<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NJNetz:</div><div class="quote_post">they want to cut cost thats why they dont want him back</div> His contract is still on the team cap though so he is still getting paid either way isnt he? That is what was happenning last time I heard about it if they want to cut costs they need to trade his contract to some team. Someone that would be intrested in it in the future like mabye the clippers considering its size when it runs out it will mean huge cap room.
Alonzo plans comeback with Nets <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Nets' need for size in the wake of Kenyon Martin's departure could be helped by the big man they thought would enhance their size a year ago: Alonzo Mourning. The seven-time All-Star center, who announced his retirement 12 games into last season to undergo a kidney transplant, is expected to announce as early as this week his intention to return, a league source indicated Monday. And because he has three years remaining on the four-year, $22.6 million deal he signed 13? months ago, he still belongs to the Nets. The question, though, is if he does come back at age 34, would he be part of the post-Martin solution or just the tease he was last season. "If he can play, if he's healthy and can play, obviously it's very good [for the Nets]," said team CEO Rod Thorn, who said he hasn't been told of a Mourning comeback but that "It wouldn't surprise me." "Alonzo Mourning wants to come back," the source said. "He's going to make an attempt." Either way, the Nets have to pay 'Zo the more than $17 million remaining on his contract because his kidney condition prevented them from insuring the deal. Part of their plan to create salary-cap room after this season, however, was to apply to remove him from the cap, as league rules allow them to do if he doesn't play for two straight seasons. If he plays, or perhaps even if he tries to, that two-year clock stops ticking and the Nets would lose more than $5 million from a cap-room stash of as much as $30 million they could have to spend on free agents after this season. "It's going to be what it's going to be," Thorn said. "If he tries to come back, we'll see what happens." A post-kidney transplant return, however, would not be unprecedented. Sean Elliott returned to the Spurs during 2000 eight months after his August 1999 transplant. He played 19 games before retiring. Mourning underwent his surgery Dec. 19, almost 8? months ago. If he does play, Mourning would join a front line severely weakened by Martin's departure for Denver. Incumbent centers Jason Collins (who started ahead of Mourning last season) and Aaron Williams remain, with free agent Eric Williams, 2002 first-round pick Nenad Krstic, and rookie free agent Kyle Davis among the power forward candidates. Agent Jeffrey Wechlser, meanwhile, would not confirm or deny whether Mourning would be making an announcement about his future and said his client was "out of the country" Monday. He also wouldn't say whether he's been in contact with the Nets about a Mourning comeback, while Thorn said he hasn't spoken to Mourning in "quite a while." Almost three months ago, Mourning said that "barring a miracle," it was "not my intention" to make a comeback. Yet, he has been working out all summer and played in his Miami charity game. He averaged 8.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 17.9 minutes in his 12 games with the Nets last season. </div> What does this spell? <font color="Red">Thread merged, pretty much the same topic just a updated article, so I merged, Thanks for the find tho- Henacy</font>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post">His contract is still on the team cap though so he is still getting paid either way isnt he? That is what was happenning last time I heard about it if they want to cut costs they need to trade his contract to some team. Someone that would be intrested in it in the future like mabye the clippers considering its size when it runs out it will mean huge cap room.</div> yeah but if he stay the way he is they will collect and he will not be on their salary cap
Well, I dont know what to say about this it seems, like Rob Thorn & the Nets have losen their stance about not wanting him to comeback at all. But it still didnt seem like Thorn was overly excited. I think we should continue/or start (if we havent) shopping Zo around to championship contenders and see if they want to bite. Even if Zo does comback to the Nets next year and plays decent, it still isnt worth it because Zo is a minute to minute, game to game, season to season player, so its to big of a risk having him the rest of that 17mill on the cap over the next 2 or 3 seasons. Even if he does get thru next year, we will be back next offseason wondering if he will play in the 2005-2006 season, except even if he doesnt play, he will still be on the cap for that year. Which he wont be if we trade him now or he stays retired. I think a team like Minny would maybe just bite on a trade for Zo. If Zo would comeback and give them 8.0pts and 4rebs & halfway decent defense(which we all know Zo can still bring) then thats much more then they got out of the center spot last year with EJ and Kandiman. So if they bring Zo back and he is the small missing part to their championship hopes then it benefits them even if he never plays again after the 04-05 season. I dont know who they would depart with probably Ervin Johnson because it would work under the cap.And his contract is garunteed to end at the end of the year, which is what we will need in a trade for Zo. But EJ gave their best effort at the center spot last year with Kandiman being spaced out. So Iam not forsure how intent Mchale would be giving up EJ for a risk like Zo with their center spot being so thin. If Zo goes down during the year then that just leaves Kandi as their only legit center. But Thorn needs to get on the horn with Mchale and try to preserve our cap space for next offseason. I got nothing but love and respect for Zo but the chances of him being the bigman to put us back in the eastern conference drivers sit is slim. So it isnt really worth it for him to make his comeback with us.
