It's not just the young guys like Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers who are expected to show considerably improvement this season with the Miami Heat.The old guy thinks he'll improve more than anyone else on the roster, making him the determining factor in a better-than-expected season in South Florida.
Center Jermaine O'Neal, going into his 14th NBA season, understands the skepticism, but he also believes there is another All-Star season awaiting him.
"A lot of people wonder. A lot of people don't think I can get back to that level,'' he told FanHouse during a recent interview. "But I will dominate my position again. I won't do it the same way I used to. But I'll do it.''
Now that his knees no longer hurt -- he believes a rigorous off-season program solved his problem -- he is brimming with confidence once again.
"I averaged 14 (points) and seven (rebounds) on one leg the last couple years,'' he said. "A lot of centers can't do that on two legs. Now that I'm healthy again, I'm prepared to have a great year.''
O'Neal actually averaged 13.3 points and 6.5 rebounds last season between Toronto and Miami, where he played at 270 pounds. He has dropped to 255, which also has helped his knees feel better.
"I had to outhink people the last two years because I couldn't perform physically trying to play with torn cartilage in my knee. So my game is more mentally advanced now,'' he said. "You combine that with being healthy again, and I can't wait to get the regular season started.''
The Heat already know they have an MVP candidate in guard Dwyane Wade, who led the league in scoring, last season. What they need from ONeal is some inside scoring from the post position. They also need him defending inside at the other end.
"I've talked with Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett about this, about being just as effective as you age. They aren't as athletic as they once were, but they can be just as good, just as dominant,'' he said. "And that's what I expect to be.
O'Neal, 31, averaged more than 20 points in four consecutive years in Indiana. He also averaged more than 10 rebounds in three of those years. He won't put a statistical tag on his goal, but wants to show everyone what they missed last season.
It doesn't hurt that this is the final year of a contract that will pay him $22 million this season, facing the prospect of a massive pay cut next summer. He has been slowed this month by minor foot, groin and shoulder problems, but he expects to be ready for the start of the regular season next month.
"I'm physically and mentally ready to have a big season,'' he said. "A really, really surprising season.''
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I GUESS IT WOULD SURPRISE ALOT OF FOLKS...
There were a few years during his peak in which Jermaine O'Neal was "pretty good".... at no point has this guy ever been "dominant".
For anyone to expect him to begin dominating now (with a broken down body) is just crazy. I guess it's good that he has faith in himself, but we've heard this from him before....and he has no history of backing up statements like this.
He talks good but attribute that to being in the last year of his contract. 14 years of the rigors of the NBA is gruesome. Does O' Neal think the other centers are going to lay down for him. Hope he can help the Heat but a pay cut is all that will be "dominate" in his future.
Jermaine never became a top NBA player and absolutely never dominated his position. He has always been a little more about showing off after a dunk than playing solid, winning basketball. More style than substance. A couple years of college, with a good coach, would have surely helped. He always missed a lot of games with minor injuries too...Yes, the knees feel better because they are carrying 25 less pounds of weight. It always bothers me when players like him only really get motivated and in top physical shape when they are in the last year of a contract. It proves that he's more about getting paid then helping a team win a championship. It was under his weak "leadership" that the long-successful Pacers franchise began its decline.
O'Neal and Bosh..two of the most overrated players in the NBA...
good jordan kobe LeBron Garnett Shaquille O’Neal http://www.ieshoes.com