Alonzo Mourning will play his final season opener Thursday when the Heat faces Detroit at American Airlines Arena. Mourning, whose birthday is Feb. 8, will be 38 when he wraps up what many consider a Hall of Fame career.

"I think I've contributed enough to this game where I should be considered," Mourning said. "But I have no power over that. I'll put it in God's hands. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. If not, I don't think I had a wasted career because I don't go into the Hall of Fame."

Despite missing almost four full seasons because of health issues, including a kidney transplant in December 2003, Mourning ranks among the game's all-time best centers.