edwardcyh

Mourning makes it official, re-signs with champion Heat
Aug. 18, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports

MIAMI -- Alonzo Mourning re-signed with the Miami Heat on Friday, a formality after the veteran center announced last month that he would return for the coming season and help the team defend its NBA championship.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Mourning played last season for the veterans' minimum salary of about $1.1 million; the new deal was not expected to be significantly different.

Alonzo Mourning, who underwent a kidney transplant in December 2003, has at least one more season left in him.

"It's obviously great to have Zo back," Heat coach Pat Riley said in a statement released by the team. "We know how important he is to the city, this franchise, and in helping us try to repeat as NBA champions. It's a good day."

Mourning, who underwent a kidney transplant in December 2003, announced July 15 that he would be back in Miami for his 14th NBA season.

He averaged 7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.66 blocks, making 20 starts as Shaquille O'Neal's backup and ranking third in the NBA in blocks per game.

"I love this organization, the fans and the whole South Florida community and I'm happy to have the opportunity to join my teammates and defend our championship this season," Mourning said. "I look forward to one day retiring as a member of the Heat, but right now, I feel great and can't wait to get out on the court and try to repeat."

With Mourning re-signed, the Heat has seven members of its eight-man playoff rotation under contract for next season. The only player not signed yet is veteran guard Gary Payton, who has often said he intends to play a 17th season and would like to stay in Miami.

Mourning, a seven-time All-Star, is Miami's all-time leader in games played (491), blocked shots (1,405), free throws made (2,328) and free throws attempted (3,512). He was a key part of the Heat's rotation last season, and had eight points, six rebounds and five blocked shots -- in only 14 minutes -- in Miami's title-clinching victory over Dallas in Game 6 of this year's NBA Finals.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/9608600

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edwardcyh

I liked the fact that Zo finally got his ring, but he's coming back for another year with his health conditions.....

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Saint Baller

I think it's really stupid that he re-signed to play, go out a champion Zo, I really dont think Miami has a chance to repeat. They are just favorites because they just won. I'm thinking they will be one hit wonders.

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edwardcyh

Amen!

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xray

I've always liked Zo - I guess it really depends on how he feels and how the team feels about him.

Standard stuff.

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edwardcyh

The best part about his "condition" is that he can quit ANYTIME during the season, and he would techinically be "going out on top."

If you think about it, he could play 3/4 of the season, and Miami could have a record under .500, and he could quit then. People would still remember his last achievement being THE RING...

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Saint Baller

I dont know about you, I'd just remember the very last team he played on went under .500 which wont happen

I'm not saying that Miami will suck, I'm saying I dont think they can contend this year. They are one hit wonders.

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xray

Not to mention that natural tendency to cruise the year following (hello SA) that Shaq is especially prone to, imo. That team is getting no younger by the day (hi again, SA), so I can see how they may be waiting for their next ship. (Aloha, SA)

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Dre™

I wouldn't say the Spurs cruised through anything last year, they had injuries.

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xray

They did - but so did the Mavs. Bigger picture says the Spurs haven't repeated since their run started in '99. Granted, it's harder to defend than to win, that's why Miami won't imo.

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