Jermaine O'Neal News

Heat's Wright, O'Neal contrite upon returns
"Monday was a day of contrition at Miami Heat practice. It also was a day when dark clouds lifted. Foremost, Dorell Wright was back on the court for the first time since last week's DUI arrest. "It was just one bad night," he said of what is widely considered an out-of-character moment for the 24-year-old forward. "I don't want anybody to get that confused." Then there was center Jermaine O'Neal making himself available to the media for the first time since being ejected from Sunday's victory over the Philadelphia 76ers following a tussle with Philadelphia center Samuel Dalembert. "You have to play with some type of emotion," O'Neal said. "But you have to find a way to play with emotion, be ..."
O'Neal ejected after confrontation with Dalembert
"About the only drama came with 5:06 to play in the third quarter. That's when after being poked in the eye on the previous possession, Heat center Jermaine O'Neal got tangled with 76ers center Samuel Dalembert at midcourt and was ejected after putting his hand around Dalembert's neck in the ensuing scrum. O'Neal was charged with two technical fouls and Dalembert with one. "We need that passion. We need that toughness," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "J.O. brings both those things. It just can't boil over to that point. But I want that passion.""
Comfortable' Miami Heat's Jermaine O'Neal shines
"After scoring a season-high 25 points Friday against Chicago, center Jermaine O'Neal reminded Heat fans that he hasn't forgotten how to play. ``I had meniscus surgery -- I didn't have brain surgery,'' O'Neal joked during a quiet moment Saturday. O'Neal's strong play is partly the result of feeling the best physically he has felt since 2006, especially his knees. But it also is the offshoot of O'Neal and coach Erik Spoelstra working together to craft a role that would benefit him and the team. Not only has Spoelstra been calling more plays for O'Neal, but he often is using him as the offensive anchor of a second-quarter unit filled mostly with reserves. ``Sometimes it takes a while to get ..."
O'Neal's 25 points help push Heat past scrappy Bulls 108-95
"How do you make up for the absence of Michael Beasley? You split the challenge. So center Jermaine O'Neal took care of the scoring and forward Joel Anthony handled the rebounding. With O'Neal scoring a season-high 25 points and with Anthony, who started in place of Beasley, adding a season-high 10 rebounds, the Miami Heat pushed past the injury-ravaged Chicago Bulls 108-95 Friday at AmericanAirlines Arena. "We came out to try to control the tempo," said O'Neal, who shot 8 of 13 from the field and 9 of 11 from the line. "Coach wanted to go to me right away." For a while, it also seemed like the Heat was lacking Dwyane Wade, with its star guard closing the first half with five points and ..."
Jermaine O'Neal tweaks left knee, leaves in second quarter
"This time, coach Erik Spoelstra's options were limited, with sixth-man Dorell Wright sidelined by a sore left knee and center Jermaine O'Neal leaving in the second quarter with his own knee problem, one O'Neal vowed to return from Tuesday in Charlotte, when the Heat next plays."
A year later, Jermaine O'Neal finding his way with Heat
"After an entire year of trying to fit in with the Miami Heat, center Jermaine O'Neal finally feels the love. And it seems that, more than veteran guile or good health, has led to his recent run of success. "I feel more involved, I feel comfortable, I feel a part of the situation here," O'Neal said Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena. In 10 games in February, O'Neal, acquired from the Toronto Raptors a year ago, is averaging 16 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting .543 from the field. Not coincidentally this surge has come after O'Neal, the No. 3 scoring option as a starter behind guard Dwyane Wade and forward Michael Beasley, was installed as the No. 1 scoring option ..."
Miami Heat's Jermaine O'Neal 'getting too old' to take charge from LeBron
"Heat center Jermaine O'Neal learned the painful way that it might not be wise to sacrifice his body to draw a charge on Cleveland forward LeBron James. ``I'm going to have to rethink my defensive approach,'' O'Neal half-jokingly said about his collision with James in a Jan. 25 loss to the Cavs. ``I think I'm getting too old to keep doing that.'' O'Neal returned to the starting lineup Wednesday in Boston after he sat out Monday's game against Milwaukee with back spasms that have lingered for a week. Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem also have been slowed by back pain. Whereas Wade and Haslem have played through their discomfort, O'Neal said the medical staff recommended he sit out on Monday. ..."
