PHILADELPHIA – Out of the basketball wasteland in Atlanta, 7-2 center Dikembe Mutombo is proud to say he believes the Sixers got what it takes to win a title.

“We believe it,” said Mutombo, who snared 16 rebounds (seven offensive) in his first game against the Knicks as a Sixer. “They’ve played so hard all season long to put themselves to be where they are. Getting everyone healthy, the chance is there for us to go all the way to the championship.”

Mutombo said it is his duty to keep teams from pounding hip-impaired Allen Iverson into submission. Iverson was knocked to the court twice by Kurt Thomas yesterday and crashed into Othella Harrington on a charge that had him sprinting to the locker room because he got kneed in the groin.

“We as teammates have to protect him,” Mutombo said. “He’s feeling much better. You know playoffs are crazy, so we have to protect him. I’m not really a dirty player. I just play my game.”

Jeff Van Gundy said it before the game and said it again afterward, the Sixers made “a great trade” in landing Mutombo, who added eight points to go along with the rebound domination.

Plus, Van Gundy notes, the Sixers don’t have to double the post because of Mutombo’s presence, allowing their stout perimeter defenders to check outside shooters. Van Gundy only wished he had that luxury.

“They got the premier rebounder and shotblocker in the game,” said Van Gundy, whose management team failed to swing a deal for Mount Mutombo at the trading deadline Feb. 22. “We can’t be dominated on the boards like that.”

Mutombo said he wants to re-sign with the Sixers over the summer, adding “the fans here are great, they die for their team.” And he hasn’t been bothered by the sentiment that the club missed Theo Ratliff.

“I haven’t heard that on the street, just the media,” Mutombo said. “I go out to eat in different restaurants every night because my wife’s not here. Nobody in the streets come to me and say we miss Theo. Only people come to say they’re happy I’m in Philadelphia, welcome to Philly.”

Welcome to this budding Knick rivalry. “They’re tough because they play hard defensively and offensively,” Mutombo said of the Knicks. “Like Miami they like to push and shove. I don’t want to get into that pushing. I might wind up getting kicked out of the game.”