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O'Neal a rapturous Raptor
Ex-Pacer is happy, says he's healthy
By Marc J. Spears
Globe Staff / October 27, 2008

"[The Raptors] have a president in Brian Colangelo I've talked to more than I talked to [the Pacers' Larry] Bird in five years. You feel wanted."

Couldnt post a link because it was an extension page. This is one area I believe to be true. I think Bird has always been a d%&*k to O'Neal, probably because he was from the Thomas regime.

It sfunny because Shawne Williams said the opposite when traded (Bird Guy)

You can't blame Larry because JO is a mental midget. Sure Bird deceived him when he fired that one dude on painkillers, but for 120 million + how much sympathy does one deserve. JO was okay with it when he was getting all the credit playing a key role for a contender. But when the cradle was rocked JO acted like a little b*tch.

Good bye J- hoe.

Cant blame that part yes, but lack of communication is partly on Bird

Boneman2 wrote:You can't blame Larry because JO is a mental midget. Sure Bird deceived him when he fired that one dude on painkillers, but for 120 million + how much sympathy does one deserve. JO was okay with it when he was getting all the credit playing a key role for a contender. But when the cradle was rocked JO acted like a little b*tch.

Good bye J- hoe.

Probably one of the most ignorant statements I have heard from a Pacer fan.

Are you forgetting who gave JO 120 mill? Larry Bird was not the GM but he was involved with that deal. Larry Bird is just as much to blame for what happened as JO if not more.

MillerTime101 wrote:

Boneman2 wrote:You can't blame Larry because JO is a mental midget. Sure Bird deceived him when he fired that one dude on painkillers, but for 120 million + how much sympathy does one deserve. JO was okay with it when he was getting all the credit playing a key role for a contender. But when the cradle was rocked JO acted like a little b*tch.

Good bye J- hoe.

Probably one of the most ignorant statements I have heard from a Pacer fan.

Are you forgetting who gave JO 120 mill? Larry Bird was not the GM but he was involved with that deal. Larry Bird is just as much to blame for what happened as JO if not more.

+1

JO has been nothing but classy. This is pure whining from a person who's thinks money should remove all rights.

JO loved Walsh, but hated Bird. I think both sides were at fault really, and their icy relationship probably only added to the struggles this team has had the past few seasons.

I believe it's simply a case of five years of "ifs" and "buts" surrounding the Pacers since the Detriot debacle. Ever since i imagine, JO may have felt it was only a matter of time until he was shipped out, who knows. I can imagine it being rough, feeling isolated and uncertian for a number of seasons.

Perhaps his words in that article don't show it, but i sincerely doubt he holds any ill feelings towards the organisation. As for the Birds comments, we all know he is a man of few words, perhaps we're looking into it too much??

JO has been nothing but classy. This is pure whining from a person who's thinks money should remove all rights.

Nothing but classy, sure you're right. Bottomline, JO alienated himself from his teammates when it became apparent he was a horrible leader. Money and rights have nothing to do with being a good motivator, even though JO is the fourth highest paid player in the league. Getting a max deal doesn't remove ones rights, imo he should be held to a higher level of accountability.

[quote][Are you forgetting who gave JO 120 mill? Larry Bird was not the GM but he was involved with that deal./quote]

It doesn't matter how he got the deal, that's not even the point. The reality is 120 million couldn't motivate JO. He is entering his prime right now but resembles an old broken down veteran. So it's my fault his summer conditioning consists of gaining weight to put more strain on his bad knees and back.

It doesn't matter how he got the deal, that's not even the point. The reality is 120 million couldn't motivate JO. He is entering his prime right now but resembles an old broken down veteran. So it's my fault his summer conditioning consists of gaining weight to put more strain on his bad knees and back.