Heat's Jermaine O'Neal misses Bucks game with back spasms
"Heat center Jermaine O'Neal missed Monday's game against the Bucks because of back spasms. O'Neal took part in the Heat's Monday morning shootaround, but could not finish practice. ``[O'Neal's] back has been really tight and he's had some back spasms for about the last few days,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Monday marked the third game this season O'Neal has missed because of injury. O' Neal did not play against the Nets on Nov. 14 with a left hip contusion and missed the Jan. 4 game against the Hawks with a strained right groin."
Jermaine O'Neal sidelined against Bucks, Beasley returns
"Michael Beasley returned to the Miami Heat starting lineup Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks after a two-game absence, but center Jermaine O'Neal replaced him on the team's inactive list. After missing two games with a hyperextended right knee sustained in Wednesday's loss to the Toronto Raptors, Beasley returned after being fitted with a bulky knee brace. He was approved to return after working during Monday's pregame session at AmericanAirlines Arena under the eye of trainer Jay Sabol."
Heat's Jermaine O'Neal could be dealt for Amare Stoudemire
"The last time center Jermaine O'Neal was traded, he was involved in just about every step of the negotiation process in his move last February from the Raptors to the Miami Heat. If the Heat has any plans to move O'Neal and his $23 million expiring contract before next month's trade deadline, the 14-year veteran apparently is not aware of them. O'Neal could be a major cog involved in a potential deal if the Heat is serious about acquiring Amare Stoudemire from Phoenix. The Heat has been mentioned among a half-dozen teams that might pursue a trade for Stoudemire if the Suns make him available. Stoudemire has a $17 million contract option for the 2010-11 season, but could opt out after this ..."
Miami Heat's Jermaine O'Neal surges after disappointing stretch
"There often are times when the biggest player on the Heat's roster feels like the smallest priority in the grand scheme. And then there are occasions like the one that transpired in center Jermaine O'Neal's latest performance. ``I know I can still have a dominant impact on a game when I'm involved in what's going on,'' O'Neal said regarding his role with what he believes is a pick-and-roll, perimeter-based Heat team. ``The question is whether or not I'll have an opportunity to be involved on a consistent basis in a comfort zone.'' It remains a work in progress for O'Neal and the Heat (19-18), which continues a six-game trip Friday night against the Houston Rockets. After weeks of ..."
Jermaine O'Neal's validation: Good things do come in big packages
"Jermaine O'Neal isn't the first Miami Heat center to feel somewhat slighted in the post. In fact, he isn't the team's first O'Neal to vent such frustrations. But unlike the brooding from Shaquille O'Neal that could last for weeks, if not months, Jermaine O'Neal appears to be sated. At least for now. Afforded 15 shots in Wednesday's 115-102 victory over the Golden State Warriors that lifted the Heat to 2-2 on this six-game Western Conference trip that continues Friday against the Houston Rockets, O'Neal responded with a season-high 24 points, four shy of his highest total with the team since he was acquired from the Toronto Raptors at last February's trading deadline. "It's difficult, ..."
Jermaine O'Neal questionable against Celtics
"Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal, who sat out Monday's rout of the Atlanta Hawks with ongoing hip and groin issues, went through aggressive shooting drills and corrective exercises Tuesday, but did not practice, leaving his status for Wednesday's game against the Boston Celtics at AmericanAirlines Arena in doubt. "It's not a serious injury, but it's a groin/hip, so those are always a little bit tricky,'' coach Erik Spoelstra said. "It's day to day. He wanted to play last night . . . and is feeling better.'' With a 10-day, six-game road trip to open Friday against the Phoenix Suns, it is more likely that O'Neal will miss his fifth game of the season, and that Joel Anthony again will start, ..."
Heat center Jermaine O'Neal sidelined by groin-hip ailment
"Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal missed his fourth game of the season Monday night, due to a balky right groin that is being classified as strain and hip flexor. Joel Anthony started in place of O'Neal in Monday's game against the visiting Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Arena, with coach Erik Spoelstra hopeful of having O'Neal back for Wednesday's home game against the Boston Celtics. Spoelstra said it was a lingering concern that the team decided was time to address. "He's going to do therapy and hopefully, in the next 24 hours, we'll see it respond more," the second-year coach said. "It is getting better, but it got to the point where it would get better, then tweak it again, get ..."
