How NBA Painkillers Nearly Ended Alonzo Mourning’s Career | ALL THE SMOKE

Alonzo Mourning opens up about his past kidney problems and how NBA painkillers like Toradol did much more harm than good.
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[@verbone]

As a Knicks fan, I hated Zo. Years later, I learned to look back and respect the loyalty and warrior mentality Zo always showed on the court. The guy earned every bit of his HOF career.

[@stevewise1656]

I watched him once in person when he was young and playing for Charlotte. He was a warrior every second on the court.

[@ronaldcoats5883]

WHY HATE SOMEONE, YOU ONLY HURTING YOURSELF.

[@PistachiosPurses]

I just saw ppl criticizing Jarrett Allen for refusing to take meds for his bruised ribs. This info is informing some players who choose to listen and learn.

[@loslakers530]

Mann prime ZO had one of the best insane physiques of all time. He was a man amongst boys

[@RVRayRay]

His calves!

[@Skywarp0317]

That man was BUILT.

[@dsg3053]

So why was he taking painkillers

[@wiLLsofsteeL84]

Tell that to David Robinson.

[@IDontBuyIt50]

yeah but this one boy named Vince kept dunking on top of his grown man head.

[@DarrellFranklin]

I can relate; I took Celebrex and Naproxen while playing college football. I had my kidney fail in my early 30s, and I was blessed to receive a donor from my wife.

[@edross2826]

Those Knicks and Heat '90s battle was something special.

[@allenboyer2207]

The man was a force in the paint

[@henokbaarez7464]

Man I love Zo. He was a beast. I remember after the Olympics he was diagnosed. I was so sad.

[@AbesamisM]

zo still looks great even after all hes been through

[@fauxbro1983]

zo is a specimen. no homo

[@fredtolliver4798]

How is he supposed to look? He's only 54.....a transplant isn't a death sentence, and if you recall, he's always been a physical specimen, in top shape

[@AbesamisM]

@@fredtolliver4798 you must hate your life. Lmao

[@AbesamisM]

@@fredtolliver4798 you’re a snake

[@fredtolliver4798]

​@@AbesamisMmy life is pretty good, to be honest with ya....I'm not sure what part of your brain is not engaged, but you're not making any sense...definitely not a critical thinker....let me guess...you're between 14 & 22

[@christinebryant8354]

There’s so many lessons in this interview.

[@loosescrews8106]

Yes indeed. Zo is handling this like the warrior that he is. God is with you Zo.

[@darren2329]

My biggest takeaway...Zo trying to teach these relatively younger "tough guys" how to take responsibility. Every shot clangin off Stephen Jackson dome.

[@thesocialclassbook5900]

As a former Ohio State and NBA player, Zo is right on point about how we had to “play through the pain” back in the day. He was a warrior just like Jackson and Barnes. I echo the sentiment that holistic care through natural means is the way to go. Inside or outside of sports, the medicine foods of God should be prioritized. - Lawrence Funderburke, MBA and CFP

[@rolondorivas6562]

O-H…. Thank You For Reppin the Buckeyes Like A MAN‼️

[@creigiihtondenynis39]

Alonzo Mourning one of my all time favorites!!

[@johnnybraxton5539]

I hope everything is ok with his health ZO was a monster

[@JamesJones-bi4ww]

The meds were in all sports Zo and you can't forget about Walter Peyton

[@MindMadnessGuns]

Perfect discussion, Zo was incredible man, he was such a competitor! Glad he's found peace in retirement and that he's learning to live on with Kidney Disease with grace!

[@mr.bread3circus]

Powerful interview. I was NEVER gonna be a GREAT but had an opportunity to play overseas. Not educating myself on how this body works is why I ruptured my Achilles in tryouts.... Taking antibiotics, wrongly prescribed, and later black labeled.

