Zo’s Return Revises Playoff Outlook

hen rumors of Alonzo Mourning’s unexpected return to the professional hardwood began to surface, nothing was certain, or so it seemed. Was he gonna arrive prior to regular season’s end? Is he strong enough to jump right back into the pool after being out of the water for so long? Will his team, the Miami Heat, adjust to the return of one of the most underrated centers of this era?

Those questions, and more, will pervade the NBA landscape in the coming weeks. But one thing is for certain: The long, boisterous ovation in honor of Mourning’s return Tuesday night will not be echoed by Eastern conference brethren. Translation? The Eastern conference playoff picture – maybe the NBA as a whole – takes on a different color now that Pat Riley’s brigade has its chief warrior back.

In 19 minutes of play in a 101-92 loss to the Toronto Raptors Tuesday night, Mourning shot just 3 of 11 from the field. Those numbers alone won’t scare off would-be playoff opponents. He admits that his offense will take some time, but all indications are that defensively, he’ll be able to jump right in and have an adverse affect on other teams’ offenses. Make no mistake. Zo will have to adjust to his team, and his team needs to return the favor. But heading into the playoffs, Mourning points out that just coming back isn’t enough.

"I'm not just out here for a show, just to prove I can come back," Mourning said. "I'm out here to win, not just to prove I can come back from this disease. My purpose is to help this team win, that's the bottom line."

What real affect will Mourning’s presence have on the upcoming playoffs? We won’t really know until they match up against their first-round opponent (which, if the season halted today, would be the Charlotte Hornets). It’s not an exaggeration to posture the thought of the Heat going from wink-of-the-eye contenders to main challenger of Allen Iverson's Philadelphia 76ers.

Their 42-28 record gives them the fourth seed in the East. Nobody has noticed much, but that’s quite a stint for a team playing without their obvious star. Brian Grant has been a welcome surprise as the temporary Heat center, but come playoff time, a serviceable Mourning could offset the likes of Dikembe Mutombo, Marcus Camby and the "other" centers in the East. With the additions of Anthony Mason and Eddie Jones, Mourning’s offense won’t be as vital to a successful playoff run. His defense and shot-blocking prowess, however, could be the difference between a first-round loss and a trip to the NBA finals.

The main concern for the Heat is how well Mourning not only gels with his familiar teammates, but also with the newbies, namely Mason, Grant, and the not altogether familiar Eddie Jones. The ever-present mantra states that, come playoff time, the game becomes a grinding, shoving, physically tireless brand of hoops. A potential Mourning-Mason-Grant frontline could be rather formidable in a conference that doesn’t overflow with dominant, in-the-paint throngs. A brief glance reveals that only Charlotte (with PJ Brown, Jamal Mashburn, and Eldon Campbell) and Philadelphia (with Tyrone Hill, George Lynch, and Dikembe Mutombo) could withstand a five- or seven-game pounding from the beefy Heat.

Granted, a good frontline does not a playoff team make. But if Eddie Jones can come back near 100% from a shoulder injury and Tim Hardaway can find – and keep – his shooting stroke, Miami could very well represent the East against any number of Western Conference foes. As for Mourning? Stamina (or "game shape" as they call it) could be an issue, especially during the conclusion of the regular season.

"We're just going to have to work that out and let that sort of take on a life of its own," coach Pat Riley said. "We have to get him comfortable and get our players comfortable with him. This is another step in that process."

Despite their fourth seed, I would put Miami as the prime virtual contender to Philadelphia in the East. That’s not to say that the Knicks, Bucks or Hornets couldn’t supplant them in my meaningless coronation. Regardless, when you add a player of this caliber, you’re not just adding minutes, points, and blocked shots. Zo’s physical, emotional, and motivational presence is hardly quantitative, but nobody can discount the positive affect he can have on a team that is already very much alive in the playoff mix.

If nothing else, as fans, we’ve been graced with the return of a player who has become graciously humbled by a disease that could relegate him back to the bench – or hospital bed - at any juncture. Certainly not lost in the hoopla was Mourning’s own appreciation and thankfulness.

"I got the chills," Mourning said. "It felt great. Words can't express the feeling I have for this city and the support they have given me through this ordeal. They are one of the reasons I made an attempt to come back. My concern was trying to be fully productive when I was on the court," he said. "And I've got a lot of work to do."

If Mourning comes back to even 60% capacity (whatever that entails), Miami’s playoff opponents will have their own work to do. And being on the receiving end of an Alonzo Mourning forearm or a getting a jumper swatted back in their face just might make it 60% more difficult. As an avid Bucks fan, yours truly is already experiencing his own chills at the thought of an Ervin Johnson- Alonzo Mourning mis-match.

Whether you’re a Bucks, Knicks, Sixers, or Hornets fan (OK, Raptors, Magic, and Pacers too), there are more than enough shivers to go around.