The news that Alonzo Mourning's vital signs have taken a turn for the worse, forcing him to suddenly retire from the New Jersey Nets on Monday morning, was surprisingly gripping even though everyone knew in their hearts and minds it was coming sooner than later.
At the age of 33, he has been robbed of what would have been at least four very productive years. The former All-Star of the Nets, Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets has a kidney disease, focal glomerulosclerosis, and now needs a transplant, precisely as San Antonio Spurs All-Star forward Sean Elliott did in 1999. Now 35, he's very healthy and one of the higher profile network NBA analysts.
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| Alonzo Mourning, who had some of his best years in Miami, has always been a fierce competitor.(AP) |
Maybe it's because we're talking about Mourning ... the combative, 6-10 warrior of warriors from the day he stepped onto the Georgetown campus to star for John Thompson 15 years ago. There are those who believe he was nuts to have played the 100 games he has managed over the past three years since being diagnosed with the disease shortly after earning a gold medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Guess what? It's none of their business. Anyone who knew Mourning realized he wasn't about to walk away easily. He played the final 13 games of the 2000-01 regular season and three playoff games for the Heat, then played 75 games and was an All-Star again the next season, only to sit out all of last season.
He struggled with anemia, his weight and strength and stamina fluctuating. But as a testimony to who he is and what he's about, he was a highly recruited free agent this summer as he and the Heat somewhat amicably parted. He opted for a four-year, $22 million deal to join Jason Kidd and the Nets. That he played only 12 games, averaging career lows in every category, was an indication of where this was going.
The blow-up he had last week in practice with Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin mocking him over his exhaustion from suicide sprint drills also proves he need no longer play on a basketball team with children, either.
"It's a sad day in anyone's life when they can no longer do what they love, especially when they have no control over their situation," Heat president Pat Riley said. "Alonzo had been the cornerstone of the Heat organization for eight years and continues to be a role model in the Miami community. Our prayers and wishes go out to Alonzo and his family during this very difficult time. Like the warrior he is, he will fight this and prevail."
Elliott was more careful and calm and never controversial. Nobody talked about the prospect of anti-inflammatory drugs causing his sickness; it came out of both barrels when Mourning was diagnosed. Considering Elliott's history of knee problems, there was little doubt if it is indeed a cause, it's just as likely drugs caused his kidney attack as well.
There has been no documented proof either way. That's really not the issue here, anyway. We saw Mourning blossom as a man during the illness. A tough person, who often seemed to carry a ton of chips on his broad shoulders. A lot of those matters seemed to evaporate in the wake of the illness. His charities in South Florida began to grow, and his veneer to the public and the media softened. He was maturing as an adult leader, not just a star athlete.
It hurt the fan base in the Miami area that he didn't accept the one-year, $1 million offer by the Heat last summer -- an organization that was cutting costs and, after four years of coping, knew first hand the unlikelihood of him playing more than one season. The motto "Say it isn't 'Zo" was not flattering.
None of that matters now. Hopefully, he will find a compatible donor shortly and follow Elliott's footsteps into life after playing. He has set a course predicated on spirit, intensity and success. Only his playing days are over. Woe be those who underestimate the focus and verve he will throw into the next professional step of his life.
Fellow Georgetown alum and long-time friend Patrick Ewing is just another member of that extended family filing into Mourning's burgeoning corner of support.
"I spoke with Alonzo last night regarding his situation," Ewing said. "I feel for him and his family during what is a very difficult time for them. Alonzo has always been a strong person and I know he will find a way to overcome this setback. What is important now is that Alonzo focus his energies on getting healthy and living the rest of his life. Today's news was very disturbing to me. I wish him all the best. He is, and always will be, very special to me."
The news was disturbing to everyone, if only because he's always been such a model of strength and power, even when he was first diagnosed. Now all we can hope for is a seamless transplant and healthy recovery. Fortunately, he got out in time, before there was an further damage. In this day and age when too many athletes take, take, take and rarely say thank you or give back unless they are forced to, Alonzo Mourning rose above the fray.
Basketball helped made Alonzo Mourning an important person, the kidney disease made him a better one.
