High School Sports
Eastern Conference notes: Is 'Zo worthy of the Hall despite shortened career?

	Alonzo Mourning
	E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

Now that his NBA career is officially over, does Alonzo Mourning deserve induction into the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in five years?

It would seem like a no-brainer considering that when he retired two weeks ago, he averaged 20 points and 9.7 rebounds during his career. Only 17 players in NBA history have averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds in their careers.

Of that group, 10 are in the Hall. Three (Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Charles) Barkley will soon be eligible for consideration and should have no problem receiving the necessary votes.

Of the remaining four, Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan are almost-certain future Hall members, and Chris Webber's candidacy is still to be decided.

But what about 'Zo?

Mourning only played 11 seasons, missing the majority of the 2000-01 season because of a kidney ailment. That same ailment allowed him to play just 12 games with New Jersey before forcing an early retirement.

And Mourning never played in the NBA Finals.

When he played, he was never the best center in a league dominated by Patrick Ewing, Robinson, Olajuwon and O'Neal in the 1990s.

Still, Hall member Walt Bellamy never played in the Finals. Dave Cowens only played 11 complete seasons and Dave DeBusschere (16.1 points, 11 rebounds) had lower career averages.

But if Mourning is inducted, then what does that say about Spencer Haywood (19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds) and Artis Gilmore (17.1 points and 10.1 rebounds), who are still waiting for their names to be called?

Notes

• Cleveland rookie LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 30 points in a game when he scored 33 against Memphis last Saturday.

• New Orleans' Baron Davis, who dropped 15 pounds since last season, was ranked third in the league in scoring (23.9) and second in assists (8.7) entering last night. He was second in steals with a 2.85 average and first with 65 three-point goals made in 190 attempts.

• New Jersey president Rod Thorn sounded as if he was throwing in the towel when the New York Post asked if the Nets would return for a third straight trip to the NBA Finals.

"I don't know," he said. "And I say that because some of these teams in the East are better. Indiana's better. Detroit is better. New Orleans is better. And it's too early. We haven't played enough good games for me to say we're going to be in that caliber."

• No other city with both NFL and NBA franchises can match Indianapolis' combined record.

The Colts are 9-3 and the Pacers are 16-4, for a combined 25-7 mark. The closest city of the 18 with teams in both leagues is Dallas. The Cowboys are 8-4 and the Mavericks were 12-7 entering last night, which makes for a combined 20-11.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company