Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson irked Milwaukee fans last season when he said the Bucks were not contenders for the National Basketball Association title because they did not have a strong inside game.

Now that the Bucks have added Anthony Mason, Jackson's opinion has changed.

"He gives them a post-up presence," said Jackson, whose Lakers play the Bucks in a nationally televised game at 7 tonight at the Bradley Center. "If you remember what I said last year, that I felt Milwaukee couldn't get to the Finals because they didn't have a post-up presence, he gives them that post-up presence. Sometimes you get penetration from different means. You've got to be able to throw it in."

Jackson admitted to being surprised at the storm his comment created last season.

"That was quite a stir," he said. "It wasn't a knock; that's a good basketball club. But we throw the ball inside 45 times a game. If you can't throw it in, you lose an option. I went through that in Chicago."