O'Neal sits out practice, probable for Wednesday
"Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal sat out Tuesday's practice, in advance of Wednesday night's game against the Utah Jazz at AmericanAirlines Arena. O'Neal rested a sore right hip and groin."
Heat's O'Neal returns, Richardson out, Wade ailing
"While center Jermaine O'Neal returned to practice Saturday after missing two consecutive games to attend his uncle's funeral in South Carolina, starting small forward Quentin Richardson didn't practice due to a nagging hamstring injury. And perhaps more significantly, star guard Dwyane Wade practiced, but he's nursing a slightly sprained right wrist, his shooting hand, after taking a bad fall in Friday's 106-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Wade said he injured the wrist while breaking his fall after a missed reverse dunk in the first half. Wade shot 8 of 24 overall, including 4 of 12 in each halves. Both Wade and coach Erik Spoelstra expect Wade to play Sunday night against Memphis at ..."
O'Neal misses Friday's game against Mavericks
"The Miami Heat was without center Jermaine O'Neal for a second consecutive game Friday night, in the wake of his uncle's funeral in South Carolina. O'Neal, who also missed Sunday's victory against the Sacramento Kings to be with family, was scheduled to return to South Florida late Friday night, after the Heat faced the Dallas Mavericks at AmericanAirlines Arena. "It was a very emotional week and emotional last 48 hours," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He will practice (Saturday) and he's looking forward to being back around the guys." It is the third game O'Neal has missed this season, having missed a Nov. 14 victory over the New Jersey Nets due to a left hip contusion. Joel Anthony again ..."
Heat to be without Jermaine O'Neal Sunday against Kings
"The Miami Heat will be without center Jermaine O'Neal for Sunday's game in Sacramento against the Kings due to a family issue. O'Neal, who had left the team a week ago to be with a critically ill uncle in Columbia, S.C., will miss the game to return to his family there. O'Neal was to leave the team following Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center to return to South Carolina."
Spoelstra, Rivers laud Jermaine O'Neal
"A solid string of recent performances by Jermaine O'Neal has surprised neither his coach nor the opposition. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said extra work put in by the Heat center has paid the anticipated dividends. "The main thing what I'm seeing is he's doing what he needs to make sure that his body is ready for the schedule and for the grind of an NBA schedule," Spoelstra said before Sunday's 92-85 loss to the Boston Celtics at AmericanAirlines Arena. "He spends a lot of time in the training room, not only with ice, but with treatments, doing all his corrective exercises, making sure that he has the strong base and flexibility that he did not in the past two or three seasons." The ..."
Family situation could call O'Neal away from Heat
"Center Jermaine O'Neal said the delicate balance between team and family could take him away from the Miami Heat in coming days. O'Neal, who rushed back from a family emergency in South Carolina to make it to Friday's game against the Washington Wizards just over two hours before tipoff, said the situation with his seriously ill uncle could have him back in Columbia in coming days. "It could be a situation where it could take me away from the team," he said after Saturday's practice at AmericanAirlines Arena, as the Heat prepared for Sunday's game against the visiting Boston Celtics. O'Neal's circumstances are compounded by the Heat leaving Monday morning for Portland, Ore., where a ..."
Heat's Jermaine O'Neal making big contribution
"Somewhat lost in the hysteria of Wednesday's final quarter against Orlando, with Dwyane Wade's 16 points and Michael Beasley's winning putback garnering all the attention, was Jermaine O'Neal's contribution. In a physical contest against Dwight Howard, last year's Defensive Player of the Year, O'Neal scored 13 points (one more than Howard), had two blocks, (one more than Howard), and 16 rebounds, (matching Howard's total), which was his highest rebounding total since joining the Heat last season. ``Against Dwight Howard you have to be willing to sacrifice your body just to get into the battle,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ``It is so physical. He is so explosive and dynamic and strong ..."
