The Nets traded for Dikembe Mutombo to be “The Difference” in the playoffs. Instead, he’s become “The Distraction.”
Byron Scott seemed livid yesterday after Mutombo wondered about his future with the franchise, cited a lack of communication over his bench role, while saying he didn’t feel “appreciated.” The 7-2 center said he’d “evaluate” things over the summer to see if he wants out of Jersey.
Mutombo’s remarks, coming one day after the Nets destroyed the Bucks in Game 1 and a day after starting center Jason Collins had a career game, reeked of selfishness. The only explanation is Mutombo is so distraught over the death of his brother Selu from an aneurysm, he doesn’t know what he’s saying.
“Bad timing for us to be discussing this,” Scott said. “We should be discussing the great victory. I’m not going to talk about him anymore. We’ve talked. Bottom line is, I’m not going to let that deter from what we did [Saturday]. We won the game and that’s what this should be all about.”
Aaron Williams, a key cog all season and during last season’s playoffs, who was out of the rotation Saturday, had only team on his mind afterward, saying “I was just cheering for those guys.”
Meanwhile, Mutombo played 17 minutes, was effective defensively but was downcast afterward, indicating he didn’t know if he could accept being a backup next season.
Yesterday, he vented, still wounded by losing his starting job to Collins after playing just 24 games because of a wrist injury. “Over the summer I have to think about and talk to them what my role is going to be when I come to camp,” Mutombo said before yesterday’s practice. “Seeing so many guys who’ve been hurt for this team out for a month come back and they got their job back. You ask yourself why was it chosen that way to be different? Is it something I’m not doing right? Or I’m not being appreciated the way I was before.”
Mutombo said it’s been difficult adjusting to a backup role after 11 seasons starting. And Scott, he says, has given no indication if he’ll remain the backup or how he’ll be used off the bench. Mutombo, who entered Game 1 at the outset of the second quarter, had been under the impression he’d be a starter again once he got a few games under his belt.
“I don’t know when I’m coming into the game,” Mutombo said. “That’s what’s making it tough right now for me. You told me I wouldn’t be starting for the first five, six, seven games then you realize you’re on the second team, then you’re not coming in six minutes off the clock, come in 10 minutes off the clock or the second quarter. I just haven’t been told where I’m fitting in here because I’ve been caught by surprise.”
Asked if he wants to be traded, Mutombo said, “I’m not thinking about trades. I just want to see what is my role. I don’t want to answer that question right now.”
Trading Mutombo, 37 in June, would seem impossible. He’ll have two years and $38 million left on his pact. Even the Knicks weren’t that interested last summer, and that was before his dismal 2002-2003.
