The Miami Heat are bringing back Alonzo Mourning to the organization, but this time it will be in a different capacity.During a team golf charity, Mourning and Heat President Pat Riley confirmed that a partnership that will bring Mourning back to the team was agreed upon - just three months after Zo's retirement.
Mourning will be given an official title and will become part of the Heat's front office basketball operations. Even though his official duties have not been outlined, Zo will most likely serve as a mentor to young players and draft picks as they adjust to the NBA life in South Florida.
Pat Riley and staff want to make sure the players they bring in stay out of trouble and concentrate on one thing: basketball.
It's no secret that the temptations of South Beach can be a handful for players. For instance, it's a known fact that visiting playoff team coaches choose hotels in Ft. Lauderdale, 25 miles north of South Beach, to keep their players away from these very temptations.
It might have just cost Detroit the Conference Championship in 2006, when the Heat defeated them and went on to win their first championship. Many people saw Rip, Billups, Prince and Sheed on the strip the night before game three. Detroit lost all three games in Miami and lost the series 4-2.
Alonzo will also assist Heat players with charities and getting involved in the community.
This year Alonzo Mourning brought in Dwayne Wade to assist him with his popular Zo's Summer Groove, which runs from July 8th to July 12th.
Zo might even travel with the team during the season and join the coaching staff. There is nothing like a half time speech by the warrior himself to bring up the team's morale.
Whatever his role, it's good to see Mourning back with the team.
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