The NFL loves the athleticism of a small forward who guarded Kentucky star Tayshaun Prince in an SEC hoops game, who in a game
against Florida dunked over current Miami
Heat starting forward Udonis Haslem and who had a seven - point, seven -
rebound, seven - assist, zero - turnover game
against Tennessee.
A week before his 35th birthday O'Neal erupted in wins
against two of the East's top three teams — producing 23 points, 10
rebounds and three blocks on Feb. 28 at Washington in a 92 — 83 decision and two nights later scorching the conference - leading Pistons with 31 points, 15
rebounds and six assists in an 85 — 82 victory that lifted the
Heat, now in a tie for sixth in the East, to.500 (29 — 29).