J.O. Is Unhappy
…and he points out the painfully obvious
Indiana Pacers star Jermaine O’neal had a bit of a fit last week, basically saying that if the perpetually average Pacers don’t get their act together, he doesn’t want to be part of the team anymore:
“We’re a very average team right now,” O’Neal said. “We’re going to be average until we decide as players that we want to win and do the right things we’re supposed to do to win. If we don’t do it, we’re going to mingle around .500, get in the playoffs and then be out.”
“I’m getting to the point, I’m in my 11th year, I don’t want to play 82 games and then exit to watch somebody else pop champagne…If I can’t take this team to another level, I truthfully believe we should go our separate ways at the end of the season.” O’neal added.
OK, two questions immediately come to mind when I read those quotes from O’neal: 1)What took him so long to explode; 2)Did he really expect things to be going better in Indy?
I’m really surprised that J.O. took this long to let out his frustrations, considering that management really didn’t do much over the summer to improve the team–Marquis Daniels and Al Harrington, please don’t take this personally. It was pretty obvious from the get-go that this squad was going to hover around the .500 mark for the season (as they have the past two seasons), and probably face a quick exit in the first round of the playoffs.
Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh did nothing to lighten the mood when asked about O’neal’s comments:
“I think he’s played really well and if the time comes for [talking about O’Neal’s future], then that will be the time. We’ll see,” said Walsh. “We’re going through a difficult part of the season. I’m frustrated, the coaches are frustrated on occasion and the team is frustrated.”
O’neal, who’s clearly the face of the organization and is putting up his usual solid numbers (19 and 10 after 29 games), most likely won’t be traded anytime soon. However, the possibility of a trade happening sometime down the road isn’t out of the question. As Indy Star writer Mike Wells pointed out over the weekend, J.O. has the option to opt out of his contract at the end of next season and leave the Pacers with nothing to show for it.
20 Responses to “J.O. Is Unhappy”
Jan.8 at 3:44 pm
Nadav Mor says:
Don’t forget Maceo Baston. He’s the man, man.
Jan.8 at 3:44 pm
Andrew says:
The way they built the team is pretty ridiculous. Who do they think they are, the Hawks? But seriously, they should trade Jermaine and it has little to do with this season. He’s playing great defensively but he’s not a leader. He’s overpaid and isn’t as dominating a post presence as he seems, still relying on 17-footers too often. He’d fit a lot better with a solid perimeter swingman (Ray Allen, Michael Redd) instead of trying to lead a team himself. He’s just not good enough to do it. Just talking like a leader doesn’t make you one. As far as the Pacers, anyone who didn’t see an average team prior to the season needs to find a new hobby. Aside from the fact that they can field an entire 6-8 team (twice), they don’t have a consistent perimeter player. Tinsley takes some god-awful shots, ditto Action Jackson. Al Harrington is a nice addition but what exactly did he improve? They should deal Jackson and Tinsley for a consistent point and unload some swingmen for a deep threat.
Jan.8 at 3:51 pm
Chris says:
Well it’s nice to see that some players still care about winning. If he’s serious he should put his money where his mouth is, opt out of his contract and take the mid level exception to play with the Lakers or the Spurs
Jan.8 at 4:22 pm
Mike Honcho says:
Jermaine O’Neal on the Spurs for the mid-level? By the Hammer of Thor! That would be a nice frontline.
Jan.8 at 5:37 pm
boston's finest says:
i would love to see JO go to detroit, reunite with an aging rasheed wallace. he along w/ the rest of the pistons could make some serious noise, get back to where they left off the past couple of season. but all i know is that he’s gotta stay on the eastern conference. too many big men out west for he to go and join a team like seattle, dallas, lakers, etc.
Jan.8 at 6:53 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
I love the phrase “mingle around .500″…
Jan.8 at 7:22 pm
Jake Appleman says:
“Hey .512, how ya doin?..Good…Good to hear. Listen, we’re not feeling so well right now so we’re going to go talk to .489 for a little while. I’m sure we’ll see you again soon. Let us just unpack our bags and chill at home for a little while next week and we’ll give you a call.”
