The latest on JO

I presume a few of you are on pins and needles wondering how Jermaine's knee is and what the prognosis is.

Well, because we think of you first here in this little corner of the world, I can dutifully report it doesn't look like anything hugely serious.

Just left practice -- O'Neal sat out -- but he was walking okay and headed down to the locker room for another session of treatment on that left knee he hurt in the fourth quarter of Friday's game. He is scheduled to have another session with the trainers on Saturday night and another on Sunday morning.

A radiologist looked at the X-rays and MRI on Friday night, the team's doctors are having a glance at the films today and a decision on his status for Sunday against Boston won't be made until much later Saturday or Sunday morning.

But from the mood of everyone I talked to during practice, there's no concerns that this is any kind of long-term, debilitating injury. Does he play Sunday? Can't say for sure, but I'd guess they give him the day, and then two practice days, off and bring him back Wednesday.

And if O'Neal doesn't go, you can bet Jamario Moon's back in the starting lineup at small forward and Andrea Bargnani goes to center alongside Chris Bosh.

And I'm also told the league automatically reviews the Flagrant Penalty 1 foul on Sean Williams that caused O'Neal's injury to see if should be upgraded to a Penalty 2, which carries a stiffer fine and the possibility of a suspension.

There you go, all up to date now.

Comments

[Jason]

Thanks Doug! Drinks are on me if I ever bump into you at a game :D :D :D

[chris]

thanks for the update!!!!!

curious -- why doesn't he try joey at SF for a change? Moon hasn't exactly been starter-caliber this season, and Joey has played well with the starters (and shite with the bench guys).

Blogger's note: I wrote more than a week ago they should give Joey a shot. Surprisingly, no one took my advice.

[eni]

thanks for the update Doug, you da man!

Blogger's note: No, I just work too hard. And too much. But thanks

[Blog Reader]

Thank you Master Blog Guru.

[GM]

I'm surprised there's news, given patient privacy and all that. : )

Blogger's note: Well played.

[Caleb]

Thanks for the quick update Doug! I've been checking all the major sports websites, and you beat everyone to the update, and we are greatful for it!

I too think Joey deserves a shot. I don't see what Moon has done on a consistent basis to warrant the automatic nod, and Kapono seems to have regressed back into the invisible man he was most of last year (excluding playoffs). Good or Bad Joey, at least his pressence is noticable!

[nate]

thanks for the update... man, that was a dirty foul pulling him down by his jersey like that. williams ought to be looking at a suspension. JON's been putting together some good games lately, i'm pulling for him to make it through this okay.

[Me]

Speaking of small forward, why hasn't Hassan Adams gotten more of a shot? I understand his offensive game is limited, but can't he bring some defense and intensity? Knowing Hassan from his NJ days, he would probably take the ball to the basket opposed to the scardy cat Jamario Moon.

[David]

thanks doug,

much appreciated!

[Jef Moore]

You are my boy Douglas! Thanks for the great news delivered ever so promptly!

[Cudz]

Joey is brutal and has done nothing to impress. Moon is having a horrible season but would be alright if he stopped taking so many friggin jump shots. He needs to play within his game, meaning run the floor, play D, rebound and get to the rim. It's kinda like kapono trying to throwing up all these floaters in the key. He's gotta stick with what he's good at, three pointers and set shots.

PS. Give Roko a chance Sam! So far Will is a train wreck.

[Matt]

Hey Doug, thanks for the update. How was the mood at practice today? I am guessing Grumpy Sam ran the show...

Blogger's note: Much less grumpy than you'd think. Nobody was really cranky

[dc]

you may hear rants and criticism from fans and bloggers who think they know better, but it is Doug Smith alone who got the goods on JO's condition. Your audience is clearly grateful. nice job.

[Doug]

Oh man 30 more minutes of watching Moon doing nothing...can Sam try something different??...o wait this is the man that won't foul with a 3-point lead with 4 seconds left..never mind my bad....

[in5ane]

Mitchell was a great coach in the past few years, nurturing the young fellas and helping a good player in Bosh become one of the greatest. HOWEVER; his X's and O's have always been lacking as I've yet to be impressed with an inbounds play or any play coming out of a timeout for that matter. The 4th qtr turnover by Bargnani was just the latest example of Smitch's deficiencies. If this team is serious about going further into the playoffs then perhaps the Raptor braintrust seriously consider a tactician-type over our current motivator-type coach we have in Sam Mitchell.

And yes I realize this isn't a comment for your update on JO (which is very much appreciated) but rather a rant that you've probably heard many times before, especially as of late. Such a theraputic device these series of tubes can be, eh Doug? :)

[Zach]

Here's THE latest...

Raptors forward Jermaine O'Neal has been listed as day-to-day after sprained his surgically-repaired left knee against the Nets on Friday night.

Tests of the knee revealed no structural damage.

He was set to receive treatment twice Saturday and could play Sunday when Toronto hosts Boston.

"We've already made contingency plans if he can't go," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said.

O'Neal is averaging 12.9 points and 9.3 rebounds this season, but missed 40 games in 2007-08 while with Indiana because of lingering pain from a torn ligament in his left knee.

"First and foremost, you're worried," Chris Bosh said. "It was awkward. We're fortunate it wasn't as bad as it looked."

[Anne MacKay]

OK Doug.
You can't fool me. As a professional you have to be deemed impartial.
However, only an avid Raptors fan would work as hard as you (when you probably don't make enough bucks to do it)
You really want to know don't you? Of the status of O'Neal, Calderone when he was injured and your enthusiasm when the Raps play a fantastic game and the way you give kudos to Bosh (well deserved I might say) You don't have to 'fess up. I just know!
Also I am enjoying the blog more now that you have become less impartial to critizing Smitch. I like Sam but he is human like the rest of us and makes mistakes, some of them major. He will learn from them as he has improved year to year as a coach.
I love your blog. I am an old lady but now that I am retired I look forward to my morning coffee so much more than I used to when it was a rush to get ready for work. In my line of business there was no way I would have had time to check out your blog! Young people today amaze me! The balls of them!
Keep up the good work!

[UK]

Hey Doug. Awesome blog. Have you seen the story about Delfino not playing because he is not getting paid? Financial crisis hitting Russia. I know you are not a speculation fan, but don't you think an inconsistent Delfino provides higher highs and not as low lows than either Moon/Graham? Certainly won't take us to the promised land but more than serviceable on this squad.

PS - Jeff Van Gundy for Coach! Thoughts?

Blogger's note: I absolutely think Delfino helps this team and have since the season began.
Van Gundy? You mean the guy who quit on the Knicks in the middle of the season and couldn't get a first-round win -- ever -- out of Houston? The guy who's got, I believe, a long-term broadcasting contract? That Van Gundy? A guy who'd need a three- or four-year deal to leave TV to come back, leaving all other options next summer closed? That Van Gundy? Hadn't thought of him.

[Jake the BBall Fan]

The Raps are no longer an expansion team and not short of talent. It just needs better coaching, being a lot prepared against the teams they are playing, better substitution during games, better leadership. Sam has to go. He's the weakest link.