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So don't be surprised if the Celtics put the six-time all-star on the shelf for a couple of weeks.
Saturday's game against the Grizzlies will be the second straight game he will have missed due to a sore left knee that became so painful, he was unable to return to action in the second half of Boston's loss at Dallas.
"I am very competitive. I want to help this team. I came here for a reason," O'Neal said. "When you can't do it, it's frustrating. But again, it's a long season. I'm learning that more and more through the conversations with the guys; the guys have been super supportive about my situation."
Last week, O'Neal told CSNNE.com that he had recently underwent a "minor procedure" on the knee. He later revealed that he recently had an MRI test performed, but it's unclear if the MRI was the procedure he was speaking of with CSNNE.com.
When asked about the MRI results, O'Neal said the results showed "that I've played 15 years in this league and it's been rough."
The biggest problem O'Neal is having now is the swelling that doesn't seem to subside enough to where he's comfortable on the floor.
I'm not sure why there's so much confusion surrounding this injury. Jermaine recently sought the second opinion of doctors in Miami. I guess a mysterious minor injury is better than a conclusive serious injury.
The remaining November schedule is fairly light: @Memphis, Washington, OKC, @Toronto, @Atlanta, New Jersey, Toronto, @Cleveland
As long as Shaq and Semih can contribute 35 minutes per game at the center position, the Celtics can bench Jermaine and not miss a beat.
One other roster note: Delonte West is eligible to play following tonight's game.
On Page 2, Doc Rivers says TA should have stayed.
“No,” Rivers said. “I don’t think so. I think he should have stayed.
“Our relationship was phenomenal, and he loved our players. Just sometimes you get into these contract negotiations and they become personal, and, you know, it happens.
“But I literally had him circled as being back. I assumed he would be back. But there’s nothing you can do about it now.”
There was nothing one of Allen’s now-former teammates could do about it then, either. Rajon Rondo [stats] wanted to talk Allen out of leaving – and he’s usually pretty good at applying pressure. But he never could get close enough to make a play.
“He didn’t answer,” Rondo said. “He declined all my calls. I tried to call him.
Herald – Rivers surprised TA left
As we pointed out earlier this week, TA isn't seeing much action in Memphis. I hope he gets some minutes tonight. It will be fun watching him guard Ray and/or Paul.
The rest of the links:
Globe – Little trouble for Big 3 | Grizzlies thumbnails | Herald – Attitude big part in success | ESPN Boston – Jermaine returns to Boston | Forsberg mail bag | CSNNE – Miami's Big 3 are missing something big | Foes to friends (Jermaine and Perk) |
Saturday's game against the Grizzlies will be the second straight game he will have missed due to a sore left knee that became so painful, he was unable to return to action in the second half of Boston's loss at Dallas.
"I am very competitive. I want to help this team. I came here for a reason," O'Neal said. "When you can't do it, it's frustrating. But again, it's a long season. I'm learning that more and more through the conversations with the guys; the guys have been super supportive about my situation."
Last week, O'Neal told CSNNE.com that he had recently underwent a "minor procedure" on the knee. He later revealed that he recently had an MRI test performed, but it's unclear if the MRI was the procedure he was speaking of with CSNNE.com.
When asked about the MRI results, O'Neal said the results showed "that I've played 15 years in this league and it's been rough."
The biggest problem O'Neal is having now is the swelling that doesn't seem to subside enough to where he's comfortable on the floor.
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