Jermaine O'Neal out day-to-day with a sore back
"Erik Spoelstra had the opportunity Sunday against the Hornets. Quentin Richardson still was out and Udonis Haslem was back from the strained left shoulder that had sidelined him for two games. But instead of inserting Haslem into the starting lineup and shifting Michael Beasley to small forward, the second-year coach remained with James Jones as his starting small forward. In two games in place of Richardson, Jones is 3 of 10 from the field, 1 of 7 on 3-pointers, with eight rebounds and five assists. In his two starts, before he was sidelined with his back spasms, Richardson, amid dwindling minutes, was 3 of 6 from the field, with five rebounds and two assists. And in the two games ..."
Atlanta provides a potential rivalry in the making
"The Heat-Hawks playoff series last season was arguably the most difficult first-round series to watch last spring. Despite the series going seven games, none of the games was particularly compelling, and play from both teams was uneven. That's why calling the Hawks a rival just yet is a bit premature in the eyes of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. The two teams face each other Wednesday night in a battle that's more about a close division race -- the Hawks, Heat and Magic are all battling for an early lead in the Southeast -- than it does with playoff revenge. ``I mean, any time you play somebody in the playoffs, obviously everything gets heightened, and it went seven games,'' Spoelstra said. ..."
Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal misses game with left hip bruise
"The pain from Thursday's loss to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers lingers for the Heat. Miami center Jermaine O'Neal missed Saturday's game against New Jersey with a left hip bruise he sustained during a collision with James midway through Thursday's 111-104 loss to the Cavaliers. O'Neal finished the game and had 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes. He received extensive treatment the past two days to help ease the inflammation, and he was held out of Saturday's shootaround. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said two hours before the game that O'Neal had a ``50-50'' chance to play. Reserve Joel Anthony started at center against the Nets. Spoelstra said O'Neal had made ..."
Jermaine O'Neal vows to play through broken nose
"Dwyane Wade, Jermaine O'Neal and Daequan Cook all missed Monday's practice as the Miami Heat prepared for Tuesday night's lone visit of the season by Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns. Wade did not even make it to the session, instead tied up in a courtroom in a matter related to a failed business interest. O'Neal watched from the side, a day after breaking his nose late in Sunday's 95-87 victory over the Bulls. And Cook was held out with the same shoulder ailment that forced him to skip the Chicago game. In addition, guard Chris Quinn, who had been out since the start of training camp with a sprained ankle, went through the entire session and has been deemed healthy enough to return. The ..."
Heat's Jermaine O'Neal making Dwyane Wade proud
"It might be difficult to find anyone more thrilled with the way Heat center Jermaine O'Neal has started the season -- outside of O'Neal himself -- than guard Dwyane Wade. For one, Wade has benefited from the solid low-post presence O'Neal has provided during Miami's 2-0 start entering Sunday's home game against the Chicago Bulls. But Wade also can sympathize with what O'Neal is going through after pushing through a vigorous offseason training program to recover from debilitating knee injuries. Wade went through a similar grueling process with the same trainer in Chicago two summers ago. Wade wouldn't go as far as to say he recommended noted trainer Tim Grover to O'Neal. But Wade did attend ..."
O'Neal playing with a spring in his step
"Erik Spoelstra's argument was mostly halfhearted, as he challenged the second-quarter technical foul Jermaine O'Neal was assessed for following a dunk with a chin-up on the rim. In fact, it could be argued that the second-year Miami Heat coach savored the moment in Friday night's victory in Indiana almost as much as the 14th-year center did. "If he's jumping that high," Spoelstra said, "I'll take anything." To say O'Neal has shown a spring in his step in the Heat's 2-0 start would be understatement. His consecutive games of 22 points and 12 rebounds represent the first time in the franchise's 22 seasons a player has opened with back-to-back 20-10 performances. For a player who averaged 13 ..."
Heat ends long skid in Indiana behind Wade, O'Neal
"The last time the Heat departed Indiana with a regular-season victory, second-year forward Michael Beasley was 12 years old. His vivid memory from 2001? ``I just graduated from sixth grade and was going to the seventh,'' Beasley said Friday. ``Thanks for bringing back bad memories. I got my bike stolen that year. Dang, it's been that long since we won here?'' Not anymore. Beasley was among the assailants this time. Miami built a 17-point lead in the second half to swipe a 96-83 victory from the Pacers and end a 14-game regular-season losing streak at Indiana. The man who was responsible for delivering Miami much of its misery during that stretch was also the one led it out of the Hoosier ..."
