Most players are scared of Laker Shaquille O'Neal when they look at his large, powerful frame.  Do not bother adding Sixers center Dikembe Mutombo to the list. "Shaq, he has been playing guys who try to avoid getting hit," Mutombo said Monday. "I don't mind getting hit. I'm not going to let myself get hit 24 hours a day, but I don't get out of the way or get scared. I'm not scared of him at all. He's a man like me. He breathes the same air as me. I lost my fear when I was 2."



Mutombo has been a suprise on the offensive end in this series, averaging 17.3 points and 13.7 rebounds, but the biggest suprise has been how the big man has challenged Shaq." Did I come to the press conference and complain about all the stitches and the blood I've been swallowing every day?"asked Mutombo, who got four stitches after Game 2. "I just play the game. If I were a player who was flopping, I would not win so many trophies as I have won. Did I put those stitches in my mouth myself or go to the team doctor and say, 'Why not cut me and put in a couple of stitches and I'll tell people I got stitches in my mouth?' I hope [O'Neal] did not mean it. If he did, let him take it up on the court."



Hurry up Game 4... cos' dem are fighting words!