The game of the big men in the National Basketball Association is no longer limited in the painted area. It has evolved.
Retired NBA star Alonzo “Zo” Mourning made this observation Thursday evening during the NBA-Vivo smartphone partnership launch at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent.
“Players are coming into the league are a lot more versatile and talented in different areas. Not only are they able to shoot the basketball, they move well with it as well,” said the 48-year-old Zo, who finished his 15-year career from 1992 to 1998 with many awards.
One of them is being a 7-time NBA All-Star from 1994 to 97, 2000 and 2002 while playing for the Charlotte Hornets, the New Jersey Nets and the Miami Heat.
The 6’10” Mourning said that during his time as a player when he played center-forward, the big man was limited to the post.
“But, now they play on the perimeter, and they’re shooting the 3s, and they’re handling the ball like Kevin Durant. There are fine examples like Dirk Nowitzki, and there are certainly shooting guards who evolved, guys who can pass the ball extremely well, guys who have the size,” added Mourning, who played in the Olympics back in 2000.
Mourning joined NBA Philippines’ managing director Carlo Singson and Vivo officials, led by Chief Executive Officer Ted Xiong during the launch.
Through the partnership, Vivo will be the presenting partner of the NBA Playoffs Bracket Challenge, a fantasy game that allows participants to submit their predictions.
As an official partner of the Jr. NBA in the Philippines and NBA 3×3, Vivo will leverage the league’s youth platform to stage interactive fan activities and showcase its latest mobile devices.
Since retiring, Mourning has been vice president of player programs and for the Miami Heat, noting that the evolution of the game of the big men is now putting emphasis on the perimeter players.
“So, you take the technicalities out of the game. The game (of the big man) is still critical, but not as critical as the perimeter,” added Mourning.
He noted that players who are versatile, are able to run a lot more on the perimeter and get their shots off easier, but it does not take anything away from the players’ skills at the level.
“Younger kids are seeing the players in this league and are working on their games from the outside, not from the inside out,” he continued.
Mourning said that when he was still playing, he was working on his game from inside the paint.
“So, now emphasis is on the perimeter player and shooting,” he said.
Averaging 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds during his era, Mourning observed that some teams like the Houston Rockets now have all five guys on the floor shooting 3s, and it’s the same with Golden State Warriors.
“This opens the court up, opens the driving range. So you can get lots of layups and threes,” he added.
The evolution that is taking place with the big men, according to Mourning has seen teams scoring more than 100 points per game.
“More teams are scoring in the hundreds now more than ever. So the game has changed, and stayed for the better,” he added.
Outside the NBA, he has established the Alonzo Mourning Charities, where he has raised millions for programs that help children and their families, especially those who have been abused, abandoned and neglected.
For his work in teaching kids about leadership and perseverance, Alonzo has been recognized by the NBA and the National Urban League.