He never should have framed this as a financial decision.

Fans don't respond well to such talk, particularly when a player has had the luxury of decisions concerning $60 million earned, pre-tax, for three years of relative athletic inactivity.

If Alonzo Mourning had said from the start that he wanted to pursue a championship before his career ends, and viewed other teams as better positioned than the Heat, the reasonable among us would have understood.

Still would.

Truth is, Mourning, who becomes a free agent Tuesday, shouldn't return to Miami if a contender like the Lakers, Spurs, Mavericks or Kings calls.

He has long spoken about a title; understandably it's no longer everything, but it must still appeal in some way. He can't accomplish that in Denver or New York, which is why signing in some such place would rankle South Floridians.