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Indiana Pacers: 25 Best Players To Play For The Pacers

By Phil Watson

Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fans cheer from the stands during the Pacers' game against the Toronto Raptors in the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fans cheer from the stands during the Pacers' game against the Toronto Raptors in the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Jermaine O’Neal #7 of the Indiana Pacers drives against Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 6, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Jermaine O’Neal #7 of the Indiana Pacers drives against Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 6, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /

player. 100. <strong>How Acquired: </strong>Trade, Portland Trail Blazers, Aug. 31, 2000.. PF-C. 2000-08. Jermaine O'Neal. 3

The Portland Trail Blazers drafted Jermaine O’Neal out of high school and spent four years teaching him the NBA. The Indiana Pacers then reaped the rewards.

The Pacers acquired O’Neal along with Joe Kleine in an August 2000 trade, sending Dale Davis to the Trail Blazers in return.

IND_03_ONEAL
IND_03_ONEAL /

O’Neal was just about to explode onto the scene. He was the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2001-02, also earning All-NBA honors that season as well as the next two. He was a six-time All-Star for Indiana and was third in the MVP voting in 2003-04.

He was second in the NBA in blocks in 2000-01, finishing third in 2006-07. He also had a fourth-place finish in rebounding in 2002-03.

Injuries began to take a toll on O’Neal, however. He missed 31 games with a torn groin muscle in 2005-06, was limited to 69 games in 2006-07 because of a bad ankle and played in just 42 games in 2007-08 because of an injured knee.

The Pacers traded O’Neal and the rights to second-round pick Nathan Jawai to the Toronto Raptors in July 2008 in exchange for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston and the rights to Roy Hibbert, the 17th overall pick.

In eight seasons in Indiana, O’Neal averaged 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 2.0 assists in 35.0 minutes per game, shooting .458/.163/.719.

He was the 17th overall pick by the Trail Blazers out of Eau Claire High School in Columbia, S.C., in the 1996 NBA Draft and played sparingly during his four seasons there.

In February 2009, he was traded to the Miami Heat and finished that season fifth in the NBA in blocks.

He signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics in July 2010.

Waived by Boston in April 2012, he eventually signed in August of the same year with the Phoenix Suns.

O’Neal moved on to the Golden State Warriors as a free agent in July 2013.

He sat out the 2014-15 season unsigned and as of February 2016 has not submitted an official retirement.

O’Neal is 22nd in NBA history with 1,820 blocked shots and 29th with an average of 1.8 blocks per game.

Next: All The Way Back ... And Then Some

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