Dikembe Mutombo, revealing that Isiah Thomas told him the club was "going in a different direction," was removed from the starting lineup, giving Nazr Mohammed his first Knick start last night.

The center switch likely is permanent and Mutombo fumed. "Nobody ever talks to me about nothing," he said. "I'm feeling I've had enough of this game. Thirteen years, I'm getting tired of all this [garbage]."

Mutombo said he'd rather retire than get traded this summer because he doesn't want to be away from his family in Philadelphia. The $4.5 million final year of his contract could be an huge trade asset next season, so the Knicks may not want to buy him out.