Free Agent: Jermaine O'Neal

[Guru of Nothing]

Brad Miller is the more than likely candidate and MAYBE the better fit.

Maybe O'Neal stays in Indy, but how is BMiller "maybe" a better fit? Duncan/O'Neal vs Duncan /BMiller is not that hard to evaluate.

Crunch the values again and report back.

Details please.

[KoriEllis]

I don't think O'Neal is the lock to stay in Indy as much as everyone thinks.

O'Neal is a young guy who wants to win. People say "He will want all the touches." I have never seen O'Neal be a ego-based player. He shares the ball very well and doesn't about his teammates even though this season he has had reason to do so. Playing next to Tim Duncan is very appetizing. The Pacers have been a team of turmoil all season long. The Spurs are a level-headed club. Pop likes Jermaine. Jermaine likes Pop. If the Pacers are out in the first round and the Spurs go all the way, I cannot imagine that Jermaine doesn't take San Antonio into very, very serious consideration.

I'm not saying he's a lock to come to SA. I'm just saying NO ONE is a lock to stay put. The Spurs will have exciting decisions to make this summer.

[T Park Num 9]

Well lets look at this way.


Duncan is gonna get his

death and taxes, 24 and 12. (CC TIMVP)

Jermaine O Neal next to Duncan? 18 and 10 2 blocks.

Brad Miller 14 10 1.5 blocks

Thats what id estimate those two would average playing next to Duncan.


Now this is where it gets into fitting in, there "role" or playing the D ROB role.


I believe all were looking for is someone who can do what DROB did in 99 or now, and maybe some more athleticism
and more scoring punch.

I dont think a 24 and 12 can mesh witha 24 and 12.


Now heres where it gets sticky. The reason i believe Jermaine wouldnt work here as well as Brad Miller is that

Brad is already in the role of defense, rebound, block shots, and 3rd or 4th option.

Thats what hed be here, hes already used to the role hed fit in perfect.

Jermaine would have to be SECOND fiddle to Duncan, and I dont think Jermaine O'Neal has that hungry will do anything for the team second role no problem mentality YET.

Now I could be wrong he could come in here and say POP give duncan the damn ball and Ill do whatever you want.


But I feel that Brad Miller would chemsitry wise and team scheme wise would fit in nicer than Jermaine O'Neal.

Plus, I think the odd man out right now in Indiana is Brad Miller, Miller will want his Jermaine definately wants his, and be lookin at a MLE,

I would pay him just above the MLE and then go after a Juwan Howard or another athletic guy, or just go after some bench guys to fill in for Kerr Ferry Bateer and Smith.

[Guru of Nothing]

Very nice reply TPark , but, ....,

You make an assumption that Tim Duncan is consumed with his Top Dog status. I believe that Tim is supremely confident in his abilities and his value, and he does not give a rat's ass about minutes and numbers. He knows the dollars are there, regardless. You may be still be right, but until proven otherwise, I disagree.

I've gone on the record that I am a Malik Rose fan, and I think (the possibility of) a Duncan, O'Neal, Rose frontcourt represents the most relentless frontcourt ever witnessed. Throw in Parker, Jackson and Ginobili, and no amount of hyperbole could serve my opinion justice.

But, we are still talking what-if. In the meantime,

Go Spurs Go!

[T Park Num 9]

I think you ahve to think Tim Duncan still wants to be the top dog on this team and isnt going to let someone come in and take over for him.

If I were him, Id be like, hey what the ****, Im the MVP screw you what have YOU done.


I dont think Duncan would like someone coming in and taking the ball away from him, I mean someone taking shots away from the back to back MVP????

COME ON.

[Guru of Nothing]

Duncan would still BE the top dog.

I'm assuming the top dog votes are cast in the lockerroom, and not in an ESPN poll.

[T Park Num 9]

Ok if you assume be top dog

then why say

Duncan would be willing


that means you think Duncan would want to step back just a hair.

I dont think he will want to.

[Guru of Nothing]

Well, compare this season to last year's. Duncan has stepped back slightly, and the team has thrived (since Jan 1). I'm not asking that Duncan step aside like DRob did as he neared the beginning of the end, but . ....... hmmmmm

....... well

...... I really can't think of a good example off the top of my head, but I can think of a so-so comparison - think Magic Johnson. Statistically, he shared the wealth, and by all indications, he has no regrets (about what happened ON the court).

This is all I have to say about the possibility of JO coming to SA. If he does, great, if not, then Plan B better be a damn good one,

Adios.

[KoriEllis]

I don't see why Duncan would have to "step back", the two could compliment each other. There is room for Duncan to put up 23/12 and O'Neal 20/10, isn't there? That's not much stepping back. In the 99 season, didn't Duncan average 24/12 and Robinson 17/10 (or close to that, I'm not looking it up)?

I don't see it as much difference. Pacers' offense has five or six guys averaging double-figures. So it's not like Jermaine touches the ball every trip up the floor in dump-a-chump fashion. He's used to being on a team that everyone scores.

Who knows what will happen, but IMO O'Neal is one of the Spurs' first considerations.

[Guru of Nothing]

A "step back" is not quite what I meant, even though I said it. I think if O'Neal comes to SA, Duncan's numbers drop, if only slightly. As an example, if I remember correctly, David's rebounds dropped when Rodman arrived on the scene. During this time, I never thought David took a step back. Likewise, O'Neal's presence would take away some from Duncan (without all the antics, of course).

But, my original thought remains, Duncan knows just how good he is, and his ego won't interfere with him and O'Neal (possibly) co-existing in the frontcourt.

I'm tired. No more from me tonight.

Adios.

[genghisrex]

Brad Miller 14 10 1.5 blocks

T Park, what makes you think that Miller will suddenly become a shotblocker next to Duncan? He swats .59 shots per game on his career...

[T Park Num 9]

The way be put into position with defensive sets.

Duncan next to him, maybe challenging him.


Mostly the position be put in by pop in the defensive rotations and sets.