| | Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Miami Heat coach Pat Riley chided
the media Wednesday for reporting unconfirmed details of Alonzo
Mourning's kidney ailment.
"If the press would just respect his wishes, everything will
come out when Zo looks at that camera and is sure of everything,"
Riley said.
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| Mourning |
Mourning, whose kidney ailment was discovered during a routine
physical at the start of training camp, remained in Miami while his
teammates traveled to New Jersey for their first exhibition game
Wednesday night against the Nets.
Mourning plans further consultation with his doctors and expects
to receive a final diagnosis and a recommended course of treatment
next week.
The team has released no details of the ailment. There have been
news reports he has a condition similar to the kidney disorder that
forced Sean Elliott of the San Antonio Spurs to receive a
transplant.
Elliott sat out six months after his transplant and returned to
the NBA last season.
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Tues., Oct. 10
Alonzo Mourning was the league's leading defensive player the last two
years. But as a leader, I don't know if I've ever come across a player
with more intensity than him -- in the locker room, getting his game
face on before a contest, on the bench during moments he wasn't in the
game, on the floor, on the practice floor, and in the weight room after
the game when he'd go in and pump iron. He had all those qualities to
lead by example. He was also not afraid to speak up when the occasion
demanded. If he's not able to play, the Heat will miss his leadership
qualities a ton.
'Zo was the focal point of coach Pat Riley's low-post attack. Riley is a
low- post offensive coach and he needs someone to slide in there if Zo
can't play. I think probably the best choice is Anthony Mason, who is
big and burly, has good ballhandling skills if he's double-teamed and
they could also slide Brian Grant in there as well. So Riley will find a
way to make adjustments, and that's what he does best.
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Mourning met with teammates at practice Tuesday but did not
speak publicly. He is expected to do so next week after receiving
his final diagnosis.
"I think people, especially writers, should give him that
respect after all the years he's been playing this game and just
let it happen that way. But it's not happening that way," Riley
said.
The Heat will remain in limbo for a few more days until learning
Mourning's diagnosis and whether he will be able to return to the
team.
Mourning's foster mother, Fannie Threet, has said he has a rare
kidney ailment that could require a transplant. She said Mourning
told her that doctors were "hopeful they could find a kidney if it
was necessary."
Mourning, 30, helped the U.S. Olympic team win the gold medal in
Sydney. He was expected to lead a revamped Miami team widely
considered to be the favorite to win the Eastern Conference.
"It's very strange," teammate Tim Hardaway said. "I was with
him for the whole Olympics and I could never dream that this could
happen. We had no clue of this in Sydney."
Several players said Mourning's visit to practice lifted their
spirits.
"He wants us to feel upbeat for him, not to feel sorry for
him," Hardaway said. "Treat him like a man, not like he has an
illness."
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 Pat Riley will be all smiles around Alonzo Mourning.
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Eddie Jones is happy to see Alonzo Mourning in practice.
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Greg Cote of the Miami Herald reports on Alonzo Mourning.
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