Hoops Habit
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NBA: One player you forgot played for your favorite team

By Corey Rausch

WASHINGTON, USA - FEBRUARY 27: Michael Jordan of the Washington Wizards in action against the Houston Rockets at the MCI Center on February 27th, 2003 in Washington DC. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, USA - FEBRUARY 27: Michael Jordan of the Washington Wizards in action against the Houston Rockets at the MCI Center on February 27th, 2003 in Washington DC. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images) /
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Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
Yao Ming, Houston Rockets. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images /

Brooklyn Nets – Alonzo Mourning

Alonzo Mourning is often associated with the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets. Between the two teams, he would make seven All-Star appearances, two All-NBA teams, two Defensive Player of the Year awards and two blocking titles.

Mourning would make the move in free agency to head to the New Jersey Nets on a four-year deal but retired from the game four months later due to issues with kidney disease. He would undergo a kidney transplant before returning to the court the next season. Over the next two seasons, he played 30 total games for the Nets in what would be the lowest point of his career. He agitated to be moved early in his third year with the team and was traded after averaging 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Mourning was sent to the Toronto Raptors but never played for them. He was bought out and rejoined the Heat again. He was never quite the player he was prior to his retirement and surgery. However, he was able to be a meaningful contributor backing up Shaquille O’Neal on the way to the franchise’s first championship. Success quickly made the negative years in the middle an easily omittable part of the Hall of Famer’s legacy.