Being a high draft pick in the NBA is not always as straightforward as it should be, for the simple reason that potential does not always correlate to success.
While you have clear success stories like James Worthy or LeBron James, there is an even longer list of those who did not make it.
One player who was selected high in the 1992 NBA Draft was second overall pick Alonzo Mourning, taken number two by the Charlotte Hornets.
This was one spot behind first overall selection Shaquille O’Neal, who was taken by the Orlando Magic.
Alonzo Mourning became an instant star
Alonzo Mourning made an instant impact in his rookie season in 1992-93, where he scored 21 points per game and averaged 10.3 rebounds per game.
His path to winning rookie of the year was unfortunately blocked by, you guessed it, Shaquille O’Neal.
Mourning spent three years on the Hornets before being traded to the Miami Heat after he rejected a contract extension. And it was on the Heat where he really found a home.
Amid four consecutive NBA All Star selections, Mourning even featured in Michael Jordan’s Space Jam movie. One of the most consistent scorers and rebounders in the NBA, Mourning was one of the best centers of his era.
Despite his efforts on the Heat under Pat Riley, the NBA title eluded Mourning, and his production tailed off after an injury in 2000.
‘Zo left to sign with the New Jersey Nets, and was later traded to the Toronto Raptors, but never played a game for them due to injury.
How Alonzo Mourning won Shaq a title
In 2005 Mourning received a call he had not expected. The Miami Heat were re-signing him. ‘Zo was required to play back-up to Shaquille O’Neal, who had been traded by the LA Lakers in 2004.
By this time O’Neal had become a three-time NBA champion, winning in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
At the time they reunited, it was a reunion both players needed. Mourning’s career had hit a wall, and O’Neal was struggling to recapture his Lakers success, and was dealing with injuries.
Even if it was a little uncomfortable at first. O’Neal explained on his podcast in 2022 that he and ‘Zo had fallen out, and he had not appreciated the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year’s talent.
He explained: “I had beef with Alonzo Mourning, and then when he came to the Miami Heat, I had to sit him down and apologize. I said, ‘You know what, Alonzo, I was a hypocrite. I never knew you was this great.”
By 2006, the pair were both healthy part of a successful Miami Heat team led by Dwyane Wade, who came back from 2-0 down against the Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
Mourning helped to clinch in the sixth game in Dallas, contributing more blocks than any other player in his appearance from the bench in the 95-92 win.
Speaking to ‘Zo on his podcast last month, O’Neal credited his teammate with the vital contribution: “I’m quick to brag about how I got four rings. I played terribly in the Finals; I was going through a divorce. This man saved my s___. That was not Shaq…You stepped up.”
For a player overshadowed by Shaq since day one of entering the NBA, Game 6 of the 2006 Finals was his moment to shine.
The title was Alonzo Mourning’s one and only NBA Championship as a player, and he would later become the team’s highest ever points scorer, a tally later surpassed by Dwyane Wade.
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