Updates
Wed, Feb 11th 2009, 10:38
Late surge by O'Neal puts Raptors over top
It was about nine hours to game time here yesterday and Jermaine O’Neal was making a point that basketball games often come down to the will of the winners being greater than the will of the losers.
It was in the context that the Raptors have often lacked that will in this below-average season, they cower rather than attack, they fade rather than force.
“Teams that are really good in this league are very, very tough mentally,” O’Neal said. “They know what they’re going to do on a nightly basis, they know what their job is and it doesn’t matter who’s on the court, they go out and do their jobs and pile up the wins.
“The teams that (don’t) are the teams that struggle.”
And after talking the talk, O’Neal went out and walked the walk, conjuring up a good game out of a bad one and helping the Raptors to a much-needed victory, a 110-102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves that snapped Toronto’s six-game losing streak.
“He was disappointed in the way he played (in the first half) and actually said to one of the coaches, `Take me out if I play like that,’” coach Jay Triano said of O’Neal. “But we have to let guys like him play through tough times and he did and he was much better in the second half.”
After an uninspired first three quarters, the veteran centre erupted for 10 points in the game’s final four minutes as Toronto – known far more for late-game collapses than late-game rallies – stormed back from seven down at the start of the fourth quarter to win.
“I think the biggest difference with this game in the third and fourth quarter was we really just found a way to win the game,” O’Neal said after his 22-point outburst. “You can find your way through games when you out-think guys and beat them to the punch and I think tonight we did that.”
Comments
Vernon | on 13/2/09
JO, sorry to see you go man! As a Raps fan from day 1 & someone who has followed your career in the league, I was very excited to hear you were coming to TO last year. You have the very character traits the Raps have lacked for so long: tough D, strong low post game & the swagger (missing here since the days of Charles Oakley). You didn’t disappoint in your short time here, you’re the real deal. Too bad the early injury interupted the rhythm you had gotten into early in the season. Sorry that your family has to go through the chaos of relocating again, but hey, I’m sure the fact it’s Miami with all the palm trees will make it a little easier on them! You are a true professional and you demonstrated that by being honest and not looking to make excuses for anything. I wish you the best playing for Miami (you & the Flash, you’re going to be laughing dude!) I hope the business side of the NBA doesn’t change your feelings for the T-DOT & who knows, maybe you’ll be back here a couple years from now! Peace, respect & a strong playoff run for you & your new team mates (shout outs to the Canadian content on the Heat). There’s always going to be love for you from Raptor fans, guaranteed.
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