Fred Kerber of the New York Post reports that the Nets are trying to change the way Dikembe Mutombo plays the game. Defensively, Mutombo doesn?t have to think about what he?s doing, he just reacts. Offensively, they want him to do the same thing.

"Defensively, it's more react. Offensively, you have to think more especially when you are new. As we play, I think I'll get used to it," Mutombo said last night. "We want to run and get as many easy baskets as we can and that has to come from the defense. Rebound and block shots, kick the ball. Defensively, it's just play. I don't really think. I just follow the movement of the ball."

Against the Cavs on Wednesday, Mutombo played his normal defensive game. He clogged the middle. He blocked one shot and changed at least a half-dozen others in 23 minutes. Offensively, he still needs some work.

"Like I said, I don't want him where he's thinking about the offense. I want everything to be a reaction for him. I don't want him to think about it," said coach Byron Scott, who is confident Mutombo will be as effective in the offense as he is in the defense. "Deke is not looking at stats. That's one good thing being a veteran. He's looking at how did he defend."

Although he struggled offensively, scoring only 2 points on 0-3 shooting, Mutombo isn?t concerned.

"I was able to do all the things they asked me to do. Moving around, pass the ball, I had no turnovers," Mutombo said. "I did all the things I think I should. They fronted me. That made things a little difficult for us to go try to go to a few things. But otherwise, I thought I was very good."