kaynak : NBA
29 Nisan 2008
McDyess, Young tough it out after shots to nose
Thaddeus Young's nose is still swollen. But the 19-year-old 76ers rookie was still better off than the Pistons' Antonio McDyess.
Young suffered a bloody nose late in Game 3 on Friday, when he was hit there at the same time that another Pistons player was hitting him in the back. He didn't get the names or numbers of the perpetrators.
"It was like a pinball machine, and I was the ball," Young said with a laugh.
Young went down to the ground, his nose bloody. But it wasn't broken, and even though he was listed as day-to-day, Young said there was never a doubt that he would play Sunday night.
That wasn't the case with McDyess. He was accidentally hit there by Andre Iguodala as they were battling for a rebound less than a minute before Young got hit. That came midway through the third quarter. McDyess left the game and didn't return.
He was diagnosed with a broken nose. He flew back to Detroit for surgery on Saturday.
McDyess returned in time for Game 4 on Sunday night, and he was cleared to play. But he didn't start, and he was fitted for a protective mask. Jason Maxiell started in his place.
Still, it was an emotional lift for the Pistons, especially when McDyess finished with 10 points in 20 minutes.
"I told the team that we have a guy who got operated on [Saturday], has flown [to Detroit] and back, was throwing up [Saturday] night, has a broken nose and is competing harder than anybody else on the floor," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "That should show you how bad he really wants this."
Even Young said he was impressed that McDyess was able to play one day after having surgery.
"He's tough," Young said. "A broken nose, and coming back one day later -- that's tough."
Dissing on Detroit
The Pistons have not impressed Alonzo Mourning or Charles Barkley, who are both analysts for TNT's coverage of the playoffs.
"You can't just show up in the playoffs with your name on your jersey," Mourning said. "You have to put forth the effort. The Pistons are being outworked [by the 76ers]. You can see the Sixers running after loose balls. [Samuel] Dalembert is having a wonderful series, he's contesting every shot. I'd like to see the best player on the court, Rasheed Wallace, assert himself in there."
Added Barkley: "Detroit has to stop living off the year they won the championship and start playing hard. They are starting to believe, 'We are the Pistons,' but they won a championship a long time ago [in 2004]. They've gotten beaten the last few years and they don't play hard at all. They play cool. They play very pretty."
Evans for mayor?
Reggie Evans has become a fan favorite in Philadelphia, and it's easy to see why.
He hustles after loose balls. He takes charges. And the fans appreciate his enthusiasm.
GM Ed Stefanski has noticed this, too.
"Reggie could be the mayor of Philadelphia if he wanted to be right now," Stefanski said. "They love Reggie. Reggie is who we are in Philadelphia. We look at ourselves as blue collar-type people. We work hard. That's who we are as a city and they love him."
kaynak : NBA
Young suffered a bloody nose late in Game 3 on Friday, when he was hit there at the same time that another Pistons player was hitting him in the back. He didn't get the names or numbers of the perpetrators.
"It was like a pinball machine, and I was the ball," Young said with a laugh.
Young went down to the ground, his nose bloody. But it wasn't broken, and even though he was listed as day-to-day, Young said there was never a doubt that he would play Sunday night.
That wasn't the case with McDyess. He was accidentally hit there by Andre Iguodala as they were battling for a rebound less than a minute before Young got hit. That came midway through the third quarter. McDyess left the game and didn't return.
He was diagnosed with a broken nose. He flew back to Detroit for surgery on Saturday.
McDyess returned in time for Game 4 on Sunday night, and he was cleared to play. But he didn't start, and he was fitted for a protective mask. Jason Maxiell started in his place.
Still, it was an emotional lift for the Pistons, especially when McDyess finished with 10 points in 20 minutes.
"I told the team that we have a guy who got operated on [Saturday], has flown [to Detroit] and back, was throwing up [Saturday] night, has a broken nose and is competing harder than anybody else on the floor," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "That should show you how bad he really wants this."
