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MIAMI -- Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning on Tuesday was
named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second
straight season.
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| Mourning |
Mourning received 62 of a possible 121 votes from a media panel
throughout the United States and Canada.
Center Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 1999-2000
NBA Most Valuable Player, finished second with 21 votes.
The 30-year-old Mourning, who set a career-high with 294 blocked
shots this season, is the fifth player to win the award in
consecutive seasons, joining centers Dikembe Mutombo and Hakeem
Olajuwon, forward Dennis Rodman and guard Sidney Moncrief.
Heat coach Pat Riley made the honor "particularly gratifying"
for his star center by asking legendary defensive genius and Hall of Famer Bill Russell to present Mourning with the award at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
"I want to thank Mr. Russell for coming out and presenting me
with the award," Mourning said. "It's a great honor to be
mentioned in the same sentence with this man. As a player, I
haven't even scratched the surface of what he's done as a player
and for the league."
A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player, Russell set the standard
for defense at the center position and led the Celtics to 11
titles in 13 seasons. Tuesday, Mourning could not keep himself
from gazing at Russell's hand.
"I took a peak at that championship ring and that's definitely
one of the things I want," Mourning said. "One of the
enjoyments I haven't had is winning it all."
In his eighth season, Mourning has led the Heat to four straight
Atlantic Division titles but has yet to reach the NBA Finals. The Heat are tied with the New York Knicks 2-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 5 is Wednesday night in Miami.
With his perpetual scowl and physical play, the 6-10 Mourning is
one of the most intimidating players in the NBA and the anchor
of a defense that limited opponents to 42.2 percent shooting,
second in the league, and ranked fourth in points allowed
(91.3).
Mourning led the league with 3.72 blocked shots per game and
averaged 21.7 points and 9.5 rebounds. He swatted at least five
shots in a game 28 times.
"You could read his stats and the shots he blocked, but the most
important thing about Alonzo is his presence when he plays,"
said Russell, who averaged 22.5 rebounds in his career. "From my
perspective, this is the most important trophy and honor you can
get."
Mutombo of the Atlanta Hawks, a three-time winner of the award
and former college teammate of Mourning at Georgetown, and guard
Eddie Jones of the Charlotte Hornets finished tied for third
with 11 votes apiece.
Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton, the 1995-96 winner, and
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant finished tied for fifth with four
votes.
The 121-member voting panel consisted of 34 national media
members and three who cover the NBA regularly from each of the
league's 29 cities.
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 A modest Alonzo Mourning says he's just doing the best he can.
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