You also have to wonder about the Nets' chemistry after this episode at practice last week, which was witnessed by reporters.
Mourning played for the losing side in a scrimmage and was the last to finish the resulting conditioning drill. When he heard teammates laughing at him, Mourning shouted, among other unprintable phrases, "This ain't funny. This is about winning."
Kenyon Martin countered by mocking Mourning's rebounding skills. "Get more than one rebound next time and you won't have to run," he said.
"At least I'm out there on the court," Mourning shot back. "I'm trying to make the best of my time. You can't be a leader in the trainer's room crying, 'My ankle, my ankle.'æ"
When Martin responded by taunting Mourning with "my kidney, my kidney," the 33-year-old center had to be restrained.
"What did you say about my kidney?" he shouted angrily. "Don't talk about my kidney. I'll put you on your back."
The following day, all parties suggested the exchange was all in good fun. It was just typical athletic humor that should have stayed in the locker room.
"Every day we joke around and trash talk," Mourning said. "That's part of the league. It really was nothing."
Perhaps. Confusion, fatigue, and SUICIDAL thoughts come with toxin overloads in the blood stream. Prayers for the young man, he's got a tough road ahead of him.