Even Young said he was impressed that McDyess was able to play one day after having surgery.
"He's tough," Young said. "A broken nose, and coming back one day later -- that's tough."
Dissing on Detroit
The Pistons have not impressed Alonzo Mourning or Charles Barkley, who are both analysts for TNT's coverage of the playoffs.
"You can't just show up in the playoffs with your name on your jersey," Mourning said. "You have to put forth the effort. The Pistons are being outworked [by the 76ers]. You can see the Sixers running after loose balls. [Samuel] Dalembert is having a wonderful series, he's contesting every shot. I'd like to see the best player on the court, Rasheed Wallace, assert himself in there."
Added Barkley: "Detroit has to stop living off the year they won the championship and start playing hard. They are starting to believe, 'We are the Pistons,' but they won a championship a long time ago [in 2004]. They've gotten beaten the last few years and they don't play hard at all. They play cool. They play very pretty."
Evans for mayor?
Reggie Evans has become a fan favorite in Philadelphia, and it's easy to see why.
He hustles after loose balls. He takes charges. And the fans appreciate his enthusiasm.
GM Ed Stefanski has noticed this, too.
"Reggie could be the mayor of Philadelphia if he wanted to be right now," Stefanski said. "They love Reggie. Reggie is who we are in Philadelphia. We look at ourselves as blue collar-type people. We work hard. That's who we are as a city and they love him."
kaynak : NBA
28 Nisan 2008
26 Nisan 2008
Miami Heat's Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade to appear on TNT
Even at 15-67, the Miami Heat will wind up with playoff exposure after all.
Center Alonzo Mourning, who often has dabbled in television and could face a career choice in the wake of his season-ending knee surgery, will appear as a guest analyst on TNT's Saturday playoff coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Mourning will also appear during the cable network's coverage of the Magic-Raptors and Lakers-Nuggets playoff games that follow.
The veteran center has said he would not make a decision on a 2008-09 return until closer to the start of next season.
On May 1, Heat guard Dwyane Wade will appear on TNT's coverage, with that game schedule yet to be determined.
As with Mourning, Wade will join the studio team of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
While Wade has appeared in numerous commercials with Barkley, he also has received criticism from the former All-Star forward about not taking more of a leadership role amid the Heat's struggles this season.
The Heat so struggled this past season that its final scheduled TNT appearance, a March 27 game in Detroit, was removed from the network's schedule, as were the Heat's remaining three national-television appearances.
kaynak : NBA
Center Alonzo Mourning, who often has dabbled in television and could face a career choice in the wake of his season-ending knee surgery, will appear as a guest analyst on TNT's Saturday playoff coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Mourning will also appear during the cable network's coverage of the Magic-Raptors and Lakers-Nuggets playoff games that follow.
The veteran center has said he would not make a decision on a 2008-09 return until closer to the start of next season.
On May 1, Heat guard Dwyane Wade will appear on TNT's coverage, with that game schedule yet to be determined.
As with Mourning, Wade will join the studio team of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
While Wade has appeared in numerous commercials with Barkley, he also has received criticism from the former All-Star forward about not taking more of a leadership role amid the Heat's struggles this season.
The Heat so struggled this past season that its final scheduled TNT appearance, a March 27 game in Detroit, was removed from the network's schedule, as were the Heat's remaining three national-television appearances.
kaynak : NBA
Alonzo Mourning Biography
Alonzo Harding Mourning, Jr. (born February 8, 1970, in Chesapeake, Virginia) is a American professional basketball player who plays for the NBA's Miami Heat.
Known simply as "Zo", Mourning plays at center and is 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) tall, and weighs 261 lb (118 kg/18.6 st). His tenacity on defense twice earned him NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and perennially placed him on the NBA All-Defensive Team. He is applauded for making a comeback after undergoing a kidney transplant and years later winning his first NBA Championship with the Heat. He has also played for the Charlotte Hornets and New Jersey Nets.
