Jermaine O'Neal is only 33 years old and even though he has a lot of miles on his legs and body, it is still possible that he could emerge, with a healthy comeback year. Let's face it, its a contract year, he barely played last year, and he had one of the longest off seasons ever to recuperate, train and rejuvenate himself. He also has almost no competition for the starting center position.

All this could very well mean something that I think almost no Celtics fans will be expecting this year, a huge comeback year for Jermaine O'Neal. No, I'm not talking about a return to 20 PPG, 10 RPG and 2.5 blocks per game. But if O'Neal could return to being a 14 PPG, 7 RPG, 1.8 BPG center in about 30 MPG, like he was over the three seasons before coming to the Celtics last year, that would IMHO, be huge.

It would be huge for him in re-establishing his market value and earning one last contract before retiring. It would be huge for the Celtics as a team as they desperately need an under the basket presence on both ends of the court at the center position. It would be huge for the Big Three as they strive one last time for a championship before their window is closed by their age and by Danny Ainge's need to begin the rebuilding process next year.

I don't think asking O'Neal for 30 MPG, a season of health, and similar production on a per game and per minute basis as he had in the three years prior to becoming a Celtic is out of the question. Yeah, people like to bag on O'Neal because of his injuries and the amount of time he takes off while having collected over $150 million in his career. But I think he could be primed for one of those Comeback Player of the Year type years and it could come at a better time.

What weight did he report to camp at?  That is the key to staying healthy.  That is why Shaq retired. Weight = injuries.