The Miami Heat had one of the most impactful seasons in 2006. While players like Gary Payton, Dwyane Wade, and Shaquille O’Neal led the charge as the Heat won its first title in franchise history, there was an unsung hero who brought a lot to the table. It was none other than Alonzo Mourning. This 7-time All-Star is not just famous for his defense. His rivalry with Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, where ‘His Airness’ embarrassed him twice during the same game, was also a sensation back in the day!

Seventeen years after the iconic championship in 2006, Shaq decided to give the 2-time DPOY his flowers now. Shaq helped Miami destroy the entire Eastern Conference and ultimately Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks in the Finals in 2006 and it led to a fruitful few years for the franchise which saw them win two more championships in the next 7 years. The Big Aristotle even took credit for establishing the famous ‘Heat Culture’ in Miami, along with Payton. However, they weren’t the only ones.

Shaquille O’Neal credited the former Heat veteran, Alonzo Mourning

The 2006 championship was a meaningful one for Big Diesel. After getting traded by the Lakers, Shaq was desperate to win another championship with his new team. Shaq was not the only addition in 2005. 2-time DPOY Alonzo Mourning was also brought back to the franchise. Mourning was one of the best players in the league during his first stint with Miami from 1995 to 2003.

Going up against MJ’s Chicago Bulls during his early years in the league helped shape him into a defensive monster. Alongside Shaq, Mourning played a crucial role as a backup center in 2006, which eventually helped the Heat earn their very first championship. 2000 MVP Shaquille O’Neal decided to give Mourning his credit once more. 

The 15x NBA All-Star shared a post about Mourning’s legendary career on his Instagram story. Shaq never fails to give his former teammates their flowers.

Mourning was also famous for the tough time he gave Michael Jordan during his tenure with the Charlotte Hornets! However, MJ once embarrassed the now 53-year-old.

How did Michael Jordan pay back Alonzo Mourning twice in one night?

Mourning was quite a problem for many offensive stars. One was the 6-time champion Michael Jordan. At the very beginning of his career, the 7-time All-Star had already started to block Michael Jordan’s shots. If you knew MJ, you could have predicted how this ended!

Read more: “You’re Sick You’re Crazy”: Michael Jordan Watched In Silence As Dennis Rodman Owned By Heat Star

In 1993, after Mourning gave the 5-time MVP a tough time, he decided to pay back the very next game. Jordan gave Mourning two ferocious dunks on his head in the same night. That clap back went viral back in the 1990s. However, that did not stop Mourning as he went on to win back-to-back DPOYs in 1999 and 2000. As per Mourning, those dunks were a big deal for ‘MJ’ because he knew Mourning had been blocking his shots a couple of games back. “He knew I was there. That’s why he got all hyped.”

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