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Jermaine Out Indefinitely: On the heels of the announcement that Gilbert Arenas will miss three months (knee), Jermaine O'Neal of the Indiana Pacers has been shut down indefinitely with a knee problem of his own. He's awaiting the results of an MRI but has suffered regular swelling.
It's a similar story to Arenas who had the meniscus injury, the swelling, the MRI - but was given a clean bill of health. Shortly after he tore the meniscus again, was back in surgery and even got some minor microfracture done (if there is such a thing as minor microfracture).
Regardless of the results of the MRI, O'Neal needs to take the swelling in his knee seriously. Not every ailment can be discovered by external exam.
While O'Neal was once one of the best big men in the Eastern Conference, injuries have taken their toll. Through 10 games he's averaging just 13.2 ppg on 38.8% shooting from the field, 7.6 rpg and 1.4 bpg.
It wasn't too many seasons ago O'Neal put up 20.8 ppg on 48.4% shooting, 10.3 rpg and 2.3 bpg.
At $19.7 million, O'Neal is one of the highest-paid players in the league. While he may never again put up the numbers he did in 2003 - a healthy O'Neal may find it difficult to get a contract on par with the $44 million due from the Pacers over the next two seasons. Though he can opt out before each season, it's a safer bet that he'll finish out his current contract in Indiana.
And to think Indiana was trying to steal Odom and Bynum from LA for this bum
