After being teased again by Byron Scott about getting more action in the Detroit series, Dikembe Mutombo got less - four straight DNPs. However, the 7-2 shotblocking menace only gets testy now when he hears the Nets can't compete against the West.

When asked if the Nets really have a chance against the Spurs, their likeliest Finals opponent with Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki out, Mutombo snapped, "Why not. All we have to do is work as hard as we have and control Tim Duncan and Tony Parker."

Naturally, Mutombo thinks the Nets will be better off in stopping the David Robinson/Duncan tandem if Scott dusts him off. "Their big guys could give us a handful," Mutombo said.

It was always thought the Nets obtained Mutombo strictly for The Finals to battle the Western giants. But Shaq has been fishing for two weeks and the Nets, to this point, have battled like warriors with ever-improving Jason Collins and Aaron Williams.

"I hope that my name will be called this time," Mutombo said. "I just have to be prepared. I'll keep myself prepared to play. Every playoff series we've had, I've been ready for. It's for the coach to make that call. I don't feel like being the bad apple."