Jan.8 at 8:26 pm
Harlem_World says:
The Pacers have never recovered from that ‘thorough ass ni**as’ departure and the retirement of Boney M. Plus J.O. has skills but he’s not a winner. But he has a nice house though - so I guess its alright.
Jan.8 at 9:09 pm
Noah says:
Jermaine O’Neal is welcome to say what he wants when he plays 60 games. Every other night it seems like he’s sitting again. Sure, he puts up solid numbers WHEN he plays but I think he’s already missed like 10 games this year. Also, the idea that Stephen Jackson is good at basketball is absurd. He takes awful shots (sometimes out of double teams). Not only that, but he seems to take 10 too many shots per game. The Pacers need to get rid of O’Neal, Tinsley, Jackson, and Larry Bird.
Jan.8 at 10:42 pm
Drolfe says:
Hahah mingle. That’s greatness.
Jan.8 at 11:14 pm
Ronald says:
Did some idiot say that J.O would go to the Pistons? Are you SERIOUS? Or do you have a shitty memory? I’m pretty sure it was the Pistons incident that lead to this debacle of a team.
Jan.9 at 1:52 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Jermaine O’Neal and Kevin Garnett should be traded for each other straight up. At least they’d get to see some different scenery.
Jan.9 at 2:28 am
Chief says:
About tiem J.O realized what i nightmare indy is…Reggie didn’t realize it and he never won the chip he so deserved.
Jan.9 at 5:03 am
apaul says:
Russ, you really think that’s anywhere near a fair trade? J.O. is a nice player, never top 10 any single year he’s played.. kg is an all time great.
Jan.9 at 6:00 am
Paolo says:
The point guard position has been an Achilles’ Heel for them. I think they should pursue Big Shot Billups. He has played for Carlisle and he will bring a much needed structure and leadership to the team. Aside from that, think about this “at forward number 33, from Indiana State university…Larry…….B…”
Jan.9 at 11:14 am
Ron says:
Isn’t a franchise player like JO supposed to be leader and inspire his teammates to want to compete and win? For him to complain that guy aren’t giving their all shows a lack of leadership on his part.
Jan.9 at 1:21 pm
Froggiestyle says:
Russ, I luv KG and hate you - that wasn’t funny, even tho it was kinda painful. I think maybe Jermaine is confusing himself with the other Oneal - Mista Shaq Daddy. I’ve seen JO play a bunch and his game is not that strong or that deep. He’s a decent role player and that’s it. Yeah he could kick my ass but he crumbles a lot during crunch time. Franchise? Please. Franchise paycheck maybe but minus the game.
Jan.9 at 3:00 pm
DBLIZZY! says:
Yeah I like J.O. too but he hasn’t really improved since he’s got to Indy. Except for 1 half of a yaer, he’s been putting up the same 19 and 9 with a couple blocks forever. If he’s supposed to be the franchise player, he’s should be taking his game to the next level. Reggie is supposed to be his mentor, well he should take a page from his book. Reggie never bashed the organization, he just played his ass off year after year.
Jan.9 at 9:27 pm
Galo says:
dblizzy, yeah, reggie played his ass off, but that didnt get him anywhere either. Nor Malone, for that matter. I’m not comparing JO to any of them (i’m not that insane), but Indy does suck, and some guys get tired of playing hard every night, and getting screwed over by the organization (Iverson, anyone?). At least Malone had Stockton, what does JO got? The problem with Jermaine is that he’s a good player, but thats kinda it. Not a hall of famer. He cant carry a franchise. He got tired of trying, he wants a chip, and he knows he wont get any in Indiana. KG will also get tired eventually… But i would love to see JO and Duncan together onthe Spurs (and i’m NOT a spur fan).
Jan.9 at 10:59 pm
Kawan says:
dude JO need someone to feed him the ball and someone strong from the three point to dish it out to if he gets in trouble