[@erichoward1731]

Thank You ZO👋🙏👋💪💪

[@goldc6166]

I like Alonzo. My favorite player when he was playing for the Charlotte Hornets. As a professional in my field I disagree with what he says about being his fault. Yes, he has a choice. Although, the medical staff has years of experience and education on what those medications can do to his body. They are educated about that. I hope they informed him of the consequences of the medication. Back in the opioid crisis around the 2000’s doctors were giving out pills to client who ended up getting addicted. Some of the responsibility has to fall on the medical team. They have a duty to keep the players or patients safe. I also believe that Alonzo is still working for the Heat and doesn’t not want his employer to look bad. This was some good conversation to have.

[@jessesmith2655]

I agree in principle with your statement, but the Medical Staff answers to the Owner (s) of the team and their focus is to get the players on the field/ court by any means .

[@jarvisaddison8560]

Facts! Conflict of interest

[@LoScrila84]

So was that dude! Real professional!

[@leonardmulrooney3806]

Much respect Alonzo for your take on this.

[@morganmckinley7946]

Old School guys retired after 7-8 years when they broke down Zo was a bad man

[@kincamell2]

Gratitude for sharing.

[@Grommok]

Great interview! Thank you Zo.

[@artakarakelyan1632]

A real human being.

[@ms.p6594]

This was a very good and much needed conversation. Please continue this dialogue. This would be a good to share with not only rookies, but those aspiring to join any league of sports. I could see Coach Prime allowing this topic to be shared on an open panel. These discussions bring about more awareness and could potentially help save someone else. The painkillers can also be a portal to other harsher vices as well. Good content. Keep rising.

[@sunnisukumar]

God bless Zo. I love the message to take personal responsibility for choices and to live a healthier lifestyle. And yes, it'd also be great for the NBA to help retired athletes more in whatever ways possible.

[@mikelindner2646]

Zo said nah don’t bring that victim bs around the 305

[@plainman9887]

You're pretending that there is no such thing as a perpetrator.

[@user-ex1dq5ex7x]

KNICKS VS HEAT BATTLES WERE EPIC!!!

[@sigungajoshua6149]

Very Important Topic...

[@eddiewhite270]

ZO's impact outside of Ball is tremendous, his foundations, His School...NOT too Mention ZO's Summer GROove🎉🎉🎉

[@lovedenaro6729]

They never talk about this part of Heat Culture.

[@quarterboy2842]

Alonzo took the words out of my mouth, "I'm a grown man". Stephen can take notes about self accountability.

[@skeetbonejones4368]

Yeah I get it. At the end of the day he as a man made the decision to take the painkillers. However, look at what happens when you don't. Take Kyrie for example. The league damn near blackballed him for his decision not to take the vaccine FOR THE GOOD OF THE TEAM. The league will stand behind you when you help push THEIR aganda. But the minute you decide to stand up for YOUR beliefs, YOUR health, YOUR faith, you get blackballed. I would ask that research what happened to Craig Hodges, Chris Jackson aka Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, and most recently, Mark Jackson....

[@phillydee1004]

Alonso ive been following your career since the 1988 McDonald's All American game your in my prayers god is with you big guy.

[@drec00k206]

I got sickle cell and when I’m having a crisis toradol is something they give me but I’m only allowed 1 dose every 12 hours because it can cause kidney problems

[@shannondbrown1552]

I love Zo and was a big fan of his. I get what Stephen is saying how they weren’t given options, but because they were a commodity they were given a quick fix and sent back in the game. So glad he was willing to share this especially for our brothers who hate the doctor, forget the macho attitude and get checked out because it’s better to know when you can do something about it ,than when it’s stage 5,has spread and too late…..

[@brianbachmeier34]

Legend

[@Youdatguy]

I’ve had one Tibia Platue surgery. 2 plates and 9 screws. I could never understand how anyone takes pain killers long term. When I was taking my dose down to ween off. I needed two separate days to truly recover from not taking the Oxys. I was only on them for 1 month and started with 10’s and took it to 5’s and then I cut the 5’s to 2.5. My body felt it. Stop taking your pain meds sooner than later or you’re tricked. Your body will crave them.

[@Anonymous--Troll]

People are hating on Jackson but when you’re a young impressionable guy in the nba you are as good as your leadership…you know they really only care about their ability to perform…not them. Don’t lie you woulda done the same thing

[@DM-lj2mn]

Jackson is saying he didn't have options, but let's be real sports medicine in the 90’s-early 00’s is not what we know today. Zo made the choice because he wanted to play nobody forced him to do it.

[@brownpapi2634]

​@@DM-lj2mnYeah BUT it's still predatory of the NBA organizations to push that on these young men who in reality really didn't give AF about the player's long term health

[@brunocuevas2136]

I remember Patrick Ewing vs Alonzo . It was a very competitive confontation, but always Patrick had a better game . Ewing was a Monster.

[@isaacmussie7557]

if anyone interested (doubt it tbh but we out here); - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), like toradol, naproxen, advil, etc - inhibits enzymes (cox 1 and cox 2) that are relate to keeping the glomerulus (something Zo mentioned) filtering properly - therefore, excessive NSAID use commonly leads to filtration issues and scarring of the kidney, which is irreversible

[@frederickbradford7799]

PREACH zo

[@davidcahan]

It's one of those situations where both things are true: they're grown men and shoulda known better and the team trainers were/are pushers and are going to do what's best for winning not necessarily for the player.

[@stixscofield8312]

The morning of ❤❤❤

[@thunderking8925]

Alonzo still has more gains than 96% of current nba players

[@StarvingMyselfToLIFE]

Alonzo is a stand up guy...Jackson says there were no options when clearly there was one..he could have quit. But we all know, what choice he and 100% of all the other players would have made. Most of these trainers are just ignorant to the effects as the players...

[@brandonrice7289]

It wasn’t your fault, Zo, for putting it into your body. Those administering it are supposed to include informed consent, the risk, etc., which they did know at the time, to give you, and the objective and balanced account of the ramifications of the medicine. They were not doing that at those times. The agenda was to get your ass back on the court - period. They know the players wanna get back to the court and compete. We live in this cesspool culture that if it’s negative blame yourself, if it’s positive give everyone else the credit. That is an extreme view. Bullshit.

[@AbesamisM]

pain killers are so bad for you its crazy. i try not to judge but theres lots of better alternatives. so sad doctors and professionals push them

[@Davivd2]

CBD or THC and Zo would have been playing at the same level his career started for another 6 or 7 years.

[@Epupify]

​@@Davivd2THC should be held to the same scrutiny as any other painkiller regarding its side effects and limitations on effectiveness. Like what is it about it that makes sone people brand it as The alternative to all other painkillers like it is the only natural and pure option in that regard.

[@Davivd2]

@@Epupify Well it's never ruined anyone's kidneys, or given anyone an ulcer. So there's that.

[@Epupify]

@@Davivd2 I'm not anti-thc, but you do know it does have side effects, behavior and mental alterations, risk of addiction, being one of those, right?

[@AbesamisM]

@@Epupify god I love ppl that come to the commment section for an intelligent convo. T

[@coleturner5665]

Men: go get that annual check up

[@domino2009ful]

I hated Zo when he played the Knicks during the Heat years…he was a force to reckon with

[@otepdotnet]

insane physique, he looks like The Rock playing basketball during his prime

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Anytime you take a pill, it's hard on your kidneys... it's why you should never be quick to take a pill for anything.

[@Dantana424]

That's why you get blood tests

[@dennisgreene2544]

Perks,I need;them! Pain?

[@coolmoe3289]

Anybody Can Walk Up Too Jackson An Say.... "Here Smoke Dis Sh"t" Dude Won't Turn It Down.. 😂🤣😂

[@briansmith9959]

Injuries are no joke....

[@marvinmason20]

Stephen Jackson was taught how accountability works today.

[@mathewlynch583]

Facts

[@Macaxeira432]

Stupid take 🤣

[@adgee5401]

It’s more nuanced than this. Zo’s example of crack is a false equivalency. Pressure from the organization to play was a real thing. When you’re trying to stay in the league, you’re going to do some things you don’t want to. It sounds good in hindsight say I’m a grown man when you’re 50+. That was nothing more than cliche nonsense.

