Heat's Jermaine O'Neal Expects to 'Dominate'

[Poe]

Jermaine O'Neal Expects to 'Dominate'

It's not just the young guys like Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers who are expected to show considerably improvement this season with the Miami Heat.

 

The old guy thinks he'll improve more than anyone else on the roster, making him the determining factor in a better-than-expected season in South Florida.

 

Center Jermaine O'Neal, going into his 14th NBA season, understands the skepticism, but he also believes there is another All-Star season awaiting him.

 

"A lot of people wonder. A lot of people don't think I can get back to that level,'' he told FanHouse during a recent interview. "But I will dominate my position again. I won't do it the same way I used to. But I'll do it.''

 

O'Neal was a five-time All-Star when he played for the Indiana Pacers earlier in this decade, but a variety of knee issues over the last three years slowed him considerably and robbed him of his versatility. The Pacers traded him to Toronto last summer and the Raptors traded him during the season to Miami.

 

Now that his knees no longer hurt -- he believes a rigorous off-season program solved his problem -- he is brimming with confidence once again.

 

"I averaged 14 (points) and seven (rebounds) on one leg the last couple years,'' he said. "A lot of centers can't do that on two legs. Now that I'm healthy again, I'm prepared to have a great year.''

 

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I said it before and I'll say it again: 18 and 8 this year, baby.

[OldChili]

Good luck to him, would love to see him close to the level he was at before.

[Amare320]

I hope that he can be something like he used to be, i doubt it.. but i hope and if he does, good for him! If he can really be a solid power forward for the heat they'll love that and believe me it would translate into the win column.