He orchestrated a deal that sent Rice to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for center Alonzo Mourning.

An offensive surge by Hardaway or center Alonzo Mourning is understandable.

In fact, the Hoyas, with all-America center Alonzo Mourning, could be overwhelming.

Those cheers were for the versatile inside force the team has always coveted - the 6-foot-10-inch center Alonzo Mourning, obtained Friday in a trade with Charlotte.

Majerle and point guard Tim Hardaway are playing some of the best basketball of their careers, while center Alonzo Mourning remains the main offensive threat.

Meanwhile, the Hornets' awesome combination of forward Larry Johnson and center Alonzo Mourning, each getting 27 points, caused havoc underneath the basket.

Cuban, who was in Miami yesterday meeting with the free-agent center Alonzo Mourning, had not discussed a sign-and-trade deal with Thorn.

On July 16, center Alonzo Mourning signed a four-year, $22.6 million deal with the Nets.

Last summer, Kidd made his $103 million re-signing partly contingent on the Nets' fateful $20 million investment in center Alonzo Mourning.

The All-Star center Alonzo Mourning will be out for at least another week or two because of a partly torn foot tendon.