milky_way
05-03-2003, 03:07 PM
O'Neal poised to probe future
Free agent says Pacers 1 option
By Mark Montieth
mark.montieth@indystar.com
May 3, 2003
As Jermaine O'Neal stripped off his jersey after the Indiana Pacers' final playoff loss in Boston on Thursday, the thought crossed his mind.
Would it be the last time he wore a Pacers uniform?
"That's the most painful thing I'm dealing with," a morose O'Neal said Friday after cleaning out his locker and heading into an off-season that will be much longer than he expected.
O'Neal is likely to have a variety of jerseys to choose from next season. He'll be one of the NBA's most attractive free agents, a 24-year-old who has become one of the league's elite power forwards.
He says he hopes to return to the Pacers. But he plans to explore other opportunities, listing San Antonio and Orlando as his primary interests.
O'Neal has stated he won't re-sign with the Pacers unless Isiah Thomas is retained as coach. Team officials have given no indication Thomas will not stay on the job for a fourth season, but that alone doesn't assure O'Neal's return.
O'Neal's next contract will likely be for the maximum seven years, and he expects it to be his last. He wants to make his final commitment a good one, and he said the fact the Pacers can pay him more than any other team won't be enough to sway his decision.
He's willing to move on if the Pacers don't appear capable of contending for a championship and he doesn't feel compatible with his teammates.
"I just want to make sure whatever jersey I put on next year -- and I'm hoping it's an Indiana Pacers uniform -- that we have a great opportunity to win a championship," he said. "There's no more first round-and-outs."
O'Neal, however, said he's not one to "run from my problems" and expressed loyalty to team president Donnie Walsh, who traded for him in August 2000 when he was an obscure backup in Portland averaging 3.9 points.
"Donnie Walsh is the best president," O'Neal said. "I'm very loyal to people who are loyal to me. It would be hard to turn my back on this team. Extremely hard."
He also praised the fans and the city. He's built his dream home here and has moved his girlfriend, daughter, brother and mother to town. But he pointed out they're not enthralled with the climate.
O'Neal, an All-Star the past two seasons, averaged 20.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks during the regular season. He upgraded his performance in the playoffs, averaging 22.8 points, 17.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks.
But he exited the postseason thoroughly frustrated by the Pacers' showing in their loss to the Celtics. Friday, without naming names, he said some teammates don't share his ambition.
"I don't think everybody was truly ready to compete," he said. "It's easy to play 82 games and say, 'We made the playoffs, great, if we go home, fine, either way we get paid.' "
"Right now some people don't understand what it takes to be a champion."
He also called on the Pacers' organization to make a financial commitment to a championship. Owners Herb and Mel Simon have stated their intention not to allow their team payroll to exceed the luxury tax threshold, in which case they would pay a dollar-for-dollar penalty. O'Neal, however, believes it might be necessary.
"If you really want to win, you get the best players," he said. "There's no exception. If you say you're sincerely into winning a championship, you can't shortchange yourself for $500,000. You have to get the best players, or the best reserves or whatever it may be and make sure these are the guys who want to be in the fight until the horn blows. Those are the players I want to play with."
O'Neal emphasized his desire for fellow free agent Reggie Miller to return to the Pacers but called for the addition of quicker perimeter players.
"We need some guys who can dribble-penetrate," he said. "We have a lot of catch-and-shoot guys."
O'Neal's decision also could impact Brad Miller, another Pacer free agent. Miller said Friday his decision could hinge on O'Neal's.
"I just want to make sure I'm playing with the guys I want to play with," Miller said. "Jermaine's a big part of our team. He brings out the best in my game and I think I bring out the best part of his game.
"This team would be different if everyone came back except for Jermaine."
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Indy should give him whatever he wants, but another year of Isiah???? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
:cry: :eek: :hmm: :angry: :cry: :cry:
Free agent says Pacers 1 option
By Mark Montieth
mark.montieth@indystar.com
May 3, 2003
As Jermaine O'Neal stripped off his jersey after the Indiana Pacers' final playoff loss in Boston on Thursday, the thought crossed his mind.
Would it be the last time he wore a Pacers uniform?
"That's the most painful thing I'm dealing with," a morose O'Neal said Friday after cleaning out his locker and heading into an off-season that will be much longer than he expected.
O'Neal is likely to have a variety of jerseys to choose from next season. He'll be one of the NBA's most attractive free agents, a 24-year-old who has become one of the league's elite power forwards.
He says he hopes to return to the Pacers. But he plans to explore other opportunities, listing San Antonio and Orlando as his primary interests.
O'Neal has stated he won't re-sign with the Pacers unless Isiah Thomas is retained as coach. Team officials have given no indication Thomas will not stay on the job for a fourth season, but that alone doesn't assure O'Neal's return.
O'Neal's next contract will likely be for the maximum seven years, and he expects it to be his last. He wants to make his final commitment a good one, and he said the fact the Pacers can pay him more than any other team won't be enough to sway his decision.
He's willing to move on if the Pacers don't appear capable of contending for a championship and he doesn't feel compatible with his teammates.
"I just want to make sure whatever jersey I put on next year -- and I'm hoping it's an Indiana Pacers uniform -- that we have a great opportunity to win a championship," he said. "There's no more first round-and-outs."
O'Neal, however, said he's not one to "run from my problems" and expressed loyalty to team president Donnie Walsh, who traded for him in August 2000 when he was an obscure backup in Portland averaging 3.9 points.
"Donnie Walsh is the best president," O'Neal said. "I'm very loyal to people who are loyal to me. It would be hard to turn my back on this team. Extremely hard."
He also praised the fans and the city. He's built his dream home here and has moved his girlfriend, daughter, brother and mother to town. But he pointed out they're not enthralled with the climate.
O'Neal, an All-Star the past two seasons, averaged 20.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks during the regular season. He upgraded his performance in the playoffs, averaging 22.8 points, 17.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks.
But he exited the postseason thoroughly frustrated by the Pacers' showing in their loss to the Celtics. Friday, without naming names, he said some teammates don't share his ambition.
"I don't think everybody was truly ready to compete," he said. "It's easy to play 82 games and say, 'We made the playoffs, great, if we go home, fine, either way we get paid.' "
"Right now some people don't understand what it takes to be a champion."
He also called on the Pacers' organization to make a financial commitment to a championship. Owners Herb and Mel Simon have stated their intention not to allow their team payroll to exceed the luxury tax threshold, in which case they would pay a dollar-for-dollar penalty. O'Neal, however, believes it might be necessary.
"If you really want to win, you get the best players," he said. "There's no exception. If you say you're sincerely into winning a championship, you can't shortchange yourself for $500,000. You have to get the best players, or the best reserves or whatever it may be and make sure these are the guys who want to be in the fight until the horn blows. Those are the players I want to play with."
O'Neal emphasized his desire for fellow free agent Reggie Miller to return to the Pacers but called for the addition of quicker perimeter players.
"We need some guys who can dribble-penetrate," he said. "We have a lot of catch-and-shoot guys."
O'Neal's decision also could impact Brad Miller, another Pacer free agent. Miller said Friday his decision could hinge on O'Neal's.
"I just want to make sure I'm playing with the guys I want to play with," Miller said. "Jermaine's a big part of our team. He brings out the best in my game and I think I bring out the best part of his game.
"This team would be different if everyone came back except for Jermaine."
----------------------------------------------------------------
Indy should give him whatever he wants, but another year of Isiah???? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
:cry: :eek: :hmm: :angry: :cry: :cry: