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Should Miami Heat’s Alonzo Mourning Be Inducted Into Basketball Hall of Fame?



December 21 07

The NBA’s fiercest warrior could be finished. Last night, Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning suffered a possible career ending knee injury against the San Antonio Spurs.

Mourning attempted to block a shot, planted awkwardly on his right leg, and collapsed in pain. In typical ‘Zo’ fashion, he refused to be carted off in a wheel chair and limped to the dressing room with help from teammates.

Today, news broke that the former All-Star underwent surgery and is facing months of intensive rehab. Simply put, the weight room fiend and all-time favorite of Coach Pat Riley has likely played his final NBA game.

Hoop heads universally respect #33’s on and off-court legacy, but remain split on whether Mourning gets in the basketball Hall of Fame.

So does ‘Zo’ deserve a place in the James Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame? As always, read both arguments below, form an opinion, and vote in the comment box below.

Yes, Mourning is a Hall of Fame player …

  • Mourning was an all-time undersized center, dominating the defensive end of the floor.  His greatness, 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game, came through sheer determination and effort.
  • Mourning was a legit 20-10 center for eight seasons before undergoing kidney replacement surgery. Somehow, the surgery didn’t end his career and Mourning defied the odds to play several more seasons.
  • The numbers: seven-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, one First Team All-NBA honors, one Second Team All-NBA honors, and two First Team All-Defensive honors.
  • Mourning is a class act. Away from the game, the center defined gentle-giant, giving back to the Miami community through his numerous charities and summer block party.

No, Mourning is not a Hall of Fame player …

  • Mourning was very good, but not great. During his prime, he never dropped outstanding numbers.
  • The Heat never advanced far in the playoffs with Mourning as their star. His squads consistently found ways to choke during the second-season, especially against the Knicks.

Verdict: Yes, Mourning is a Hall of Fame player.

Why: For eight years -before kidney surgery- Mourning was an elite center. After the operation, the Georgetown grad changed his style and became a competent role player.

Looking strictly at the numbers, Mourning falls short. However, some leeway should be given because of his kidney surgery. There is precedence for sports’ Hall of Fames to give special consideration for extreme circumstances. For example, the hockey Hall of Fame recently admitted Cam Neely even though his career was cut short because of a Charlie horse injury.

Of course, Mourning also has a 2006 NB championship ring and spent several years as a solid back-up. So ‘Zo’ is in.

Does Mourning deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? Get at us in the comment box below or hit us up in HoopsVibe’s revamped fan forum.

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22 Comments: Should Miami Heat’s Alonzo Mourning Be Inducted Into Basketball (...)

Posted by
Chris
on 01.28.2008		 YEAAA ZO a BEAST AND PLAYED EVERY GAME WITH HEART .
Posted by
Bobby R. Bowden, MBA
on 01.1.2008

No doubt about it. Lots of players would have retired with just one kidney. He came back and was still dominant. Bill Russel got in on defense alone, why not Zo? Championships, or the lack of, do not determine hall of fame status. If that’s the case, then John Salley is a shoe is with his 6 or 7 rings and Ewing and Malone are out. Zo had offense also. Most of you young cats only know the Zo of today as a back-up center. So, let’s not forget how he carried the Heat a couple years ago when Shaq was out for most of the season. We’re not talking about Mutumbo here who could only block shots. Every pro career has a down side (unless you’re Brett Farve). Being a hall of famer means that you were an elite and dominant player in your prime for many years. With that being said, Alonzo Mourning will get in.

Bobby R. Bowden, MBA
CEO, Publisher
Klazzy.com the Magazine

.
Posted by

on 12.30.2007		 He is, definitely .
Posted by

on 12.23.2007		 A hell-yeah ... Mourning belongs in the Hall of Fame ... No doubt! .
Posted by
energy971
on 12.23.2007		 I dont know what to say , hes one of the greatest blockers of the league but thats it after all !! should he get into the hall of fame just for that ?? i guess not .
Posted by

on 12.22.2007		 no he shouldn’t be. He was a good player, but not one of the greatest to ever play the game. The only championship he won was one that he wasn’t a major part of. .
Posted by

on 12.22.2007		 Don’t think so...he played dirty...moving screens...always cried like a baby and scowled at refs when he was called for obvious fouls...almost as big a whiner as Rahseed... .
Posted by

on 12.22.2007		 The game was against the Atlanta Hawks not the San Antonio Spurs. .
Posted by
Gm for Hire
on 12.21.2007		 Are we talking about the same alonzo who said he would not play for new jersey no matter what! After only playing 40 games in two seasons...HUmm He needs to be in the hall of shame for pulling a karl malone just to win a championship. Its plenty of players with better stats thats not even in the hall of fame. What about the Hammer Armen Gilliam , Otis Thorpe, Glen Rice, Tim hardaway, steve Smith , Mookie blaylock, Sean Elliott, Granted the 90’s were filled with great players.. just because of his size and that one championship which he didnt earn doesnt give him a pa-------for the hall of fame. On top of that he might have one of the worse attitudes in the Nba. Just my opinion doe .
Posted by

on 12.21.2007		 Go to go with Mourning being in the Hall of fame. He’s the greatest undersized center of all-time EVER .
Posted by
Oly
on 12.21.2007		 I didn’t erase anything hammerhead. I have been at work the whole time. As I maintained before you have a right to say whatever you want! .
Posted by
Hammer Head Johnson
on 12.21.2007		 Who the fu*k erased my comment. See Oly not is a crappy writer he is a bit*h to that comment erased. What’s the matter can’t handle the truth. So lame .
Posted by
bob
on 12.21.2007		 It wasnt san antonio it was Atlanta retards .
Posted by
Coach K, Royals Of Midwest Basketball Team
on 12.21.2007		 "Zo" is without any doubt in my mind a Hall of Fame type player. You really couldn’t ask for more from a player. His numbers are outstanding... I’ll take his consistent numbers any day... Especially for a guy who had to wait for somebody to pa-------him the ball... Not to mention his being undersized at his position. He’s the epitome of hard work and tenacity! .
Posted by
big johnnie
on 12.21.2007		 I feel that Zo should go to the "Hall." I remember watching him at Georgetown. Since then, he has exemplified the tenancity and spirit that is meant for the NBA. One would have to dig deep or fabricate negative comments. Maybe some may feel that his posted numbers may not be so great, BUT his can-do attitude shows whether he’s in the game for 1 minute or ten minutes. .
Posted by

on 12.21.2007		 no doubt about it zo is definitely a hall of famer .
Posted by
Boski
on 12.21.2007		 In a word... YES. .
Posted by
No 2 Zo
on 12.21.2007		 Sorry folks this guy is not hoops hall of famer. He belongs in the great guy hall of fame, But as far as hoops he shouldn’t get in. .
Posted by
KING MIKE
on 12.21.2007		 YES HE SHOULD BECAUSE (ZO) PUT IN HARD WORK AND DEDICATION SINCE COMING IN THE LEAGUE AND HE’S NEVER LET UP. HE’S PUT UP SOLID NUMBERS THROUGH OUT HIS CAREER, HE’S ALSO BEEN KNOWN AS ONE OF THE TOP CENTERS IN THE LEAGUE BEFORE AND AFTER THE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SO I DON’T SEE WHY HE WOULDN’T MAKE IT. .
Posted by
john from virginia
on 12.21.2007		 yes, my boy zo should be in the hall of fame. He has heart and determination. He was an outstanding player period. He battled on and off the court and won. So, yes to the HOF. He is my homeboy from Indian River HS in VA. Get Well soon. homme!! .
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Oly Sandor

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Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More  






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