Palm Beach Times: Aaron Brown - Yet again, Zo's Summer Groove Zo-tastic

"I've gone through all kinds of adversity in my life and I'm still standing. I'm still talking about it, and I still feel I've got a lot I want to do”
Alonzo Mourning

By Aaron Brown. Photos by Aaron Brown

A role model is defined as a person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate.

On July 16th, in the eyes of a sold out crowd at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida an annual role model was found. Alonzo Mourning held his 10th annual Zo’s Summer Groove. “I started this with a dream of wanting to do a charity event that benefitted children” said Zo. ZSG was held again to help the at risk kids in south Florida.

Tickets ranged from the area of 20 dollars to 60 dollars. A wonderful lineup of current NBA stars played in the charity game including members of the Miami Heat championship team, Darius Miles, Charlie Villanueva, Quentin Richardson, Sam Cassell, Smush Parker, TJ Ford, etc.

The crowd also had special appearances by stars such as Shawn Marion, Gary Payton, Kenyon Martin, Dikembe Mutumbo, Fat Joe, David Banner, etc. Dwayne Wade, the NBA Finals MVP this year, was also in attendance acting as a coach. Wade was sporting a cast on his wrist. “You guys watch me all the time, I run around, dive for balls, and fall, but I always get back up. It’s nothing at all.” Said Wade.

The word also spread around the stadium that Alonzo Mourning re-signed with the Miami Heat. "I'm excited for him, he wanted to win a championship and he did. If he had just walked away, we all would have bowed down to him, but he's going to come back. That just shows it's not about money. It's about love of the game" said a joyous Wade.

The players seemed to be enjoying themselves more than making it a competitive game. “It’s great to see all these players come together to help out the community!” said players Payton and Mourning. Certain players were asked if they have any pre-game rituals coming into a game, “ no I’m not that crazy ” said a smiling Quentin Richardson.

Players like Darius Miles and Charlie Villanueva responded that they just usually turn on the old I-pod before a game. A tantalizing half time concert consisted of DJ Khaled and rappers Dre, Pitbull and Trick Daddy.

The half time show also consisted of games for lucky fans, to win prizes. Mourning and other NBA stars signed and posed for pictures as well as threw out gifts to children from charities as well as fans throughout the game. "I've gone through all kinds of adversity in my life and I'm still standing. I'm still talking about it, and I still feel I've got a lot I want to do” said a very inspired Zo.

The current NBA champion seemed relaxed as if he accomplished his goal of a championship. Almost as laid back as an old Rascals song Groovin’ on a ZOday (Sunday) afternoon.