The J.O. Effect

Seven months ago, he was widely viewed as the low-post presence who would balance the roster and get the Heat back into deep playoff contention.

And if it didn't work out, he would simply be reduced to another O'Neal with a bloated contract the Heat
would look forward to dumping for financial relief and roster revitalization.

Today, with the start of training camp approaching in mere hours, Jermaine O'Neal (pictured right) is a man who finds himself in the middle of those two distinction.

The Heat's success largely depends on Dwyane Wade's health and hunger.

Miami's improvement from last season will be based mainly on the second-year growth of Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers.

But the team's ultimate finish in the playoffs - assuming things work out as expected and the Heat falls somewhere between the 5th and 7th seeds - could hinge on the joints in O'Neal's troublesome knees and his ability provide a productive and proficient anchor in the middle of the starting lineup.

From Chalmers at the point, to Wade at shooting guard, to Beasley/Quentin Richardson/James Jones at small forward, to Udonis Haslem at power forward, you pretty much know what to expect from four-fifths of the Heat's starting five.

And then there's Jermaine.

Other than a few twitter updates, O'Neal has maintained his media/public silence this offseason. Those close to him say that it was all part of his plan to no longer SAY what he would do after an offseason of health and hard work, but rather to SHOW it once he arrives for training camp.

Well, OK. It's that time. O'Neal has certainly been here before. He arrived in Toronto a year ago talking big about playing even bigger alongside Chris Bosh with the Raptors after his career and body had grown stiff in Indiana. Then, that situation blew up after a few months, as did the swelling in one of O'Neal's knees.

SPO-O'NEAL
Then came the trade to Miami, where there was hope just after the February trade deadline. Then, it was later discovered that all was not well with O'Neal's knees or his comfort level with his role in the game plan.But those kinks should be worked out by now. Heat president Pat Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra have all raved about how explosive O'Neal should be this season after working out in Chicago most of the summer with Tim Grover, the man who fixed Wade's body and mind after back-to-back years of breakdowns.

There was even talk that if O'Neal could perform his way back into All-Star contention, he would be offered a decent deal to stay on with the Heat after his contract expires next summer. Still, reaching the status of being the second-best center in the East might be next to impossible. With the way the position shapes up in the conference this season, it will be hard enough to be the second-best center in the Southeast division.

We continue our position-by-position rankings of projected starters in the conference, with the focus now shifted to center. Based on several factors, including past production, potential, durability and overall
impact on both ends of the court, Jermaine comes in as the 6th-ranked center in the East.

Here's the order: 1. Dwight Howard, Magic. 2. Shaquille O'Neal, Cavaliers. 3. David Lee, Knicks. 4. Al
Horford, Hawks. 5. Rasheed Wallace, Celtics. 6. Jermaine O'Neal, Heat. 7. Samuel Dalembert, Sixers. 8. Joakim Noah, Bulls. 9. Andrew Bogut, Bucks. 10. Tyson Chandler, Bobcats. 11. Brook Lopez, Nets. 12. Andrea Bargnani, Raptors. 13. Jeff Foster, Pacers. 14. Brendan Haywood, Wizards. 15. Chris Wilcox, Pistons.The bottom line is this: the center position is deep in the East. If Jermaine is healthy and on his game,the Heat can be a dangerous darkhorse among the conference contenders. If not, it will again create a huge void for Miami that not even Wade's dynamic play can overcome.

http://blogs.herald.com/miami_...9/the-jo-factor.html

good read there, im kind of upset with the media, Joneal in his prime would destroy Dhoward any time any where, everyone who watched O'neal playe from 2001-2006 knows.

This year will be a something to prove season with O'neal being miami's secret weapon.

I promise all of you guys a success!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Jermaine O'neal:
good read there, im kind of upset with the media, Joneal in his prime would destroy Dhoward any time any where, everyone who watched O'neal playe from 2001-2006 knows.

This year will be a something to prove season with O'neal being miami's secret weapon.

I promise all of you guys a success!!!

I dont know if "destroy" is the right choice of words but JO was playing out of his mind during his prime. With that being said, I expect a great season out of JO, he was playing good ball for us in the series against ATL. Unfortunately, some of our role players came up short but thats neither here or there. Its a new season and Im looking forward to see what JO is gonna bring this year.

