Mourning Making A Comeback? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Michael Jordan had his tenth-of-a-percent. Alonzo Mourning has his ?miracle? ? the only circumstance, he says, that would allow him to entertain a return to the NBA. His miracle ?is my doctor giving me his blessing to consider playing again,? says Mourning, eight months removed from receiving a kidney from his second cousin. The magic words, the seven-time all-star center from Chesapeake admits, could entice him ? maybe, possibly ? to ?explore the option.? But only with a team certain to contend for the championship he hasn?t won. ?I had a Hall of Fame impact on the game, there?s no questioning that at all,? says Mourning, from Indian River High School. ?I played the game as hard as I could. It?s not urgent for me to get back out there and do anything.? Lately, though, the buzz is that Mourning, 34, twice the NBA?s defensive player of the year, wants back in. Not necessarily with his last team, the New Jersey Nets. They?re dumping salary and reportedly plan to erase his after this season. ?They?ve already said they don?t want me back,? says Mourning, who joined the Nets last year from the Miami Heat for four seasons at about $5.5 million per, guaranteed. Weakened from a three-year battle with kidney disease ? focal segmental glomerulosclerosis ? and anemia, Mourning played in a dozen games before he could play no more. He had his transplant Dec. 19. Eight months later, Mourning runs. He lifts weights. He plays pickup basketball ? and a little softball and golf for charity, as he did locally the past few days.</div> <div align="center">Link</div>
I love Zo & all, but the Nets have made it pretty clear they dont want him back. And I have to agree, no need to kill cap trying to make a comeback on a team that wont be legit championship contenders per say, but I do think Zo should return and try to contend for a championship. The problem is what championship team would give up a member of their team to gain an aging Center trying to make a comeback. The Pacers, Rockets, Wolves, and even Zo former team the Heat, have holes in their frontlines but I doubt they would be willing to take the risk of Zo's contract, if the comeback doesnt work out.
I think the Nets should give him a real long look. It has to be very extensive and thorough before they let him rejoin. Before he left, he didn't even look like a 1/20th of what he once was. I'd wish him the best, but I don't think the Nets can risk him trying to making a comeback and failing. I want him to make the comeback, but perhaps trading him to a team that can risk it is better, such as the Mavs. Obviously I didn't read the article clear enough. Mourning doesn't want back with the Nets. I hope we trade him to a team that could use him. <font color="Blue">Please use the 'edit' button - Ice</font>
Obviously I didn't read the article clear enough. Mourning doesn't want back with the Nets. I hope we trade him to a team that could use him.
i would love to see him play on the heat at pf with shaq( and you know the battles these guys had just to see them playing on the same team like in the worlds) or at least backup center whre his minutes would be reduced and shaqs finally get that decent backup. Or would like to see him in Detroit being that they lost okur but that team is filled with big men. But the best one would be with the Timberwolves playing along side Garnett when olowkandi aint feeling it
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">[quote name='NJNetz']i would love to see him play on the heat at pf with shaq( and you know the battles these guys had just to see them playing on the same team like in the worlds) or at least backup center whre his minutes would be reduced and shaqs finally get that decent backup.</div> On a personal not Miami would be the best place for Zo to go. Of course because of the history he has with the Heat. And the community of Miami. He still owns his home down their etc. He would be an excellent fit backing up Shaq and playing alongside Shaq because Zo has that mid-range jumper from the elbow and high post which would really create a little space for Shaq down low. But Iam not really for sure they have anything to give up all their players are mainly new acquistions. And the rest of players are going to be real keys to their team. Iam pretty sure that all you need to acquire Zo from the Nets is an expiring contract but Miami doesnt have one. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Or would like to see him in Detroit being that they lost okur but that team is filled with big men.</div> The Pistons probably dont want nor need him, they recently signed Mcdyess to add to their frontline. And traded for DC, so their frontline is pretty full right now.Plus I wouldnt trade him to the top team in the Conference. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But the best one would be with the Timberwolves playing along side Garnett when olowkandi aint feeling it</div> From an on-court situation Zo would really help their weak center spot. But I dont think they will be adding any more unrealistic contracts this year after the money they gave Hudson, and Hassell. They dont really have anything to give up in a trade to us, no expiring contracts etc. Plus I heard they were going after Kurt Thomas who is a more safer choice than Zo. I think nextlevelgame had a good Idea with Dallas because they have Christian Laettner's expiring contract to give in return. And thats probably all it would take.
its a bad idea getting him back because he is like a bomb that can blow up any second. its too much of a gamble.
i'm a fan of Zo's and would love to see him back out on the court. however he is not the player he used to be back in miami/charlotte days. but still could be a good backup centre playing limited minutes for a number of teams.
[quote name='Henacy']<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> On a personal not Miami would be the best place for Zo to go. Of course because of the history he has with the Heat. And the community of Miami. He still owns his home down their etc. He would be an excellent fit backing up Shaq and playing alongside Shaq because Zo has that mid-range jumper from the elbow and high post which would really create a little space for Shaq down low. But Iam not really for sure they have anything to give up all their players are mainly new acquistions. And the rest of players are going to be real keys to their team. Iam pretty sure that all you need to acquire Zo from the Nets is an expiring contract but Miami doesnt have one. I think nextlevelgame had a good Idea with Dallas because they have Christian Laettner's expiring contract to give in return. And thats probably all it would take.</div> dallas would be a great place for him but i doubt he could run the floor. but they would get the center that they always needed but not in the shape they would have wanted.
The guy had so much heart on the court, but I think he should stay retired. Too risky for his health IMO. The season is just too long and streneous for him to handle.. He needs to think about his wife and family first. I dont doubt his skills and competitive nature on the floor, but I think he will put his health and family in jeopardy if he plays
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NJNetz:</div><div class="quote_post">dallas would be a great place for him but i doubt he could run the floor. but they would get the center that they always needed but not in the shape they would have wanted.</div> Dont forget Steve Nash isnt there to push the ball like he does this year, so they will probably be forced into alot more half-court situations now, thats when someone like Zo could really help them. He would also have an affect on booth and those other Dallas bigs who lack some in the tuffness area. It would be good for Dallas to have someone with Zo's mentality to help Dallas become tuffer on D and in the mental aspect of the game.
It would be nice if he could rejoin Miami. Now to backup Shaq basically, but it would be nice to see him in a familiar uniform. Zo would also do well in Dallas and like Henacy said, he would bring the mental toughness the team needs and maybe teach the young guys there how to do things the right way.
I think he would be a good fit for the Lakers as a veteran maybe help out chris mihm but we also have vlade so i dont know.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheNextJordan8:</div><div class="quote_post">I think he would be a good fit for the Lakers as a veteran maybe help out chris mihm but we also have vlade so i dont know.</div> thats not a bad idea and they can give us somebody decent but dont think they have any contract that would match Mournings contract
If somehow we dont end up getting Mutombo, I think Mourning would be a great fit in Houston...but I'd love to see him with a contender...Dallas makes sense, even in sacramento...As long as he gets a chance to come back and go out on his own terms, I'm all for it...
I would want to see him stay retired and take care of his health, but Zo is one of the players who should get a ring before they retires. So if he's not going to a contender, it's not a wise move. Miami is a good choice just because they have Shaq and of course for sentimental reasons.
Nets should give him a chance. never know, he might be what they need to almost replace k-mart. but thats not going to happen. i read that the nets dont want him to come back and want him to retire. which imo is stupid because they are looking for a pf/c
