Alonzo Mourning

[thegrahamcrackr]

yeah mourning would be awesome if he could play....


BUT


if he could play why wouldnt Miami resign him?

Why wouldnt he go to a team that is already a contender (Like SA to replace David or LA or play alongside or behind Shaq)

Dreams are nice, but lets touch back to earth now

 

[elindholm]

Why wouldnt he go to a team that is already a contender (Like SA to replace David or LA or play alongside or behind Shaq)

He won't be O'Neal's backup. Not a chance. If he doesn't retire, it's because he wants to play, not sit on the bench behind someone who used to be a peer.

The Spurs are definitely a possibility, but the speculation is that they will set their FA sights on a higher-level player (Olowokandi, Brad Miller), which would again reduce Mourning to a backup.

If a healthy Mourning joins the Suns, they are contenders. Period. And, as long as he stayed healthy, he would be a big part of their run for a title. That would be worth a lot, I would think.

 

[Chaplin]

You think his old friend Dan Majerle could convince him to play for the Suns?

 

[Cheesebeef]

I would crap a brick if Moruning signed with the Suns. We tried to get him way back in the last Charles days - if the guy's healthy - we are instant contenders next year.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

if he is healthy and comes to the suns we are contenders...i totally agree....

but why would he come to the suns. so far we have dan majerle asking him too.

He could play along side Shaq BTW...which would make LA the best front court instead of SA. The playing behind comment was more based on his health than anything.

Hell if he signed with the heat again they would become favorites in the east.

I mean mourning is a top 3 center when healthy.

why would he come to the suns though??

 

[Cheesebeef]

personally - I don't think Mourning will ever be a top three center in the league - too much wear and tear on a body which has gone through a bigger war than professional sport ver could - however - I don't think he would want to gravy train on Shaq or Duncan to get a championship - No one wants to be David Robinson - but as part of the Suns, he could be that last piece which could still put in his mind that w/o him they wouldn't win a cahmpionship so, basically, he would be the one to take them there . . . maybe I'm just dreaming.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

with a lot of teams he could compete for a championship.

He is only 33. He doenst have "wear and tear" on any part of his body necessary for basketball. He got a disease, not knee surgery. Could you name other centers that would dominante Mourning? I think of Shaq and maybe Ming.

About the gravy train comment, how else do players get championships? They have to "gravy chain" on someone or else people would be "gracy chaining" on them for a ring.

 

[boisesuns]

from the san jose mercury news web site.....

looks like he will test the market. he mentiones the "business standpoint" wonder what he is thinking in salary terms. 20 mil to 4 is a big cut despite health concerns.



Kidney specialist says Mourning is well enough to play
By ISRAEL GUTIERREZ
Miami Herald

MIAMI - One of the kidney specialists treating Alonzo Mourning said the Heat center is back to the form he was in during the 2001-02 season, when he played in 75 games and averaged 15.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.48 blocks despite his kidney disease.

Dr. Gerald Appel, a renowned nephrologist who has been monitoring Mourning since he was diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis in October 2000, said Mourning's kidney disease is in partial remission and he is in good enough condition to play professional basketball again.

Appel, who practices at Columbia University, will come to Miami within the next two weeks to give Mourning one final physical before the center can begin fully preparing for another season in the NBA.

"He is in exactly the same condition he was before last season," Appel said. "He has been stable for some time now. I know Alonzo feels as good as he's felt in some time.

"I just want to go down to Miami, just seeing him one more time."

After playing the entire 2001-02 season with his disease in partial remission, Mourning suffered a setback last summer that saw his body chemistry levels dip to a dangerously low level.

The reason for the relapse, Mourning admitted in a news conference this past season, was he had neglected his weekly medical check-ups.

"He messed up on the regimen," Appel said. "It took me a little while to realize that."

Should Mourning, 33, play again next season, as is expected, his doctors will monitor him as closely as they did last season to be sure his body chemistries remain stable. But to avoid another relapse, Appel said he will continue to monitor Mourning on a regular basis well after the season.

"The way to avoid a relapse from happening again is to keep a close eye on him," Appel said.

The news of Mourning's health is not only positive for Mourning, but also for a large number of teams in search of a quality center. Mourning will become an unrestricted free agent as of July 1, leaving him open to sign with any team.

As for the concerns those teams will have about Mourning's health, Appel believes anyone interested in Mourning will be comfortable with what they learn.

