http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/2/0...6-2692-039.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The way Jermaine O'Neal's back feels at the moment, he questions whether he'll play in any of the Indiana Pacers' remaining preseason games. He's not sure about next summer's Olympic Games, either. O'Neal, who sat out Wednesday's exhibition loss to Denver, will sit out tonight's game against Minnesota at Conseco Fieldhouse and Saturday's game against Boston in Manchester, N.H. He is listed with a sore lower back. Although X-rays have not revealed any structural problems, he said swollen tissue at the base of his spine has caused significant discomfort, even while he sleeps. "Hopefully my body's able to endure the NBA season," O'Neal said Thursday. "But if my body breaks down too much I have to look at not playing in the Olympics. "It's so up in the air. I told (coach Rick Carlisle) the other day, I don't know how I'm going to do it." O'Neal will be examined by Boston physical therapist Dan Dyrek on Saturday, when the Pacers travel to New England to play the Celtics. Dyrek, regarded as one of the world's foremost orthopedic specialists, prolonged Larry Bird's playing career after he developed serious back problems and did the same for former Pacers center Rik Smits, whose career was threatened by foot problems. Although O'Neal's condition is not considered career-threatening, the Pacers will be cautious, particularly in the preseason. "Anytime you're talking about a back injury with a basketball player you're talking about a potentially dangerous situation," Carlisle said. "We're going to err on the side of caution." O'Neal observed the Pacers' practice on Thursday and shot afterward. He said his back felt better than the previous day, but remains a major concern. "It makes me nervous at 25 to even be talking about my back," he said. "I don't want to have any back issues that are going to cause me to walk away from the game early." </div> I hope his back gets better.. it'd be a shame to see the Pacers have a mediocre season because of JO's back.
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/4/0...4-9344-039.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> The pain in Jermaine O'Neal's lower back because of swollen tissue at the base of his spine won't dissipate soon. But the outlook isn't nearly as bleak as the Indiana Pacers' All-Star power forward feared last week, when he talked of possibly having to skip the Olympic Games next summer if the problem didn't clear up. O'Neal was examined Saturday by Boston physical therapist Dan Dyrek, widely regarded as one of the world's foremost orthopedic specialists. O'Neal worked out before the Pacers and Celtics played a preseason game at the Verizon Wireless Arena, running through a myriad of shooting drills with assistant coaches and teammates. But, as expected, he didn't play for the second consecutive game. "My understanding is that he's got some problems but nothing that can't be worked through with therapy and the right kind of approach," coach Rick Carlisle said. "I don't know an exact timetable. I would characterize the news I got as very encouraging." Dyrek is credited with prolonging Larry Bird's playing career after he developed serious back problems, and doing the same for former Pacers center Rik Smits when his career was threatened by foot problems. </div>
