Jermaine O'Neal: "This Is Probably My Last Year"

by Jeff Clark on Sep 14, 2011 6:07 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

We've only got one big man on the roster right now and we're not even sure there will be an NBA season. However, if there are games played this year, then it will likely be Jermaine O'Neal's last.

Jermaine O'Neal interview - InsideHoops.com

Hopefully we get an opportunity to play at the ultimate level, and that's in the NBA Finals, and winning the championship. This is probably my last year. I've been blessed to play 15 long years. And had a lot of great things happen. I have two little-ones that are getting older now. A 12-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy that I really want to spend more time with. And obviously you want to do what's best for your family and what's best for your livelyhood as far as the physical nature. You don't want to play too long. I had my second surgery last year on my knee. Sometimes you just have to know when to call it. Hopefully I have a full, successful year this year. And hopefully our team is able to win it. I know Danny [Ainge] is going to do whatever he needs to do to make the team better... I did everything else but win it, win a championship. I even played in a championship. So I'm looking forward to that.

This can't come as much of a shock for a guy that has played a long time and has battled injuries for much of the last several years. He seems like a good guy that is doing his best to play through pain and compete at the highest level. For his sake and for everyone's sake, I hope he has one more chance to play for that championship.

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keys i take away from jermaine's comment

Hopefully we get an opportunity to…

Probably my last year…

15 long years…

Know when to call it…

Hopefully I have a full…

Hopefully our team is able to win it….

Looking forward…

Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk

by mcpu40 on Sep 14, 2011 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

"I even played in a championship"

When did Jermaine ever play in a championship? Portland never made the Finals since he’s been in the league, the Pacers went to the Finals the year before he went there. Toronto and Miami were never close the years he was there, and then there’s last season with the Celtics. Am I missing something?

by bdm860 on Sep 14, 2011 9:22 AM EDT reply actions

I'm not sure exactly what he's referring to

but he may be alluding to his playing for Team USA for the 2001 Goodwill Games which won the Gold Medal. He also played for Team USA in the 2003 Tournament of the Americas, which also won gold.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Sep 14, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Looking at it again, it may be a misquote/typo

If you add in “never” it would make a lot more sense, so it just may be a mistake.

“I did everything else but win it, win a championship. I NEVER even played in a championship. So I’m looking forward to that.”

Looking at it again, I’m going with this.

by bdm860 on Sep 14, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

That's reasonable.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Sep 14, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope J.O.

can just stay healthy because if he can…
he is a very effective all around big man especially on the defensive side of the court who can really help the Celtics.
I just love his length and shot blocking capabilities that he adds to the front court that aside fom KG the C’s could use more of from there bigs, especially since it adds another dimension to the C’s already solid defensive game.

Couple of questions do remain though:

Will the C’s possibly try to trade J.O and his valuable expiring contract for a draft pick other player need etc if Ainge seeks to start rebuilding the C’s this offseason or at the trade deadline in February especially if Ainge signs other low cost bigs (like Thomas, Battie etc.) who can fill the void?

If the C’s stick with J.O. for this season (if there is one) will he hold up health wise or will his knee(s) just flare up on him again and we see him miss games as he did last season?

If there is no season this season, will J.O. possibly think about coming back next year for another team or maybe even with the C’s on a low cost or minimum contract etc?

Only time will provide us the answers.

by fordescort on Sep 14, 2011 9:28 AM EDT reply actions

Considering he hasn't actually played a full season in some time ....I guess he really means " this is my last time to play 30 or so games before I get hurt again"

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Sep 14, 2011 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

"This Is Probably My Last Year"

…….Unless some foolish GM will pay me the MLE to sit around “injured” and tweet how bad I want to help my teammates win.

by Finkelskyhook on Sep 14, 2011 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

It doesn't matter, JO

The nerve of this guy. As if he’s part of the big three or something

by vgarcia890 on Sep 14, 2011 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

What, exactly, did he just say in that that shows 'nerve'?

or shows presumption (“As if he’s part of the big three”)?

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Sep 14, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Its all about 18

by celticsox937 on Sep 14, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll answer your question with a question:

If you had an employee complain to you every time you had a one on one about his knees and being with his kids, would you care? Or would you just tell him to look for another job?

by vgarcia890 on Sep 14, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

So ... you don't have an answer?

And to answer your two questions:
a) I may or may not care, depending on my relationship with that employee.
b) No, that is not sufficient reason for me to dismiss an employee unless it is interfering with his or his co-worker’s job performance.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Sep 14, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

First, I don’t remember O’Neal complaining “every time”. As a matter of fact, he rarely ever complained — to the effect that fans were piling stuff on him without realizing he was playing injured.

Also, this is an interview where questions were solicited. And he was being asked a specific question here:

“Where do you stand in your NBA career these days? How much more time do you want to put in? And do you see for the Celtics next season?”

by kozlodoev on Sep 15, 2011 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Why should he complain?

He can get paid for coming to camp out of shape….Being “injured” as in previous non-contract years…..Tweeting about how badly he wants to play….Showing up for a third of the games….Repeat Repeat.

What’s he got to complain about?

by Finkelskyhook on Sep 15, 2011 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it’s time for him to retire too. He’s broken down, but he can try to produce in this last year. Boston needs bigs.

by tenkaistar on Sep 15, 2011 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

Man makes too much sense

Jermaine is a very articulate guy who seems to have his head on straight most of the time.
I guess I am not sure that is going to win him a championship.
I don’t see how he can give it all if he has one foot out the door.
The reason he has never won a championship is he can’t leave it all on the floor.

He always has seemed to be holding back a little –
except when he almost took that guys head off at the Palace brawl.

Not saying he needs to go out and clock somebody. He needs to play smart.
He just needs a little more fire.

by Green is Good on Sep 15, 2011 7:17 PM EDT reply actions