Alonzo Mourning has had countless memorable moments throughout his career, but nothing could be more unforgettable than his rookie year game against the Chicago Bulls. That's when Zo, the Charlotte Hornets ' second overall pick in 1992, first felt Michael Jordan's wrath.
"MJ….when he dunked on me, oh he dunked on me, he screamed…he flexed and screamed. …I mean the roar after he dunked on me, I was like okay," Zo said when he asked about it on the 'All The Smoke' podcast.
Mourning was best known as a great shot blocker in his career. He showed that in his rookie year, averaging 3.5 blocks in 78 regular-season games.
Beyond his shot-blocking prowess, the former Georgetown Hoya was an excellent all-around player. He averaged 21.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists, which is why he finished second in the Rookie of the Year race.
Shaquille O'Neal, the top pick of that draft class, won the award, although it was not unanimous. Mourning got two votes that year, preventing "The Diesel" from winning the ROY award unanimously.
Zo singles out the culprit in MJ humiliation
Being the team's defensive anchor, it is understandable that he had to be ready to swat shots. However, most know blocking someone like MJ was pretty hard. "His Airness" could adjust his shot, finding a way to score.
However, Mourning mentioned that he wouldn't have been humiliated if his teammate had kept in step with Jordan. He pinned the blame on former teammate Kendall Gill, pointing out how the 5th overall pick of the 1990 NBA Draft trash-talked Mike.
"I'm blaming Kendall Gil for that. K G was always talking sh*t to Mike, and I'm like, 'Yo, he going to blow past you, he coming at me!" the seven-time All-Star added.
During Zo's rookie season, the Hornets performed admirably. They advanced to the playoffs but were defeated in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the New York Knicks.
The move to South Beach
After three seasons, Mourning opted to leave. He had options, including a chance to team up with Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks. However, the Georgetown alumnus advised him to join the Miami Heat instead. Pat Riley was building the team at the time, and Mourning would be the perfect centerpiece.
True enough, Mourning did shine in South Beach. For several seasons, he was in the running for the Most Valuable Player award and established himself as an All-Star. His career took a different turn when he found out he had a kidney disease. His production diminished, although he was able to figure in the Defensive Player of the Year race towards the final years of his NBA career.
He would win his first and only NBA title in 2006, a year after returning to the Heat. Mourning called it a career in 2009 at 38, believing he had given everything he could for basketball.
Related: When Alonzo Mourning agreed with Scottie Pippen that LeBron would kick MJ’s a**: “I couldn’t imagine doing the things he’s doing at my size”
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