Nets' Mourning Retires, Citing Ailment

AP, via New York Post ^ | 11.24.2003

[NYC GOP Chick]

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Nets center Alonzo Mourning is leaving basketball again because the kidney disease he's had for three years is worsening and he needs a transplant.

The team said Mourning needs a transplant "in the near future" and that a nationwide search is under way for a prospective donor.

[NYC GOP Chick]

I wonder if this had anything to do with his fight with what's-his-name the other day...

[cgk]

I was reading about this earlier. It sounds like the fight didn't help. He's been performing poorly, which we all know now to be because his condition is much more serious than previously thought. I'm sure the taunts didn't help, but I doubt that a fight would cause him to retire.

---

(snipped article)...

You also have to wonder about the Nets' chemistry after this episode at practice last week, which was witnessed by reporters.

Mourning played for the losing side in a scrimmage and was the last to finish the resulting conditioning drill. When he heard teammates laughing at him, Mourning shouted, among other unprintable phrases, "This ain't funny. This is about winning."

Kenyon Martin countered by mocking Mourning's rebounding skills. "Get more than one rebound next time and you won't have to run," he said.

"At least I'm out there on the court," Mourning shot back. "I'm trying to make the best of my time. You can't be a leader in the trainer's room crying, 'My ankle, my ankle.'æ"

When Martin responded by taunting Mourning with "my kidney, my kidney," the 33-year-old center had to be restrained.

"What did you say about my kidney?" he shouted angrily. "Don't talk about my kidney. I'll put you on your back."

The following day, all parties suggested the exchange was all in good fun. It was just typical athletic humor that should have stayed in the locker room.

"Every day we joke around and trash talk," Mourning said. "That's part of the league. It really was nothing."

[bigfootbob]

"I wonder if this had anything to do with his fight with what's-his-name the other day..."

Perhaps. Confusion, fatigue, and SUICIDAL thoughts come with toxin overloads in the blood stream. Prayers for the young man, he's got a tough road ahead of him.

[finnman69]

He has had kidney problems for a while. he had a serious kidney infection a few years ago.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Yes, I was aware of that. Thank you. :)

[Independentamerican]

If Mr Martin really said that about Mr Mournings kidney. He is a disgraceful human being !! I find it hard to compare an ankle injury to possible kidney failure. Jeesh, that is why I do not follow basketball anymore. So many young players have to class in the NBA..

[OldFriend]

How sad, I wish him well.

[witnesstothefall]

I've never been a fan of Alonzo, he's just not really a ball player.

But you have to admire him for struggling to keep playing as long as he did.

[TheBigB]

Okay, I have to ask this...

When this story first broke on ESPN a little while ago, I posted it:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1027971/posts

It was immediately shunted to Chat. Yet this thread has been allowed to stay on the front page. What's the difference?

[NYC GOP Chick]

OK, it got moved. Are you happy now?

Sheesh!

[TheBigB]

No, I'm not. I did not ask that it be moved. I asked why some clarification as to why one was and one was not. Can you find in my post some demand that this thread be moved?

[NYC GOP Chick]

You went whining to the Mods because this thread hadn't been moved and yours had. Personally, I don't care where my threads are and don't try to play tit-for-tat like that.

[TheBigB]

Asking a question isn't whining. If the Mods had said one stayed because it was from a newspaper while one left because it was from a sports source, fine. I was simply curious. If they wanna move it back, fine with me.

[NYC GOP Chick]

You have *waaaay* to much time on your hands...

[TheBigB]

Aaah...I understand now. You are far, far too important to have any threads moved. I humbly beg forgiveness, for I did not know that you were better than all others.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Well, yeah, but where did I actually *say* it? < /snicker>

[TheBigB]

'Twas implied. ;-) Heh, heh.

No hard feelings?

[NYC GOP Chick]

None at all -- as long as you know the pecking order here! LOL! :)

[TheBigB]

Hey now...I don't take a back seat to any Noo Yawkuhs! :)P

[Lead Moderator]

The difference in this case is how soon it was noticed.

Thanks, LM