Mourning and his wife Tracy have one son, Alonzo III ("Trey"), and a daughter, Myka Sydney.
Alonzo's autobiography Resilience, detailing his inspirational recovery from kidney transplant surgery to win a NBA title, is scheduled for release by Random House on September 30, 2008.
NBA career
[edit] Early career
During his time at Indian River High School in Chesapeake he led the team to 51 straight victories and a state title his junior year (1987). As a senior he averaged 25 points, 15 rebounds and 12 blocked shots a game. His play drew many comparisons to a younger version of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who also played at center. Mourning played college basketball for the Georgetown University Hoyas. He led the nation in blocked shots his freshman year and was an All American his last year there. He was selected second overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, behind Shaquille O'Neal. Mourning was named to the league's all-rookie team in 1993 after averaging 21.0 pts, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.47 blocks. He finished second to Shaquille O'Neal in rookie of the year voting. He posted the highest scoring average of any rookie in Hornets history. Mourning and O'Neal were the first NBA rookies since David Robinson in 1989-90 to average 20 or more points and 10-plus rebounds in their first seasons. Mourning shattered Charlotte's blocked-shots records, becoming the Hornets' all-time career leader in the 49th game of the season. The greatest moment of Mourning's rookie season came on May 5, 1993 in Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. His 20-footer at the buzzer gave the Hornets a 104-103 victory in the game and a three-games-to-one victory in the series.
In the 1994-95 season, Mourning and teammate Larry Johnson elevated the Hornets into a 50-win team and brought them to the playoffs. Mourning ranked first on the team in scoring (21.3 ppg), rebounding (9.9 rpg), blocked shots (2.92 per game), and field goal percentage (.519).
Miami Heat
Friction with Johnson and contract issues forced a change, so after three years in Charlotte, he was traded to Miami, where he played for the Heat for the next seven seasons. He was the centerpiece of the Pat Riley-coached Miami Heat, averaging close to 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and dominating the paint with his intimidating shot-blocking. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award twice during this period and was named into the All-NBA First Team after leading the Heat in scoring (20.1 ppg), field-goal percentage (.511), rebounds (11.0), blocked shots (3.9) during the 1999-2000 NBA season. He and Tim Hardaway led the Heat into playoffs, where the Knicks-Heat rivalry intensified.
In the 1997 NBA Playoffs, with the Heat down 3-0 to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, Mourning guaranteed a victory in Game 4. The Heat won the Game 87-80, but the Heat lost in five. The next season, Miami would be eliminated in the first round by the Knicks, a series in which Mourning was suspended for the 5th and deciding game of due to an on-court fight with ex-teammate Larry Johnson where Knicks Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy wound up hanging onto Mourning's leg in an attempt to break it up. Miami would also be eliminated by the Knicks in the playoffs the following two seasons.
In 2000, Miami underwent an overhaul to attempt to put together the pieces to win a championship, and expectations leading up to the season were high. However, prior the start of the 2000-01 season, Mourning was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a disease of the kidneys, that had caused him to miss the first five months of that season. Even after the diagnosis, Mourning returned and played in the 2002 NBA All-Star Game. Because his condition worsened, Mourning did not play during the entire 2002-03 season and his expiring contract was not renewed by the then-rebuilding Heat.
