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O'Neal returns to practice for Pacers
Jermaine O'Neal practiced with Indiana on Monday for the first time since being suspended for fighting with Detroit fans during the Pacers-Pistons brawl on Nov. 19.
O'Neal did not speak with the media. NBA commissioner David Stern suspended the All-Star for 25 games after the ugly melee with Pistons fans, who threw drinks, popcorn, a chair and other debris at the Pacers.
Ron Artest was suspended for the season and Stephen Jackson got 30 games for going into the stands to fight.
Stern said O'Neal's punishment was less because he never made it into the seats. O'Neal did punch at least one fan who came onto the court.
Coming off their first four-game losing streak in more than a year, the Pacers were relieved to see their leader back on the court, even if he won't be able to play for another 17 games.
"It was good just to see him here," center Jeff Foster said. "Those three guys ¡ª Ron, Stephen and him ¡ª are going through a tough stretch and hopefully their suspensions all get reduced and we'll see him out here sooner rather than later."
The players' union is appealing the suspensions. Arbitrator Roger Kaplan will preside over the grievance hearing Thursday and Friday at a New York law office. O'Neal, Jackson and Artest are all expected to attend. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he expects Jackson to return to practice after the hearings.
Carlisle said O'Neal has called him to offer support and encouragement at halftime of at least five of the first eight games he has missed.
"It's just really refreshing to have a guy back around that cares that much about his teammates and the franchise," Carlisle said. "He called me last night just to see how I was doing, which I thought was one of the nicest things a player's ever done. It just makes me really grateful that we have a guy like that and we're just hopeful to get him back soon."
That all depends on what happens later this week.
The NBA contends the commissioner has sole authority under collective bargaining rules for imposing discipline on players for on-court behavior.
The players' union argues it never agreed to the spirit of any rule that would give the commissioner unchecked power to levy some of the longest fight-related suspensions in league history.
Kaplan must rule on two issues: Whether Stern's penalties can even be appealed to an arbitrator, and the underlying matter of whether the commissioner had just cause for the length of the punishments.
Whatever happens, the Pacers see O'Neal's return as a step in the right direction.
"It was a strange, but awkward feeling," guard Reggie Miller said. "It was nice to see that he's still working on his game trying to stay ready and fresh and sharp, understanding and knowing that whatever the appeals process will be, basketball is still on his mind."
After a spirited run of three wins in four home games following the brawl, the undermanned Pacers ran out of gas on their West Coast trip.
But there is reason for optimism. Miller and Anthony Johnson are back in the lineup after missing the start of the season with broken hands.
Miller scored 23 points in his season debut against Golden State on Saturday. Foster said he expects to return on Tuesday against Milwaukee. "We're starting to get |
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