I was just reading this ESPN article and it says that an arbitrator reduced O'Neal's suspension to fifteen games, which would mean he is eligible to play on Saturdays rematch with the Pistons. Do they have the power to just do that? I always thought that would be Stern's and the NBA's call, but I might be wrong. I would like to see O'Neal back on the court, maybe not so much that I care the Pacers are doing bad; I need him for fantasy basketball! Any thoughts or ideas on what will go down?
I think there is ap ost on this in the PAcers forum,b ut he would be eligible to play on Christmas(I am pretty sure). But hte NBA is taking this to federal court, so we'll see what happens.
The NBA has remained steadfast that the Arbitrator has no power to make any changes to the suspensions handed out and will be taking the reduction in O'neal suspension to Federal court, where you can be pretty sure that they'll win, given that they never agreed to the arbitrator's in the first place.
The chance of O'Neal playing is pretty slim. The arbitrator doesn't have the power to just reduce a suspension, unless the NBA also agree's with the decision. In this case, they don't. The federal court has been approached to put an end to this decision by the abitrator, and it will most likely come out as a win for the NBA, and no O'Neal for another 10 games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Indiana forward Jermaine O'Neal can play against Detroit on Christmas after a federal judge upheld an arbitrator's decision to reduce the forward's suspension for fighting with fans during the Nov. 19 Pacers-Pistons brawl.</div> <div align="center">Full Story </div>
Heh, is it a coincidence that ONeal will be coming back on Christmas Day versus the Pistons, sounds like someone had something to do with it if you ask me. Anyways it's been said that Coach Rick Carsile is planning on starting Jermaine on Saturday. I bet Jermaine will be playing with a chip on his shoulder. I expect him to be emotional but careful at the same time.
I hope the L lets him play, JO brings so much to the Pacer lineup. It'd make the game more competitive too, and more interesting. The game is gonna be full of boo's, that's obvious.
Nope, I expect the same. Even though I would consider it a bad choice if the Pacer fans boo the Pistons, and Wallace in particular, I don't think that's going to stop them from doing it. As for O'Neal being allowed to play, I think it is horrible. The league made a decision, and nobody should be allowed to overrule it. O'Neal deserves to be suspended for 25 games, if not more, and I think that this is all a ploy to get the Pacers/Pistons Christmas game more publicity. Frankly, I think it's sad.