[@godsunknicks2832]

@@adgee5401agreed. Plus Zo works for the Heat he’s not going to come out and throw the medical staff under the bus… even if they are probably retired.

[@Drtreal]

​@@godsunknicks2832that issue happened in New York

[@newcaddie9582]

That bama was on steroids. Especially being in Miami. A lot of players were back then.

[@mikeschmidt3382]

I don’t think Zo was on roids. I could be wrong but he seems like good genetics considering he still looks extremely fit.

[@newcaddie9582]

@@mikeschmidt3382 I don’t have any proof either just my assumption. On top of that gym that got busted for selling steroids to all the famous people

[@mwpierre]

I wonder if this why Nate Robinson now needs a kidney transplant.

[@juanfranciscosantana4793]

The part of the other side of athletes that people don't know.

[@user-yi1mg3ur1x]

More stuff, topics like this cause it was about profit. Big $, commercials,...don't mean they care for U!!!

[@MENOLOCE0]

Zo!

[@derekgriffin4703]

So… if it was genetic then what am I not understanding? Was it the meds or not? Confusing to me!!

[@vivahernando1]

You can have a genetic disposition to a disease and do things that increase your likelihood

[@bofuthereturn]

you dont really hear about toradol use with nba players.

[@Maymaymayok]

😮

[@Captain_ObviouslyRight]

There's a typo in the Video Title, let me help: "How Vince Carter nearly ended Alonzo Mourning's career"

[@mikeschmidt3382]

Yeah, Vince got him a couple of times before he could get into position, 2 points, so what.

[@frank6250]

Plant based for what?

[@user-lg5bf3ft9i]

Pumped into athletics like they couldn’t say no or crack open a search. How hard did they say no to opioids?

[@thedon8749]

It is your fault jack you suppose to ask ARE THERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS

[@fatmanjebis]

I'm an ex pill head.....I feel for Alonzo but understand his point

[@vincentnorris9627]

A health physician will give things which can be harmful to your body (i.e. Ibuprofen) As Alonzo stated, you have to know what you're taking.

[@grizbear9519]

Here is my question. If marijuana didn't get you high or buzzed, would you still use it to treat "pain"?

[@gregrice1532]

I know how u feel zo I take them for pain

[@dsg3053]

Why was he taking painkillers if you lifting all those damn weights

[@Jazz313]

Sugar…..Chemicals are hurting our country

[@morganmckinley7946]

Wait…did he say it was genetic??

[@dokholaday2349]

Them rotten pills definitely will have you on dialysis smh

[@CarbinKid]

Zo was almost 7 feet tall with a bit more than 10% body fat. Pain killers may not be the only thing that affected his kidneys. Stak is a clown so he needs not to be addressed.

[@adarrinsmith7491]

Indian Rivers finest! Bookers still would taken you down Zoe!

[@dreamtimej]

I broke my femur years ago. They gave me some some kind of opioid. I had diarrhea the next morning. From that time on I stopped taking any of their medications. The doctor had to talk me into to taking an anticoagulant. Most hospitals have guidebooks on prescription medication and their side effects. Most medications they were offering me had like 1% chance of kidney problems and so on. So, when COVID came around I didn’t even consider the vaccine being offered without proper testing. Even if they told me it had proper testing, not happening. I respected everyone’s choice, I didn’t try to convince people one way or the other, but no.

[@MsRotorwings]

Opioids don’t cause diarrhea. They cause constipation. It’s been known since non steroidal anti inflammatories went on the market that long term use can lead to kidney damage. He chose to take them longer than he should have.

[@davidgivins4203]

Painkillers you took thats made from the medical industry that nba doctors prescribed 😊

[@djjackson1848]

Stack5 always look like the freshest homeless person at the shelter...

[@profitcs8506]

Stephen Jackson wanted Zo to play the victim. Zo is grown for taking accountability.

