When talk first began over the 2010 free agency period, there was a lot of talk of Jermaine O'Neal. At the time, he was among the top big men in the NBA. This was about three years ago and in the time since 2007 things have changed. It appeared as if O'Neal was going to be a Pacer until he retired. But, after the departure of Reggie Miller retired, Jermaine O'Neal proved that he could not be the leader of a team.

Even as the Pacers fell from being a title contender to being a weak team in the Eastern Conference, Jermaine O'Neal was still considered a great player. Injuries to his right need ended those considerations. During his final season with the Pacers, O'Neal struggled mightily. Following the 2007-2008 season, the Pacers would trade Jermaine O'Neal to the Tornoto Raptors. They hoped that he would pair well with Chris Bosh.

While the Raptors aimed for a twin tower effect, what they got was an aging big man getting in the way of a younger version of himself. Because of that, O'Neal was shipped down to Miami to become Dwyane Wade's new sidekick. Both the Miami Heat and Jermaine O'Neal hoped that he would return to form in his new city. However, the addition of Jermaine O'Neal did nothing to lead the Heat to being the team that they were only a few years prior. But, before the start of the 2009-2010 season, they promised to turn heads. Jermaine O'Neal promised that he would return to All-Star form. He said that he had not felt so good since 2006.

In the early stages of this season, Jermaine O'Neal played like he used to. On opening night, he scored 22 points and added 10 rebounds, leading the Heat to a 115-93 win over New York. Jermaine O'Neal would duplicate that performance the next night against his former Pacers. The strong play continued up until the Heat were forced to play the Cleveland Cavaliers. Early in the season, Miami was holding onto the best record in the Eastern Conference. A major confidence boost would have been an early-season home win over the Cavaliers. Had they won that game, the season may have turned out a lot better. But, in that game, the All-Star Jermaine O'Neal disappeared and the one from last season returned.

From the start, there was no secret that Jermaine O'Neal was not in the long-term window for the Miami Heat. O'Neal, along with the rest of the team, knew and accepted this. Still, that fact did not stop him from trying to play strong. Of all of the places that he has played, O'Neal has enjoyed Miami more than any other place. Honestly, Jermaine O'Neal does not want to leave following this season. Had he kept playing the way that he was playing last season, he may have been able to remain with the Heat. But, the slip that he had paired with his pre-injury boost proves that he is unreliable. Pat Riley knows that he will need reliability in order to keep Dwyane Wade past this season.

Pat Riley had said that the Jermaine O'Neal trade was nothing more than a holdover. With the roster that they had going into the 2008-2009 season, there was no guarantee that the Heat would make the playoffs. But, with a big man to pair with Wade, he knew that they would at least make the playoffs. A player like Dwyane Wade is not content with missing the playoffs. But, after a season like their 15-67 performance in 2008, he would take any taste of the playoffs. Jermaine O'Neal was dubbed by Pat Riley as a bridge into the 2010 free agency period. Having one of the biggest contracts in the NBA, when his contract expires, the Heat will have a lot of cap space to sign current big-name stars.

Realizing that he is not a part of the long-term plans for the Miami Heat, Jermaine O'Neal is hoping that another team will come along and sign him. After his season of let downs with the Heat, O'Neal realizes that he will never be able to play the way that he used to. Because of that, he said that he is going to play to the best of his ability this season. After the season is over, O'Neal hopes that he can sign with a championship contender. He feels that he could be a great backup big man for a strong team. Imagine Jermaine O'Neal being a player off of the bench, a second unit that features him could take on some of the weaker teams in the league. With that being the case, the starting unit would have to be capable of leading a team to 60 to 65 wins each season.

If things go right for the Miami Heat, Jermaine O'Neal may find himself being able to fade away, as planned, for the next five years. Still, though, he could have his wish of continuing to play in Miami and play for a title contender.

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When talk first began over the 2010 free agency period, there was a lot of talk of Jermaine O'Neal. At the time, he was among the top big men in the NBA. This was about three years ago and in the time since 2007 things have changed. It appeared as if O'Neal was going to be a Pacer until he retired. But, after the departure of Reggie Miller retired, Jermaine O'Neal proved that he could not be the leader of a team.

Even as the Pacers fell from being a title contender to being a weak team in the Eastern Conference, Jermaine O'Neal was still considered a great player. Injuries to his right need ended those considerations. During his final season with the Pacers, O'Neal struggled mightily. Following the 2007-2008 season, the Pacers would trade Jermaine O'Neal to the Tornoto Raptors. They hoped that he would pair well with Chris Bosh.

While the Raptors aimed for a twin tower effect, what they got was an aging big man getting in the way of a younger version of himself. Because of that, O'Neal was shipped down to Miami to become Dwyane Wade's new sidekick. Both the Miami Heat and Jermaine O'Neal hoped that he would return to form in his new city. However, the addition of Jermaine O'Neal did nothing to lead the Heat to being the team that they were only a few years prior. But, before the start of the 2009-2010 season, they promised to turn heads. Jermaine O'Neal promised that he would return to All-Star form. He said that he had not felt so good since 2006.

In the early stages of this season, Jermaine O'Neal played like he used to. On opening night, he scored 22 points and added 10 rebounds, leading the Heat to a 115-93 win over New York. Jermaine O'Neal would duplicate that performance the next night against his former Pacers. The strong play continued up until the Heat were forced to play the Cleveland Cavaliers. Early in the season, Miami was holding onto the best record in the Eastern Conference. A major confidence boost would have been an early-season home win over the Cavaliers. Had they won that game, the season may have turned out a lot better. But, in that game, the All-Star Jermaine O'Neal disappeared and the one from last season returned.

From the start, there was no secret that Jermaine O'Neal was not in the long-term window for the Miami Heat. O'Neal, along with the rest of the team, knew and accepted this. Still, that fact did not stop him from trying to play strong. Of all of the places that he has played, O'Neal has enjoyed Miami more than any other place. Honestly, Jermaine O'Neal does not want to leave following this season. Had he kept playing the way that he was playing last season, he may have been able to remain with the Heat. But, the slip that he had paired with his pre-injury boost proves that he is unreliable. Pat Riley knows that he will need reliability in order to keep Dwyane Wade past this season.

Pat Riley had said that the Jermaine O'Neal trade was nothing more than a holdover. With the roster that they had going into the 2008-2009 season, there was no guarantee that the Heat would make the playoffs. But, with a big man to pair with Wade, he knew that they would at least make the playoffs. A player like Dwyane Wade is not content with missing the playoffs. But, after a season like their 15-67 performance in 2008, he would take any taste of the playoffs. Jermaine O'Neal was dubbed by Pat Riley as a bridge into the 2010 free agency period. Having one of the biggest contracts in the NBA, when his contract expires, the Heat will have a lot of cap space to sign current big-name stars.

Realizing that he is not a part of the long-term plans for the Miami Heat, Jermaine O'Neal is hoping that another team will come along and sign him. After his season of let downs with the Heat, O'Neal realizes that he will never be able to play the way that he used to. Because of that, he said that he is going to play to the best of his ability this season. After the season is over, O'Neal hopes that he can sign with a championship contender. He feels that he could be a great backup big man for a strong team. Imagine Jermaine O'Neal being a player off of the bench, a second unit that features him could take on some of the weaker teams in the league. With that being the case, the starting unit would have to be capable of leading a team to 60 to 65 wins each season.

If things go right for the Miami Heat, Jermaine O'Neal may find himself being able to fade away, as planned, for the next five years. Still, though, he could have his wish of continuing to play in Miami and play for a title contender.

Product Title : Jermaine O'Neal makes Retirement Plans

Jermaine O'Neal makes Retirement Plans,

Jermaine O'Neal makes Retirement Plans

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