Re:Johtaja Hanhi presents with an attitude: New Jersey Drive: What the Kidd did?
Mourning and Martin nearly come to blows at Nets practice
November 21, 2003
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Nets teammates Alonzo Mourning and Kenyon Martin nearly came to blows at practice on Thursday.
According to several published reports, Mourning was last in his group to the finish line at the end of grueling conditioning drills and heard laughter from players.
Mourning approached them and shouted as part of a profanity-filled outburst ``This ain't funny. This is about winning.''
Richard Jefferson, a third-year forward who was laughing, told Mourning that it wasn't funny, it was ``hilarious.''
Martin also mocked Mourning's recent performance on the court and said Mourning wouldn't have to run if he would improve his rebounding. Mourning responded by questioning the leadership and toughness of Martin.
Mourning signed with the Nets after kidney disease cost him all of last season and nearly the entire 2000-01 season. But he took a shot at Martin, who recently missed five games with an ankle injury.
``At least I'm out there on the court, not in the training room. I'm trying to make the best of my time,'' Mourning reportedly told Martin. ``You can't be a leader in the trainer's room crying, `My ankle, my ankle.'''
Martin was said to have responded with a similar remark about Mourning's kidney ailment.
Mourning didn't immediately react, but when players separated into groups for the next part of practice, he suddenly charged toward Martin before being restrained by teammates.
The team got between the two players before they could get close enough for contact. Nets coach Byron Scott, who watched from the far side of the court, went to Martin and spoke calmly to him.
Practice then resumed with Mourning and Martin not speaking to each other. When it ended, team spokesman Gary Sussman said neither player would be available for comment.
Team president Rod Thorn said the Nets spent the afternoon serving a holiday dinner at a community center and there was no lingering tension between any of the players.
