Jermaine O'Neal To See Specialist

by Jeff Clark on Feb 27, 2012 9:44 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

The injury news doesn't sound any better on Jermaine O'Neal.

O'Neal to see hand specialist in Boston - Boston Celtics Blog - ESPN Boston

Celtics center Jermaine O'Neal, who aggravated a left wrist injury last Monday in Dallas, remained in Boston on Monday while the rest of his teammates trekked to Cleveland in advance of opening the second half of the 2011-12 season Tuesday night against the Cavaliers. O'Neal is expected to meet with team physical Dr. Brian McKeon and a hand specialist on Tuesday, according to the team.

Now, in seeking the advice of a specialist, it would appear that O'Neal is seeking a way to stay on the floor and avoid the sort of surgery he feared this offseason (at the time, it was suggested he would need four months to recover).

If he can avoid surgery and play, I still believe he can help us. But those are big "if" statements. On the other hand (pun sort of intended), if he's going to keep missing time, I'm all in favor of trading his expiring contract for someone that can help now and in the next few years. In fact, if we can get a center, I'd trade him healthy or not. It remains to be seen if we can get anything for him though.

The good news is that Wilcox and Bass appear to be ready to go after the break.

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Naaaaaaaaaaa.

It’s a joke you’ll see!!

by celt4ever on Feb 27, 2012 10:02 PM EST reply actions

Jermaine may not affect the game in a huge way

But you gotta appreciate the mans determination. Every night he goes out on the floor (well not if he’s injured) taking charges, elbows and many other words to use in basketball when referring to a tough guy. He scraps for every rebound and plays hard D. He is used very sparingly but wears his heart on his sleeve. I respect the guy and even though he’s not the greatest, he is one of the few guys left on the Celtics that actually represent Celtic Pride.

I don’t care much if you guys disagree as I know he is not fast and doesn’t nesacarily “hustle” but he does his job pretty well. I would obviously rather have someone else starting, but I think he deserves to at least ride bench giving us 15mins a game and I know he wants a championship as much as any other guy out there for us. So cut the man some slack, get well soon JO

"Victory belongs to the most Preserving" - Napoleon

by RotB_MattR on Feb 27, 2012 10:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions

+1

I think JO does give it his all especially on the defensive end of the court.

I think JO could also help the C’s much more on the offensive end of the court if the C’s would just give him more touches especially in the paint which they are simply not doing.

by fordescort on Feb 27, 2012 10:34 PM EST up reply actions

I, honestly, think he’s just beyond that point where he can really help a team out offensively.

by muckduck on Feb 27, 2012 11:14 PM EST up reply actions

He's dedicated, and I won't hate on him.

But come on…he should have had the surgery. His injuries are annoying me (and the rest of us), yet him staying out of games is not surprising at all! Sigh.

Danny should have kept Erden and Harangody. And not do the trade-that-must-not-be-mentioned.

Get well soon JO.

by SparzWizard on Feb 28, 2012 1:13 AM EST up reply actions

Par for the course

When Danny signed JO for the full MLE for 2 seasons it was a huge risk. When healthy his offensive contribution has been minimal but he has played well defensively and given the Celtics a much needed interior presence.

Unfortunately the “training camp MVP” has had a myriad of injuries since coming to Boston. Giving him the full MLE for 2 seasons appears to another move by Danny that has totally failed…

by warnerjohn on Feb 27, 2012 10:24 PM EST reply actions