Sun, Nov 07, 2004 page24

• Alonzo Mourning drives up his worth

  AMERICAN BASKETBALL Nets President Rod Thorn publicly acknowledged for the first time that center Mourning had asked to be bought out of the final three years of his contract

  • NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE
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  Alonzo Mourning has made no secret of his desire to play for someone other than the Nets. But he played plenty for the Nets on Friday night.

  The Nets' president, Rod Thorn, publicly acknowledged for the first time on Friday that Mourning had asked to be bought out of the final three years of his four-year, US$22.6 million contract, which he signed before the start of last season.

  

  Nets center Alonzo Mourning, right, shoots over Bulls center Tyson Chandler during the second quarter of their game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on Friday.

  PHOTO: EPA

  "But the only way we're going to do it is if it makes sense for us," Thorn said before Mourning helped the Nets, who squandered a 27-point first-half lead, to a 111-106 victory in two overtimes over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Friday night.

  "And with what has been talked about so far, it makes no sense for us and I'm not going to do it," Thorn said.

  Playing 26 minutes in the Nets' second game of the season, Mourning scored 17 points, including the tie-breaking basket in the second overtime, and added five rebounds and six blocked shots.

  Coach Lawrence Frank was effusive in his praise. "My man had a kidney transplant and he's playing 26 minutes through fatigue," he said. "I would say that's pretty incredible."

  Not to Mourning.

  "I know what I'm capable of doing," Mourning said. "I still have a ton of room for improvement."

  The 34-year-old Mourning, who retired after having a kidney transplant Dec. 19 but then decided to attempt a comeback, is owed more than US$17 million. His contract is guaranteed, but it is also uninsured because of his health.

  "Because of his condition, he's essentially an untradable player," Thorn said.

  Thorn would not comment on what figure Mourning was seeking in a buyout. A team official in the NBA with knowledge of Thorn's discussions with Mourning and his agent, Jeffrey Wexler, said Mourning was asking for more than $14 million, but Mourning said Friday that he had asked for less than that.

  "I have made it small," Mourning said, referring to the figure he is asking. "They want it smaller."

  The Nets, according to the NBA official, would be much more willing to buy out Mourning at a figure closer to US$6 million, in which case US$2 million would count against their salary cap each year until the contract expires after the 2006-2007 season.

  With the score tied at 103-103 in the second overtime, Richard Jefferson, who played 57 of a possible 58 minutes, fed Mourning for consecutive baskets -- a lay-up with 1 minute 24 seconds remaining and a slam dunk with 48.7 seconds left -- to give the Nets the lead for good.

  Mourning met with Thorn before the start of training camp, a meeting Thorn described as amicable. Mourning said he and Wexler had had several conversations with Thorn since then.The Nets seem discouraged by and disappointed in Mourning's decision to ask for a buyout after they gambled on him before last season. Mourning had missed the entire 2002-2003 season because of kidney problems. He played only 12 games last season.

  "This organization has treated him like gold," Thorn said. "We've gone above and beyond what most organizations do for any player."

  But Thorn added that he did not think Mourning's play would be affected by his desire to have his contract bought out.

  Amare Stoudemire scored 29 points, Shawn Marion had 24, and Joe Johnson 22 to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 108-98 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night in Philadelphia.

  The Suns (2-0) also got big games from their two major offseason acquisitions: Quentin Richardson scored 15 points, and Steve Nash had 10 assists. Phoenix made 11 of 28 3-pointers.

  Allen Iverson led the Sixers (1-1) with 25 points, Willie Green had 16, and Kenny Thomas had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

  The loss spoiled the home debut for 76ers coach Jim O'Brien, the Philly native who was a three-year starter at Saint Joseph's.

  The Suns used a 19-6 second-quarter run to take a 68-49 halftime lead.

  Raptors 101, Pistons 89

  In Toronto, Loren Woods had 17 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, and Vince Carter scored seven of 12 points in the final three minutes to help Toronto improve to 2-0 by beating defending NBA champion Detroit.

  Chris Bosh led a balanced attack for Toronto (2-0) with 18 points. Six Raptors players reached double figures.

  Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups led Detroit (1-1) with 24 points apiece.

  The Pistons were without coach Larry Brown, who had surgery on his left hip Wednesday and is expected to be away from the team for seven to 10 days.

  Toronto's reserves outscored Detroit's backups 30-8. The Pistons' reserves scored only six points in their season-opening win on Tuesday.

  Pacers 100, Celtics 94

  In Boston, Ron Artest scored 28 points and Jermaine O'Neal added 19 to lead short-handed Indiana past Boston.

  The Pacers, playing without Reggie Miller, Jonathan Bender, Jeff Foster and Anthony Johnson due to injuries, extended their winning streak against Boston to eight games -- including a four-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs last season. O'Neal, who missed Wednesday's season opener with a sore left foot, entered midway through the first quarter. He shot 5-of-16 from the field and 9-of-14 from the foul line in 24 minutes.

  The Pacers (2-0) have won their first two games of the season for the first time in nine years.

  Ricky Davis finished with 22 points and Mark Blount added 18 for Boston, 0-2 under new coach Doc Rivers.

  Rockets 89, Grizzlies 81

  In Memphis, Tennessee, Tracy McGrady scored 30 points and had nine assists, leading Houston past Memphis.

  Jim Jackson scored 14 points, and Juwan Howard had 11 points for the Rockets, who avoided becoming the sixth team in club history to start 0-3 despite being in foul trouble all night.

  Houston was playing its third straight game on the road and is in the midst of a four game in five night stretch.

  Memphis (0-2) was led by Pau Gasol with 21 points. Bonzi Wells had 15 points and Jason Williams added 11. Grizzlies starters shot 16-of-47 from the field.

  Yao Ming, who finished with eight points and four rebounds in 22 minutes, picked up his fifth foul with the Rockets leading 67-60 with 11:37 remaining.

  Magic 90, Hornets 89

  In New Orleans, Steve Francis made his second game-winning shot of the season, soaring into the lane to put back Pat Garrity's missed 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left and lifting Orlando over New Orleans.

  Baron Davis, whose 36 points kept the Hornets (0-2) in the game, had the ball in his hands along the baseline as the last seconds ticked away. He made a no-look pass into the paint, but Jamaal Magloire bobbled it and had to rush a shot that was blocked by former Hornets player Stacy Augmon. Francis, acquired from Houston in the Tracy McGrady trade, finished with 19 points for the Magic (2-0).

  Hedo Turkoglu, in only for 23 minutes, scored 21 points -- six more than all the Hornets' reserves. Cuttino Mobley added 13 points for the Magic, 10 in the second half.
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