Riley bemoans, 'devastating blow'

MIAMI, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Calling the absence of Alonzo Mourning a "devastating blow to the franchise," Miami Heat coach Pat Riley said Friday he did not know when or if Mourning would return.

The Heat revealed Thursday that Mourning will be sidelined indefinitely because of a deteriorating kidney condition. According to the team, Mourning's body chemistry has "fallen below what his doctors feel is an acceptable level to play basketball."

Riley appear at a news conference Friday, but gave no details of Mourning's condition.

"This is a disease that has no boundaries," Riley said. "He's had a relapse. This is a devastating blow to the franchise. It's in the best interest of Zo to concentrate solely on getting healthy."

Diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis, Mourning missed all but 13 games during the 2000-01 season. The ailment is similar to the one that shortened the career of former San Antonio Spurs forward Sean Elliott, who underwent a transplant in August 1999.

Mourning did not attend Friday's news conference and Riley asked that the media and the public respect his privacy while he battles the illness.

"He looks good, but obviously his labs have not proven it," Riley said. "We found out he's definitely taken a step back."

With the disease in remission and his condition bolstered by medication, the 32-year-old Mourning missed just seven games last season and made his seventh All-Star Game appearance.

He averaged 15.7 points and 8.4 rebounds, but the Heat finished sixth in the seven-team Atlantic Division at 36-46 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995.

Riley admitted that the team did not consider making any major roster moves to replace Mourning, who is entering the final year of a seven-year, $105 million contract.

"We did not have a contingency plan," Riley said. "Our goal was the summer of next year, we reload and enhance the franchise. We are rebuilding. I never thought I would say that word."

Even if Mourning was healthy, it was uncertain if he would be brought back next season, although Riley clearly has a place in his heart for the center.

"He is like a son to me. We are fused at the hip," Riley said.

A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Mourning was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the second overall pick in the 1992 draft after starring at Georgetown. He spent three seasons with the Hornets, who traded him to Miami in November 1995 in a six-player trade involving Glen Rice and Matt Geiger.

Mourning has career averages of 20.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in 622 games.