I think the knee injury and microfracture surgery are sadly the beginning of the downhill of his career. Micrafracture surgery (which Allan Houston also had 16 months ago) always has been for NBA players actually.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/29756.htm

'ZO A GO? MAYBE

By FRED KERBER

September 1, 2004 -- When the Nets open training camp Oct. 5, they likely will see one face they hadn't expected - Alonzo Mourning - but will miss one they did expect - Jason Kidd.
According to multiple team and league sources, Kidd, rehabbing from left knee surgery, is not expected back until December. Those sources also insist Mourning, 34, will attempt a comeback after leaving the game last November and undergoing a subsequent kidney transplant.

"Their plan is that Mourning will be at training camp," said a source who also claimed the team is not banking on Kidd "until December" with late November a possibility.

Nets' GM Ed Stefanski said yesterday that there is no tentative return date for Kidd and that Mourning has not notified the team of any comeback plans.

"Jason has been working out and rehabbing, doing all the doctors have prescribed. But there is no timetable for his return," he said.

On Mourning, who played in 12 games last year before suffering renal failure Nov. 22, Stefanski could neither confirm nor deny a comeback plan.

"I wouldn't be surprised, with Alonzo's pride and competitiveness, if he gets medical clearance that he would try it," Stefanski said. "But we know nothing definite about it.''

Team CEO Rod Thorn said if Mourning gets clearance, the Nets "certainly" would welcome him back because "he'd be a big asset as a low post scorer who, when right, demands a double team."

Thorn cautioned, however, that this is "uncharted waters" and noted that Sean Elliot made a comeback from a kidney transplant but was "an outside, finesse player and Alonzo is the opposite, a tough inside player.''

So Mourning could be the inside presence the Nets desperately need following the trade of Kenyon Martin. And he could provide a huge assist in placating Kidd, who was furious with the trades of Martin and Kerry Kittles to save money. Mourning, remember, was signed at Kidd's urging last summer.

Kidd, while not demanding anything, told team brass he would like a trade (acceptable teams include Dallas, the Lakers and Minnesota, one source said).

Mourning will be paid whether he plays or sits - $5.04 million this season and nearly $12.4 million the following two years. The contract wasn't insured because of the pre-existing kidney condition, so the Nets pay full freight.

However, the Nets would receive salary cap relief if Mourning sits this season because an injured player comes off the cap after two years of inactivity. If Mourning returns and plays even one game, the cycle starts over.

The Nets have added 6-8 free agent Eric Williams to the front line and are hoping for anything from rookie Kyle Davis, whose MRI was negative after he suffered a knee injury at a free agent camp in Las Vegas.

Also, the Nets will offer 6-11 Jabari Smith a make-good contract. Smith has NBA experience with the Kings and Sixers, averaging 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds in parts of three seasons.

Also on the Nets' agenda is a decision on Lucious Harris. There is a scenario to buy him out, but the Nets may try to get something back in a trade.

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 09/01/2004 07:57:13]

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA.....I hate the Nets. I will have a blast watching them suck soooo bad this year. Fantasy sping, Jefferson will put up good scoring numbers.

I understand Kidd, if he tries to rest a long time to rehab correctly instead of rushing things. I'm sure he'll make them pay for what they did about kenyon.