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Following is an edited transcript of an interview with ESPN analysts Dr. Jack Ramsay and Ric Bucher on ESPNEWS about Alonzo Mourning's return:
Dr. Jack: It's a huge factor for the Miami Heat. 'Zo is the inspirational leader of the team, and he plays with such all-out intensity that you just can't dismiss his impact. But he is not going to get into the mainstream of conflict completely. He'll have his minutes monitored. They'll be short-term at first. He'll be checked after each game to make sure that he is still sound physically. But here's the best defensive player in the league and the second most powerful low-post player. I think it has to have an enormous impact on the Miami Heat.
Q: Taking a look at the big picture now, how does 'Zo's return shift the power in the Eastern Conference?
Bucher: It gives Philadelphia someone to contend with now. Obviously, the question is how quickly they can work Alonzo in and how they're going to be able to juxtapose him with Anthony Mason, who essentially has taken over the role of Alonzo both defensively and offensively, and this team has sort of taken on Mason's personality. The Heat will work 'Zo in slowly. But at some point, you are going to have those two at loggerheads. They will have to figure out who the primary guy is. But in terms of the powers in the East, Philadelphia was the clear-cut favorite. You put 'Zo back on this team, assuming everything goes well. And you have at least an even-up battle for the Eastern Conference right now.
Q: Anthony Mason and Brian Grant have really stepped it up for the Heat this year. How do you think 'Zo's return will change the team's dynamics.
Dr. Jack: Pat Riley will figure that out. But I know that Riley is a low-post-dominant player kind of coach. And he played with Wilt Chamberlain. He coached Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Patrick Ewing. And he made those players the focal point of his offensive game. He'll do the same with 'Zo. And Anthony Mason will have to find a way to work in conjunction with 'Zo so the final product is running smoothly. Riley will find a way to do that. He is a very skilled coach at maximizing his potential. When he has Alonzo Mourning, he will make full use of him, and Mason will find a way to exist with 'Zo. But 'Zo will be the main force at the low post, once he gets his game in gear.
Q: When Mourning is Mourning, he is the focal point both offensively and defensively, but if he's not the same player that he was before he missed most of this season, how does Pat Riley use him?
Bucher: That's an excellent question. It's going to be difficult to figure out how they will do it. With Mourning on the floor, the Heat are so used to funneling everything toward him defensively and using his shot-blocking ability. They've done the same thing with Mason; he's not a shot-blocker, but he's very good at drawing charges and getting out and blocking a player's path. If you put 'Zo in that position, you have to anticipate or expect that he will be shot-blocking. So that remains to be seen. That may be the most difficult element in his return. The Heat have Mourning back. But if he's not the same Mourning, how do they use him? That's the question Riley will have to answer.
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AUDIO VIDEO
 ESPN's Dr. Jack Ramsay and Ric Bucher discuss the impact of Alonzo Mourning's return.
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 Is there enough time before the playoffs to get Alonzo Mourning into playing shape? Dr. Jack Ramsay answers.
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