Indiana Pacers: Jermaine O’Neal
Greatest Player: Reggie Miller
Having played no more than 13.5 minutes per game in any of his four seasons with the Blazers, Jermaine O’Neal didn’t look the part of a future star.
It was only after a trade to the Indiana Pacers where O’Neal was given the chance to perform at a high level, an opportunity O’Neal, the former 17th pick in the famed 1996 Draft, made sure to take advantage of.
O’Neal’s minutes immediately shot up from 12.3 in his last run with the Blazers to 32.6 a game in his first season in Indiana in 2000-01, resulting in then-career-highs of 12.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks a game — the blocks remain a career-best mark.
The following season marked the first of six consecutive All-Star appearances for O’Neal, who also took home Most Improved honors by posting 19.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game.
Across eight total seasons with the Pacers, O’Neal would average 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, even making as high as All-NBA Second Team in 2003-04.
Indiana remained in pursuit of a title, advancing as far as the conference finals before losing to the eventual champion Pistons. They came back the following year with perhaps their best chance, but the Malice at the Palace robbed O’Neal — who was suspended 15 games — and the Pacers of a shot at the record books.