[edit] New Jersey Nets
As a free agent, in 2003 he signed a four-year contract with the New Jersey Nets. But on November 25, 2003 Mourning retired from the NBA due to complications from his kidney disease. On December 19 of that year he underwent a successful kidney transplant. In 2004, he started practicing with the Nets again, and made the team's regular season roster for a part of his time spent with the Nets in the 2004-05 season. However, he did not play a significant role with the Nets and openly complained to the media that he wanted out of New Jersey, especially after the team traded Kenyon Martin. [1] Mourning was traded to the Toronto Raptors on December 17, 2004. Mourning refused to report to the team and the Raptors were forced to buy out his contract, at a remaining 9 million dollars, on February 11, 2005. Team officials later said that he did not meet the medical conditions to play for the Raptors. [2] [3] Mourning then finished the season with the Miami Heat being paid a second salary, the veteran's minimum.[4]
[edit] Back with the Heat
After being unhappy at the prospect of playing for a losing franchise, Mourning re-signed with the Heat on March 1, 2005. His role was reduced as a backup because of superstar Shaquille O'Neal, although he has been called upon as a starter due to O'Neal missing stretches due to injury. Shaq and Mourning even played together on the court at times, with Mouring playing power forward. Because of physical limitations, his minutes were reduced, but was still a steady contributor. Mourning's tenacious defense, steady offense, and all around hustle helped the Heat gain and maintain the second-best record in the NBA's Eastern conference during the 2005-06 season; his intensity had earned him the title "The Ultimate Warrior" amongst Miami Heat fans. Mourning finished the regular season ranking third in blocked shots at 2.66 per game, despite only playing 20 minutes per contest.
The Miami Heat and Mourning finally won the elusive NBA Championship in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks 4 games to 2. Although he was used as a reserve center behind Shaquille O'Neal during the Finals, he contributed 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the decisive Game 6 of the series and was a strong force throughout.
After winning the championship, Mourning announced that he would return to the Heat in 2006-07 to defend their title, despite receiving offers of more money from other teams, including the San Antonio Spurs. In 2007, Mourning announced he would return for one more year with the Heat and his 15th season. "It will definitely be my last year", Mourning said. After starting the season on a solid note averaging 6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.75 blocks in just over 16 played per 24 games[1], Mourning tore his patellar tendon in his right knee[2] on December 19 during the first quarter of a 117-111 OT loss in Atlanta.[3][4] The injury, which occurred on the fourth anniversary of his successful kidney transplant, would be career-threatening. But rumors have persisted about a possible return, and Mourning himself said that this wasn't the way he wanted to end his career.
Up to retirement, Mourning averages the most blocks in the NBA per 48 minutes with 5.46.
During the 2007-08 season, he became the Heat's all-time leader in points scored.
[edit] Career highlights
* NBA Champion: 2006
* All-NBA First Team: 1999
* All-NBA Second Team: 2000
* 2-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1999, 2000
* 2-time NBA All-Defensive First Team: 1999, 2000
* 7-time NBA All-Star: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002
* Heat Franchise All-time Leading Scorer
* Led NBA in blocked shots: 3.91 bpg in 1999
* NBA All-Rookie 1st Team in 1993
* Won bronze at the 1990 FIBA World Championship with the US national team [5]
* Won gold at the 1994 FIBA World Championship [6] and the 2000 Olympic Games with the US national team
[edit] Kidney transplant
On November 25, 2003, Mourning's cousin and a former U. S. Marine, Jason Cooper, was visiting Mourning's gravely ill grandmother in the hospital. Mourning's father was present and informed Cooper that Mourning was retiring that very same day from the NBA because of a life-threatening kidney disease, focal segmental glomerular sclerosis, the same problem that Sean Elliott had in 1999. Cooper asked if there was anything he could do, and began to contemplate donating one of his kidneys to his estranged cousin, who he had not seen in 25 years and whom he only knew through basketball. Cooper was tested for compatibility, along with many other family members and friends (including fellow NBA center and good friend Patrick Ewing); as fate would have it, during his grandmother's funeral, Mourning received the good news that Jason Cooper was a match.
Mourning received Cooper's left kidney on December 19, 2003.
[edit] Charitable Work
In 1997, Alonzo Mourning established Alonzo Mourning Charities Inc. to aid in the development of children and families living in at-risk situations and provides support and services that enhance the lives of youth of promise.
After being diagnosed with Focal Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a degenerative kidney ailment, at the start of the 2000-2001 season, Mourning launched Zo’s Fund for Life , a campaign which seeks to raise funds for research, education, and testing to fight Focal Glomerulosclerosis Funds are allocated toward: research for a cure, education for doctors and the general public, testing for early detection and a funds for those not able to afford medication.
