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25 Haziran 2008

Alonzo Mourning Photos 18





kaynak : NBA

Alonzo Mourning Photos 17





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Alonzo Mourning Photos 16





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Team USA: big names, big questions

So the question is this: Can this Team USA beat Argentina? Or Puerto Rico? Or Lithuania?

All spanked the United States in men's basketball at the 2004 Olympics in Athens (the U.S. did defeat Lithuania for the bronze medal).

Four years later, the U.S. team has the NBA's two biggest names, the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, but the supporting cast, though talented, raises questions.

After Bryant and James, Team USA, announced yesterday, features Denver's Carmelo Anthony, Orlando's Dwight Howard and Dallas' Jason Kidd, a veteran of international

Miami's Dwyane Wade is coming back from his knee injury and is supposed to be 100 percent. Assuming that's so, he's the first guy off the bench.

On the point guard end of this are two of the NBA's rising stars, Chris Paul and Deron Williams. You might think that Paul would have been the starter, but, although his shoulders were figuratively broad enough to carry the New Orleans Hornets this year, he might not be literally big and strong enough to handle the physical guards he'll see in international play

Krzyzewski's roster features forwards Tayshaun Prince, Carlos Boozer and Chris Bosh, and guard Michael Redd.

So you might wonder, as did the little old lady in the hamburger commercial: Where's the beef?

Well, there's a little.

Boozer, at 266 pounds, can definitely bang and has international experience as a member of the 2004 bronze-medal team. Bosh comes in at 6 feet 10, 230 pounds and has been compared to Boston's Kevin Garnett.

But even in the starting lineup, as good a player as Howard is and can be, missing on this roster is the dominant big man like David Robinson or Patrick Ewing, the centers on the original Dream Team. Nor does this 2008 squad have a one-two punch like Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal, as was the case in 1996. And the American gold-medal team in 2000 had Alonzo Mourning and Garnett.

So, in Beijing it will be in the hands of the shooters and the slashers, the multi-threat Kobe and LeBron.

It remains to be seen whether that's enough.

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17 Haziran 2008

Alonzo Mourning Photos 15





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Alonzo Mourning Photos 14





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NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning to Host Educational Youth Basketball Clinic in Harlem

NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning to Host Educational Youth Basketball Clinic in Harlem

Mourning, Shape Up New York(TM) and the American Association of Kidney Patients Team Up to Shed Light on Chronic Kidney Disease in New York City NEW YORK, June 10


NEW YORK, June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Alonzo Mourning, center for the Miami
HEAT, will host an educational basketball clinic for local youth in Harlem
today. During the clinic, Mourning, who was diagnosed with chronic kidney
disease (CKD) in 2000, will share his personal story to raise awareness of CKD
and two common risk factors, diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as
highlight the importance of preventing these diseases.


Approximately 20 million Americans suffer from CKD -- including an
estimated 650,000 New York City residents -- and another estimated 20 million
are at risk. The basketball clinic, hosted by Shape Up New York and sponsored
by the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) and Ortho Biotech
Products, L.P., aims to increase awareness about these health problems and
encourage individuals who may be at risk to speak with their doctors.


The clinic will take place at the Jackie Robinson Recreation Center,
located at 85 Bradhurst Avenue & 146th Street in East Harlem, at 6 p.m. EDT.


Nearly 20 percent of the adult population in East Harlem and the South
Bronx has diabetes, a risk factor for CKD, according to a report by the City
University of New York and the Public Health Association of New York City.
The report also noted that African Americans with diabetes are more than twice
as likely to develop CKD than individuals of other ethnic backgrounds with the
disease. In addition, African Americans have a higher incidence of high blood
pressure compared to other ethnic groups, which, if left untreated, can also
cause CKD.


"Chronic kidney disease can occur at any age, and I want to encourage
those who may be at risk to get tested and treated," said Mourning. "It is
important for people to understand the risk factors for the disease and to
talk to their doctors. Had I been aware of the disease, I might have been
diagnosed earlier and prevented my condition from worsening."


