys like Tyronne Lue. And every time he takes a damn shot, he falls down, even if there's no one within five feet of him. Anyone see the play last night where Derrick Fisher steals the ball, Iverson grabs him, pushes off, and falls down yellin while Fisher takes it full court? It was a really sad attempt at getting the foul call. Iverson is one hell of a competitor, but I wish he would dial back the antics a bit. He reminds me too much of the things that make me dislike Reggie Miller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted June 15, 2001 Share Posted June 15, 2001 Ok, let me defend my team a little. Some of you guys sound a little jealous... First... no one here in Philly is complaining about the referees. For every call that doesn't go against Shaq, there is one that should have been called the other way. He gets his under the net too. Props to him. ShonyX - In case you haven't noticed Shaq has been a monster in the playoffs. The Lakers stumbled and bumbled through the regular season. It is no wonder that Shaq is scoring more than his season average. What does that have to do with Mutumbo? He is playing Shaq as good as anyone in the league can. Not only is he keeping Shaq in check, but he has scored some nice points too. Trevor - I'll take your bet. What do you say, like $500 or so? TheChosenOne - You need to understand that free throws are a large part of Allen's game. He is just too quick and draw fouls very well. It is part of his game. BTW, no matter how much you dislike Miller and Iverson, you would take them on your team any day. They are two class acts. You should nit pick on someone who deserves it like Koby... You have to respect the Sixers. As banged up as they where they put up a hell of a fight. The Lakers are just a phenomenal team. ------------------ <IMG SRC="http://a4.g.akamaitech.net/7/4/623/001/nfl.com/images99/Redskins/ftp_was.gif" border=0> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trevor Posted June 15, 2001 Share Posted June 15, 2001 Hmm, you would lose $500, so I wont bother making you lose your money. Also,I know you weren't directing this at me but, nitpick on Kobe? For what? Being super unselfish and playing an all around game? For being on of the top three players in the entire league? For being so great at 22 years old? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted June 15, 2001 Share Posted June 15, 2001 Trevor - Are you complaining about the referees? Because they don't seem to be making those traveling calls your talking about. You know what, no one seems to be complaining about that, not even coaches on the opposing teams... YOU seem to be the only one. Too bad you don't live near me where I could actually shake your hand and force you to pay up... As for Koby, have you watched this guy all season? This kid is a spoiled brat. He complained so much during the regular season that he almost destroyed his team. It's annoying that every basket he has to bring that stupid smerk. Not very professional if you ask me. Most teslling is how he left his home town high school and NEVER looked back. He had so many fans there that he just abandoned. School associates have tried to get Koby to come back and help out his old community (you know, maybe give a speech or do a school poster) and he has completely ignored them. I hope Koby matures a bit. But right now, he is a punk. ------------------ <IMG SRC="http://a4.g.akamaitech.net/7/4/623/001/nfl.com/images99/Redskins/ftp_was.gif" border=0> [ by MikeB on June 15, 2001.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted June 15, 2001 Share Posted June 15, 2001 Kobe a punk? Perhaps you should check the bio of your idol, Iverson for a moment. Isn't this the guy with the juvey record? Isn't this the guy pulled over for carrying an unregistered 9mm in his glove compartment? Isn't this the guy seen hanging with every penny gangster from Richmond to New York City? Maybe Allen has mellowed some this year and the league seems to be all to ready to accept him now that he is in the limelight in the finals, but that doesn't change the past. What has Kobe done? Won his title, spent his money quietly, gone on an offseason vacation with his wife instead of making the rounds of the photo op commercial circuit like so many other NBA champs have done? And that makes him a punk? Complain about his circumstances during the season in terms of distribution of the basketball and roles on the team? Well, what do you think Iverson and Larry Brown have been doing for the past two or three years together? Their bitter war of words came a lot closer to seeing Iverson traded from Philly than anything that happened between Kobe and Shaq or Phil Jackson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted June 15, 2001 Share Posted June 15, 2001 On the brightside when the Lakers win the NBA title during the GOP administration, guess who shows up at the Big Dance? ------------------ Yes I'm paid to think and I need a raise [ by NavyDave on June 15, 2001.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted June 15, 2001 Share Posted June 15, 2001 showing up ain't good enough. Memories of 1983 still flash through my mind. I am firmly convinced it is better to lose in the NFC Championship Game as the Skins did in 1986 than it is to get to the Super Bowl and get plastered like the Giants did last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trevor Posted June 15, 2001 Share Posted June 15, 2001 I wasn't complaining about the officating one bit. You were and I was responding to that by saying that Iverson gets away with at least as many walks as Shaq, if not more. Sounds to me like your one disgruntled Sixers fan, who's blinded by the anger of losing to a superior team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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