Pooh
10-17-2003, 06:10 PM
Though X-rays don't reveal any structural problems, team will proceed with caution
By Mark Montieth
[email protected]
October 17, 2003
The way Jermaine O'Neal's back feels at the moment, he questions whether he'll play in any of the Indiana Pacers' remaining preseason games.
He's not sure about next summer's Olympic Games, either.
O'Neal, who sat out Wednesday's exhibition loss to Denver, will sit out tonight's game against Minnesota at Conseco Fieldhouse and Saturday's game against Boston in Manchester, N.H.
He is listed with a sore lower back. Although X-rays have not revealed any structural problems, he said swollen tissue at the base of his spine has caused significant discomfort, even while he sleeps.
"Hopefully my body's able to endure the NBA season," O'Neal said Thursday. "But if my body breaks down too much I have to look at not playing in the Olympics.
"It's so up in the air. I told (coach Rick Carlisle) the other day, I don't know how I'm going to do it."
O'Neal will be examined by Boston physical therapist Dan Dyrek on Saturday, when the Pacers travel to New England to play the Celtics. Dyrek, regarded as one of the world's foremost orthopedic specialists, prolonged Larry Bird's playing career after he developed serious back problems and did the same for former Pacers center Rik Smits, whose career was threatened by foot problems.
Although O'Neal's condition is not considered career-threatening, the Pacers will be cautious, particularly in the preseason.
"Anytime you're talking about a back injury with a basketball player you're talking about a potentially dangerous situation," Carlisle said. "We're going to err on the side of caution."
O'Neal observed the Pacers' practice on Thursday and shot afterward. He said his back felt better than the previous day, but remains a major concern.
"It makes me nervous at 25 to even be talking about my back," he said.
"I don't want to have any back issues that are going to cause me to walk away from the game early."
O'Neal said his back bothered him throughout the summer while he played for the U.S. team in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, and has gradually worsened.
He said he has taken pain-killing medication throughout the summer and in the preseason, sometimes as many as nine Advil tablets per day. He backed off after noticing side effects.
"I'm going to sit out until I feel 100 percent," said O'Neal, who averaged 12.3 points and eight rebounds in the first three preseason games while playing 22.7 minutes per game.
"The preseason isn't my concern anymore. It gives other people an opportunity to play and it gives me rest."
O'Neal said the Pacers' regular season will remain his priority, and that his interest in playing for the U.S. Olympic team will hinge on how he feels during the season.
"My obligations are here," he said. "If I can't perform with my team here, it doesn't make any sense to go try to perform for another team when I'm not going to be 100 percent."
Notes
The Pacers will host Domestic Violence Awareness Night at tonight's game. Domestic violence awareness information will be available, and fans are encouraged to bring new personal hygiene items to benefit local shelters. Clothing will not be collected. . . .
Kenny Anderson, who has yet to play in the preseason because of a pulled hamstring, probably won't be available tonight. . . .
Former Pacers guard Fred Hoiberg, who has averaged eight points in three games, is doubtful tonight for Minnesota with a bruised right heel. Michael Olowokandi (knee surgery) is out and Latrell Sprewell(Achilles tendon), Wally Szczerbiak (strained foot tendon) and Mark Madsen(strained groin) are doubtful. Sam Cassell(left foot) is questionable. . . . Former IU center Jason Collier is expected to start at center for Minnesota tonight.
By Mark Montieth
[email protected]
October 17, 2003
The way Jermaine O'Neal's back feels at the moment, he questions whether he'll play in any of the Indiana Pacers' remaining preseason games.
He's not sure about next summer's Olympic Games, either.
O'Neal, who sat out Wednesday's exhibition loss to Denver, will sit out tonight's game against Minnesota at Conseco Fieldhouse and Saturday's game against Boston in Manchester, N.H.
He is listed with a sore lower back. Although X-rays have not revealed any structural problems, he said swollen tissue at the base of his spine has caused significant discomfort, even while he sleeps.
"Hopefully my body's able to endure the NBA season," O'Neal said Thursday. "But if my body breaks down too much I have to look at not playing in the Olympics.
"It's so up in the air. I told (coach Rick Carlisle) the other day, I don't know how I'm going to do it."
O'Neal will be examined by Boston physical therapist Dan Dyrek on Saturday, when the Pacers travel to New England to play the Celtics. Dyrek, regarded as one of the world's foremost orthopedic specialists, prolonged Larry Bird's playing career after he developed serious back problems and did the same for former Pacers center Rik Smits, whose career was threatened by foot problems.
Although O'Neal's condition is not considered career-threatening, the Pacers will be cautious, particularly in the preseason.
"Anytime you're talking about a back injury with a basketball player you're talking about a potentially dangerous situation," Carlisle said. "We're going to err on the side of caution."
O'Neal observed the Pacers' practice on Thursday and shot afterward. He said his back felt better than the previous day, but remains a major concern.
"It makes me nervous at 25 to even be talking about my back," he said.
"I don't want to have any back issues that are going to cause me to walk away from the game early."
O'Neal said his back bothered him throughout the summer while he played for the U.S. team in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, and has gradually worsened.
He said he has taken pain-killing medication throughout the summer and in the preseason, sometimes as many as nine Advil tablets per day. He backed off after noticing side effects.
"I'm going to sit out until I feel 100 percent," said O'Neal, who averaged 12.3 points and eight rebounds in the first three preseason games while playing 22.7 minutes per game.
"The preseason isn't my concern anymore. It gives other people an opportunity to play and it gives me rest."
O'Neal said the Pacers' regular season will remain his priority, and that his interest in playing for the U.S. Olympic team will hinge on how he feels during the season.
"My obligations are here," he said. "If I can't perform with my team here, it doesn't make any sense to go try to perform for another team when I'm not going to be 100 percent."
Notes
The Pacers will host Domestic Violence Awareness Night at tonight's game. Domestic violence awareness information will be available, and fans are encouraged to bring new personal hygiene items to benefit local shelters. Clothing will not be collected. . . .
Kenny Anderson, who has yet to play in the preseason because of a pulled hamstring, probably won't be available tonight. . . .
Former Pacers guard Fred Hoiberg, who has averaged eight points in three games, is doubtful tonight for Minnesota with a bruised right heel. Michael Olowokandi (knee surgery) is out and Latrell Sprewell(Achilles tendon), Wally Szczerbiak (strained foot tendon) and Mark Madsen(strained groin) are doubtful. Sam Cassell(left foot) is questionable. . . . Former IU center Jason Collier is expected to start at center for Minnesota tonight.