Mourning coming back?

Rockets34Legend · 09-01-2004, 11:43 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1872552

His agent says there's nothing to reports that Alonzo Mourning plans another comeback, the New Jersey Nets say they wouldn't be surprised if he tried and the man himself isn't saying anything.

On Tuesday, the Record of Hackensack, N.J., reported that the 6-foot-10 center, who 12 games into last season said he was retiring because of a kidney transplant, is expected to announce his return this week.

Citing a "league source," the Record reported that Mourning "wants to come back" and that he's "going to make an attempt."

On Wednesday, the Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J., quoted Mourning's agent, Jeff Wechsler, senior vice president of basketball for SFX, as saying, "There's nothing going on."

"Alonzo is out of the country right now," Wechsler said. "I don't know where this is coming from."

Nets general manager Ed Stefanski told the New York Times for Wednesday's editions that "I've heard the rumors, but I haven't spoken to Alonzo."

"He's part of the team. If he wants to come to camp, he's welcome," Stefanski told the Times. He's got to get medical clearance, but if he gets it, he's more than welcome. Nothing would surprise me, as competitive as Alonzo is."

On the other hand, the Star-Ledger indicated the Nets wouldn't want him.

Mourning is still owed $17.7 million from the four-year $22.6 million contract New Jersey gave him last summer. If he stays away, the Nets owe him the money but can take the charge off their salary cap. If he returns, they can't take the salary-cap break for an injury exception -- not even if he fails and quits after a few games.

In June, the Times reports, Mourning dismissed comeback thoughts, saying, "My intention right now is to continue to focus on making sure that this new organ that I have in me stays in me. I don't want to go through that procedure again."

dreday · 09-01-2004, 12:50 PM

I really hope he's not. With his health condiction it wouldn't be worth it...

Rivaldo2181 · 09-01-2004, 02:13 PM

Zo has always been one of my favorite players and I hope he does return. I hope they release him or trade him to the Heat so he can finish his career where he and Riles made the Heat.

darkwarrior · 09-01-2004, 02:52 PM

i thought he was 40 years old. He's only 34, and if he thinks he's healthy enough, then good for him. Nets don't want him; we could try to pick him up. At least it will prevent a Shaq-Mourning front line altough i could see why he would want to go there. I would laugh if we got Mutumbo, Mourning, E. Campbell and Ewing on the bench. It would look so odd.

darkwarrior · 09-01-2004, 07:45 PM

http://www.nba.com/nets/news/mournin...ts_090104.html

he's going to rejoin nets training camp. does that mean he'll stay as a net or does it me he'll play with any team?

Rivaldo2181 · 09-02-2004, 08:22 AM

Damm, Now I really can't wait for the season!!!!!!!

PhiSlammaJamma · 09-02-2004, 09:27 AM

I heard he's going to play if they can protect the liver with some kind of protective gear. Supposedly his "extra" liver is in the front and vulnerable. I guess the league would have to approve whatever gear he intend to wear. Maybe something inflatable.

asianballa23 · 09-02-2004, 01:01 PM

If zo can even make it through pre-season camp, he'll belong to the nets unless the nets decides to trade him. I believe he's still owed tons of money on his contract and i hate to say this, but zo's a ticking time bomb as far as his cancer goes. Going after zo would be a huge risk, injury wise and financial wise.

outlaw · 09-02-2004, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PhiSlammaJamma
I heard he's going to play if they can protect the liver with some kind of protective gear. Supposedly his "extra" liver is in the front and vulnerable. I guess the league would have to approve whatever gear he intend to wear. Maybe something inflatable.

i thought it was his kidneys that was problem?

Rivaldo2181 · 09-02-2004, 03:27 PM

Quote:

but zo's a ticking time bomb as far as his cancer goes.

Dude, he had a rare kidney disease and got a transplant late last year. If Sean Eliotte could successfully come back, ZO can do so 10 times better so long as the disease doesn't return. ZO was one of the few players I saw that battled on every single possession like it was his last. Dude has HUGE heart and if every player in the NBA played like he did, the NBA would be much more enjoyable.

dharocks · 09-02-2004, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PhiSlammaJamma
I heard he's going to play if they can protect the liver with some kind of protective gear. Supposedly his "extra" liver is in the front and vulnerable. I guess the league would have to approve whatever gear he intend to wear. Maybe something inflatable.

I think maybe you mean a Kidney Blocker 2000 :D

dback816 · 09-02-2004, 04:20 PM

Mourning was voted the most intense player by coaches and GM's...

I dont think any1 should doubt his ability to PLAY, bust can he bring back the Zo'ness ?

SmeggySmeg · 09-02-2004, 08:10 PM

apparently he can play 16 games over the first two years on the contract.....so 4 more games... if he plays more than that then the Nets can't apply for insurance on the rest of the contract if he has to stop playing from injury