[@zachlipman4941]

Is cannabis the only way to manage pain then?

[@tiz6549]

These guys make a lot of money! So there's no reason for them not to keep up with their check ups after their careers are over!

[@valp7280]

So did the league cause the issues or is it genetics?

[@Seaby41]

I'm on the take responsibility for your own actions. Its seems easy to blame everyone else. But it makes things much harder.

[@gmac_sports]

Stephen Jackson is correct and to bring up crack is a terrible example we know this bad to take. But if a medical team member gives you something you are trusting that person knows best this ain't some random guy on the street saying hey take this so hell no it wasn't Zo fault at all. If it was a regular doctor at a hospital I bet Zo would be ready to sue them but since its the heat. “Its my fault” GTFOH 🤡

[@thermaldetinatorsonly8857]

i know a person who's kidneys were ruined by gabapentin. the lesson is , dont trust doctors.

[@patrickgatson5739]

Yes pain pills can cause and have been linked to kidney disease 😮

[@J_Rio11]

Stephen Jackson wants to play the blame game. Respect to Zo

[@Davivd2]

That's not the blame game. It's the responsibility game. If your trainer is responsible for your health, telling you to take a certain medicine that harms your health lands on his head. He took on that responsibility the moment he got into the health care industry. If the trainer did his job properly he would have laid out the pros and cons of taking the medications, and given him options.

[@coreyeatmon5101]

Team doctors manipulate an athletes mindset. Do more. Work harder. Team sacrifice. In the end it may be bullshit that's harmful.

[@user-sk9sp7pe4y]

No disrespect but i also think he was mixing it with steroids and alcohol as well

[@StarvingMyselfToLIFE]

How about all the money they made as a resource? Again taking care of your health should be the priority but for the most part it isn't... Perhaps it could be part of collective bargaining? Life long insurance plans?

[@criessmiles3620]

U can tell Zo is very mature and may not always vote dem Steven in one hand just a tool Cheers from west Africa 🦅

[@FinalB055]

If you have the ability give your self and any loved ones around you the best present for your birthday, which is another birthday, go get a check up.

[@user-eu1mf6dl4s]

They care nothing about your long term health....and it's. Much worse in the NFL

[@brandons2842]

what are NBA Painkillers... lol

[@antoniogarciarodriguez5741]

PAY THE BILL for ROIDS

[@muscle99sav]

Def wasnt from the steroids

[@morganmckinley7946]

SJ trying to blame the powers that be and it’s not surprising

[@brandons2842]

us in the corporate work do blow and coffee to get and work... it's always a trade off. Stop crying!

[@l.r9655]

Zo was just addicted to painkillers but he wants to play the victim here.

[@Earl_E_Burd]

Stack: "No options"? Make millions, or don't make millions. Actin like there's no consequence to taking painkillers... give me a break. Take some accountability. Most jobs exchange vitality for money.

[@wisconsinlonnie4143]

Facts. Looking for a scapegoat.

[@Davivd2]

I don't think that you get his point. The trainer is responsible for the players health. That's literally their job. So if the trainer gives you a drug for pain, and it harms your health, that trainer bares some responsibility for that. They are health care professionals. Tramadol is a prescription drug. That means the trainer should know how many Zo was going through, how fast, and should have been testing his kidney function every few months.

[@wisconsinlonnie4143]

@@Davivd2 I get the point but Zo said it perfectly. He’s a grown man. Trainers are human too. Prone to mistakes & pressure from higher ups. Ask Prince & MJ about just trusting a pill pusher with blind faith.

[@kaydee1485]

​@@wisconsinlonnie4143 but that still doesn't absolve them of responsibility. It's their job to monitor the health of the players.

[@Omingogeta]

​@kaydee1485 thank you... ppl in these comments trying to absolve a billion dollar company just because zo trying to take all the blame foh...

[@dolpo5138]

My dudes, slow down. The NBA didn't manufacture the painkillers. Check ur semantics my men