Wade, O'Neal help Heat end drought in Indy
"It wasn't exactly the Indy 500. But the Miami Heat's 17 consecutive losses at Conseco Fieldhouse certainly felt like triple-digit misery. Now? Now there is a one-game winning streak in Indiana, with Friday's 96-83 victory over the Indiana Pacers. "It was gratifying," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "To have this feeling here hasn't happened very often for us." After 14 consecutive regular-season losses in Conseco, with three more in the playoffs, the Heat finds itself with its first 2-0 start to a season since it went 4-0 to open 2004-05. Both victim and former victimizer contributed for the Heat. Guard Dwyane Wade, who had lost all 11 of his previous Conseco visits, led the Heat with 32 ..."
Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal flashes old form
"Jermaine O'Neal resembled the early decade vintage version for much of Wednesday night, the way he soared for rebounds, shook free for dunks and left the Knicks dizzy with nifty spin moves and jump hooks. ``I'm not going to say by any means that I've arrived because it's only one game,'' the Heat center said Thursday. ``[But] I felt good.'' With his impressive display in the season opener, O'Neal rekindled memories of the player who was named an All-Star six times with the Indiana Pacers. On Friday night, he hopes for an encore when he returns to Indianapolis -- where the Heat has experienced nothing but misery for seven years. (O'Neal inflicted a fair share of that misery.) The Heat has ..."
Jermaine O'Neal confident he can get all the way back
"Heat center Jermaine O'Neal has always talked the talk, but in the last five years a myriad of injuries haven't allowed him to walk the walk like he used to. But despite playing without knee pain or swelling for the first time in years after undergoing a grueling, eight-week workout regimen with renowned Chicago-based fitness guru Tim Grover, O'Neal has still been slowed by nagging injuries such as foot, groin and shoulder tweaks, limiting his minutes and production (averaging 8.3 points, three rebounds in nearly 22 minutes) in appearing in three of the five exhibition games. That said, O'Neal, who turned 31 last Tuesday, is confident he will not only be ready for the season-opener against ..."
Jermaine O'Neal Out With Bruised Bone On Ankle
"Jermaine O'Neal immediately made sure to quell the concerns. "Not the knees," the Heat center before Wednesday night's 90-86 preseason loss to the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena, "it's not the knees." But it was a game played in the injury absence of O'Neal, and considering the 14th-season veteran's history, that's always a concern. "I'll be back at practice ready to go on Friday," O'Neal said, with the Heat expected to be given Thursday off, before beginning preparations for Sunday's home exhibition opener against the Spurs. "I have no doubt in my mind that I'll be ready to rock and roll at a high level come Sunday." O'Neal has been limited since being kicked in the left foot during the ..."
Summer of sweat gives center new lease on life
"The pain is gone. Also vanished is the portable ice machine. It was a device Jermaine O'Neal carried with him everywhere the past three years for times when his long-troublesome knees would swell up to the size of a grapefruit. And stashed away, too, is the fiberglass knee brace, one that has been as much a part of his work attire as the jerseys, shorts and headbands. O'Neal, the Heat's starting center, survived the first week of training camp without any of that baggage that used to weigh him down. Having emerged from an offseason in which O'Neal sought to regain all of the elements that made him one of the most dominant post players in the league, the 14-year veteran would much rather ..."
Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal hoping for comeback season
"Heat center Jermaine O'Neal won't be accompanied by his "best friend" when the team opens training camp Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena. Consider that a good thing. It turns out O'Neal's "best friend" is a portable ice machine. It was his constant companion for three years because O'Neal's injured left knee would swell so much and so often he needed a constant source of ice to treat the ailment. That shouldn't be the case this season, his 14th in the NBA. "I'm 100 percent (healthy)," O'Neal said at Monday's Media Day. "The knee isn't giving me any problems." If that's true it could be a comeback season for O'Neal, who will earn $23 million this year, the final year of his contract. And ..."
