Jackson Says Shaq vs. 76ers Is the Key

While the Lakers mull their defensive tack on Allen Iverson, it is the Philadelphia 76ers, in Phil Jackson’s view, who have the pivotal defensive choice: To double-team Shaquille O’Neal or to have Dikembe Mutombo, the league’s defensive player of the year, guard him straight up.

O’Neal chose not to address the subject Monday, an afternoon after the 76ers qualified for the finals and gave the Lakers something to think about. After practice he strode into the trainers’ room, ignoring questions, and was not seen again.

“This is the matchup of the series, as far as I’m concerned,” Jackson said. “Obviously, [Allen] Iverson versus Kobe [Bryant] brings a lot of attention, and we’re going to make sure that’s done by proxy. But, the matchup is going to be Dikembe and Shaquille. If they do choose to double-team, that’s what will open up the game for us. If they don’t double-team, the defense can stay attached and they can perhaps be a better defensive team overall.”

The 76ers acquired Mutombo at the trading deadline for just this occasion, and some of the analysis suggests the 76ers would be the Lakers’ most difficult finals’ opponent because they could defend O’Neal without the double-team.

In the postseason, only the Sacramento Kings--armed with Vlade Divac or Scot Pollard--believed O’Neal could be contained with less than two men, and they tried for two games. O’Neal averaged 43.5 points in those games.

Mutombo, at 7-2, is not Divac.

“Right now, individually, I remember preparing for Orlando when I was coaching the Bulls, and Orlando was playing the Atlanta Hawks. I was impressed that particular year that Shaquille dismantled Atlanta’s team with Dikembe in there. He was quite effective against him.”

Like Jackson’s strategy on Iverson, 76er Coach Larry Brown probably will assign help for O’Neal, if not a total double-team. O’Neal has often said he takes one-on-one defenses personally, as a lack of respect for his game.

“I’m sure he’s reminding himself of what he did against them and how he has to play them,” Jackson said. “[Mutombo] is a great defender. He’s got great reach. And has an ability to react very well to the ball, so he’s going to be effective at times in the series.”

Brian Shaw said he expected the 76ers to try Mutombo alone first, then adjust from there.

“I’m happy to be on Shaq’s side, I’ll just say that,” he said. “I know that with Mutombo being defensive player of the year that that’s going to give Shaq all the motivation he needs. This is the platform to showcase what he’s made of against the defensive player of the year, and I know he’s licking his chops waiting for this to happen.”

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Notes: O’Neal, suffering recently from a mild sprain in his left ankle, participated in all aspects of Monday’s practice. He did not practice Saturday. . . . Greg Foster, who missed five weeks because of a sprained right foot, practiced Monday for the first time since the injury.