Alonzo Mourning is considered Miami Heat royalty and is one of the most beloved players in franchise history.
However, it may surprise some people to learn that he almost didn’t go to the Heat.
In fact, Mourning recently revealed on “The OGs Show,” via NBACentral, that he nearly went to the New York Knicks to play with Patrick Ewing.
But Ewing himself told him to choose the Heat instead, and the rest is history.
Alonzo Mourning revealed he had a chance to team up with Patrick Ewing in New York, but Ewing told him to go to Miami 👀
(🎥 @theOGsShow / https://t.co/m526ownqDI) pic.twitter.com/GKC5husO4Q
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 2, 2025
Mourning got his start in the NBA playing for the Charlotte Hornets, where he earned two All-Star appearances.
He had every intention of staying with the team, but it became clear that they wouldn’t give him a pay raise and didn’t value him that much.
That led to Mourning looking for other options, and he started to consider his next NBA home.
He liked the idea of joining Ewing and called to ask what it was like playing for New York.
He was also asking about head coach Pat Riley and just how intense and difficult his style was.
But instead of encouraging Mourning to move to New York, Ewing told his friend to try Miami instead.
Mourning said that was the deciding factor that sealed his fate.
During his years in Miami, Mourning earned five more All-Star spots, was named Defensive Player of the Year twice, and won a championship with the team in 2006.
He averaged 16.0 points and 8.1 rebounds during his 11 seasons with the Heat.
The Knicks would have received a lot of help from Mourning, but Heat fans are very happy Ewing dissuaded him from playing in New York.
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