In 2007, Alonzo Mourning along with Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Warrick Dunn, Mia Hamm, Jeff Gordon, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, and Cal Ripken Jr. founded Athletes for Hope, a charitable organization, which helps professional athletes get involved in charitable causes and inspires millions of non-athletes to volunteer and support the community.[7]
kaynak : NBA
Known simply as "Zo", Mourning plays at center and is 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) tall, and weighs 261 lb (118 kg/18.6 st). His tenacity on defense twice earned him NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and perennially placed him on the NBA All-Defensive Team. He is applauded for making a comeback after undergoing a kidney transplant and years later winning his first NBA Championship with the Heat. He has also played for the Charlotte Hornets and New Jersey Nets.
Mourning and his wife Tracy have one son, Alonzo III ("Trey"), and a daughter, Myka Sydney.
Alonzo's autobiography Resilience, detailing his inspirational recovery from kidney transplant surgery to win a NBA title, is scheduled for release by Random House on September 30, 2008.
NBA career
[edit] Early career
During his time at Indian River High School in Chesapeake he led the team to 51 straight victories and a state title his junior year (1987). As a senior he averaged 25 points, 15 rebounds and 12 blocked shots a game. His play drew many comparisons to a younger version of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who also played at center. Mourning played college basketball for the Georgetown University Hoyas. He led the nation in blocked shots his freshman year and was an All American his last year there. He was selected second overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, behind Shaquille O'Neal. Mourning was named to the league's all-rookie team in 1993 after averaging 21.0 pts, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.47 blocks. He finished second to Shaquille O'Neal in rookie of the year voting. He posted the highest scoring average of any rookie in Hornets history. Mourning and O'Neal were the first NBA rookies since David Robinson in 1989-90 to average 20 or more points and 10-plus rebounds in their first seasons. Mourning shattered Charlotte's blocked-shots records, becoming the Hornets' all-time career leader in the 49th game of the season. The greatest moment of Mourning's rookie season came on May 5, 1993 in Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. His 20-footer at the buzzer gave the Hornets a 104-103 victory in the game and a three-games-to-one victory in the series.
In the 1994-95 season, Mourning and teammate Larry Johnson elevated the Hornets into a 50-win team and brought them to the playoffs. Mourning ranked first on the team in scoring (21.3 ppg), rebounding (9.9 rpg), blocked shots (2.92 per game), and field goal percentage (.519).
Miami Heat
Friction with Johnson and contract issues forced a change, so after three years in Charlotte, he was traded to Miami, where he played for the Heat for the next seven seasons. He was the centerpiece of the Pat Riley-coached Miami Heat, averaging close to 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and dominating the paint with his intimidating shot-blocking. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award twice during this period and was named into the All-NBA First Team after leading the Heat in scoring (20.1 ppg), field-goal percentage (.511), rebounds (11.0), blocked shots (3.9) during the 1999-2000 NBA season. He and Tim Hardaway led the Heat into playoffs, where the Knicks-Heat rivalry intensified.
In the 1997 NBA Playoffs, with the Heat down 3-0 to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, Mourning guaranteed a victory in Game 4. The Heat won the Game 87-80, but the Heat lost in five. The next season, Miami would be eliminated in the first round by the Knicks, a series in which Mourning was suspended for the 5th and deciding game of due to an on-court fight with ex-teammate Larry Johnson where Knicks Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy wound up hanging onto Mourning's leg in an attempt to break it up. Miami would also be eliminated by the Knicks in the playoffs the following two seasons.
In 2000, Miami underwent an overhaul to attempt to put together the pieces to win a championship, and expectations leading up to the season were high. However, prior the start of the 2000-01 season, Mourning was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a disease of the kidneys, that had caused him to miss the first five months of that season. Even after the diagnosis, Mourning returned and played in the 2002 NBA All-Star Game. Because his condition worsened, Mourning did not play during the entire 2002-03 season and his expiring contract was not renewed by the then-rebuilding Heat.
