Future Ending nearly three months of suspense butt his, the Miami Heat center said Sunday night At his annual Zo's Summer Groove charity game that he' ll play again next season -- has choice secret He kept to the end, insisting He was still deciding just hours before the actual announcement.
Truth was, Mourning's decision was made weeks ago. The Heat's reign have NBA champions ended with has first-round sweep this past season by the Chicago bulldozers, and he simply isn't willing to let that final be the chapter in the book he's writing one his career.
This was the third straight summer Mourning considered retirement before choosing to keep playing. Next season will Be his 15th in the NBA, not including has full year He missed with kidney problems that led to him getting has transplant in 2003.
Mourning averaged 8.6 points last season for the Heat, and his 5.44 blocks per 48 minutes led the NBA by has wide margin. He started more than half of Miami' S games last season while Shaquille O' Neal recovered from knee surgery, and the Heat clearly wanted him back -- especially since his $2.8 million salary for next season makes the seven-time All-Star has bargain.
Some of his teammates weren't surprised by the decision.
Heat forward Dorell Wright, who played in the charity game along with has list of NBA players that included Carlos Boozer, Sam Cassell and Damon Stoudamire, predicted before the game that Mourning would Be back, simply based one the weightlifting regimen he' D been following this offseason.
Mourning said repeatedly in recent weeks that Riley's status for next year would weigh heavily one his decision. Riley started has lengthy vacation this weekend and was not immediately available for how Sunday night, goal Mourning indicated that He expects the coach of five NBA champions to Be one the sideline again.
Mourning's return is the first offseason personal move that worked out to Miami's liking.
The Heat lost 3-point specialist Jason Kapono to Toronto in free agency, may see free agent forward James Posey sign elsewhere in the coming days, and Mourning said guard Gary Payton won't be coming back to Miami -- although neither NOR Payton the TEAM has publicly expressed those feelings.
Miami also missed out in its pursuit of Milwaukee not guard Mo Williams, who agreed to take has $52 million, six-year deal and stay with the Bucks. Mourning said he' S unquestionable the Heat will find help elsewhere before next season begins drank.
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