Indiana Pacers: 30 greatest players in franchise history

30 of 31

(Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Jermaine O’Neal

In true Indiana Pacers form, Jermaine O’Neal somehow feels like he’s still one of the most underrated guys when people talk about the best players of the 2000s. For 6 consecutive seasons from 2001-2002 until 2006-2007, JO was an all-star in the Eastern Conference. He made All-NBA teams 3 times in that span as well.

The Pacers hold the record for largest number of Most Improved Players, and Jermaine O’Neal was one of them, earning that honor in the 2001-2002 season (Jalen Rose did it before JO, followed by Danny Granger, Paul George, and Victor Oladipo).

Even though Myles Turner could currently be gunning for this title, Jermaine O’Neal is still clearly the best shot blocker in team history, averaging over 2 per game in all 8 of his seasons with the team. O’Neal also averaged 19 or more points per game in his 6 all-star seasons. Truly, he was a killer on both ends.

Home/Pacers All-Time Lists