Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: 7 Hall of Famers many people forget were Nets

By Phil Watson

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JUNE 13: Dikembe Mutombo #55 of the New Jersey Nets reacts during game five of the 2003 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on June 13, 2003 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE via Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JUNE 13: Dikembe Mutombo #55 of the New Jersey Nets reacts during game five of the 2003 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on June 13, 2003 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 28: Shareef Abdur-Rahim #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives around Alonzo Mourning #33 of the New Jersey Nets during a game at The Rose Garden on November 28, 2004 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 83-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Alonzo Mourning (30 games, 2003-04)

Alonzo Mourning did not play for the Miami Heat in the 2002-03 season due to one of his bouts with kidney disease and the New Jersey Nets rolled the dice in July 2003, signing the unrestricted free agent to a four-year, $22.6 million contract.

It was a calculated gamble by a team that had played in back-to-back NBA Finals, bringing in a two-time former Defensive Player of the Year at a bargain price.

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But Mourning wasn’t himself early in the 2003-04 season and announced his retirement after playing just 12 games. Mourning would undergo transplant surgery in December 2003 and returned to the club for the start of training camp in 2004.

Upon his return, Mourning was primarily playing the 4 spot, starting 14 of the 18 games he appeared before missing three straight games with tendinitis in his knee.

That turned out to be his finale as a Net, as New Jersey traded him along with Aaron Williams, Eric Williams and 2005 and 2006 first-round picks to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for disgruntled Vince Carter.

In 30 games over two seasons, Mourning averaged 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 22.4 minutes per game, shooting .457/—/.675.

Mourning refused to report to the Raptors, who bought him out, and he eventually returned to Miami in March 2005.

Mourning played parts of 11 seasons with Miami and another three in Charlotte and backed up Shaquille O’Neal on the Heat’s 2006 NBA championship club.

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