IDONT THINK JO LL BE AN ALLSTAR EVER AGAIN
BUT HE LL BE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HIS PRIME AND LAST YEAR,SO IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE HEAT.
I DONT KNOW HOW A 6'11 GUY AS GOOD AS HIM CAN SCORE A BIT,DO 2BLOCKS PER GAME BUT CAME SHORT THAN 7REBOUNDS.
ACTUALLY I KNOW, WAS MOSTLY HIS KNEE.

quote:

Originally posted by Jermaine O'neal:
good read there, im kind of upset with the media, Joneal in his prime would destroy Dhoward any time any where, everyone who watched O'neal playe from 2001-2006 knows.

This year will be a something to prove season with O'neal being miami's secret weapon.

I promise all of you guys a success!!!

BUT I WOULDNT SAY J.ONEAL(AT HIS PRIME) WOULD SMASH HOWARD,SPECIALLY THAT MUCH,LIKE U R SAYING.

IT WOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE

ONEAL=25P,10REB(TOPS),2BLOCKS
HOWARD=20P,14 REB, NEAR 4BLOCKS

AND HOWARD IS STILL DEVELOPING HIS OFFENSIVE GAME!!!

BUT I LIKE JO,IF HE PROVIDES AROUND 18P 2BLOKS OR+, AND 9REB, IM +THAN HAPPY!!!

David Lee #3 huh? Hmmm....

I think its a mistake to put brook lopez that low down, and puting al horford that high is alos a mistake. ffs he's arrogant enough as it is without ppl saying he's one of the top5 centres in the east. I can't help but think that JO wil come out big this season, he wants to prove himself to the heat staff so he can get a new contract come 2010 and secure a nice place to retire in miami!

brook lopez is really good he will probably be a top 3 center after this season and his brother is ok

quote:

Originally posted by justafan:
brook lopez is really good he will probably be a top 3 center after this season and his brother is ok

yeah....but the dude is a CRYBABY! Did you see him in the draft....He's crying because he didn't get pick where they projected him to be picked and here he goes doing a tantrum in front of his family, friends, fellow draftees, and millions watching at home. Some people are even happy being picked no. 60 but nooooo, pick no. 10 wasn't good enough for him.

quote:

Originally posted by Jermaine O'neal:
good read there, im kind of upset with the media, Joneal in his prime would destroy Dhoward any time any where, everyone who watched O'neal playe from 2001-2006 knows.

This year will be a something to prove season with O'neal being miami's secret weapon.

I promise all of you guys a success!!!

I dunno man...
DHoward is a bit of a beast when he is deep in the paint.

quote:

Originally posted by Jermaine O'neal:
good read there, im kind of upset with the media, Joneal in his prime would destroy Dhoward any time any where, everyone who watched O'neal playe from 2001-2006 knows.

J.O was beasting it back in his heyday 20-10 no doubt. Good blocker finesse shooter. But to say he would destroy D-Howard who has not even reached his potential yet. Is some serious bull****. Man child could karate chop J.O in the head and split his five-head in 2.

mikeboss...


JO was unstopable in the paint, he would dunk that ball with power like Dwight, and JO blocks lots of dunks like ZO unlike Howard who only blocks shots that look like goaltending. Howard will never be a good shooter or overall like JO.

quote:

Originally posted by Jermaine O'neal:
mikeboss...


JO was unstopable in the paint, he would dunk that ball with power like Dwight, and JO blocks lots of dunks like ZO unlike Howard who only blocks shots that look like goaltending. Howard will never be a good shooter or overall like JO.

Yeah thats right defend your man btw i didnt mean that in an offensive way Im just saying thats right make your case

tim groover said we are going to be shocked the way oneil looks on the court.

quote:

Originally posted by WadeIsBetterThanLebron:
tim groover said we are going to be shocked the way oneil looks on the court.

How shocked are we going to be when we keep hearing how shocked we're going to be?

Anyway, I'm not one to gripe about rankings but those center rankings are pretty bad. Why are people completely overrating Rasheed Wallace? Because he's on the Celtics? Because he makes 3s? It makes no sense.