Jermaine O'Neal appreciation thread.

xxSnEaKyPxx · Post #1 » by **xxSnEaKyPxx** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:48 am

I saw Toronto doing this so I thought it would be nice for us too.

I'm going to miss JO, he really could have had an amazing career had it not been for the injuries and Ron Artest. He deserves a Championship, and while I'm going to hope we get it first, if we don't I'd love to see him do it in Toronto.

Is he going to get his jersey retired in Indiana? He didn't finish his career with us and the injuries are going to really hurt, but he does have the Pacers record for All-Star games. I don't know what to think at this point, only the very best get there and he was definitely that while a Pacer.

Anyway, share some of your favorite JO moments here.

cdash · Post #2 » by **cdash** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:10 am

He still has had an amazing career, injuries or not. He really is a class guy. He didnt want to be here anymore, yet you didnt see him running to the media and whining that he wants out. Great guy, surely one of the best Pacers of all time. I wish him only the best from here.

FreeRon · Post #3 » by **FreeRon** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:13 am

I don't know about retiring his number...which is really sad. That's usually reserved for players who do something great for the franchise such as lead the team to a Championship, turn the team around single-handedly, or lead the franchise for 10-15 years without ever playing for another team (displaying great loyalty). Unfortunately for JO, there was never anything to turn around until the team went so crazy that he would really have to pull off a miracle.

My personal favorite moment was when JO set a career high for points, vowed to donate $1,000 for every point he scored the next game, then donated $1,000 for every point he scored on his career high when he failed to surpass it. For all the crap we've had pass through the last few years, guys like JO and Granger (and Dunleavy to a lesser extent) really help give the franchise a better look.

Indy07 · Post #4 » by **Indy07** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:23 am

My favorite memory was when he knocked out the Turtle look alike at the Brawl. Man was I proud to be a Pacer fan that day.

xxSnEaKyPxx · Post #5 » by **xxSnEaKyPxx** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:33 am

Indy07 wrote:My favorite memory was when he knocked out the Turtle look alike at the Brawl. Man was I proud to be a Pacer fan that day.

Haha, same here....until the suspensions that is.

joew8302 · Post #6 » by **joew8302** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:35 am

So long JO. I am not going to be as sad as most to see JO leave, I was frustrated with him many times. That said he was a key piece in some good Pacer teams, thanks for the 61 win season in 04 JO. He was a big part in there. I think scoring 58 against Milwaukee was my favorite memory.

Post #7 » by **PR07** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:41 am

He's still one of my favorite players in the NBA. It's hard not to like him as a person if you're simply ignoring the playing part. That being said, he hasn't been able to stay healthy and deserves the opportunity to compete for a ring. When healthy, he's a force and earns most of his contract, but that simply hasn't been the case as of late. It's time for a new face of the franchise and a new direction.

My favorite moment was Reggie jumping on JO's back and him piggy backing him.

Post #8 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:17 am

If it wasn't for the fact that JO's knees were constantly attacked, he'd still be here, and likely, we would all love JO for being the player he is. He's a solid citizen, seems like a great guy, and can play defense. I like him a lot.

Post #9 » by **Grang33r** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:28 am

He had a great career in Indiana, but it was over taken by off court issues. He played for us in our dark era which is too bad. I loved him when he played for us, i remember reading all the rumors in ESPN the Magazine and Sporting News magazine back then before our deal with Portland happened. I'm disappointed that he never really got many chances to prove himself in the playoffs though. Ever since the Brawl, our team has been horrible and we've had trouble surround the team. As i said in another thread, i won't ever forget when Artest demanded a trade and O'Neal fired back. I thought it was pretty cool. The quote he had was like "If Ron doesn't want to be here anymore, then who cares, Ron doesn't matter anymore". He rallied the team and made a really bad situation to seem ok. We all know it wasn't ok but he was a true leader when he had to be and things never improved for us.

I wish him the best of luck. I hope he regains his form and health and has a heck of a end to his basketball career. Toronto is a solid team and he should make it better and have a few more cracks at the playoffs.

Indy07 · Post #10 » by **Indy07** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:19 am

I bet he plays 65+ next year and averages around 18 -9-2 and I hope he does really. He was a class act and amidst the turmoil and off the court troubles, he embodied how players should act when they are not playing.

Crossova21 · Post #11 » by **Crossova21** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:48 pm

J.O. was a beast. Outside of Reggie, he is my favoroite all-time pacers player. Its too bad he couldn't get us a championship, but that's what happens when you don't get the help you need. He's got that in Bosh and will definitely have another shot at a ring. Good luck J.O.