[edit] New Jersey Nets
As a free agent, in 2003 he signed a four-year contract with the New Jersey Nets. But on November 25, 2003 Mourning retired from the NBA due to complications from his kidney disease. On December 19 of that year he underwent a successful kidney transplant. In 2004, he started practicing with the Nets again, and made the team's regular season roster for a part of his time spent with the Nets in the 2004-05 season. However, he did not play a significant role with the Nets and openly complained to the media that he wanted out of New Jersey, especially after the team traded Kenyon Martin. [1] Mourning was traded to the Toronto Raptors on December 17, 2004. Mourning refused to report to the team and the Raptors were forced to buy out his contract, at a remaining 9 million dollars, on February 11, 2005. Team officials later said that he did not meet the medical conditions to play for the Raptors. [2] [3] Mourning then finished the season with the Miami Heat being paid a second salary, the veteran's minimum.[4]
[edit] Back with the Heat
After being unhappy at the prospect of playing for a losing franchise, Mourning re-signed with the Heat on March 1, 2005. His role was reduced as a backup because of superstar Shaquille O'Neal, although he has been called upon as a starter due to O'Neal missing stretches due to injury. Shaq and Mourning even played together on the court at times, with Mouring playing power forward. Because of physical limitations, his minutes were reduced, but was still a steady contributor. Mourning's tenacious defense, steady offense, and all around hustle helped the Heat gain and maintain the second-best record in the NBA's Eastern conference during the 2005-06 season; his intensity had earned him the title "The Ultimate Warrior" amongst Miami Heat fans. Mourning finished the regular season ranking third in blocked shots at 2.66 per game, despite only playing 20 minutes per contest.
The Miami Heat and Mourning finally won the elusive NBA Championship in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks 4 games to 2. Although he was used as a reserve center behind Shaquille O'Neal during the Finals, he contributed 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the decisive Game 6 of the series and was a strong force throughout.
After winning the championship, Mourning announced that he would return to the Heat in 2006-07 to defend their title, despite receiving offers of more money from other teams, including the San Antonio Spurs. In 2007, Mourning announced he would return for one more year with the Heat and his 15th season. "It will definitely be my last year", Mourning said. After starting the season on a solid note averaging 6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.75 blocks in just over 16 played per 24 games[1], Mourning tore his patellar tendon in his right knee[2] on December 19 during the first quarter of a 117-111 OT loss in Atlanta.[3][4] The injury, which occurred on the fourth anniversary of his successful kidney transplant, would be career-threatening. But rumors have persisted about a possible return, and Mourning himself said that this wasn't the way he wanted to end his career.
Up to retirement, Mourning averages the most blocks in the NBA per 48 minutes with 5.46.
During the 2007-08 season, he became the Heat's all-time leader in points scored.
[edit] Career highlights
* NBA Champion: 2006
* All-NBA First Team: 1999
* All-NBA Second Team: 2000
* 2-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1999, 2000
* 2-time NBA All-Defensive First Team: 1999, 2000
* 7-time NBA All-Star: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002
* Heat Franchise All-time Leading Scorer
* Led NBA in blocked shots: 3.91 bpg in 1999
* NBA All-Rookie 1st Team in 1993
* Won bronze at the 1990 FIBA World Championship with the US national team [5]
* Won gold at the 1994 FIBA World Championship [6] and the 2000 Olympic Games with the US national team
[edit] Kidney transplant
On November 25, 2003, Mourning's cousin and a former U. S. Marine, Jason Cooper, was visiting Mourning's gravely ill grandmother in the hospital. Mourning's father was present and informed Cooper that Mourning was retiring that very same day from the NBA because of a life-threatening kidney disease, focal segmental glomerular sclerosis, the same problem that Sean Elliott had in 1999. Cooper asked if there was anything he could do, and began to contemplate donating one of his kidneys to his estranged cousin, who he had not seen in 25 years and whom he only knew through basketball. Cooper was tested for compatibility, along with many other family members and friends (including fellow NBA center and good friend Patrick Ewing); as fate would have it, during his grandmother's funeral, Mourning received the good news that Jason Cooper was a match.
