Hidden weapon

Nets change tone of series by unearthing Mt. Mutombo

SAN ANTONIO -- Spurs point guard Tony Parker came off the pick-and-roll, darted into the middle and saw Nets center Dikembe Mutombo waiting for him.

Not wishing to challenge the 7-footer, Parker turned and kicked the ball back out. The Spurs then worked the ball to Tim Duncan standing alone under the basket. Duncan tried to lay the ball up, only to have Mutombo slide over and swat it.

It was just one sequence early in the fourth quarter of New Jersey’s 87-85 victory Friday in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. But it illustrated Mutumbo’s impact on the game -- and perhaps the series.

"[He] changes the whole outlook of our defense," said Nets point guard Jason Kidd. "We can be more aggressive. They have to contend with Mt. Mutombo.

"It gives us a hidden weapon."

At 7-foot-2, with four Defensive Player of the Year awards to his name, Mutombo hardly can be described as a surprise. Given that he had barely played in this postseason, however, the 36-year-old fly swatter is now officially an X-factor in these NBA Finals.

Mutombo didn’t exactly shut down the Spurs in Game 2. San Antonio still managed to shoot 48.5 percent from the floor. Were it not for their 22 turnovers and 14-of-25 shooting from the foul line, the Spurs easily could have won.

SI.com On Site  Marty Burns: At 7-foot-2, with four Defensive Player of the Year awards to his name, Dikembe Mutombo can hardly be described as a surprise. Given that he had barely played in this postseason, however, the 36-year-old fly swatter is now officially an X-factor in these NBA Finals. • Click here for more  Analysis and Opinion  • Fast Breaks: Land of ancient centers • Picks: Burns | Hollinger | McCallum More Stories  • Game 2: Recap | Box Score • Mutombo gives Nets a lift • Duncan bottled up in Game 2 • Jackson nearly shoots down ex-team • Notebook: Replay is here to stay   Instant Poll  Why did the Spurs lose Game 2? Didn't respect the Nets Too many missed free throws Too many turnovers Couldn't stop Jason Kidd View Results

But on a night when the Nets had only 13 fast-break points, they had to rely on Kidd and their defense to pull out this victory. Mutombo’s length helped make it tougher on San Antonio, especially for Duncan, who finished with just 19 points on eight-of-19 shooting. Mutombo also changed and altered countless other shots when San Antonio tried to take it inside.

"He was very important for them," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. "He was getting blocks, rebounding, and intimidating."

"He did what he usually does," Duncan added. "He affects shots around the basket ... He came out and played with a lot of energy."

Mutombo missed most of the regular season with a broken hand and barely got off the bench during the Nets’ 12-2 postseason run to the Finals. Instead, Nets coach Byron Scott went with undersized Aaron Williams, who provided more quickness and offensive punch. But the 6-foot-9 Williams was ineffective guarding Duncan in Game 1, prompting Scott to seek a bigger defender in Game 2.

Soon after entering the game in the second quarter, Mutombo scored two baskets, one on a low post move and the other a sweeping hook, to help the Nets to a 32-28 lead. He then outjumped David Robinson for an offensive rebound, leading to a Jason Collins basket. He punctuated his stint by blocking a Kevin Willis layup attempt, leading to another Nets breakout en route to a 41-35 halftime lead.

"Deke came in the second quarter and did a heck of a job," Scott said. "He was doing a great job of blocking shots, taking up space and that’s what we needed."

Mutombo also gave the Nets a boost in the frantic middle of the fourth quarter after the Spurs had begun to make a late charge. With the SBC Center crowd rocking, Mutombo swooped over to block a Parker shot on one possession and then later rejected Robinson inside. After Robinson’s block, he briefly wagged his finger as if to say, "Not in my neighborhood, Mr. Robinson."

Now the Spurs must figure out a way to counter Mutombo’s presence inside. San Antonio can make adjustments, perhaps using Duncan, Robinson or Malik Rose more on pick-and-rolls to pull Mutombo away from the basket. They also can have Parker and Stephen Jackson attack him more in hopes of drawing fouls.

The Spurs also can take comfort in the fact that Mutombo is virtually no threat on the offensive end. Indeed, he often bogs down their motion offense with his mechanical moves in the post. Most important, New Jersey can’t do as much damage on the break with Mutombo and the slow-footed Jason Collins in the game.

"[Mutombo] did a good job tonight," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich noted. "Whether it changes the series, I don’t know."

The Nets don’t know either. But they’ll take the victory -- along with the hope that they might just have discovered a 7-foot-2, 260-pound "hidden weapon" to help them in their quest to win the NBA title.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.