Two years ago Alonzo Mourning wasn't expected to ever play basketball again. He proved the doctors and the skeptics wrong. After a successful kidney transplant Zo returned to his former team, the Miami Heat. This season the backup center, who compliments Shaq, is contributing on a regular basis. With the Heat's push in the playoffs, Mourning will be a valuable asset off the bench. Despite playing 20 minutes a game his defensive presence is feared while crashing the boards hard every chance possible.
Alonzo started in career with the Charlotte Hornets where he lead the franchise to their first playoff birth. Then he was traded for Miami and played there 8 year. After going on the shelf on an extended period of time he was signed by the Nets for 1 year. His service and availability was limited due to the kidney ailment which was life-threatening at the time. Mourning was the survivor though and made it through the strenous hardships. What a long way the former Georgetown Hoya has come since then.
To shoot 59% in the NBA is tough, but for a player who went through the health problems Zo went through then bounce back is inspiring. The 7'0 veteran role player hopes to be an active inspiration to fans with related diseases who just want to quit or give up on their dreams. During crunch time this is a guy that a team likes to have on their side. Still with a little jump left in his step he can come up with big blocks and defensive stops.
With Miami in firm control in the Eastern conference at 45-23, they'll benefit by having Zo's intensity down the stretch. He averages 2.7 blocks per game. With Dwayne Wade and Shaq as the top scorers plus adding Antoine Walker and Zo to the mix makes for a super competitive force in the league. Miami will put to the test with San Antonio and Detroit. I look for Zo to give the Heat a punch of instant adrenaline off the bench.
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