Hooped Up

The Miami Heat will be without center Jermaine O’Neal for Sunday’s game in Sacramento against the Kings due to a family issue.

O’Neal, who had left the team a week ago to be with a critically ill uncle in Columbia, S.C., will miss the game to return to his family there.

O’Neal was to leave the team following Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center to return to South Carolina.

Sun-Sentinel

I’ve watched a ton of NBA basketball games in my day, which also means I’ve seen a ton of epic fail intros in my day too. This gem of an intro for the Miami Heat is without a doubt the best player intro video I have ever seen to date.

As far as intros go, it just doesn’t get any smoother than this.

Another van glorious season of NBA basketball is about to begin and Hooped Up does a quick and dirty preview of all 30 clubs.

Everybody wants to pay Dwyane Wade a ton of money to leave the Heat when he becomes a free agent in 2010. The Heat need to save a ton of money to keep him past 2010. Either way, look for Wade to have a spectacular season with a suspect supporting cast,followed by a ridiculous contract offer in the summer from team X. Read More »

I’ve stayed away from posts regarding this much rumoured trade because, the foreplay between the Heat and Raptors in the media regarding this trade was way too much. However, today was deadline deal sexy time!

The Heat and Raptors finally pulled the trigger on a deal that will send Jermaine O’Neal to the Miami Heat along with forward Jamario Moon. In return, Toronto will get veteran forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks.

This deal is still pending league approval.

Via TSN

Andrea Bargnani is definitely on fire these days and that could be bad for Jermaine O’Neal, if he really likes Toronto. But, who doesn’t want to live in a city without Sneaky Dee’s anyway? Anyway, “Il Mago”  has averaged 22.3 points a game, 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 55.7 per cent from the floor and a sizzling 57.8 per cent from three-point land while O’Neal has been injured and the Raptors brass might want to “make room” like the Alkoholics track for development of Bargarni  to continue. According to the Globe and Mail , O’Neal sounds pretty cool about whatever happens, though.

“If I was to get traded, God bless ‘em,” Jermaine O’Neal said after practice yesterday. “I have a really good agent in Arn Tellum and he keeps me aware of what teams are trying to acquire me. … And [Raptors president] Bryan Colangelo? He’s my man. We have a very friendly relationship and I respect his view.” 

If the Raptors can pick up a slash and havoc guard or small forward, they need to do a deal now! Otherwise, patience is the key because there is always room for a quality big man on any NBA roster and Jay Triano will find a way to get what he needs out of the former all-star Jermaine O’Neal when he’s health.

Not only did the Raptors lose to the Thunder last Friday, which should have been a lock for Toronto. But to top things off, sophomore guard Kevin Durant threw down this facial on Jermaine O’Neal as a nice souvenir.  

Somebody get Chis Bosh some help in the T-dizzle!

Jermaine O’Neal left the Raptors’ game against the Celtics in the second quarter Sunday after falling following a missed jump shot. The forward had started despite having strained his surgically repaired left knee against New Jersey on Friday.

O’Neal scored six points Sunday before falling backward on a missed jumper at 7:36 of the second. He left the game one possession later and spent the second half in the locker room getting treatment.

Against the Nets, O’Neal hurt his knee when he was pulled down in the fourth quarter by Sean Williams as he went up for a shot under the basket. O’Neal lay on the court for a minute, then walked gingerly to the bench. He returned after a timeout but missed both free throws, then left the game and went to a local hospital for tests.

There was no structural damage, but O’Neal did not practice Saturday.

Press Release

The Raptors are standing pat with the bunch they have heading into training camp.

“The Raptors will be men of action, not audition, when training camp opens in Ottawa two weeks from today. At this stage, they don’t plan on inviting anyone other than the 13 players currently under guaranteed contract, allowing them to move smoothly into dress rehearsals for their 13th NBA season. One fresh face needn’t worry about making the starting lineup. Jermaine O’Neal will be one of the most scrutinized players in Ottawa after the big trade with Indiana. He and Chris Bosh, the latter still on a high from winning gold with Team USA at the Beijing Olympics, will be the foundation the Raps hope lead them back to the first round of the playoffs — and beyond.”

Toronto Sun

After a lot of back and forth, Larry Bird has started the revamping of the Indiana Pacers and has agreed to a deal in principal to send forward Jermaine O’Neal to Toronto For T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and the 17th pick in tomorrows draft.

This is a risky move for both sides as O’Neal and Ford have been hampered by injuries over the last few years. O’Neal’s injured left knee and Ford’s neck has sidelined each of them for much of the 07 – 08 season.

Hooped Up