The most common risk factors of CKD are diabetes, high blood pressure and
a family history of kidney disease. In New York City, approximately 800,000
adults have diabetes, while an estimated 2 million adults have high blood
pressure.


"The American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Kidney
Patients and the National Kidney Foundation all emphasize the importance of
screening for CKD in patients with diabetes or high blood pressure," said
Simon Prince, MD, FACP, FASN, and a nephrologist in the New York City area.
"We encourage children and their parents to attend the clinic together, listen
to Alonzo's story and learn more about CKD and its risk factors. Early
recognition and intervention are crucial to improving health outcomes."


Mourning was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2000, and had a kidney
transplant in 2003. Since then, he has made a triumphant return to the NBA,
and has dedicated much of his life to helping others with kidney disease. In
addition to Mourning, AAKP President, Roberta Wager, RN, MSN, will be
available to discuss some of the resources available to patients who have CKD.



About Chronic Kidney Disease


Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition in which the kidneys are
unable to function effectively. Many people, including Mourning before his
diagnosis, do not realize that they have CKD, or are at risk for developing
it, until they have reached the advanced stages of the condition. The
incidence of CKD appears to be correlated to diabetes and high blood pressure.
Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD in the U.S.



About Shape Up New York(TM)


Shape Up New York is a FREE family fitness program offered at parks sites,
community centers and housing sites around New York City. Fitness classes are
open to adults and children. Classes include step aerobics, fitness walking,
light weights, stretching and toning exercises. Shape Up New York is designed
to encourage the development of healthy lifestyles and help improve
participant self-esteem through energizing physical activity in a
non-competitive environment. The program is sponsored jointly by the City's
Health and Parks Departments.



About the American Association of Kidney Patients


The American Association of Kidney Patients is the voluntary, patient
organization, which for more than 35 years, has been dedicated to improving
the lives of fellow kidney patients and their families by helping them deal
with the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease. The
programs offered by AAKP inform and inspire patients and their families to
better understand their condition, adjust more readily to their circumstances,
and assume more normal, productive lives in their communities.



About Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.


Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. is a leading biopharmaceutical company
devoted to helping improve the lives of patients with cancer and with anemia
due to multiple causes, including chronic kidney disease. Since it was
founded in 1990, Ortho Biotech and its worldwide affiliates have earned a
global reputation for researching, manufacturing and marketing innovative
products that enhance patients' health. Located in Bridgewater, N.J., Ortho
Biotech is an established market leader in Epoetin alfa therapy for anemia
management. The company also markets treatments for recurrent ovarian cancer,
rejection of transplanted organs and other serious illnesses. For more
information, visit www.orthobiotech.com.

kaynak : NBA

Alonzo Mourning, AAKP, Shape Up New York shed light on kidney disease

NBA all-star Alonzo Mourning, the American Association of Kidney Patients, and Shape Up New York held a youth basketball clinic and kidney disease education program. The event, held Tuesday, June 10, at the Jackie Robinson Community Center in East Harlem, N.Y., drew local youths and their families. Mourning, who received a kidney transplant in 2003 after being diagnosed with kidney disease, shared his own story about his diagnosis and how he received a kidney transplant from a cousin.


Mourning and AAKP President Roberta Wager, RN, MSN, spoke to the crowd about the importance of getting tested for the kidney disease. A report by the City University of New York and the Public Health Association of New York City shows nearly 20% of the adult population in East Harlem and the South Bronx has diabetes.

kaynak : NBA

4 Haziran 2008

Mourning may not be done yet

Alonzo Mourning, who suffered a season-ending knee injury this season, is talking about playing again next year.
"I want to come back and play another year," Mourning said Monday. "I just want to get my body right to do it. I need to get my body where my mind is." Even if he does make an unlikely comeback, he will have no fantasy value

kaynak : NBA

Alonzo Mourning wants to keep playing for Heat

Miami Heat reserve centre Alonzo Mourning — once the property of the Toronto Raptors — isn't ready to call it a career after all.

