Zo says he will play again

Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald reports that Alonzo Mourning feels it is only a matter of time before he steps back on the court.

''A lot of it is going to be based on how I feel, but eventually I think the doctors will possibly give me the thumbs up and pretty much put it in my hands when I'm ready to step back out there,'' Mourning said. ``They're very optimistic. I am, as well.

``I'm very confident that I will be able to step back on the court again. It's only a matter of time.''

The question is: Where will he play?

Mourning is free to sign with any team, but his first choice would be Miami.

''My heart is in Miami,'' he said. ``I have a huge amount of respect for [coach] Pat Riley and [owner] Micky Arison, and I appreciate everything they've done for me and I hope they appreciate everything I've done for them.

``But they knew that this day was going to come. Unfortunately, under the circumstances of my health, it's come at a different light, but at the same time I think I'm a smart enough man to deal with it and just move on.''

Via Miami Herald

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Heat set for overhaul

Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel reports that the Miami Heat is likely to overhaul a roster that featured many first and second year players and finished with just 25 wins.

"This is one of the best groups as far as character, working and trying to get better, and having a sense of hope -- all things you want to see in young players,'' coach Pat Riley said. "Injuries to Eddie Jones really hurt their development because you don't have a really good go-to guy with them, so a lot of times their performances were dismissed when you lose."

One of the few players who got a lot better for Miami was Caron Butler.

"The contact and travel was tough. It was like playing three college seasons in one year," Butler said. "You have to adjust. I knew what I was capable of doing. That's why Coach Riley brought me in here. I set goals and I'm going to attain them."

While Pat Riley did see some improvement, he knows that some of his young players will have to improve if they want to make the team next season.

"Mike and Malik got their first tastes of rotation," Riley said. "I think they have to really do some self-evaluation as to what it's going to take for them to take it to the next level."

"Riley gave me the opportunity for on-court experience," said Rasual Butler, a second-round pick who averaged more than 10 points as a starter but only shot 36 percent. "That should propel me for the rest of my career.

"I'm going to work my behind off this summer and come back a completely different player. ... I'm really hungry to get better."

Via Sun-Sentinel

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Miami to pursue moving Jones

Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald reports that the Miami Heat will likely pursue a trade of guard Eddie Jones.

Jones realizes the reality that he could be dealt, but prefers to not to get too caught up in all the chatter.

"That's one position I don't want to touch," he said. "If something happens, I'll deal with it. I enjoy being here, don't get me wrong. I like all the guys on this team, but the fact remains we're not winning.

"I'm sure they are going to do some things to make [sure] we start winning and at least make it to the playoffs."

One thing that could seal Jones' fate could be how the Heat fare on draft day. Should Pat Riley land LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony, there will be even more pressure for Jones to be moved to create more minutes for the incoming rookie.

Possible deals Miami would persue could be the same ones that were talked about before the trading deadline. Miami had conversations with Houston about Cuttino Mobley and Maurice Taylor and with Minnesota about injured guard Terrell Brandon. The main talks, though, came with the Chicago Bulls involving Jamal Crawford and Marcus Fizer.

If Jones gets moved, he would prefer to be in a winning situation.

"I just want to be on a team that's winning," he said.

Via Miami Herald

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