November 28, 2003 -- IF you're wondering who signed off on Alonzo Mourning's (kidney illness) uninsured, $22-million guaranteed signing, it sure wasn't Nets VP Rod Thorn. Executives don't make those kinds of perilous command decisions for any teams; owners do. They're the ones who caved into Jason Kidd's demand to enlist the endangered 'Zo, or else.
A similar ultimatum was presented to the Spurs, but negotiations ended in Jersey before they knew exactly what it would cost to secure Kidd's buddy list. Dallas was prepared to do whatever it took to recruit the NBA's premier point, which is why Steve Nash was being covertly shopped at the time.
Once Jersey's owner realized other teams would docilely comply with Kidd's wishes (all it ever takes is one gluttonous fool to raise the bidding to extreme) the NumbNets were coerced to capitulate against the better judgment of every one of their doctors.
Several months later, 'Zo's kidneys are malfunctioning so seriously he's in desperate need of a transplant and I hear Kidd, in essence, mouthing this about his dear friend: "It's more important that he's home with his family than playing basketball. I want to be able to call him on the phone. I want him to be able to watch his children grow up."
What a shame those sentiments weren't forcefully articulated to Mourning when it mattered most.
For some perverse reason, Kidd (a victim of this, a victim of that) pointed his crooked little finger at Scott Skiles after being traded to the Nets for Stephon Marbury. As you recall, the first time the Suns showed up at the Swamp, he taunted his former Suns coach during the game. As if Skiles had to influence Jerry and Bryan Colangelo to distance their team from a wife-beater.
http://www.nypost.com/sports/4328.htm
