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Fri, Jan 15th 2010, 09:38
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, sometimes, as a low-post scorer,” he said of his perceived lack of recent touches. “You want to be involved, but you’ve got a job to do, as frustrating as it may be sometimes. You try to do the best job you can possibly do.”
O’Neal’s 11 baskets against the Warriors were his high for the season and gave him his first double-digit game in field goals since the season opener. It was his first 20-point game since scoring 22 in each of the season’s first two outings. He had scored eight total points in the previous two games, losses to the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz.
While the 31-year-old center questioned the team’s commitment to post play after Sunday’s loss to the Clippers, his recent performances hardly inspired confidence. He entered Wednesday’s game 23 of 60 from the field over the previous seven games.
“The game and the opponent a lot of times will dictate touches,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “But what’s most important is the ball’s got to move, it’s got to find the open person. And then we can watch specific matchups.
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