<font size="4">Zo seeks buyout from N.J.</font> Sun-Sentinel By Michael Russo Staff Writer Posted November 6 2004 MIAMI ? Wanting to play for a championship contender, former Heat center Alonzo Mourning would like the New Jersey Nets to buy out his contract. Although the two sides are not close to a potential settlement, there's speculation that if Mourning can escape the final three years of his contract, he would love to return to Miami, where his family remains, and rejoin the Heat. Mourning, who is making a comeback after a kidney transplant, wants out of New Jersey because he feels the Nets abandoned the promise they made when he signed there in 2003 of being a championship contender. During the offseason, the Nets discarded Kenyon Martin, Kerry Kittles, Lucious Harris and Rodney Rogers. "I see those chances have diminished with some of the decisions that were made through management," Mourning told Nets beat writers Friday. "You've got Jason Kidd who wants to be moved and is upset with the situation. It's disheartening. It takes the wind out of your sails when one of your main intentions was to come here and win a championship." Mourning, 34, has $17.8 million remaining on his contract and is reportedly asking for a $14 million buyout. Although the Nets would like to get out of the contract, they refuse to pay Mourning that much. "For us to subsidize, at a premium, a player to go play someplace else -- when it appears to me that he's going to be able to play -- is not the way for a team to do it," Nets President Rod Thorn told reporters. "And we're not going to do it. ... For what's been talked about so far, it makes no sense, and I'm not going to do it." Mourning responded, "If [Thorn] feels as though it's not cost effective for them to make that decision right now, then, hey, what am I left with but to honor my contract? I can't do anything else." Heat General Manager Randy Pfund declined to comment, but it's clear Shaquille O'Neal wouldn't mind teaming up with his 1994 world championships teammate. "I don't think we're really allowed to talk about that, but it would be nice," O'Neal said. "I think on paper, if a person like that came here, we would really get it done." Mourning, who played for the Heat for seven seasons and is the team's second-leading scorer (8,045 points) and rebounder (3,934), played for the first time since last December's kidney transplant in Wednesday's loss to the Heat. Mourning finished with seven points and five rebounds in 14 minutes. Asked if he would be interested in Mourning, Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said: "When you talk about guys like Alonzo Mourning, I can answer yes for all 30 teams in the league. Heck, if guys like that are available, they'll help anybody."
True I'm a life time fan of Alonzo Mourning and saddest thing to watch was letting him go to the Nets. If I held the power to make this work, i would do it first thing tomorrow.
I feel Zo, it must be damn hard to have gone through all those hard times. Every players dream = win a championship. G
Positives to have Zo: ALonzo is still a GREAT player to have off the bench. And having him back up Shaq would be even better. Alonzo is very much capable of scoring 10 points and 5 rebounds a night. At least I think so. Negatives: If we add Zo to our roster, then we will have 4 frigging centers. SHaq, Micheal Doleac, Wang ZhiZhi, and Alonzo Mourning. Shaq is a no brainer to keep. Zo is too. I would keep Micheal Doleac on the IR and probably trade Wang Zhi Zhi. I would love to have Zo here. He woulf bring nothing but good to the team. However I doubt it as Pat Riley probably doesn want another center here.
We are going to need that size come playoff time, especially if we want to get past Detroit. Like I said earlier, I wouldnt mind going against Wallace, Wallace, Cambell, McDyss, and Coleman with Shaq, Zo, Doleac, Haslem, Allen, and even Laetner. Zo would definately benefit that particular series.
Mourning says his only alternative is to "honor his contract." Actually, he can simply ask for a contract buyout and demand much less money. Zo has to realize that the Nets haven't gotten ANYTHING from him since he joined the team. It's unfair to expect them to pay him 14 million dollars for basically doing zilch. The guy is already a multi-gazillionaire. If he really cares that much about contributing to a winning team, he should cut the Nets organization a break and request much less money for the buyout.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ace2k2:</div><div class="quote_post"> I would love to have Zo here. He woulf bring nothing but good to the team. However I doubt it as Pat Riley probably doesn want another center here.</div> Zo could play PF too. He's always been slightly undersized for a center anyways.
ZO is a natural PF but he can play center. I think it'd be great to add depth to PF and C but for now Doleac and Malik Allen are getting the job done.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Mourning says his only alternative is to "honor his contract." Actually, he can simply ask for a contract buyout and demand much less money. Zo has to realize that the Nets haven't gotten ANYTHING from him since he joined the team. It's unfair to expect them to pay him 14 million dollars for basically doing zilch. The guy is already a multi-gazillionaire. If he really cares that much about contributing to a winning team, he should cut the Nets organization a break and request much less money for the buyout.</div> If he does that, will this happen? I hope so man. I would love to see Zo back in the Heat uniform...
Not only what durvasa had to say but but the Nets could benefit from having a guy like Zo on their team.
