| | Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Alonzo Mourning's absence was noticeable. Brian Grant made it slightly less difficult for the rest of the Miami Heat.
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| Grant |
With Mourning remaining in Florida because of a kidney ailment,
Grant manned the middle and had a strong debut in his first
exhibition game for Miami with 29 points and 11 rebounds in an
88-82 loss to New Jersey.
"I'm hoping for Zo to get healthy for Zo's sake, but when he
comes back, we'll take off," Grant said.
Mourning expects a final diagnosis and a treatment plan from his
doctors by early next week. His teammates are eager to hear whether
he will be able to play this season.
"He wants us to feel upbeat for him, not to feel sorry for
him," teammate Tim Hardaway said. "Treat him like a man, not like
he has an illness."
A source close to Mourning told The Miami Herald that Mourning
believes the condition can be treated with medication, and that a
kidney transplant would be a long term possibility only if the
ailment doesn't respond to the medication.
Duane Causwell started in Mourning's place against the Nets, but
was limited by foul trouble. Grant moved over to center from the
power forward spot and performed well.
If Mourning returns, he and Grant will form a double low-post
scoring threat that few teams can match -- especially in the Eastern
Conference.
"When he was at Sacramento, I thought he had that kind of
game," Miami coach Pat Riley said of Grant, who was acquired in a
trade over the summer. "He played a very limited offensive role in
Portland, but I think he can be a great scorer for us."
Riley also chided the media for reporting unconfirmed details of
Mourning's kidney ailment.
The Heat have released no details of the ailment, but there have
been news reports that he has a condition similar to the kidney
disorder that forced Sean Elliott of the San Antonio Spurs to
receive a transplant.
Elliott sat out six months after his transplant and returned to
the NBA last season.
"If the press would just respect his wishes, everything will
come out when Zo looks at that camera and is sure of everything,"
Riley said. "I think people, especially writers, should give him
that respect after all the years he's been playing this game and
just let it happen that way. But it's not happening that way."
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