Jermaine O'Neal looked really good tonight

[CelticG1]

Based on the eye test I thought JO looked real good tonight. We were playing a top tier team, he was playing against a (kinda) top tier center, the game was playoff atmosphere and I thought he was impressive.

I didn't know how many minutes he had played or what his stats were until after the game but he just looked comfortable out there, almost more so than at times at the beginning of the season.

If he can continue to improve a little bit, basically just give us more minutes I will be more than thrilled with what he brings to this team.

[zerophase]

He looked quite good for having missed 50+ games. They said during the game that he worked out in Chicago under some fitness guru and lost 12 pounds. Maybe Shaq will come back just as in shape and sharp looking. Then, WATCH OUT.

[Megatron]

It was fun having a center that was in the paint alot tonight on the defensive end, even if someone scored a layup, he was there trying to block the shot or be physical.

Krstic is usually around the freethrow line or has completely lost his man when they glide in for dunks/layups.

JO just has that natural defensive instinct, he can only get better with time.

[Onslaught]

I can't tell you how much I want him to play well. And not get hurt again.

I won't hold my breath however.

[Tai]

I can't tell you how much I want him to play well. And not get hurt again.

I won't hold my breath however.

I want him to play well too. Very encouraging to see him out there and doing well, considering how long he's been out.

[greenpride32]

Oh please; I've been one of JO's biggest supports all year.  Where are all the haters now???

[Yvette]

Hope that his knee would hold... No swelling after this game...

[bruinsandceltics]

Like I said in the game thread, JO just changes the defensive atmosphere out there (you know kind of like Perk did). I am extremely glad he is back and hope that he can make it throughout the playoffs. It would be nice if the basketball gods would lay off us with the injuries from now on.

[SHAQATTACK]

Like I said in the game thread, JO just changes the defensive atmosphere out there (you know kind of like Perk did). I am extremely glad he is back and hope that he can make it throughout the playoffs. It would be nice if the basketball gods would lay off us with the injuries from now on.

I agree .  Rhondo seemed at his BEST when JO was in the game.  He was taking those short jumpers as the D packed it in on JO.

Just JO's big body was a big factor, yes, very simular to Perk .  A tree to shoot around or over.

Personally , I thought Jo ran the floor better than KG , his strides were full and he had some lift.  He just needs to get his conditioning back , timing , and confidence.

Jo , seemed to get better as the minutes went by, I think he started to forget about his injury a bit and just GO FOR IT.

In 2-3 weeks he'll be even better as he works withthe guys and practices. And regains his confidence.  His legs looked better than I've seen in almost two years running the court. Be looked winded ,but not in pain. He looked happy , something you can't be playing in pain.

We need a miracle , to get Shaq , Krstic, and TRoy back to give us a solid 10-20 minutes betwen them and hope BBD &KG can do the rest.

[LooseCannon]

Can Jermaine O'Neal be described a looking really good when, with his headband, he always seems to remind me of Balok?

[Who]

Yeah, it was great to see Jermaine back on the court. To have another above average defensive big man + a shot blocker at the rim.

The C's can actually rest Garnett now without the entire defense falling apart due to BBD's + Krstic's inadequacies.

[StartOrien]

I thought he looked great, and was amazed how furiously he was moving his feet on defense. Seemed super confident out there. Really, really happy with what he was able tod o.

One really minor complaint I had was that I thought he jumped/showed a little too much on picks, and he doesn't quite have the foot speed to be stepping out that far. But that's such a minor quibble.

[Rondo2287]

The whole time JO was in I was watching him closely as I am sure many of you did.

I remember a couple of times Tony or Manu were driving the lane, and Jermaine slid, and they were either forced to pull up or dish it for a long 3.  It was so refreshing seeing somebody making a defensive slide, commiting to it and stopping easy layups.

Those kind of things don't show up in the stat sheet but jumped off the screen for me.  Did anybody else notice that? or am I making to big a deal out of nothing?

[Drucci]

The whole time JO was in I was watching him closely as I am sure many of you did.

I remember a couple of times Tony or Manu were driving the lane, and Jermaine slid, and they were either forced to pull up or dish it for a long 3.  It was so refreshing seeing somebody making a defensive slide, commiting to it and stopping easy layups.

Those kind of things don't show up in the stat sheet but jumped off the screen for me.  Did anybody else notice that? or am I making to big a deal out of nothing?

I noticed that too and that's why I think JO's contribution went way beyond his stat line (which was good too). Parker got a free way to the lane in the first half when JO played like 2 minutes but in the 2nd half, once he got in the paint, he didn't take his usual shots and tried to dish out, helping us close out on their shooters.

That's why JO can be huge for us and I hope he stays healthy. Plus, he looked very good physically last night in terms or running, sliding and jumping.

[winsomme]

The whole time JO was in I was watching him closely as I am sure many of you did.

I remember a couple of times Tony or Manu were driving the lane, and Jermaine slid, and they were either forced to pull up or dish it for a long 3.  It was so refreshing seeing somebody making a defensive slide, commiting to it and stopping easy layups.

Those kind of things don't show up in the stat sheet but jumped off the screen for me.  Did anybody else notice that? or am I making to big a deal out of nothing?

I noticed that too and that's why I think JO's contribution went way beyond his stat line (which was good too). Parker got a free way to the lane in the first half when JO played like 2 minutes but in the 2nd half, once he got in the paint, he didn't take his usual shots and tried to dish out, helping us close out on their shooters.

That's why JO can be huge for us and I hope he stays healthy. Plus, he looked very good physically last night in terms or running, sliding and jumping.

this is how we were built to function. Changing the role of the center never made sense and tonight showed why...

hopefully Shaq will be back over the weekend and we can beat Miami and Chicago next week to show everybody the big dog is back.