RealGM

He hasn't played in almost a month and appears to have a chronically injured knee. Is this the end of the road for O'Neal or do you think he'll be back?

We don't know. He has not committed to coming back, and, if the trade deadline passes without a deal, it will become less and less likely that he will play again this year, IMO.

I agree with count55. I am also not really sure how much of a career JO has left. I just can't see this guy playing 75-80 games a year anymore.

He's got some left in him. He just has to be patient. Its tough for a player of his caliber/leadership to do it right. But I believe he's starting to realize it this year. If he sits out from now until the beginning of next season, rehabs and works on strengthening his knees....he can play well into his 30s. In four-five years he may be looking at a 20 minute a game role...but still productive.

There's a catch-not only will it not be with the Pacers, but his longevity hinges on the team he plays for. IMO, JO needs another productive big man to protect him from serious wear and tear. Not only can the Pacers not provide this "big man," but the Pacers I feel have lost a use for JO with their new group of players. I don't think he fits; maybe we haven't seen enough...but he'd be better off elsewhere.

Unfortunatley I do not think JO will take the steps to preserve his longevity, nor do I think he has a place in Indiana anymore. He'll definetly be gone by the beginning of next season...hopefully before the draft.

JO definitely has game.

He seems to suffer from lack of desire imo.......

Boneman2 wrote:JO definitely has game.

He seems to suffer from lack of desire imo.......

Could not agree more. I think many things go into play. He's lost faith in our front office and team. He has no desire to be a winner here anymore, and can you blame him? He's seem tons of great players here and we did nothing with it, due to all our issues. He keeps getting hurt and now we play a style that isn't suited for him.

I honestly think it's best that we move on and that he moves on. I'm sure he will be solid elsewhere but thats not my worry, we need to rebuild our franchise and he shouldn't be in our plans long term.

If Nets offer Marcus Williams and a first round pick, we'd be seriously dumb not to do it.

Hey, the Eastern Conference All-Stars is another team that seem to win without Jermaine in the lineup.

Miller4ever wrote:Hey, the Eastern Conference All-Stars is another team that seem to win without Jermaine in the lineup.

Really? What's the other one?

count55 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Really? What's the other one?

atlanta
boston
chicago
cleveland
dallas
denver
detroit
golden state
houston
lakers
new jersey
new orleans
orlando
philadelphia
phoenix
portland
san antonio
toronto
utah
washington

Nope...highly doubt it. All this "Clean bill of health" crap is just to see if we can trade him. If not he sits for the remainder and the pacers continue the route they are on. Not bad enough for a top pick. Not good enough to make the playoffs.

I take it this is a fantasy question....


If it is, it depends on who you would be dropping. Counting on JO is pretty hard to do, but if you're in like a 20-30 team monster league and you'd be dropping a Pat Garrity or Brian Cook, then, yeah, you should pick up JO.


However, he's going to rest the knee until he feels more comfortable playing on it. Honestly, none of us know if he'll be back this season. I think he's willing to rest it the whole season if he has to, but he probably wants to play.

If we pull off a deal with Memphis, I think Jermaine stays...

What leads you to believe that? JO's return and this trade seem like pretty separate issues.

PacerPerspective wrote:If we pull off a deal with Memphis, I think Jermaine stays...

Need someone to avoid the whitewash

PG: Diener
SG: Miller
SF: Dunleavy
PF: Murphy
C: Foster

It's like we're utah!

I get tired of hearing people say the Pacers play better without JO. Have you seen the Pacers record. They dont play good WITH or WITHOUT him. It's just stupid to say they play better without him.

Your just hit on a point that frusturates a lot of Pacer fans about JO. The Pacers are bad with or without him. When he signed that max contract we expected him to be a difference maker, and that is something he has been anything but all year.