That piece of news just came across the newswire. Mourning will retire from the NBA, bringing his all-star career to an end. Of course it is hoped that the transplant is successful and that he goes on to live a long, fruitful life.

~Adam

I was at Georgetown at the same time as Alonzo, and always thought he was a terrific player and a decent guy. A few years after graduation I ran into him in a hotel--we were both waiting for the elevator--and I told him I was a G-town grad and I thanked him for all of the exciting games. He could not have been nicer, even though for all he knew I was some stranger trying to strike up a conversation with a celebrity.

I'll miss him as a player, but more importantly I hope that he can get his health issues under control.

That's a shame. I wonder if Kenyon Martin feels good about his recent smack talk towards Alonzo about his kidney? Mourning is one of those players I could see coaching someday.

[ November 25, 2003, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

What a loss! Mourning was (I hate saying that in the past tense) a true center! That's a position that is lacking in the East. I wish him well!

Mourning has class - whereas - Kmart does not!

As I understand it, he took a risk by playing. He was told that it might speed up the deterioration of his kidney. It was a risk for the Nets, too, to sign him to the contract he did.

Joe, you're right it was a risk for Mourning to play & a risk for the Nets to have signed him--an uninsured risk, meaning the team is on the hook for his salary rather than getting some of it back from the insurance company. That will have a direct impact on what action the Nets takes in trying to find a center, and someone who can provide a veteran's "lockerroom leadership." Kidd has already said that going to be missing from the Nets.

~Adam

It is being reported that Alonzo Mourning will undergo a kidney transplant operation this coming Friday. The cynic in me thinks "gee....they found an available kidney for him awfully fast, considering that most people in need of a transplant remain on the list for 2-3 years." The rose-colored-glasses-wearing me thinks "that's just great; I hope all goes well."

~Adam

Adam... I agree, but I believe it worked like this: Several people offered to donate one of their kidneys specifically to 'Zo, and one was a match. Since most people have two kidneys, and only need one, it is possible to get a kidney from a living donor, and not from someone who has died. He was not moved to the top of the list for an anonymous donation. This is much like if a family member had been a match, and offered to donate. If someone offers an organ donation to anyone, famous or not, the doctors can't take the (in this case) kidney and give it to the next person on the list if it is given on the condition it only goes to a specific person. That is the donor's right as a living donor, which is different than a donor who has agreed to donate organs after death.

Did 'Zo benefit from his "celebrity?" Possibly, as we don't know who the kidney is coming from (it could still be a family member or friend). The same thing could happen if the press latched on to a story about any individual, and people wanted to help that person.

The news is reporting that Zo received the kidney from a cousin. The surgery apparently went fine and Zo is reported in good condition.

I would love to see Zo recover and play again.