Papi Chulo's BLOG

Talk of the Town :: Miami Heat Star Center Alonzo Mourning Retires

Alonzo Mourning has announced his official retirement from basketball ...

After 15 seasons and several career comebacks ... Mourning announced Thursday that he won't return from a leg injury he sustained on December 19, 2007 ... the fourth anniversary of his lifesaving kidney transplant ...

Alonzo Mourning: "People would come up to me and they would ask me, 'How are you doing? How is your health?' It kind of struck a chord. I knew that's what it's all about — my health. God willing I'll be able to live another 40 or 50 years, and I want to do it in a comfortable state. Right now I'm there."

Mourning turns 39 next month ... He has been working out at the Miami Heat complex but feared another leg injury if he returned to the sport ...

Mourning first joined the Heat in 1995 and spent the majority of his basketball career with the team ...

He helped them reach the playoffs six consecutive years and was the backup center to Shaquille O'Neal when Miami won the NBA title in 2006 ...

Alonzo Mourning: "When you've got something you love and you're passionate about, it's hard to let that go. But at 38 I feel I've physically done all I can for this game. It has been an amazing ride."

Mourning was diagnosed in October 2000 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis ... He rejoined the Heat in March 2001 and made the All-Star team the following year ...

When his condition worsened, he missed the entire 2002-03 season and underwent a transplant in 2003 ... Mourning returned but beginning in 2005 for three consecutive summers he considered retirement ...

Alonzo Mourning: "I think I've got nine lives. I'm part feline."

Mourning hasn't played since tearing the patella tendon and quadriceps muscle in his right leg 13 months ago ...

Alonzo Mourning: "I was banging on the floor, and the words I was saying over and over were, 'It's over. It's over.'"

Dwyane Wade: "We've lost him as a basketball player, but he's still going to be around. He's still what Miami Heat basketball is all about. For any player who comes here, Alonzo is always going to be the mirror image of what you would like to be."

In 15 seasons Mourning averaged 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds and twice was chosen NBA defensive player of the year ... His total of 2,356 blocks ranks 10th in league history and he's the Heat's career leader in points, rebounds and games ...

Mourning will remain in Miami ... where he has long supported charitable causes and campaigned for better education ...

Alonzo Mourning: "I feel like my true purpose here is service to others. It's bigger than basketball."

~Papi Chulo~

Talk of the Town :: Alonzo Mourning's "Resilience"

Alonzo Mourning won Gold at the Sydney Olympics and a NBA title with the Miami Heat ...

Mourning recently released a book that discusses his life titled Resilience ...

The book begins with the phone call that chance Mourning's life ... It was from his doctor ... telling him he had a rare kidney disease called focal glomerulosclerosis ...

Resilience was co-written with sportswriter Dan Wenzel ... The book details Mourning's journey as he battles the disease while still in the NBA ... The book goes into his 2003 kidney transplant ... and how he went on to win the NBA title with The Heat in 2006 ...

Alonzo Mourning: "A few minutes later, they brought me up from the recovery room to my regular room. It was there I shed my first tears in years. ... It wasn't the pain; it was just a lot of emotions coming to the fore.''

Mourning has since developed several philanthropic organizations in Miami to help underprivileged children ...

He talks throughout the book about how his kidney disease has transformed his life for the better, from his relationship with his family, his teammates, his diet and nutrition (organic food and virtually no red meat or alcohol), his faith and his community.

~Papi Chulo~

Talk of the Town :: Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning Team Up!

Miami Heat stars Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning are joining forces ... The duo announced Thursday that Wade will participate in Zo's Summer Groove ... Mourning's annual event that helps at-risk families ...

The Miami Herald chatted with them and asked them what they enjoy doing off the court ...

Where do you eat?

Zo: That's a better question for my friend here. He's the man about town.

Wade: I just had my cover party at Mokai but I go out to dinner at Prime 112. It's not just about dining, it's the ambiance. Good for the young and old [pointing at Mourning behind his back].

Zo: Wait, what's he doing? I'm not old! [He's 38, Dwyane's 26.]

Wade: Nah, seriously. I love the food. I get the roasted chicken with potatoes. A big plate of vegetables come, but I just push that aside.

Where do you go to chill?

Zo: I play a lot of golf at The Biltmore. I'm a member there and the course is beautiful. Turnberry Isle is also great.

Wade: I like to spend time with my family -- my two boys [Zaire, 6, and Zion, who turns 1 next month], just hanging out at home. It's important to know how to relax, wind down and rest the body. You can't let Miami life get to you.

How do you guys like Miami?

Zo: I want to help. I want to inspire people. That's what keeps the world moving.

Wade: Chicago is my home, but Miami is where I plan to be. It's where it's at.

~Papi Chulo~

Miami Heat :: 2007-08 Season Opener

The Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons open the 2007-08 NBA season tonight at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida ...

And this is the last opening night for the Miami Heat's Alonzo Mourning ... he announced over the summer that this would be his final playing season ...

~Papi Chulo~