Raptorfan27

hes a centre more than a 4. anyway, when optimism runs high, speculation goes rampart. how about this, the oneal deal goes through, and they package Bargs for rj (which im not too happy about), and they got Bosh and calderon, and a big 4! with calderon, jefferson, Bosh and o'neal, oh and the league would aprove - millions and millions in luxury tax penalty, and a title for toronto (way to jump the wagon eh)

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INSIDER

that right there my friend, is currently my dream scenerio.

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•LX•

Overall though I still prefer the idea of getting Haslem without having to give up Rasho, and then dealing Rasho for some other needs. But who knows - Haslem might have worse wheel then JO right now.

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griffthecat

JO is 30 and a former all star. You're trading for a guy as injured as the guy you're giving up but with WAY more potential to make an impact... the ONLY sticking point here should be the pick!

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Apollo

To those calling him a PF. At 6'11" 260lbs Jermaine O'Neal is big and strong enough to play center. With that said after considering his classic back to the basket low post game how is he different than any other prototypical center? Oh and who knows, maybe the Raptors run with O'Neal, Bosh and Bargnani at the same time? The Magic won 50 games and made it to the second round going big like that.

Maybe they throw in a future first rounder? Maybe Colangelo stands tough and says no to the pick being moved. Remember now, the Pacers desperately need a new PG and they want to unload Jermaine.

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griffthecat

get JO's giant forehead here NOW BC!!!

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Superjudge

I'd laugh if it went down and he came in, in good shape and feeling 23 again.

Heh.

Just 2-3 yers ago everyone was baeming about hos Bosh might be as good as O'Neal someday soon.

HA!

Now you could have um both.

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Dr. J. Naismith

I've read alot of rumours that O'Neal's knee injuries over the last couple seasons really weren't as serious as they appeared, but more him struggling with his own issues of not wanting to play in Indiana any longer. A lack of enthusiasm is getting the best of him now. I think coming to Toronto might be the change he needs and considering he's still relatively young, he still has alot to contribute in my opinion.

I'd do the deal in a heartbeat.

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Superjudge

I looked into the history.

Dude aint a lemon at all, he's had a bit of bad luck. Missed 30 games due to Smacking dudes around in Detroit. And a bad knee, which has been fixed.

Gimme a break.

And yes, he is a massive dude now, he is a great center. Hell people are so short minded, I remember people complaining that he was too big for Bosh in the post, heh.

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Apollo

Another thing to consider is that he wouldn't get double teams in Toronto because they have too many good jump shooters and Chris Bosh will be lurking. On top of that he has never played with a pure pass first point guard like Jose Calderon. I think he would bring his game back to where it was. He is only 29 and thats the time where most bigs are hitting their primes.

If Amare could come back from the type of devastating knee injury he had then Jermaine is laughing.

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Adequate Swag

I would also like to point out that when healthy, Jermaine's back to the basket game was one of (if not the) best in the league. Like, to the point where it was legitimately enjoyable to watch him work in the post. His baseline fade is Garnett-esque, and he's got a large variety of post moves in close. AND he can shoot from mid range, which allows both him and Bosh to operate pick and pops.

Interior defense, shot blocking, rebounding, and a legit post threat on offense.

The more I think about it, the more I love Jermaine O Neal as the Raptors starting 5.

And this rumour is gaining steam at a fairly ridiculous rate. It's on the nba.com front page now.

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griffthecat

Indiana won 11 of the last 16 games with him back in the lineup. He is a presence and him and Bosh down low open up the offense COMPLETELY!!! We have a few of the top ten 3pt shooters in the league

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Dr. J. Naismith

You add O'Neal and a couple new role players, and if this team can remain healthy (knock on wood), then there's no reason why we can't be a top the Atlantic division again fighting with the Celts and in the Top 3 in the Eastern Conference next season.

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Kuzzy

No Jermaine
PLEASE NO JERMAINE
Diaw>J.oneal

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Apollo

Diaw isn't worthy to carry O'Neal's jock.

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Adequate Swag

I'd love to hear the reasoning behind this...

One "good" season (relatively speaking) vs. perennial all star. Seems pretty clear cut to me.

Would you care to elaborate perhaps?

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Dr. J. Naismith

Diaw doesn't truely fill one of those huge voids because of his versatility. He'll help, yes, but he won't be the difference maker a healthy Jermaine O'Neal would be. A Bosh and O'Neal front court could be ... and dare I say .... the best in basketball today.

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KirHarold

Omg you guys are getting me all excited. RJ AND JO?

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Kuzzy

big what-if

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Superjudge

sure.

but so what?

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