A Tribute to a Basketball Great: Alonzo Mourning's No. 33 Raised in Miami

There was always a tension in the combination of Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson when both were teammates on the Charlotte Hornets.

The friction these two caused resulted in a spark, and that spark made the Miami Heat what they are today.

At the beginning of the 1995 season, Alonzo Mourning was traded to the Miami Heat, revitalizing the city that, a few months before, was considering the thought of moving the team to a new location after only seven years of existence. Pat Riley was brought in with 'Zo to create a franchise and a team to be reckoned with for years to come.

And now, Mourning will be remembered in Miami forever when his No. 33 is raised during tonight's game.

Throughout the late 1990s, the Heat won division title after division title, thanks in part to the core of Tim Hardaway, PJ Brown, Jamal Mashburn, Dan Majerle, and, of course, Alonzo Mourning. 'Zo led the team to its first division title the year after he joined the team and led the team to 61 wins, which is still a Heat single-season record today.

He is the reason for the storied Miami Heat-New York Knicks rivalry and has dealt with more playoff heartbreak than anyone has in the NBA. From the time 'Zo arrived to the Heat until the 2000 season, the Heat were beat by the Knicks in the playoffs three consecutive years.

Each year was more heart-rendering then the last, each year more soul-crushing then the last, and the one who suffered the most through all of it was Alonzo Mourning. In fact, the farthest they got in the playoffs during 'Zo's first tenure with the Heat was winning one game against the Chicago Bulls in the 1996-97 season in the Eastern Conference finals. This plateau would not be reached again for 10 more years.

It was then in the 2000-01 season that Mourning came back with the grave news that would shock the Miami Heat community: He had been diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening kidney ailment. The ailment affected 'Zo's play and he'd be forced to sit out the 2002-03 season before leaving the Heat for a short stint with the New Jersey Nets.

Mourning only played 30 games in two years for the Nets due to recurring injuries until March 1, 2005, when 'Zo came back home. He made his debut at home against the Sacramento Kings. With the Heat up by 19 with 3:37 left in the game, 'Zo was back. It was the perfect homecoming.

He played most of the regular season next year, only to once again experience heartbreak this time to the hands of the Detroit Pistons, where the Heat blew a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

Mourning turned 35 in the 2005-06 season, but the way he played in the NBA finals seemed like he hadn't aged since his days at Georgetown.

In the deciding Game SIx of the NBA finals, with the game within one possession for the latter part, 'Zo made some highlight plays that will never be forgotten and will forever be burned in the memories of Heat fans.

It wasn't Dwyane Wade who wanted this game the most. It wasn't Shaquille O'Neal possibly getting to the NBA finals for the last time. It wasn't even Pat Riley. Alonzo Mourning wanted that title more than anyone else on the floor, and he was willing to do anything.

He recorded five blocks, every block more impressive than the last. If he had not been on the floor during that game, or even for the NBA finals as a whole, the Heat might still be without a championship. Alonzo was an all NBA first-team member in 1999, two-time defensive player of the year, and seven-time All-Star, but the finals win was above and beyond the most impressive part of Zo's resume as a Hall of Famer and as a legend.

Odds are, it's what meant the most to him as well.

He would end his career on a sad note, experiencing an injury that ended his 2007-08 season and, after months of speculation of a return, Alonzo Mourning retired from the game of basketball on Jan. 22, 2009.

As the Heat wind down another successful season and a likely playoff berth, it is a good opportunity to reflect on the passion and emotion Mourning brought to every game, which is the reason why the Heat are what they are today. He made the franchise and he made all these players today.

Without Alonzo Mourning, there is no Miami Heat. When his number is raised to the rafters tonight during halftime, every Heat fan should thank the legend for what he has done for the team, the community, and, most of all, the fans.