Sam Mitchell refuses to grow wistful at the thought of what might have been or how much easier his life would have been had Alonzo Mourning ever had any intention of pulling on a Raptor jersey.

And while the Toronto head coach isn't going to look back, he won't have to glance too far this afternoon to see just how healthy ? and dominant ? Mourning has become since the Raptors paid him nearly $10 million (U.S.) to not show up.

"The fire's back, the passion," Mitchell said of Mourning, who'll be at the Air Canada Centre as the Miami Heat try to extend Toronto's season-opening losing streak to an even 10 games.

"He really feels like that team's got a chance to win a championship and that's what he wants, dearly. An opportunity."

"No, no, no, no, there's no point in even going there," Mitchell responded when asked 'what if'.

"This is our team and instead of worrying about what we don't have, we're worrying about getting our guys better, and if we do that, we'll be okay."