Pooh
10-19-2003, 05:42 PM
By Sekou Smith
[email protected]
October 19, 2003
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The pain in Jermaine O'Neal's lower back because of swollen tissue at the base of his spine won't dissipate soon.
But the outlook isn't nearly as bleak as the Indiana Pacers' All-Star power forward feared last week, when he talked of possibly having to skip the Olympic Games next summer if the problem didn't clear up.
O'Neal was examined Saturday by Boston physical therapist Dan Dyrek, widely regarded as one of the world's foremost orthopedic specialists.
O'Neal worked out before the Pacers and Celtics played a preseason game at the Verizon Wireless Arena, running through a myriad of shooting drills with assistant coaches and teammates. But, as expected, he didn't play for the second consecutive game.
"My understanding is that he's got some problems but nothing that can't be worked through with therapy and the right kind of approach," coach Rick Carlisle said. "I don't know an exact timetable. I would characterize the news I got as very encouraging."
Dyrek is credited with prolonging Larry Bird's playing career after he developed serious back problems, and doing the same for former Pacers center Rik Smits when his career was threatened by foot problems.
Whether or not he'll do the same for O'Neal, who turned 25 last week, remains to be seen. Carlisle said O'Neal will be sidelined for as long as it takes his back to feel better.
"I'm not in any rush to play again until the regular season," O'Neal said. "I still can't do any contact work for the next few days and that will run into next week's (preseason) games. Hopefully, come the 29th (of October), I've got enough rest in, enough treatment in and enough cardio work to be ready to play.
"I'm glad I don't need any surgery. (Dyrek) explained why I was hurting and why my back was doing what it was doing. It's a cycle going on, repercussions from some old injuries and stuff combined with some new stuff. One bad hit could really put me in a bad way so I'm going to take my time with it."
Bird causes a stir
The trip to the Granite State served as a homecoming of sorts for Bird, the Pacers president of basketball operations.
Just an hour drive north of Boston, downtown Manchester was swarming with Celtics fans, many of whom worked themselves into a frenzy upon learning that Bird made the trip.
"This is Larry Bird we're talking about," said Sean Corcoran, a Boston native who staked out the team hotel.
"If he gets anywhere near Boston, I mean anywhere, I'm there."
Corcoran wasn't alone in his pursuit of Bird. The hotel lobby was swarming with New Englanders stunned to see Bird dining in one of the hotel restaurants five hours before tipoff.
"Did you see who that was?" one bar patron announced to the entire restaurant as Bird and Pacers radio analyst Bob "Slick" Leonard exited the establishment.
Several patrons followed the men into the hallway and into the hotel lobby before returning, slapping high-fives with friends.
When Bird walked from the locker room to the floor three minutes after the game began, the arena shook as the fans stood and clapped for nearly a minute.
Carlisle said he hopes the spotlight won't discourage Bird from traveling with the team throughout the rest of the season.
"When you're around Larry it's like walking around with Babe Ruth, you know what I mean?" Carlisle said.
Miller, Artest sit
Reggie Miller and Ron Artest sat out Saturday's game -- Miller to rest sore legs and Artest to nurse a sore knee. They combined for 49 points in the Pacers' 96-93 win over Minnesota on Friday at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Four other Pacers watched the game in street clothes: Austin Croshere (hamstring), Kenny Anderson (hamstring), Anthony Johnson (finger) and Jonathan Bender (knee).
Al Harrington, who sat out the previous two games with a sore shin, returned to action.
[email protected]
October 19, 2003
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The pain in Jermaine O'Neal's lower back because of swollen tissue at the base of his spine won't dissipate soon.
But the outlook isn't nearly as bleak as the Indiana Pacers' All-Star power forward feared last week, when he talked of possibly having to skip the Olympic Games next summer if the problem didn't clear up.
O'Neal was examined Saturday by Boston physical therapist Dan Dyrek, widely regarded as one of the world's foremost orthopedic specialists.
O'Neal worked out before the Pacers and Celtics played a preseason game at the Verizon Wireless Arena, running through a myriad of shooting drills with assistant coaches and teammates. But, as expected, he didn't play for the second consecutive game.
"My understanding is that he's got some problems but nothing that can't be worked through with therapy and the right kind of approach," coach Rick Carlisle said. "I don't know an exact timetable. I would characterize the news I got as very encouraging."
Dyrek is credited with prolonging Larry Bird's playing career after he developed serious back problems, and doing the same for former Pacers center Rik Smits when his career was threatened by foot problems.
Whether or not he'll do the same for O'Neal, who turned 25 last week, remains to be seen. Carlisle said O'Neal will be sidelined for as long as it takes his back to feel better.
"I'm not in any rush to play again until the regular season," O'Neal said. "I still can't do any contact work for the next few days and that will run into next week's (preseason) games. Hopefully, come the 29th (of October), I've got enough rest in, enough treatment in and enough cardio work to be ready to play.
"I'm glad I don't need any surgery. (Dyrek) explained why I was hurting and why my back was doing what it was doing. It's a cycle going on, repercussions from some old injuries and stuff combined with some new stuff. One bad hit could really put me in a bad way so I'm going to take my time with it."
Bird causes a stir
The trip to the Granite State served as a homecoming of sorts for Bird, the Pacers president of basketball operations.
Just an hour drive north of Boston, downtown Manchester was swarming with Celtics fans, many of whom worked themselves into a frenzy upon learning that Bird made the trip.
"This is Larry Bird we're talking about," said Sean Corcoran, a Boston native who staked out the team hotel.
"If he gets anywhere near Boston, I mean anywhere, I'm there."
Corcoran wasn't alone in his pursuit of Bird. The hotel lobby was swarming with New Englanders stunned to see Bird dining in one of the hotel restaurants five hours before tipoff.
"Did you see who that was?" one bar patron announced to the entire restaurant as Bird and Pacers radio analyst Bob "Slick" Leonard exited the establishment.
Several patrons followed the men into the hallway and into the hotel lobby before returning, slapping high-fives with friends.
When Bird walked from the locker room to the floor three minutes after the game began, the arena shook as the fans stood and clapped for nearly a minute.
Carlisle said he hopes the spotlight won't discourage Bird from traveling with the team throughout the rest of the season.
"When you're around Larry it's like walking around with Babe Ruth, you know what I mean?" Carlisle said.
Miller, Artest sit
Reggie Miller and Ron Artest sat out Saturday's game -- Miller to rest sore legs and Artest to nurse a sore knee. They combined for 49 points in the Pacers' 96-93 win over Minnesota on Friday at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Four other Pacers watched the game in street clothes: Austin Croshere (hamstring), Kenny Anderson (hamstring), Anthony Johnson (finger) and Jonathan Bender (knee).
Al Harrington, who sat out the previous two games with a sore shin, returned to action.