among them. The Heat squad was ready to set the court on fire.

The beginning of the end for the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Playoff Finals came when Miami Heat players discovered that, although they were down "just" 2-0 after the first two games, Dallas was already making official preparations for a victory parade!

The insult hit the Heat players really hard but especially Alonzo Mourning, one of Coach John Thompson's terrific Georgetown players (like Patrick Ewing) who never had the chance to wear a championship ring before.

But for Mourning it was no time for mourning. It took him a lot to get to the 2006 finals and he was not ready to give it up that easily. Although looking every part of a model of good health, Mourning was brought down in year 2000 by "focal glomerulosclerosis," a kidney disease that required a kidney transplant.

After a very painful preparation period at the hospital, Alonso got a new kidney thanks to the generosity of his cousin. For 5 years he did not play, not knowing for sure if he would ever return to top form on the court.

Dallas's perceived insult rubbed not only Alonzo the wrong way but all the Miami characters who made a name for themselves in the NBA for their toughness as well -- Coach Pat Riley, Shaq, Paton and of course Wade, among them. The Heat squad was ready to set the court on fire.

Result - they won the next 4 games straight, with Alonzo playing for 14 minutes and contributing 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots in the last crucial game.

Alonzo and the gang went home with NBA championship rings, and the Mavericks are still trying to figure out what went wrong.

As the old saying goes - don't count your chicken before they hatch. Don't get ready for an NBA championship parade before you win 4 games either.