WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) — Jermaine O’Neal knows he’s nearing the end of his career and he saw Boston as his best chance to win a championship before he retires.
So he left the Heat even as they were ramping up efforts to win a title in Miami.
The Heat added LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Dwyane Wade this summer. O’Neal said he wants to win now, and not have to worry about the chemistry of a recently assembled team.
O’Neal, who’s 31, admitted he was a dud in the first-round playoff series against Boston. He said he had been kicked in the left ankle at the end of the regular season and played injured.
Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said O’Neal checked out fine physically.
