KNICK NOTES
LOS ANGELES – Don Chaney doesn’t intend to demean Dikembe Mutombo’s skills, but sometimes it comes off that way when the coach defends himself against criticism about the center’s playing time.
After winning Eastern Conference Player of the Week eight days ago, Mutombo has had a mediocre western road trip, with his minutes and production both down.
Mutombo played 21 minutes at Golden State on Saturday, getting one rebound. He was benched in Portland in the fourth quarter and was riddled with foul trouble in Seattle on Wednesday.
After the Portland game, Chaney said he didn’t play Mutombo more because “He couldn’t guard anyone out there.”
Chaney, asked about Mutombo’s downward turn before he faced Shaquille O’Neal last night, said, “He’s not going to be Player of the Week every week. I think he was fortunate to get it once. And that’s not to knock his talent. I think we were fortunate where he had a stretch of games where he played exceptionally well. He may get it again later on. But it’s not going to be a consistent thing. He’s not that type of player.”
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Keith Van Horn leads the Knicks in one category: turnovers per game, at 3.4. There isn’t a game that goes by when he doesn’t commit at least one charge or travel.
Van Horn said he’s been the victim of flopping and he’s trying to do a better job preparing for the floppers on each team.
“I’m not the type who throws the ball away,” Van Horn said.
Chaney said it’s Van Horn’s fault.
“I said to him when he first got here, a lot of the [infractions] come when he’s rushing and switching pivot feet,” Chaney said. “Most of them are not passing turnovers, they’re foot movement, charging. A lot of times he’s rushing to get to the basket quicker. He has to slow down.”
Chaney said he thinks officials are on to Van Horn’s traveling trend.
“They know he switches pivot feet and that’s what they’re looking for,” Chaney said. “Guys who are used to doing things, even if it’s illegal, you get away with it, because that’s what they’re used to doing. They watch his feet more than anything, especially with his back to the basket.”