It seemed like just yesterday that Jermaine O'Neal was a perennial All-Star, appearing in national commercials and challenging for league MVP honors.
Three-plus years, even more injuries and numerous trade rumors later, O'Neal's stock, status and numbers have plummeted to levels not seen since he rode the bench in Portland.
O'Neal has missed 73 games the past three-plus seasons due to injuries. His latest setback is to his left knee, which required offseason surgery and has limited him to 10 games this season.
"You're always going to be open to criticism in professional sports," said O'Neal, who is averaging 13.2 points -- 11 fewer than in 2004-05. "I know people are saying I'm not the same player I used to be. I accept it because it is what it is. I've been hurt the last few years. I believe once I get over the hump, and I believe I'm going to get over it, I'm going to be the player I was before."
When O'Neal gets healthy is anybody's guess. He might play tonight at Seattle.
The Pacers are 5-1 without him this season, leading many to wonder if they would be better off without him. (They are 84-81 with him in the past three-plus seasons, 44-44 without.) Several scouts who have attended recent games suggested they are better without him because his style doesn't mesh with Coach Jim O'Brien's up-tempo offense.
Via Indianapolis Star
Indiana Pacers
Read the Full Story
Discuss
Send Feedback
Buy Tickets
Indiana Pacers shooting guard Mike Dunleavy says the numbers don't lie.
Dunleavy, who is having the best season of his six-year career, said the Pacers are a better team when he has a significant role in the offense.
Dunleavy went into Wednesday's game at Portland averaging 22.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists and shooting 53 percent in victories this season. He's only averaging 11.0 points and shooting 40 percent in losses.
"When I get in the flow offensively, it's pretty clear we're a good team," Dunleavy said. "When I don't, we struggle. Why that happens, I don't know. My approach is the same every night. I think it's pretty clear we're a good team when I can get my hands on the ball."
Dunleavy, who scored a season-high 30 points in a victory over Denver on Tuesday, is at his best when the Pacers push the tempo and there is constant ball movement. He has a hard time finding a rhythm when the Pacers stand around on the perimeter as somebody attempts to go one-on-one with the ball.
Via Indianapolis Star
Indiana Pacers
Read the Full Story
Discuss
Send Feedback
Buy Tickets
Jermaine O'Neal is expected to be back in the lineup when the Indiana Pacers open their four-game Western trip Tuesday in Denver.
O'Neal has missed the past three games and four overall with knee and calf injuries. An MRI taken Saturday revealed a slight tear in his calf, but the knee was "stable," according to Coach Jim O'Brien.
The Pacers turned in impressive victories over New Orleans and Dallas without O'Neal and nearly defeated the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Via Indianapolis Star
Indiana Pacers
Read the Full Story
Discuss
Send Feedback
Buy Tickets
Pacers Nov 2007 Archive
-
ESPN | Nov 25, 2007
Indiana Pacers' forward Jermaine O'Neal missed his third straight game with swelling in his left knee and lower leg Sunday in Indiana's 111-106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
-
Dallas Morning News | Nov 25, 2007
The Dallas Mavericks filed an official protest with NBA officials Saturday about the team's 111-107 loss to the Pacers on Friday night.
-
Indianapolis Star | Nov 24, 2007
Jim O'Brien said he anticipates Jermaine O'Neal will be back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
-
ESPN | Nov 23, 2007
Indiana Pacers' forward Jermaine O'Neal will sit out Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks with swelling in his left knee and lower leg.
-
ESPN | Nov 22, 2007
With the injured Jermaine O'Neal on the bench, Troy Murphy scored 23 points to lead the Pacers to a 105-93 win over New Orleans on Wednesday night.
-
Indianapolis Star | Nov 21, 2007
"I would not be a candidate for that job for a lot of reasons," said Donnie Walsh. "The major one is Isiah. I'm not doing that. Isiah is a friend of mine, and I wouldn't be a candidate for a job he's in."
-
Ken Berger/Newsday | Nov 20, 2007
Donnie Walsh, who is leaving the Indiana Pacers after the season to pursue another high-level front-office job, "certainly would be open" to joining the Knicks.
-
Sports Illustrated | Nov 16, 2007
Indiana Pacers' forward Troy Murphy returned to the lineup Friday after missing Wednesday's loss to Washington with a sore left Achilles'.
-
Indianapolis Star | Nov 16, 2007
It's back to the bench in street clothes for Indiana Pacers' guard Marquis Daniels.
-
Boston Globe | Nov 14, 2007
Jermaine O'Neal said he's not bothered that his name has been mentioned in trade rumors since the offseason, including ones involving the Nets, Lakers, and Celtics.
-
Indianapolis Star | Nov 9, 2007
Indiana swingman Marquis Daniels will miss tonight's game against the Charlotte Bobcats with a left knee injury.
-
ESPN | Nov 7, 2007
Sam Cassell scored 35 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 104-89 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night in a matchup of unbeaten teams.
-
RealGM Staff Report | Nov 7, 2007
The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday that center Ike Diogu will be out four to six weeks with a torn left calf muscle.
-
Indianapolis Star | Nov 6, 2007
Indiana Pacers' forward Shawne Williams has one word to describe his experience during his three-game suspension which ended Saturday: boring.
-
NBA.com | Nov 5, 2007
The Indiana Pacers’ Danny Granger and the Houston Rockets’ Tracy McGrady today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Tuesday, Oct.
-
ESPN | Nov 4, 2007
Mike Dunleavy had 27 points and eight rebounds Saturday night to help the Indiana Pacers remain unbeaten with a 121-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
-
Houston Chronicle | Nov 3, 2007
Jonathan Feigan of the Houston Chronicle is upset with Magic Johnson and the double standard which seems to apply to the former LA Laker great.
-
Indianapolis Star | Nov 2, 2007
Jermaine O'Neal is expected to make his season debut after sitting out most of the preseason with a left knee injury.
