[Miami, meanwhile, is so built for the playoffs, from Shaq to Wade to Mourning, who enjoyed a triumphant homecoming. The former Georgetown star returned to Miami as an insurance policy, a guy in the twilight of his career who would spell Shaq for 10, maybe 12 minutes per night. Yet, he played 35 minutes in Game 3 and scored 14 points. It's difficult to imagine a sweeter outcome for Mourning, who retired after a kidney transplant and had to miss most of two seasons.] At shoot around this morning, ... Shaq came to me . . . on the bus and said, 'I'm going to need you tonight.' And I said, 'Okay, I haven't forgotten how to play this game.' |
[Mourning, 35, who underwent a kidney transplant in December 2003, seemed offended when a reporter asked if he could play 30 minutes a night over several games.] Did you see me play last year? Enough said, ... I'm not sick. There's nothing wrong with me... . So don't question my abilities, please. |
A win is a win, regardless of how you look at it. We needed a win. |
All I know is we're going into the All-Star beak on a positive note. But we haven't achieved anything. Nobody has done anything except gotten to the All-Star break. |
All of us needed to contribute in order for us to get that win. Some nights are going to be like that. |
Always treasure the opportunity. He's got another opportunity to play again when he's 28, 29. Enjoy it. Enjoy it while you can. |
Because he draws so much attention and is so aggressive attacking the basket, I'd like to see him find the open man just a little bit more. He could average 10 assists a game if he made a concerted effort to do that. But the man is only 24 years old. |
Come on, man. He's 24 years old. When I was 24 years old, I could play all year round. I was always looking for a run. Always. |
Defensively, we were horrible. We were horrible. |
Did you see me play last year? OK, enough said. I'm not sick. There's nothing wrong with me. If I couldn't play this game at a high level, I wouldn't be here. So don't question my abilities. Please don't do that. |
Didn't weigh into it at all. My health is the No. 1 concern and my longevity is the No. 1 concern. |
Does this game matter coming up? You're damn right it does. It does matter. It matters a lot to us, but we have to continue to focus on getting better. |
Either it's going to be a great dunk or a great block, ... I think statistics work in my favor. I don't like getting dunked on. |
Either it's going to be a great dunk or a great block. I think statistics work in my favor. I don't like getting dunked on. |
Every day that it continues to progress, I'm able to see improvement. |