Mourning, who retired Jan. 14, admitted Monday that he wants to play one more season.

"I want to come back and play another year," Mourning said. "I just want to get my body right to do it."

Mourning, 38, has not played since tearing his right quadriceps and a patella tendon in his right knee trying to block a shot during the first quarter of the Heat's protested 117-111 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks last Dec. 19.

Prior to being hurt, he averaged 5.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocked shots and 16.0 minutes in 24 games.

Mourning is the franchise leader in games played (568), points (9,310), rebounds (4,714), blocked shots (1,583) and minutes played (17,311).

But his contract with Miami expires June 30.

"I need to get my body where my mind is," Mourning said. "I still, in my mind, feel I can contribute."

Had a kidney transplant

Mourning made headlines at the start of the 2000-01 NBA season when he was diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) — a degenerative kidney ailment.

He had a kidney transplant on Dec. 19, 2003, receiving a kidney from his cousin, Jason Cooper, and later returned to the NBA.

The seven-time all-star has averaged 17.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.8 blocked shots, 1.1 assists and 31.0 minutes in 837 games (686 starts) over 15 NBA seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, New Jersey Nets and Heat.

Mourning was acquired by Toronto from New Jersey along with Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first-round draft picks for Vince Carter on Dec. 17, 2004.

But he refused to report to the Raptors, and later negotiated a buyout on the more than $17 million US he was owned on a four-year, $22.6-million US contract he signed with the Nets on July 16, 2003.

Mourning was drafted second overall out of Georgetown by the Hornets in 1992, and was chosen NBA defensive player of the year in 1999 and 2000.

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Mourning leaning toward return to Heat

Alonzo Mourning is pushing toward a comeback with the Miami Heat next season, according to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Monday.

The 37-year-old Mourning, who entered his 15th NBA season by saying it would be his last, saw it cut short when he tore the patella tendon and quadriceps tendon in his right knee on December 19.

The newspaper reported that Mourning spoke at Jason Taylor's charity golf tournament and seemed set on returning to the NBA.

"There's no mystery," Mourning told the newspaper. "I've said I want to come back and play another year. I just want to get my body right to do it. I need to get my body where my mind is."

The veteran center told the Sun-Sentinel it all depends on how his body reacts to the rehabilitation.

"(I am) enjoying the time off, resting my body, going to get my body ready for another year, possibly," said Mourning, who would return to Miami, which has the No. 2 overall pick in this month's draft. "Time is pretty much going to dictate that."

Mourning suffered the tear in his knee as he raced down the court and planted beneath the rim to block a shot in the first quarter of the Heat's 117-111 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Since being drafted second overall by Charlotte out of Georgetown in 1992, Mourning played in 837 games for the Hornets, Miami and New Jersey. He began his second spell with the Heat in 2004.

Mourning owns career averages of 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. The seven-time All-Star won one championship with Miami in 2006.

A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Mourning defeated the odds just by stepping on the court in recent years. He was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease in 2003 and returned for the 2004-05 season after a transplant.

kaynak : NBA

Veteran Center Mourning Hints At Returning To NBA

Alonzo Mourning on Monday hinted of a return to the NBA next season, after being limited to just 25 games this year due to leg and knee injuries.

The veteran center is raring to play again and complete the season without any injuries, saying it would all depend on his body's conditioning. He added he would like to play for one more year before he wraps up his NBA career which started in 1992.

The Heat still owns Mourning's contract until the end of the month and it remains unclear if the shot-blocking center is open to the idea of playing elsewhere.

He has played for Miami the last four seasons, including the 2006-07 campaign where he posted 8.6 points and 4.6 rebounds a game while starting for then-injured Heat center Shaquille O'Neal.

The 38-year-old Mourning has career averages of 17.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks a game.

kaynak : NBA