Mourning received Cooper's left kidney on December 19, 2003.
[edit] Charitable Work
In 1997, Alonzo Mourning established Alonzo Mourning Charities Inc. to aid in the development of children and families living in at-risk situations and provides support and services that enhance the lives of youth of promise.
After being diagnosed with Focal Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a degenerative kidney ailment, at the start of the 2000-2001 season, Mourning launched Zo’s Fund for Life , a campaign which seeks to raise funds for research, education, and testing to fight Focal Glomerulosclerosis Funds are allocated toward: research for a cure, education for doctors and the general public, testing for early detection and a funds for those not able to afford medication.
In 2007, Alonzo Mourning along with Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Warrick Dunn, Mia Hamm, Jeff Gordon, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, and Cal Ripken Jr. founded Athletes for Hope, a charitable organization, which helps professional athletes get involved in charitable causes and inspires millions of non-athletes to volunteer and support the community.[7]
kaynak : NBA
25 Nisan 2008
Mourning's fundraiser a knockout success
More than 1,500 people packed Miami Beach's Mansion nightclub, 1235 Washington Ave., on April 10 to watch real estate heavyweights take the ring for charity.
It was the inaugural event for Broker Boxing Federation Miami, founded by David Goldberg of the Comras Company and Robert Sena of the Alterra Capital Group. Net proceeds -- approximately $100,000 -- will benefit Alonzo Mourning Charities.
''The event was a very creative idea and it sold tickets,'' Mourning said. ``Most importantly, we got the support of the community.''
Goldberg, 30, a Chicago native who moved to Miami Beach in 2004, says he's always loved ''entertaining sports like boxing, wrestling and hockey.'' A promoter before becoming a real estate broker, Goldberg co-founded Boxing Federation Chicago in 2003.
The event featured host Mourning, James Brown impersonator Tony Wilson and seven bouts with local brokers, including Josh Souza, Grant Killingsworth and Ryan Ackerman. Scheduled to fight but absent: real estate magnate Thomas Kramer, who had throat surgery recent.
Sponsors/judges included Diego Lowenstein of the Lionstone Group; Michael Capponi and Jeff Morr of Majestic Properties; Katrina Campins and Michael Comras. Also in attendance was Brooke Hogan, filming her new reality show.
Founded in 1997, Alonzo Mourning Charities (www.AMCharities.org) encourages the educational development of youth through programming and youth enrichment centers in low-income communities.
WOMEN'S STORIES
Opening reception on Thursday at Opera Gallery in Bal Harbour Shops for Women's Stories, an exhibition featuring the work of more than 20 internationally acclaimed painters and sculptors who focus on women as their subject.
Featured artists include Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselmann, Robert Indiana and Mel Ramos.
A percentage of sales from the exhibit will benefit Margaux's Miracle Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2001 in memory of Margaux Renee Grossman, a South Florida teen who lost her battle with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, at age 15.
The reception is 6:30-9:30 p.m. Call 305-868-3337. The Women's Stories exhibit runs through May 9. For information, visit www.operagallery.com.
ART OF EDUCATION
Lehrman Community Day School held the Think Outside the Box art contest March 10-31. Area students were invited to create an original work of art using a shoe box and their creativity.
More than 40 entries were submitted, and nine students were named winners during a dinner/auction benefit April 10 at The Sagamore Hotel, 1671 Collins Ave.
Benefit hosts were Sagamore owners Christine and Martin Taplin, and Jennifer and Neil Sazant. Guest speakers included Tom Lollar, director of Visual Arts for New York's Lincoln Center, and Miami art collector Martin Z. Marguiles. The event raised $140,000 for the school.
