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Jermaine O'Neal already has risen to the highest level of NBA stardom.
(Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images)
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INCUMBENT: Jermaine O’Neal (37.2 minutes, 20.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.31 blocked shots, .484 shooting.).
IN THE ROTATION: Austin Croshere (49 games, 12.9 minutes, 5.1 points, 3.2 rebounds .411 shooting, .391 on 3-pointers); Al Harrington (30.1 minutes, 12.2 points, 6.2 rebounds .434 shooting).
FIGHTING FOR TIME: Jonathan Bender (46 games, 17.8 minutes, 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.22 blocks, .441 shooting, .358 on 3-pointers); Jeff Foster (77 games, 10.4 minutes, 2.1 points, 3.6 rebounds .360 shooting).
ADDITIONS: None.
SUBTRACTIONS: None.
BY THE NUMBERS: After going 1-of-24 from the 3-point line in the first six seasons of his career, O'Neal was 7-of-21 last season. ... While O’Neal’s numbers improved every season under former coach Isiah Thomas, his scoring average bumping from 12.9 points in 2000-01 to 19.0 in 2001-02 and to 20.8 last season, Croshere’s went down. After appearing in 81 games in 2000-01 and 76 in 2001-02, Croshere played in just 49 games last season, averaging 12.9 minutes and 5.1 points, down from a career-best 10.3 points per game in 1999-2000 under former coach Larry Bird and assistant then-assistant Rick Carlisle. … Despite coming off major knee surgery, Al Harrington was the only Pacer to appear in all 82 games last season.
SCOUTING REPORT: O’Neal has developed into one of the premier players in the NBA, making his first All-Star appearance last season and being named to the USA Basketball team that will compete in the 2004 Olympics. He was one of just three players (along with Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett) to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds last season. With those numbers and an unbelievable upside at the age of 24 (he turns 25 on Oct. 13), O’Neal is now the franchise player. He was, however, notably upset with the firing of former coach Isiah Thomas, so his frame of mind will be of concern because is not only a star player but a locker room leader. Few players have his variety of post moves - with either hand - and he has slowly but surely been expanding his range. He also is one of the league's top shot-blockers who uses his superior quickness to keep good balance and position, defensively. One concern with O’Neal has been the sheer amount of basketball he has been playing – the grueling NBA schedule coupled with three straight summers of international competition with USA Basketball. Given that, his backups could be more important this season. Fortunately, the Pacers have them.
 Croshere |
Harrington filled in admirably for O’Neal on occasion last season, scoring a career-high 40 points at Atlanta last season. Harrington is versatile enough to play both forward positions at either end of the court. He was fifth on the team in scoring last season and arguably its second-best defender behind Ron Artest. Croshere is big enough to defend at power forward and center, but also has 3-point range and the mid-range jumper that could help free up O’Neal when the two are in the lineup together. He had his best two seasons under former coach Larry Bird, the man who drafted him, and Carlisle, Bird’s former assistant. Bird admits being dumbfounded at Croshere’s lack of playing time lately. That figures to change.
Bender is the wild card at four positions, including power forward. His development has been up and down since he entered the NBA out of high school in 1999, but this year there will be increased expectations for the 7-footer. Bender can be offensively spectacular, but his slender frame may make it difficult to defend on the low post, though he did emerge as a capable shot-blocker last season. Foster, on the other hand, earns his check with defense and rebounding. He will see more time at center, but could be inserted at power forward in the occasional defensive set.
BOTTOM LINE: O’Neal is the go-to guy. No question. But there are talented players behind him, making power forward arguably the deepest position on the team. Harrington had something of a breakout season last year, but did so in O’Neal’s shadow. He actually played his best games with O’Neal out of the lineup. The question is whether Harrington can continue to accept his role as sixth-man. If Croshere’s confidence has remained intact, he could be a valuable component - again.
