Mourning Embraced in His Return to Heat

Alonzo Mourning once was the Miami Heat’s biggest star. Now, even he acknowledges those days are gone.

Yet Mourning also believes he can still play at a championship-caliber level. And now, at last, he’s back with Miami and ready to resume his past quest -- delivering the Heat’s first NBA title.

The seven-time All-Star center signed Tuesday to rejoin Miami, the team with whom he spent eight seasons -- a stint twice interrupted by kidney disease. He’s expected to earn $325,000 for the rest of the season, a prorated share of the $1.1-million veteran’s minimum.

“It’s definitely been a long time coming,” Mourning, 35, said after a two-hour practice and 30 minutes of extra shooting drills. “It just feels good, feels good to be back home, having everything finalized. I’ve been here for the past three months training, just waiting, being patient.”

Mourning is expected to be in uniform Thursday when Miami visits New Jersey. He averaged 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 18 games for the Nets this season before being traded to Toronto. He negotiated a buyout with the Raptors.

To clear a roster spot, Miami waived swingman Wesley Person.

“He’s just going to make us a tougher team to beat,” said center Shaquille O’Neal, who also plans to play Thursday after practicing for the first time since spraining his left knee last week against the Chicago Bulls.

Mourning, who underwent a kidney transplant in December 2003, said he had received full clearance by doctors to resume playing.

“He’s still a very good defender and shot blocker.... Those are the two main areas I look for, his defense and his rebounding,” Heat Coach Stan Van Gundy said. “As far as minutes and that, or role, or who’s going to come off the bench first in the long run, I don’t have any idea.”

*

The Atlanta Hawks waived guard Gary Payton on the deadline day for players to clear waivers and be eligible for a playoff roster, giving him a chance to finish the season with a contender.

Payton had been acquired Thursday in a deal that sent leading scorer and rebounder Antoine Walker to the Boston Celtics.

Boston Coach Doc Rivers said the Celtics are one of six or seven teams interested in Payton, averaging 12.1 points and 6.1 assists this season.

*

The New Orleans Hornets waived center Dale Davis and forward Glenn Robinson, only days after acquiring them.

“By waiving them now, we can allow them to pursue an opportunity with another team this season,” General Manager Allan Bristow said.

The Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons are among teams that have expressed interest in Davis, 35. Davis, who played his first nine seasons for the Pacers, came to New Orleans from Golden State last week in the Baron Davis deal. Robinson, who has not appeared in a game this season, was sent to the Hornets by the Philadelphia 76ers for Jamal Mashburn and Rodney Rogers.

*

Forward Alan Henderson signed with the Dallas Mavericks, rejoining the team less than a week after being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Henderson was waived one day after the Feb. 24 trade that sent him and Calvin Booth to Milwaukee for Keith Van Horn.

*

Dan Gilbert, chairman and founder of Quicken Loans, officially assumed control of the Cleveland Cavaliers from Gordon Gund in a $375-million deal. Gund is staying on as a minority owner in a group that includes pop star Usher. The NBA’s owners unanimously approved the sale.