http://www.sportstwo.com/NBA/Story/NBA/1517558 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Alonzo Mourning ruled out making a return to the court Monday, confirming his retirement from the NBA. The 37-year-old Miami Heat center ended his career after spending 15 seasons in the NBA. Mourning entered this season saying it would be his last, but saw it cut short when he tore the patella tendon and quadriceps tendon in his right knee on December 19. After undergoing an operation, Mourning ruled out the possibility of a 16th season in an interview posted on the Heat's official web site. "I'm retired," he said. "This is it for me." Mourning suffered the tear as he raced down the court and planted beneath the rim to block a shot in the first quarter of the Heat's 117-111 overtime loss to the Hawks. Since being drafted second overall by Charlotte out of Georgetown in 1992, Mourning played in 837 games for the Hornets, Miami and New Jersey. He began his second spell with the Heat in 2004. Mourning posted career averages of 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. The seven-time All-Star won one championship with Miami in 2006. Mourning said he would now focus on his charity foundation and is considering offers to move into broadcasting or work for the NBA. He also suggested he could appear on the sidelines in the future. "There's a possibility that I can explore some coaching opportunities if at the particular time I'm in the right frame of mind," he said. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Mourning defeated the odds just by stepping on the court in recent years. He was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease in 2003 and returned for the 2004-05 season after a transplant.</div> I know a lot of people on here don't like him...but now that it's all said and done, do you think he'll make it to the hall of fame? Just as a reference, some of his accomplishments are: 1 All NBA First team, 1 All NBA Second team, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 2x All Defensive First team, NBA All Rookie First team, and won a Gold Medal and an NBA Championship.
I happen to love the guy as a player. He was a tough guy, but still a class act. He overcame a serious illness to be a solid player right up until the end. I know I wish him the best.
or not... http://sportstwo.com/NBA/Story/NBA/1517676 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Alonzo Mourning's retirement is off just hours after the Miami Heat center made it official. A spokesman for the Heat said a story erroneously was placed on the team's web site Monday confirming that Mourning will call it quits. The 37-year-old Mourning, who entered his 15th NBA season saying it would be his last, saw it cut short when he tore the patella tendon and quadriceps tendon in his right knee on December 19. After undergoing an operation, Mourning ruled out the possibility of a 16th season in an interview posted on the Heat's official web site earlier Monday. "I'm retired," he said. "This is it for me." Later in the day, a team official said the story was incorrect and that it was removed from the web site.</div>