Actually, that is the point. Theoretically, if JO was paid far less, he would have been more motivated to lead than if you were to pay him more. That's just common sense; a player playing for a spot. When you overpay, which in hindsight was clearly the case, then you get the sentiment that we see today. Nevertheless, JO in the post-Miller era put the Pacers on the map for me. If his body is good to go, your going to see him do similar things here in Toronto.

What is your point then? In your first post you were ripping JO and saying he has no right to say anything to Bird because he makes 20+ mill a season, that point doesnt make a lick of sense and offends me as a Pacer fan.

JO bled blue and gold, the guy came back early and played on a torn acl for us on more then one occasion without saying a word, he was the first one to come to his teammates aid in the brawl, sure he is not the greatest vocal leader but the Pacers knew that when they signed him.

Saying he acted like a B*tch is uncalled for IMO and is a slap in the face to the Pacers organization.

MillerTime101 wrote:What is your point then? In your first post you were ripping JO and saying he has no right to say anything to Bird because he makes 20+ mill a season, that point doesnt make a lick of sense and offends me as a Pacer fan.

JO bled blue and gold, the guy came back early and played on a torn acl for us on more then one occasion without saying a word, he was the first one to come to his teammates aid in the brawl, sure he is not the greatest vocal leader but the Pacers knew that when they signed him.

Saying he acted like a B*tch is uncalled for IMO and is a slap in the face to the Pacers organization.

Totally agreed with 100%.

There are leaders on the court and leaders off the court. While JO may never be the vocal leader, he can show by example on the court. Some people just aren't meant to be leaders, even if they are the best player on the team.

Again, you are putting down too much emphasis on money. The pure reality is that players who get their contracts often won't live up to them, simply because they lose their motivation.

And why is he so injured? Do you think that his financial security allowed him to risk his knees and his body for team? I sure do.

People in glass houses shouldnt throw stones either.

I dont think Jesus is posting here so he was the only "perfect" person in history

I actually lost what little bit of respect I had left for JO after he came back from his umteenth injury at the beginning of last season. If you remember we started out playing some really good ball w/o JO. Then JO comes back and we promptly lose 3-4 in a row. The losing wasn't the problem until JO made a comment that the team and it's players weren't that good. Maybe he was mad because we were actually better off w/o him. Either way, a good leader he is not, but what he bacame was even worse ( 6'11" shooting guard).

The Raptors are lucky they have Bosh to do all the work in the blocks.

Sounds like you have a personal vendetta against the guy because what your saying is not logical in the least. Your point changes with every post, I honestly do not know where you are going with this.

Sadly, we did worse with JO out of the lineup, we got killed in the interior without him, and we missed the playoffs. Last years team was bad.

You still haven't made one valid point.

How is a Pacer fan going to rip on JO?

It went bad at the end, but the Pacers that won 66 games, not many franchises taste that wine.

You guys got great pieces Ford and Hibbert from him as well.

JO has only said good things about Pacer fans and your city.

I applaud all the posters here that understand how good he was for the Pacers and that can also let him go. Just like Raptor fans need to stop whining about Vince going to Jersey, the honeymoon was over.

Good Post Double c

JO is classy. He has reason not to like Bird, as Bird basically deceived him when he first arrived here. Plus, I can see where Bird and his large ego would rub other people with large egos the wrong way.

Bird and JO were bad for each other. Both were victims, and both were villains.

I like JO, and I wish him success in Toronto. However, for all his eloquence and good deeds, he was very much a part of the problem around here. There were no innocents in either the locker room or the front office the last four years.

I'm pleased to have Ford, Hibbert, and a new direction, and I hope that JO can move on and regain some of his health and form from his most successful years.

count55 wrote:Bird and JO were bad for each other. Both were victims, and both were villains.

I like JO, and I wish him success in Toronto. However, for all his eloquence and good deeds, he was very much a part of the problem around here. There were no innocents in either the locker room or the front office the last four years.

I'm pleased to have Ford, Hibbert, and a new direction, and I hope that JO can move on and regain some of his health and form from his most successful years.

Well said.