Jermaine O’Neal, he of the giant wing-span and the exquisite timing when it comes to swatting those “Get that s_ _ _ outta here” type blocks away, has brought one more intangible to Boston’s starting five – confidence.
Since emerging as the starting center for the playoffs, JO seems to have given the Celtics a much needed shot of confidence and swagger. After being all but written off by most, JO has been a huge, albeit under-appreciated and over looked contributor.
Something almost impossible to quantify statistically, confidence, JO seems to bring that out in the starting unit since his return. Not surprising, JO clogs up the lane and is a looming presence near the basket to those looking for easy hoops.
Nice to have a veteran presence in there, a former All-Star, a defensive specialist, who also seems to have gotten his shooting touch back. Foul him, and he’s good from the line.
Our center position is looking better and better, and with a week of practice I hope that Nenad Kristic has regained some of his confidence and better understands the offensive and defensive rotations and will perform effectively when he is in there. We need that from the entire bench.
And if & when Shaq gets back, the C’s will once again be deep in big men. A good thing going up against the Heat.
But it’s Jermaine O’Neal that has cemented the Center position and brought added confidence to the Boston starting five.
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