The Back Page

June 8, 2006

Alonzo Mourning - Never Lost Hope

As the Miami Heat prepare for their first ever trip to the NBA Finals, which begins Thursday night, the same can be said for Heat reserve Alonzo “Zo” Mourning.  It seems that Mourning has been around the game longer than his 13-years, but few realize that at one point his career was in jeopardy.

Mourning spent his first eight years as a 20-point, 10-rebound center with the Charlotte Hornets and the Heat, but suffered a number of crushing playoff exits without moving on to play for a championship.  He moved around after leaving the Heat in 2003, heading to New Jersey and later Toronto – but there would always be a spot in his heart for Miami.

When it came to playing for a championship, Mourning and his followers never thought it would happen.  He was no longer a dominate player, no longer was he one of the NBA’s most intimidating defensive enforcers.  Alonzo Mourning saw his career fall right in front him when he endured a public battle with a kidney disease and subsequent transplant. Alonzo Mourning was now just another fallen NBA star, relinquished to the bench and used in only in certain situations. 

Mourning though wouldn’t give up, despite the medical setbacks and the frustrations of not being able to suit up for most or all of the past three seasons, Mourning gave it his all… through all the blood, sweat and tears “Zo” fought hard to get where he is today.

In October 2000 as a member of the Heat, Mourning was diagnosed with a kidney ailment… in the prime of his career, and nearing the end of a very lucrative contract, Mourning would miss the entire season, with the exception of the final 13-games that he season.  Miami would enter the playoffs, but would suffer three straight blowout losses to Charlotte in the first round.

Mourning returned for the 2001-2002 season, hardly contributing in the fashion that the Heat and or he (Mourning) expected…  Pain was the daily word for “Zo” and by season’s end it was for the Heat as they fell to 36-46.  When training camp opened for the 2002-2003 season, Mourning wasn’t there.  He had a setback in with his kidney disease and would need to sit out the entire season – the final year of his contract with Miami.  Although Miami offered him a minimum contract during the summer of 2003, Mourning instead accepted a 4-year, $23-million offer from the New Jersey Nets.

The Nets felt that Mourning’s illness was behind him and he was on the road to a full recovery, and as well having him aboard would be an incentive for Jason Kidd to re-sign.  Kidd would go on to re-sign with the Nets, but Mourning’s return was short lived.  After just 10-games Mourning was out of the lineup, off the court now laying in a hospital bed awaiting a kidney transplant.

Mourning missed the remainder of the 2003-2004 season, but returned early in the 2004-2005 season… life in New Jersey was bad.  What was thought to be a great move for the Nets, and for Mourning turned into one of the worst moves Mourning and or the Nets had ever made.  Instead of a rags to riches story, it was a rich to rags story.  As life in New Jersey continued to spiral down for “Zo” the Nets finally decided to trade him to Toronto.

Mourning never reported to the Raptors… he requested a buyout, which went on for sometime before Toronto agreed – this move allowed Mourning to return to the Heat.

Mourning returned in time for the Heats’ playoff run, after missing the final four weeks of the season and the first two playoff games (with a partially torn calf) – but the opportunity for a championship came to a halt in Game 7 of the Conference Championship game when the Pistons sent the Heat packing. 

Alonzo Mourning thought of retirement last summer, but in the back of his mind he knew that there remained an opportunity at least one last chance at a championship. “That was always a part of my mind-set, this was a time in my career where I didn’t want to waste an opportunity. I wanted to play in a situation where I was going to win a championship.”

That time has come… though he wishes he could play more and get the ball more often, he’s doing just what the Heat have asked him to do and doesn’t dwell on it.  His return to the Heat has been a boost, and no one more than Coach Pat Reilly would like to see “Zo” get that championship.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Mourning said after the Heat beat the Pistons 95-78. “When you think about 13 years of, literally, a lot of blood, a lot of sweat, a lot of ups and a lot of downs, and just so many disappointments year after year, it just makes you appreciate this moment even more.”

He is a fan favorite in Miami, where he receives an explosion of cheers every time he walks to the scorer’s table. He is loved, despite his limited role, because he’s outspoken, he still is one of the NBA’s top defenders (2.66 blocks per game this year) and he helped bring winning basketball to the Heat. Plus, he’s shown the ability to come back.

Beginning Thursday night, Alonzo Mourning begins his quest for his first ever NBA Championship… “I had my doubts, but I never lost hope. The hope and the drive was always there.”