Top winners in the art contest were Kira Browning (early childhood); Dana Furman (elementary school) and Jake Stauber (middle school). Their prizes: a weekend stay at the Sagamore with their parents and Toys R Us gift cards. Lehrman Community Day School is at 727 Lehrman Dr. in North Beach.
CHERISHED MINISTER
RETIRES
After 25 years at the pulpit of the Church by the Sea in Bal Harbour, the Rev. Dr. David Wynne Rees is retiring -- or ''re-directing,'' as he puts it. The 67-year-old senior minister gave his final sermon April 13.
''The church needs new energy, leadership and ideas as it faces the future,'' he said. ``Besides, I'm a [lung] cancer survivor of nine years and my wife wants to spend more time with me.''
Rees' wife, Helen, recently retired as dean of Miami Country Day Middle School after 22 years. The couple is preparing for a cruise to the Panama Canal, ending up in San Francisco, where their two daughters live and work.
Rees says over the years, the Church by the Sea's congregation has become diverse. ''We offer something on a spiritual level that appeals to a wide variety,'' he said.
Rees is now senior minister emeritus. Associate Minister Dr. Priscilla Whitehead will serve as the church's acting minister until an interim minister is named and a search for a new senior minister is conducted.
As for his replacement having big shoes to fill? ''No, they're size 9,'' Rees said.
kaynak : NBA
D-Wade, Zo go big time again
Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade have teamed up to win a NBA title, they’re teaming up to present Zo’s Summer Groove this summer, and they both endorse the new G2 (Gatorade) sports drink.
Now, separately, they’re doing it big once again.
Mourning and Wade are are scheduled to appear on TNT’s playoff coverage. Mourning will in studio Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley for the pre-game show and he’ll do halftime appearances for the Orlando-Toronto game and the L.A. Lakers-Denver game.
Look for Zo to deliver the same no-nonsense attitude he carries on the court and with local media. Hopefully someone asks Zo about today’s players versus players when he first entered the league. It’s sermon you don’t want to miss if you’re old-school.
Wade will appear in studio the entire night a week from today (Thursday, May 1). Most likely he’ll be more diplomatic and clown around with Barkley, which should be fun.
One thing is sure — both players will be asked about the Heat’s miserable 15-67 season, how the NBA champions from two years ago went from first to worst in almost record time, and whether Pat Riley is returning. The answer to the last question should be the most interesting. Locals already know the answers to the first two issues.
kaynak : NBA
Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning Unite for Summer Groove
For the last 11 years Miami Heat's Alonzo Mourning has been running his fundraiser, Zo's Summer Groove with much success but it looks like his team mate Dwyane Wade wants to get in on the action. Zo announced that Wade will be co-hosting the 12th Annual Zo's Summer Groove which will go down from July 9 to 13 in Miami.
"I admire the young fella for not only what he's done on the court, but for the person he is," Mourning told the Miami Herald about Wade. "There's going to be a day when he's going to head this event, take the torch and run with it."
The week will consist of youth basketball clinics, a golf tournament, benefit dinners, a concert, a block party, and an all-star basketball game where Wade will coach the youngins' with Zo coachoing the vets. The proceeds from the events go towards Alonzo Mourning Charities and Wade's World Foundation which both benefit a variety of charities nationwide. For more info check out http://www.zsg.com.kaynak : NBA
1 Nisan 2008
Mourning hasn't ruled out return just yet
Alonzo Mourning, recovering from surgery to repair the patella and quadriceps tendons in his right leg, said on Friday that he is "about six or seven months away from making a decision" about whether or not he will retire after this season.
''The mental part is there,'' Mourning said. ''I still want to play the game.'' Mourning is 38 years old, but as he put it, "I have a lot to offer."
kaynak : NBA
''The mental part is there,'' Mourning said. ''I still want to play the game.'' Mourning is 38 years old, but as he put it, "I have a lot to offer."
kaynak : NBA
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