In the end, Alonzo Mourning chose his health rather than another comeback, and the seven-time All-Star center officially retired on Thursday.
“That’s what it’s all about, it’s my health,” Mourning said during a press conference at Miami’s American Airlines Arena. “My health is more important than anything.”
“So many of us take it for granted, underestimate it until something seriously happens to us. I’ve gone down with something seriously physically happening to me, and I can surely appreciate my health at this particular state that I’m in right now,” he said.
Mourning has not played since suffering a torn patella tendon in his right knee and a torn quadriceps in the same leg during a game against Atlanta on Dec. 19, 2007.
“I’m able to walk, I’m able to run, and I’m able to chase after my kids without a limp,” he said. “God willing, I’ll be able to live another 40 or 50 years, and I want to do it in a comfortable state. Right now I’m there.”
A former two-time NBA defensive player of the year, Mourning, widely respected for his extensive charity and community work, was forced out of the game in 2003 when he had to undergo a kidney transplant.
However, he surprised and encouraged many when he made a comeback.
Mourning was diagnosed with a serious kidney disease in 2000 and as his condition worsened he missed the 2002-2003 season.
With Miami not renewing his contract he became a free agent and signed for the New Jersey Nets before his illness forced his retirement in November 2003.
He received a replacement kidney from his cousin and after the transplant attempted to come back with the Nets but found his chances limited.
Mourning then headed back to Miami and helped the team to the 2006 title.
Mourning was rumored to be attempting another return but doctors told the 38-year-old that he would not be able to recover from the devastating knee injury.
During his 15 NBA seasons, Mourning, the second overall pick in the 1992 draft, averaged 17.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.81 blocks, while shooting 52.7 per cent from the floor in 838 games with the Heat, Charlotte Hornets and New Jersey Nets.
Mourning was also a member of the gold medal-winning US Olympic team in 2000 and is tipped to be a future Hall of Fame member.
Matvei Michkov did not score on Monday, but the Philadelphia rookie had a hand in both goals as hosts the Flyers earned a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Ryan Poehling and Jamie Drysdale got the goals for the Flyers (31-36-9, 71 points), who won their third straight. Michkov and Travis Konecny assisted on both. Ivan Fedotov stopped 28 shots to earn his first win since March 1, ending a personal six-game losing streak. Zachary L’Heureux got the lone goal for Nashville. Michael McCarron and Brady Skjei got the assists for the Predators (27-39-8, 62 points), who have just four goals in their
Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday pulled off a major upset in the DFB-Pokal by defeating defending champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-1 in their semi-final. The third-division team came from behind after Jonathan Tah gave the visitors a 17th-minute lead. Marius Worl replied three minutes later and Maximilian Groser scored Bielefeld’s second goal just before the break. The home team looked more likely to add to that tally as the Leverkusen players looked jaded. “I’m just proud of this team,” Bielefeld coach Mitch Kniat said as most of the fans the small stadium sang around him. “No one will sleep in the city tonight.” Patrik Schick went
THREES KINGS: The Celtics claimed a piece of league history by setting a new record for the number of threes in a season, ending their game with 1,370 Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun on Friday combined for 65 points as the Houston Rockets halted Oklahoma City’s 11-game winning streak with a statement 125-111 victory. In a potential Western Conference finals preview, the Rockets produced a dominant all-round performance to jolt the top-seeded Thunder’s all-conquering preparations for the post-season. Green finished with 34 points from 11-of-24 shooting, while Turkish big man Sengun made 31 points as second-placed Houston improved to 51-27. Oklahoma City grabbed the lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter, but Houston soon knocked the Thunder out of their stride with a physical approach to move into the
Marcus Rashford’s first goals for Aston Villa on Sunday inspired a 3-0 win against Preston North End that sent his side into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 10 years. Rashford struck twice in the second half at Deepdale to end Preston’s stubborn resistance before Jacob Ramsey wrapped up Villa’s long-awaited return to the last four. Villa are to face Crystal Palace — 3-0 winners at Fulham on Saturday — in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium in London. Revitalized since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, Rashford is beginning to show the form that