Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that Alonzo Mourning is not only fighting kidney disease, but he also has to contend with anemia as well. Anemia can cause fatigue and a decreased ability to concentrate, because the body lacks enough red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs. Mourning says the anemia is caused by his kidney disease.

Still he says he plans to play this season and beyond.

Mourning, 32, told The Washington Post's Michael Wilbon in Saturday's editions that anemia contributed to his lack of energy early last season. He was diagnosed during the season, but a Heat official and an associate of Mourning said Saturday they were uncertain exactly when that was.

''The kidney disorder triggered other abnormalities in my body, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and now anemia,'' Mourning told The Post. ``I started feeling very fatigued, very lethargic. My minutes dropped off because I was having problems getting up and down the court. . . .

``By the time I practiced or played a game, I had nothing left in the tank. I had nothing left for my family by the time I got home. It just wasn't worth it. If I had to live like that, I would have had to back away from the game.''