I just saw this after our all night tweet debate. I think “thinking more about himself” is pretty much always the case with free agents, isn’t it? They typically only care about three things: how much PT they’ll get, if they’ll have a shot at getting a ring where they’re playing, and how much money they are going to make, right? In Dyess’ case he wants to win a championship, so he’s going to go where he has the best opportunity to win that, no matter how much he makes or how much PT he receives. The wording makes it seem as if I’m putting him down for that, but, I assure you, I’m not. In fact, I meant it as him finally putting his best interests ahead Detroit’s, which to me says a lot more than other free agents can say for themselves.

When Dyess turned down the Cavs offer last year, he was remaining loyal to the Pistons and trying to finish what he started when he first came to the Pistons after their 2004 championship: win another title. He has exhibited more heart and passion than any other Pistons player since he came here, including key production from a lesser role than he was used to earlier in his career. I also agree that without him this past season, or any of the past seasons for that matter, the Pistons don’t get to where they did. For all that, I am definitely grateful for his time with the Pistons.

I have no qualms with him wanting to leave during what appears to be a “rebuilding” phase with the Pistons, but I won’t be happy about it and say, “I hope he wins a championship next season.” As far as I’m concerned, no matter what this roster looks like, I’m going to be optimistic and hope the Pistons win a championship every year, so wishing someone on another team gets a ring is a conflict of interests.

As you said earlier tonight, if Dyess is in the playoffs and the Pistons are not, then I’ll happily hop on the ‘Dyess wagon and hope he wins a ’ship. Until then, he’ll be just another player on another team potentially getting in the way of what I want the Pistons to accomplish.