Get the depth on this story! O'Neal, Pacers looking to move on in several areas Monday, 20-Oct-2003 8:08AM PDT Story from ST / Chris Bernucca, SportsTicker Pro Basketball Editor
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) - Jermaine O'Neal is a warrior. ClariNews Local, technical, or sports news your customers really care about - on your front page two hours from now! There is virtually nothing that can sap the energy and enthusiasm for the game displayed by the All-Star power forward of the Indiana Pacers. Not the discovery of the attempted suicide of his stepfather, which occurred during last season and would have reduced most men to a quivering bowl of Jell-O. Not the inattentive, unfocused play of his teammates, which resulted in another first-round flameout in the playoffs and triggered an overhaul of the team's management. Not the commitment of international basketball, which O'Neal has met each of the last three summers and plans on meeting again next year in Athens, Greece. But there is one thing that causes O'Neal's shoulders to slump with the pangs of exhaustion and has him looking for the nearest couch and a quick power nap to clear his head. Just ask him about the coaching situation with the Pacers. "I've been over this a million times and it's almost burned me out," the normally indefatigable O'Neal said. "Like I've said, things happen. We've talked, I know where they stand and they know where I stand. I get paid to play basketball ... that's what matters to me. The only thing that a player can control is what happens on the court." | |
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