We all know the grueling schedule. NBA teams will play 66 games over a four-month stretch this season, which averages out to roughly one game every other night. Instead of complaints over a few rough back-to-backs on the road, coaches are having to game plan and rest their lineups in preparation of back-to-back-to-back contests.

Such a compressed schedule is one thing for twenty-somethings with endless energy and low mileage, but it’s a different story for veterans, especially ones that have had issues staying healthy in the past.

Jermaine O’Neal is entering his second season with the Celtics. He appeared in just 24 games last season because of various injuries and has played in 70 or fewer contests in 11 of his 15 full seasons.

His four healthiest years were bunched together, from 2000 to 2004, when he emerged as an MVP-caliber player with the Pacers. Aside from those seasons, avoiding the trainer’s table has been an issue.

“The way the season is built, you have got to stay positive,” O’Neal said. “You’ll get your opportunity to come back the next night or in another two nights.”

A little more than a week into the 11-12 season, O’Neal has already experienced the full spectrum of production. He struggled in Boston’s first three games -- committing a total of 13 fouls -- and then enjoyed his best game as a Celtic on Dec. 30 against the Pistons.

O’Neal had 19 points and seven rebounds on 7-for-9 shooting against Detroit, playing 29 minutes and blocking two shots. He provided Doc Rivers with exactly what he wanted from his veteran center.

Prior to the game, Rivers said of his hopes for O’Neal: “Rebounds, blocked shots and staying out of foul trouble.”

“I feel good. My body feels strong. I can get from Point A to Point B without dragging my leg. Half of the time I didn’t know how hurt I was last season because I was so medicated … my plan is to play all 66 games,” O’Neal said this past Friday.

“If I said I wanted to play 50 games, I’d be cheating myself and the city. I can’t control injuries, but I’ve put myself in position to play well and be strong physically.”

However, the positive aftermath of that effort against the Pistons was short-lived with a hamstring injury keeping him out of Monday’s win over the Wizards. He returned on Wednesday night against the Nets, but his hopes of playing a full schedule are already lost.

To his credit, O’Neal badly wanted to face the Wizards, but Boston’s training staff advised him to sit out the second night of a back-to-back. The Celtics played six games in nine days to begin the season.

At 33-years-old, with close to 900 regular season games under his belt, O’Neal has become more aware of preserving his body, taking it easy when he isn’t on the court and planning ahead by bringing important equipment with him on the road.

“For us, it’s the travel time that has been tough. We’ve been arriving in cities very late and arriving home very late. That’s probably been the biggest challenge for us, but all and all we aren’t going to cry about the schedule, everybody has this type of schedule,” he said.

“We’ve just got to take care of our bodies, we’ve got to ice. I have a little therapy station set up in my room, taking all my ice machines and things on the road. When you are sitting around watching television, put the ice machines on and ice yourself. I’ve got these boots to massage my legs; I put those on while I watch television. It’s about taking care of your body and changing some of your habits as far as just walking around with the kids at the mall. The kids have to be a little more lenient on their Dad this year when it comes to running around, but it’s just about doing what you have to do.”

O’Neal detailed his regimen while standing an imposing 6’11” at his locker with the same baby face he had when he entered the league as the NBA’s youngest player in 1996. He has more tattoos now and he’s transitioned from an elite player to a veteran with a specific role.

“I don’t want to be judged by how much I score because that isn’t my role on this team,” he said. “I’m going to play in the paint, block shots, take charges and hopefully score when I get my opportunity to do so.”

His maturity will only help him as he guides his body through this unique season, but even he admits that more than half of the battle in mental.

“Early in the season, you have to take it day-to-day,” O’Neal said. “You can’t look at the schedule because when you do you go ‘Wow.’ I just want to see who we have next, that’s how I approach it."