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PRE-NBA
Young Zo
College
Years
Charlotte
NBA Rookie
All-Star Reserve
Superstar
Miami
Heat
First
Season
61 Win Season
Suspension
Master of Rejection
Defensive Expert
Medical Defense
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 Mourning was the first person to sign
a 7-figure salary in pro sports history when he signed to a 7 year \$112
million contract with Miami. Zo and Tim Hardaway led the Miami Heat to a
61-21 overall record, including the NBA’s best road record, which earned
Miami the name “The Road Warriors”. For the first time in Heat History and
the 13th in Pat Riley’s career, Miami won the Atlantic Division
title. Mourning was selected for his fourth appearance in the All-Star game,
however, was unable to play for the second time in his four appearances, as
he had an injury to his right foot.
Although Tim Hardaway led the Heat in scoring at 20.3 ppg, Zo’s work on the
inside was invaluable in Miami’s success. Although Zo was having a lot of
success, foul trouble and keeping calm began to become a significant problem
for the Heat. This escalated even more as Zo had to face Larry Johnson and
Dennis Rodman in the playoffs. Mourning set a career-high 4.1 fouls per game, and needed to improve his defense.
The dynamic duo of Hardaway and Mourning made the Heat the 6th
team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit as New York’s actions in
game 5 resulted in six Knicks taking turns being suspended for the rest of
the series. Miami once again received the reward of facing the 69-13 Bulls,
this time in round 3. Chicago quickly led the series 3-0. Zo stated the Heat
would win game 4, and they did just that. But back in Chicago celebrations
started as they finished the Heat, 4-1.
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