Jermaine O’Neal was already 35 years old when he joined the Golden State Warriors in his final season in the NBA. At the time, the Dubs were on their way to the top. They had the talent and youth with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson leading the charge. O’Neal, meanwhile, somewhat played the role of a mentor.
As the oldest player on the team, O’Neal brought in his 17 years of experience and knowledge to the locker room. Apart from imparting the tricks of the trade to his younger teammates, J.O. also provided them with some nuggets of wisdom.
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One of the biggest things O’Neal often emphasized was the importance of seizing the moment. He made them realize that in the NBA, time is of the essence, and they can’t afford to lose everything in a snap.
“Basketball has always been important. I’ve taken every game very seriously,” O’Neal said in 2013 via Grantland. “I’ve trained my body very seriously in the summertime. Winning was the sole thing. But if you don’t have a This is it, this is my time mentality, then that’s what can get lost.”
“And that’s what I tell my team,” he pointed out. “It’s not guaranteed that you’re going to be healthy next year. It’s not guaranteed your coach is going to be there next year. [Maybe] they’re bringing in another coach, and his style doesn’t fit your style or your teammates’ style. Trades, whatever it may be, the game and the business has changed a lot, so if you have an opportunity to do something special, you need to take the bull by its horns and ride it until it can’t go no more.”
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J.O.’s biggest regret
O’Neal came into the NBA as a teenager. He had to make his bones and learn how to play the game. Off the court, he had to be responsible.
Admittedly, O’Neal didn’t realize it right away. He got caught up in the glitz and glamor of being in the NBA. After reflecting on his journey, J.O. understood what priorities truly mean.
During his playing years, O’Neal had his fair share of injuries. However, being hindered by injuries wasn’t his biggest regret. For Jermaine, it’s the time he wasted on the extracurricular stuff that came with being an NBA star.
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“My sole regret was thinking that I had tomorrow to do what I should have done today,” O’Neal reflected. “When you’re young, sometimes you get sidetracked with all the Nike commercials, all the ads, the max dollars … Sometimes your mind gets diluted on what’s important.”
O’Neal didn’t win, but he learned
Like most aging veterans in the NBA, O’Neal was also hoping to win a championship before calling it quits. Unfortunately, the Warriors got eliminated in the first round during his first and lone stint with the team.
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After the season, O’Neal decided to retire and focus on his personal life. At that point, he was already far from the immature youngster he once was. Even though he didn’t win an NBA title with the Warriors, J.O. left his mark on the team with his mentorship.
The following season, the Dubs finally took off and evolved into a championship-caliber team. They finished the season as the best team in the league and capped it off with a well-deserved NBA Finals victory.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.