Erik Spoelstra: Big improvements in store for Miami Heat
"The notion that other teams passed the Heat this summer? Coach Erik Spoelstra said he doesn't believe it. ``I'm fully expecting major improvements,'' he said. ``We're getting an All-Star center [Jermaine O'Neal] who's healthy. We add James Jones, who we didn't have'' for much of last season. He said Mario Chalmers improved tremendously and ``you'll see a different Michael Beasley. His skill level is so much more advanced than what it was.'' With training camp opening next week, Spoelstra spoke about the cast around Dwyane Wade: • On O'Neal, 30, previously slowed by knee problems: ``He's as healthy as he's ever been. We rewound the clock and brought him back to 26. He spent seven weeks with ..."
Miami Heat's Jermaine O'Neal Back On Center Stage
"Two nights ago, he discovered his purpose with the Heat -- a shot-blocking, rebounding, low-post scoring option who has still got something left in the tank. With Miami holding a 2-1 series lead against Atlanta entering Game 4 on Monday night at AmericanAirlines Arena, O'Neal looks to continue the breakout play he has delivered the past two games. ''It just took some time,'' said O'Neal, who hopes to help guide Miami into the second round to face Cleveland. ``But I'm doing my job.'' O'Neal has averaged 20.5 points, eight rebounds, 3.5 blocks, and two assists on 57-percent shooting in two wins. Of all of the things that have gone well for the Heat -- the off-the-charts three-point ..."
Miami Heat's Jermaine O'Neal becomes X-factor
"He's positively crucial to the Heat making a deeper-than-expected run into these NBA playoffs, yet Jermaine O'Neal can't wait until the offseason. It would sound disconcerting to hear that from a 6-11 player whom the Heat acquired in February for the purpose of providing offensive balance and a defensive presence, particularly at this time of the year. It would sound that way if you didn't know just how meaningful an entire, surgery-free offseason could mean to O'Neal's career. Don't mistake that for disinterest in the present. O'Neal has never gotten past a conference finals in 10 previous postseasons, so he would just assume this playoff run go well into June for the Heat. But he can't ..."
Heat's Jermaine O'Neal sits vs. Grizzlies
"Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal sat out Monday night's home game against the Memphis Grizzlies in an attempt to rest a bruised right hip that has been nagging him for at least the past four games. O'Neal said the injury shouldn't keep him out for more than one game. The Heat have a day off before back-to-back road games against Indiana and Chicago on Wednesday and Thursday. Center Jamaal Magloire started for O'Neal. ''It's precautionary only because of the road trip [coming up],'' O'Neal said. ``It's affecting the way I move a little bit right now, so I just want to try and rest it. If I played [Monday], I'd have no time to calm it down.'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said O'Neal was ..."
Heat's Jermaine O'Neal out against Grizzlies
"Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal was held out of Monday night's game against the Memphis Grizzlies at AmericanAirlines Arena due to a bruised right hip. Coach Erik Spoelstra said O'Neal was injured last week while unsuccessfully attempting to draw a charge against Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce. "It's definitely just one game," said O'Neal, who vowed to be back in the starting lineup for Wednesday night's road game against the Indiana Pacers. "I'm just trying to calm it down. "We're not worried about it at all." O'Neal said Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills was the first time the ailment significantly limited his mobility. He closed that game with ..."
O'Neal makes a difference
"It was only six points: Two baskets, two free throws. But for Jermaine O'Neal, it was a start. For the first time since arriving a month ago, the veteran center mattered in a fourth quarter, mattered at the finish. For the Heat, that made Wednesday's 107-99 victory over the Celtics significant. Plan B just might take some of the pressure off Dwyane Wade, after all. "It's very important to have that ability to go down in the post and him make not only the jump shot, but also go to the basket," Wade said. Before the victory over the Celtics, O'Neal had not scored more than four points in the fourth quarter of any of his previous 11 Heat appearances. And these were no accidental points. They ..."
Jermaine O'Neal taking patient approach with Miami Heat
"When Jermaine O'Neal arrived in a trade from the Toronto Raptors, his goal was to have an immediate impact on the court as big as his hefty contract. A month into his stint with the Heat, O'Neal is simply hoping not to get short-changed in the offense. O'Neal has had to temper his expectations some in his first few weeks since the Feb. 13 trade. O'Neal remains the anchor of Miami's reloaded frontcourt. But he has not been the go-to option in the lane as often as he initially expected. O'Neal hasn't complained. Instead, he's taking a patient approach. A breakthrough of sorts came in Saturday's loss at Cleveland, where O'Neal scored 19 points, making 7 of 10 shots. He hopes to build on that ..."
Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal allowed to wear headband
"Miami Heat president Pat Riley struck one of the season's biggest trade deadline deals by acquiring Jermaine O'Neal. But Riley had to make a subsequent move to keep O'Neal happy once the seven-time All-Star center arrived. After he initially balked at O'Neal's request to wear a headband, Riley made a rare exception and lifted the restriction. O'Neal, who has worn a headband the past three games, confirmed Tuesday that Riley budged -- with strings attached. ''I can't tell you,'' O'Neal said when asked to disclose details after Tuesday's practice. ``But we made an agreement on things I need to do to keep the headband. I plan on keeping the headband. I don't want people to think Coach Riley ..."
Heat's Jermaine O'Neal promises results are coming
"Jermaine O'Neal spoke calmly but purposefully as he sat at his locker after Sunday's 122-99 loss at Orlando. It's been an admittedly difficult season for the Heat's newly acquired, 30-year-old center. During the summer he was traded from Indiana to Toronto to blend with All-Star big man Chris Bosh as a formidable frontcourt. It didn't work. Now O'Neal finds himself in another challenging situation after being traded from Toronto to Miami. "You don't get traded 52 games into the season and not expect it to be difficult," the six-time All-Star said. "But as a player, if you think it's too difficult a task, you tell your agent, or you tell whatever team you need to tell that you can't make ..."
Miami Heat's Jermaine O'Neal Rebuilding Image, Years After Brawl in Detroit
"Lawyers. Arbitrators. League officials. Media. Fans. Jermaine O'Neal had a lot of explaining to do, to all sorts of people, and none of it was pleasant. "But the toughest part for me was to explain it to my daughter," he says. He hadn't brought himself to tell Asjia what had happened on Nov. 19, 2004, or why, in the days that followed, he was home watching games in progress rather than reviewing games on tape. But a sharp 5-year-old doesn't take long to figure it out, especially when her friends are fans of her father, and that father had recently participated in the ugliest brawl in NBA history. "Dad, somebody told me you were suspended for punching somebody."Her information was accurate, ..."
Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal bounces back after painful eye injury
"Heat center Jermaine O'Neal hopes his second appearance with his new team is far less painful than his first. O'Neal said Friday that he continues to feel soreness near his eye and nose from a blow he took from Minnesota forward Mike Miller that briefly knocked him out of the game in Wednesday's loss. But O'Neal practiced Friday and is expected to make his second start with the Heat in Saturday's home game against the Philadelphia 76ers. O'Neal was attempting to draw a charge on Miller in the lane when the two collided. O'Neal returned after he was taken to the locker room. ''It was pretty sore,'' O'Neal said. ``It was one of those situations where when you take charges, you have to accept ..."
Jermaine O'Neal has painful debut as Miami Heat fall to Minnesota
"The Jermaine O'Neal era got off to a rocky start. Twenty-two minutes into his Heat debut, he took a charge from Minnesota forward Mike Miller and left the game with a bloody nose and blurry vision. O'Neal returned late in the fourth quarter, but the Heat's comeback fell short and the Timberwolves won 111-104 in front of an announced crowd of 17,525 at AmericanAirlines Arena. With 29 games remaining, Miami will have to quickly find chemistry with its revamped lineup. The Heat showed flashes of how it could thrive with O'Neal in the post, but got torched defensively. ''It was just a terrible loss,'' Dwyane Wade said. The Heat was outrebounded 49-24 and allowed the Timberwolves to hit 14 of ..."
Jermaine O'Neal's Miami Heat debut a night to forget
"Jermaine O'Neal's South Florida welcome included an elbow to the right eye from Mike Miller and enough Minnesota Timberwolves 3-pointers to leave the Miami Heat feeling dazed. What began as a triumphant arrival for O'Neal, with an early 11-point Heat lead, turned into a defenseless showing and a 111-104 loss Wednesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena. "It's a terrible loss," Dwyane Wade said after his game-high 37 points and 12 assists weren't enough to rescue the Heat. The new-look Heat, at least in O'Neal's debut, proved incapable of rebounding from its early blown lead, or rebounding at all, for that matter. Despite gaining much-needed size with the addition of O'Neal in last week's ..."
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