"Other teams are obviously going to do their own check-ups," Appel said. "I'm sure Alonzo will give his allowance to show the medical data to anyone that's interested in him. But a lot of the proof will be in the practices and workouts.

"I know Alonzo feels great right now."

Mourning has felt good for so long, in fact, Appel said it would have been possible for the center to return toward the latter portion of this past season. But, Appel said, Mourning and his doctors have been treating the situation cautiously.

"It would have been possible to play late last season, I suppose, but we wanted to make absolutely sure his kidney functions were stable," Appel said.

Now that his ability to play next season is no longer in question, the question that remains is where Mourning will play.

Mourning has made it clear in recent weeks he will test the free agent market.

The Heat, in the midst of a rebuilding process, might choose to spend its money elsewhere, and Mourning has said he understands the team's position.

"First and foremost, the market is a factor, and I'd be stupid not to see what's out there," said Mourning, who made $20.6 million this season. "I wouldn't be a smart businessman if I didn't. My love is in Miami. But I've got to look at this thing from a business perspective seeing that I'm nearing the end of my career."

 

[KloD]

Wishful thinking...but, when I think about where he might lean if more than a few offers roll his way...first, he likes the warm weather and I'm sure will want to continue to live in that climate. Next, he will want to play with a team he can be apart of and that has a chance to get far in the playoffs. It starting to sound like someplace you know? Who knows, but he is certainly not going to get long term money and probably not more than the 4.5m. Ahhhh it's the off season for us....I can dream.

 

[boisesuns]

as long as we are dreaming, if zo wants playing time, theoretically he will get it here...come on frank!!!! he would be a great teacher for jake too. i think his game would fit well with the suns. he can hit shots and hustles a lot.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Here's how to get it done.

Trade Bo Outlaw and the #17 pick for a resigned Mourning (to a contract that fits the trade). Give Mourning 2 or 3 years.

I think Miami would go for it. The pick fits, and Bo's salary declines throughout his contract. The rub would be if Mourning would want to play for $6 million or so.

The pick is the carrot to get Miami to play ball with a sign and trade. They get a quality veteran player at a decent wage (a declining short contract) and a young player. Not a bad rebuilding move. It worked for the Suns in that deal with Orlando.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by JCSunsfan
Here's how to get it done.

Trade Bo Outlaw and the #17 pick for a resigned Mourning (to a contract that fits the trade). Give Mourning 2 or 3 years.

I think Miami would go for it. The pick fits, and Bo's salary declines throughout his contract. The rub would be if Mourning would want to play for $6 million or so.

Ugh. No thanks. Mourning would be around maybe 2 or 3 years--after that, he's gone--and we'd be without our energy guy off the bench and a potential young bench player. I don't know if the questions about Mourning's health is worth that.

 

[elindholm]

Trade Bo Outlaw and the #17 pick for a resigned Mourning

If the Heat can't resign Mourning themselves, they'll probably just keep the financial flexibility. What do they want with Bo Outlaw? The only way a sign-and-trade is possible is if Phoenix gives up something of real value.

 

[elindholm]

Mourning would be around maybe 2 or 3 years--after that, he's gone--and we'd be without our energy guy off the bench and a potential young bench player.

I respectfully disagree. Outlaw has only two years left on his deal anyway, and if the Suns really want him after his contract is up in 2005, they can sign him again no matter what team he's on. And while the #17 pick might be a contributor, it's extraordinarily unlikely that he'll have the kind of impact that a healthy Mourning would.

True, Mourning might not be able to stay healthy, but if the Suns have any interest in him in the first place (and who knows whether they will), it will be because they think he's good to go. So if that assessment can be trusted, getting him for Outlaw and the #17 -- and no additional money -- would be a steal.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Ugh. No thanks. Mourning would be around maybe 2 or 3 years--after that, he's gone--and we'd be without our energy guy off the bench and a potential young bench player. I don't know if the questions about Mourning's health is worth that.

True, its a gamble. I don't think Bo is going to be around more than 2 or 3 years either. He's no spring chicken.

The young bench player is that much of a loss. We've got plenty of youth already. We really need veterans to plug holes.

Mourning's health is the big gamble. If he's as healthy as reported, well he's an energy guy on par with Bo. If the Suns don't want to gamble on his health, I would understand that.

Having Alonzo around just to rub shoulders with Amare and the Jakes is really appealing.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by elindholm


I respectfully disagree. Outlaw has only two years left on his deal anyway, and if the Suns really want him after his contract is up in 2005, they can sign him again no matter what team he's on. And while the #17 pick might be a contributor, it's extraordinarily unlikely that he'll have the kind of impact that a healthy Mourning would.