I hate to see Zo fail again. A warrior like him deserves a ring and he's not going to get one in NJ. He already failed himself and team once and I'm sure he was devastated. I hate for it to happen again. You have to put him in a team wherein he's a back up center and not the starting center wherein he has to defend the top big men of the league night in and night out.
zo' is played good. but then again hope he doesn't get his kidney in trouble again. not a lot of kidneys are there just for him
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">zo' is played good. but then again hope he doesn't get his kidney in trouble again. not a lot of kidneys are there just for him</div> What are you talking about?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Mourning Will Attend Camp Mourning East Rutherford, NJ, Sept. 1 -- Seven-time NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning will participate in the Nets? 2004-05 training camp in an attempt to revive his NBA career, Nets? CEO Rod Thorn announced today. ?We look forward to Alonzo joining the Nets in training camp," said Thorn. "Hopefully he will be able to resume his career and play at the high level he has in the past.? ?I am feeling great and am excited about attending training camp and possibly resuming my career, said Mourning.? Mourning, who signed with the Nets prior to the 2003-04 season, played in 12 games for New Jersey before he was forced to stop playing basketball on November 25, 2003 due to focal glomerulosclerosis. On December 19, 2003, Mourning underwent kidney transplant surgery in which he was given a kidney donated by his cousin. In 12 games for New Jersey, Mourning averaged 8.0 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 17.9 mpg.</div><div align="center">Link</div> Zo returning to the NBA would be good for the Nets bcuz they finally get to use him after paying him so much for nothing, especially after their offseason, but only IF Mourning can remain healthy. If I remember correctly, Alonzo's contract doesn't take part in the team's salary cap, but if he returns, get's injured and cannot return, his contract will go back into and stay in effect on the teams cap, so that would suck. Both the Nets and Alonzo would be taking big risks by him returning but hopefully everything works out for the best. <font color="Red">Thread merged, because I know that the Zo comeback will be a hot topic for the rest of what has been interesting off season for us. The Zo comeback will bring some negetive and some positive feedback and debates. So I would like for everyone to get their updates and opinions off in the same thread. So please, for the future everyone please post your Zo comeback articles and opinions etc all in this thread, thanks guys.And thanks, Heatfan for the article- Henacy</font>
I've always been a fan of Mourning's but at this point I don't think he has anything left in the tank. I think he should've just called it a career (a very good one).
I am totally not sure about Zo coming back. Playing on one Kidney is not so ideal...if'd get a double transplant then I really would want to see him make a comeback... btw, I think that he is going to come to training camp and then not play one game. Thats my opinion, and I do not really have many facts to back it up. Even if Zo never had any health problem, I still do not think he will be the same player he was at 34...MJ was a great player and everything, but when he made his comeback he was not the same player.
The Nets haven't give up on him. He's really there last shot at having a presence in the paint. He's not gonna be the same player he was before. He'll never make it through a whole season again. You can always hope though.
