Mourning/Martin

[Eggcentric@xxxxxxx]

Nets' Mourning, Martin Nearly Come to Blows
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Nov. 21)

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.
Sports Talk
"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 play