[0] 76ERS NOTEBOOK: IN PHILLY, IT'LL BE KILL OR BE KILLED.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Philadelphia fans are nothing like Lakers fans. Ask any 76ers player or fan. While Philadelphia players stressed they were focused for Game 2 on Friday, it seemed as though they couldn't help but anticipate the atmosphere at First Union Center for Games 3, 4 and 5.

``I think it's a lot more hostile in Philly,'' forward Matt Geiger said. ``Here it's a lot more like a party night club, VIP club only. In Philly, it's first come, first serve. It's kind of like a kill or be killed atmosphere. I don't see a lot of Lakers fans having an enjoyable time at that arena.''

Philadelphia fans were hard to find at Staples Center, but the ones who were there felt safe. Of course, not safe enough for Brad Greenburg to use his real last name, for fear of death threats.

Greenburg is a Philadelphia season-ticket holder who bought tickets from scalpers to Games 1 and 2 at Staples Center. He was dressed in 76ers gear from head to toe and his face was blanketed with red, white and blue paint. He doesn't believe Philadelphia and Los Angeles fans have much in common either.

``There's no comparison,'' he said. ``Philadelphia fans, by nature, are more rowdy and raucous and then add what the 76ers have brought this year. There's a love affair with that city. You know those Lakers flags? Here, one of every 20 cars has a flag. There, everyone has them.''

Philadelphia forward Tyrone Hill said his team's fans are the blue- collar type, but that doesn't hinder their voracity in rooting their team on.

``Ask anyone in the locker room,'' Tyrone Hill said. ``We love it. We thrive on that.''

--McKie OK: Forward Aaron McKie didn't have much to say before Friday's game except that his right ankle is okay. McKie suffered a chip fracture in the ankle in Game 1 and was wearing a boot on Thursday. McKie said he has a little pain but said it wouldn't hinder him.

--Pat knows best: Philadelphia president Pat Croce figured the 76ers had the chemistry and talent to make a successful run in the playoffs before the season began. In a chat with fans Oct. 6 on NBA.com, Croce said:

``I believe we have the ability to win the East. We've made it to the second round of the playoffs the past two years and we've had the opportunity for our players to play together two years. ... I think everyone believes in each other and the mission at hand, which is `We can win.' ''

--Unique voice: Dikembe Mutombo has one of the most distinctive voices in the NBA, deep and raspy. Most people recognize Mutombo's sound in English. But Mutombo, who's from the Congo (formerly Zaire), speaks six other languages. He's one of 20 international players who have played in the NBA Finals. Teammate Todd MacCulloch, Philadelphia's third center, is from Canada.

--Famous fan: Kevin Eubanks, Jay Leno's sidekick who plays in ``The Tonight Show'' band, wore a Philadelphia 76ers jersey on Thursday night's show. Eubanks was brought out to the stage on a throne carried by four men dressed as Lakers players.

--Cosby calls: Comedian Bill Cosby has called several 76ers player to extend his congratulations. He also called Hill's family to wish Hill's father, Eddie, well. His father suffered two strokes and was released from a hospital in Cincinnati on Thursday. Hill almost left the team a couple of times in the last two weeks. He will have a full-time nurse at his house while he recovers.

``It's a big relief,'' Hill said. ``I didn't have any idea if he'd even get out of there. He had a good chance, a 50-50 chance. He's a warrior.''

--Game face: Philadelphia trainer Lenny Currier is as tough to speak to before games as Allen Iverson. Currier is a busy man, however, with at least six injured players to wrap, ice and stretch. Nearly every player on the 76ers roster has some ailment or another, including: George Lynch (broken left ankle), Geiger (right-quadriceps tendinitis), Dikembe Mutombo (left-finger fracture), Allen Iverson (left elbow), Snow (right-ankle fracture) and McKie (right -ankle chip fracture).

--Still waiting: Lynch, who figured he might be back for Game 3 or 4, said he's shooting for Game 4 or 5. Lynch had surgery to repair a broken ankle and hasn't practiced but did run on a treadmill for seven minutes on Friday. He needs to have X-rays as well.

--Walking wounded: Philadelphia has endured so many injuries this season, including several to Iverson - that it's almost become a joke.

``It's almost laughable, '' Geiger said while receiving electrode stimulation on his right thigh. ``We're waiting for one of the coaches to get an injury - like one of them to lose his voice or pull a finger muscle writing or something.''

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Forward Aaron McKie came back after suffering an ankle injury.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer