Alonzo Mourning is sprinting, jumping and dunking. That doesn't mean the former All-Star will soon be playing.

The former and perhaps future Miami Heat center said Saturday he still doesn't know if he can return to the rigors of the NBA, even though his recovery from devastating knee and leg injuries 13 months ago is going far better than any doctor could originally imagine.

"I'm working my butt off to try to get myself right physically to get back out there and play ball," Mourning said from Washington, where he'll attend Barack Obama's inauguration on Tuesday. "But if it doesn't happen, man, I've lived an amazing career. Really. The years of basketball has been good to me and my family and unfortunately, all good things must come to an end."

A final decision is expected in the coming weeks, and Mourning has far from ruled out returning.

But he turns 39 next month, has contemplated retirement for several years and isn't sure if he can risk another major injury -- for fear that it would have a significantly negative impact on the rest of his life.

"I've lived half my life already," Mourning said. "God willing, I want to live another 40, 50 years you know, and I want to live those 40, 50 years with a healthy body. So I've got to take all of that into consideration when it comes back to playing again because I don't want to risk the chance of injuring myself again even though my body is getting back to where I wanted it to be."

Mourning tore the patella tendon and quadriceps muscle in his right leg on Dec. 19, 2007 -- the fourth anniversary of his lifesaving kidney transplant. The 2007-08 season was to have been Mourning's last; he decided much earlier to retire after that year. But the injury changed his mind, and Mourning decided it was worth investigating if he could leave the game on his own terms.

He's not under contract with the Heat, but works out at the team's facility several times a week and still has a spot in the Miami locker room.

In parts of 15 seasons, Mourning has averaged 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds. He appeared in 25 games last year, averaging 6 points and 3.7 rebounds, yet would still figure to be a major help to Miami's frontcourt -- where Joel Anthony (2.9 points, 3.6 rebounds this season) is the starter at center and Jamaal Magloire (1.3 points, 3.3 rebounds) is the backup.

"I'm excited about the possibility of possibly getting out there and playing again," Mourning said. "But if it doesn't work out that way, I have nothing to hang my head at all."
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http://www.nba.com/2009/news/01/17/mourning.return.ap/index.html

i hope he back!

I think he should come back for one more season!

yeah just like how mutombo did

I don't think Miami needs him if they get Jermaine O'Neal (I know its just a rumor).

Alonzo Mournig is not 26 years old anymore. He can't play forever.

he's officially retires now

BYE ZO

See ya.
You were a huge part of the Miami Heat organization

I think Morning should play one more season

Witness_LBJ 23 wrote:

I think Morning should play one more season

Mate he is already retired as he announced it like 2 days ago so he is hardly going to make a comeback. Its sad but its the end of the road for him and there is no chance for him to come back. A very good player in his prime time and everyone would admit that.

Good thing he won a ring before his career ended, even if it was while playing behind O'Neal