The Official Site of Jermaine O'Neal

Mon, Feb 8th 2010, 11:55

Hoopsworld: Jermaine's a free agent, too

For about six years following the turn of the century, Jermaine O’Neal was among the most dominant big men in the league. As recently as 2006, his impending free agency would’ve been the topic of hoards of newspaper and internet articles discussing the best fit for one of the most desirable 20/10 guys in the league, but today, in the early weeks of 2010, nobody seems to care—at least not compared to younger forwards like Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, and Amar’e Stoudemire.

But in O’Neal’s most recent game he dismantled the Chicago Bulls down low, scoring 24 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and swatting away three shots. It was like someone had hit a button on a time machine, and the throwback performance raised questions as to what O’Neal had planned for the rest of his career.

“It’s very important to be in a position in the next four of five years to play for that ultimate goal,” O’Neal said. “I’m sure anybody who’s free this summer is going to be looking for the same thing.”

He went on to talk about his plans for free agency this summer, as the last year of his $20 million-per-season contract expires after the season, adding, “I’ve talked to so many guys who have been around this league and done some really great things—and I don’t want to say any names, but everybody’s saying the same thing… they’re talking about going somewhere as a crew to have that opportunity.”

Whether or not he’s part of a clandestine veteran conglomerate that assembles somewhere they think they can collectively win a ring, O’Neal has the insight and experience to put his NBA career in perspective.

“Nobody likes to play 82 games and have a losing season,” he said. “That’s very, very difficult. It wears on you mentally, and it wears on you physically. We take a pounding to our bodies, and you just want to make sure it’s for a purpose.

“I’ve experienced a lot of things in my career,” O’Neal continued. “I’ve had my own shoe, national commercials, All-Star games, USA teams, big contracts—and I don’t feel validated because I haven’t had the opportunity to play for a championship. That’s all I’m worried about right now.”

So when it comes to Jermaine O’Neal looking for one last contract this summer, it’s not about getting paid, and it’s not about playing huge minutes. It’s about earning a ring.

“I’m not worried about free agency,” he said. “I don’t worry about who’s talking about who. I don’t read papers, and I don’t listen to talk shows. I don’t do any of that stuff because it doesn’t matter to me. I left Indiana for a purpose. If it was about numbers, I would’ve stayed there… To me, it’s about now and trying to win.”

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