NBA
Scores/Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Message board
Weekly lineup
NBA StatSearch

 Thursday, May 18
Alonzo outdistances Shaq
 
 SportsTicker

MIAMI -- Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning on Tuesday was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.

Alonzo Mourning
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.

 


ALSO SEE
Shaq not quite unanimous choice as NBA's MVP

Francis, Brand to share rookie award

Francis, Brand head NBA's all-rookie team



AUDIO/VIDEO
audio
 A modest Alonzo Mourning says he's just doing the best he can.
wav: 125 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6