Sorry, I meant we'd be without him for those 2 or 3 years.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Originally posted by elindholm
Trade Bo Outlaw and the #17 pick for a resigned Mourning

If the Heat can't resign Mourning themselves, they'll probably just keep the financial flexibility. What do they want with Bo Outlaw? The only way a sign-and-trade is possible is if Phoenix gives up something of real value.

That may be true. Its so hard to know what would make a team bite on a deal like this. If I was Miami, I'd take Bo and I'd want Little Jake, and maybe try to get Phoenix to take back a little more salary.

But I'm just a fan.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by JCSunsfan

Mourning's health is the big gamble. If he's as healthy as reported, well he's an energy guy on par with Bo. If the Suns don't want to gamble on his health, I would understand that.

Didn't they say exactly that before he went down the last time?

Look, I'd love to have Mourning on the team, but man, that is a huge, huge gamble.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Didn't they say exactly that before he went down the last time?

Look, I'd love to have Mourning on the team, but man, that is a huge, huge gamble.

There are ways to cut the risk--insurance, health clauses in the contract etc.

In order to get a team to sign him Alonzo is going to have to give good indication he is good to go. One way to do that is to put a health clause concerning his kidney disease (but not other injuries or diseases) in his contract.

Let's put it this way. If the Suns and Alonzo really wanted to get this done, it could be done and in such a way that doesn't jeapardize the team's future.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I guess the reason I keep talking about Mourning is that I can't think of a player in the NBA that better fits what the Suns are looking for in a center.

He rebounds, plays tough D, blocks shots, and shoots the 15 footer with consistency.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by JCSunsfan
There are ways to cut the risk--insurance, health clauses in the contract etc.

In order to get a team to sign him Alonzo is going to have to give good indication he is good to go. One way to do that is to put a health clause concerning his kidney disease (but not other injuries or diseases) in his contract.

Let's put it this way. If the Suns and Alonzo really wanted to get this done, it could be done and in such a way that doesn't jeapardize the team's future.

That's true, but then if he goes down, we'd be without Mourning, Outlaw, AND our potential #17.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Originally posted by Chaplin
That's true, but then if he goes down, we'd be without Mourning, Outlaw, AND our potential #17.

The only difference between that potential injury situation and the team this year is the loss of Outlaw. We survived much worse injury problems this year.

I don't believe that #17 pick is going to get much playing time for the Suns, regardless of what kind of "steal" they seem to get there.

If we traded the #17 and Bo for Mourning and Mourning went down, it would be virtually the same as sitting still this summer.

Some have suggested trading the #17 for a future first anyway. I just can't see the huge risk in this.

Would Mourning be able to sign for around $6 million elsewhere? Probably not.

Would Miami bite on a such a trade? Maybe, we might have to sweeten it a little. We could always throw in that cursed Cleveland pick.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by JCSunsfan
The only difference between that potential injury situation and the team this year is the loss of Outlaw. We survived much worse injury problems this year.

I don't believe that #17 pick is going to get much playing time for the Suns, regardless of what kind of "steal" they seem to get there.

If we traded the #17 and Bo for Mourning and Mourning went down, it would be virtually the same as sitting still this summer.

Some have suggested trading the #17 for a future first anyway. I just can't see the huge risk in this.

Would Mourning be able to sign for around $6 million elsewhere? Probably not.

Would Miami bite on a such a trade? Maybe, we might have to sweeten it a little. We could always throw in that cursed Cleveland pick.

Casey Jacobsen got a good amount of playing time, and he was a later pick than 17.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Casey Jacobsen got a good amount of playing time, and he was a later pick than 17.

That's true. And because it is true makes it less likely that this year's #17 will get time. Last summer we needed youth and we added two key young players who are not going away. Their presence makes it much less likely for another young player to crack the line up.

"Sorry, that position is now filled."

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by JCSunsfan
That's true. And because it is true makes it less likely that this year's #17 will get time. Last summer we needed youth and we added two key young players who are not going away. Their presence makes it much less likely for another young player to crack the line up.

"Sorry, that position is now filled."

I disagree, ESPECIALLY if we draft a guy like Zarko, who is a tall SF type of player--he'd DEFINITELY get playing time behind Shawn--and would see time in a small ball lineup.