Antonio McDyess retires: and the NBA mourns his loss
by Mike Payne on Dec 20, 2011 1:24 AM EST
in Detroit Pistons News
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In a news story more bitter than sweet, ex-Piston Antonio McDyess has decided to retire from NBA basketball. McDyess's comments about retirement are difficult to swallow for Pistons fans who were front-and-center for this once-lost player's rebirth:
"This was not at all how I wanted it to end, but signing here was one of the best things I did in my career," he said then. "I wouldn’t trade these two years for the world, one of the greatest times of my whole career. I just wish we would have gone farther."
Early in the 2001-02 NBA season, this athletically-dominant power forward fell to a knee injury that most considered career-ending upon impact. It wasn't until after Detroit's 2004 NBA championship that McDyess became a force once again, showcasing a calculated, cerebral playing style that was hidden behind the highlight dunks that were his signature.
This was a truly remarkable transformation in the NBA. A player who lived and died by above-the-rim leaps and dominance-by-muscle entirely lost his edge, then gained a new one by careful, patient effort. All of a sudden, McDyess developed a 20' shot that was nearly indefensible, and a knack for boxing-out on rebounds that kept him competitive on the glass far after his leap had left him.
Who doesn't love this kind of story? A beast of an athletic player brings dominance to the basketball court, then loses everything. Instead of giving up, he fights back by develping a new kind of talent and a new place in one of the league's most dominant frontcourts.
What's sad is that this man never won an NBA championship. This player of unparalleled heart never received a ring, while so many other coattail riders and twilight ring chasers wind up champions. If he'd earned a ring or two with the Pistons or another NBA team, his name might have appeared on Hall of Fame ballots in the years to come.
That suggestion isn't out of line. While McDyess's numbers may not have earned a hall of fame berth, we're talking about a once-in-a-generation character that is deserving of HOF attention. Antonio McDyess was one of the most high character players in the NBA during his career. Before his injury and after, he was all smiles, all respect, all love for his community and all grace for his luck to be a part of it. This wasn't just the guy you'd trust to watch your kid, to hold onto your money in a pinch, this was the guy you could trust with the face of your franchise. But he'd never ask for it. Antonio McDyess was nothing if not humble.
The NBA lost one of its greats today, and few will honor his passing. This guy was the consummate teammate, the consummate power forward, the consummate unsung hero and the consummate symbol that every NBA player should strive to one day represent.
Goodbye, Antonio. You were more a Piston than any other, and I hope the next generation of NBA players learns plenty from your example. [hat tip: piston powered]
UPDATE -- upon reading a few other reports, it looks like retirement isn't certain for McDyess. If it's still up-in-the-air, here's to hoping Antonio's NBA story isn't over yet...
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The HOF
Should come up with a category for players like Dice…selfless hard working like him should not be forgotten. i love that dude
One of my favorite players of all time. As sad I was to not win another ring for Duncan, last year was most disappointing because we couldn’t get Dyess his first. Heartbreaking. If you’ve never watched one of his interviews, he’s probably the most charming man on the planet. I could listen to him talk all day, and his smile comes through in his voice. Absolutely can’t help but pull for the guy.
Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.
Consummate pro
He meant a lot to me as a Pistons fan.
by TDP on Dec 20, 2011 3:27 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Fan worthy
The only Piston that I followed after he moved to another team
Got ilk?
by alaskanpistonsfan on Dec 20, 2011 4:01 AM EST reply actions
I'd take his Heart
over the skill of most anyday. Quite a few fond memories of Dice. Him sitting in the “chair”. And Garnett backpedaling half a court to get out of reach. this guy needs some kind of trophy in his honor. Can’t think of a more deserving player than that guy.
Formerly known as SCNTFC!
Just an awesome guy all around.
Remember him sitting on the side chair after that loss against he Cavaliers. Hearing how he got on his car, still in his uniform, and left in a daze. Making Garnett run like a bitch at the prospect of getting punched by a gentleman. Getting the rebound against younger and more athletic guy. Fighting until the very end, even after others had given up.
Dude played 5 years here but left a strong impression. Definitely a Pistons.
WWGMD?
by Kriz on Dec 20, 2011 8:51 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I was at that game in Minneapolis
where Dyess got into it with Garnett. It’s too bad Garnett fled like a punk – Dyess was ready to rock that fool.
Been rooting for the Pistons since 1970s
And I can’t think of anyone who has played for Detroit who I respect more as a person and a player.
McDyess was a real class act.
When he left the team just didn’t seem quite the same
by BoogieWoogie M.D. on Dec 20, 2011 10:55 AM EST reply actions
One of my favorites.
As sad as I was to see him go to SA, I was also glad he didn’t stay around for the ensuing shitstorm.
I’ll always remember how hard he played and symbolized the hunger that was lost on the other 4 guys around him. He was the antithesis of the complacency that plagued the post 2004 teams and that’s why I loved him so much. If Rasheed had half the heart he did they would have won multiple championships.
All the time relaxed.
You want this rebound, KG?
I SAY THEE NAY!
by Birdman84 on Dec 20, 2011 12:52 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FASClJTnJ4I
Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 20, 2011 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
A true southern gentleman
A very nice send off, Mike. Let’s hope these are just roomers because the NBA can’t stand to lose one more high character guy.
Hoist this man's number. Do for him, and the the people who paid to see him all those years.
That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice
by Skylar on Dec 20, 2011 1:09 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
It was so depressing looking over stats from the 2008-09 season (aka The Year of Iverson). Dyess was the top scorer and/or top rebounder in quite a few of those games throughout that shit stain of a year. It’s tough seeing a guy like that give that sort of effort in such a crappy situation.
He didn't deserve that mess.
The sad part is, had they stayed in Denver, Denver would have been pretty darn good.
"With logic he attacks. With statistics he defends."
Dyess also represents the some of the best of what Joe Dumars did for the franchise as GM.
..not only did he bring Dyess in & watched him thrive, but he won his loyalty for years. Dyess really believed in Joe Dumars.
This one’s for you, #24.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiOcVWQY2bc
That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice
Dyess was my favorite post-2004 Piston.
I can’t remember if it was the first regular season game or the first preseason game he played as a Piston. It was definitely the first time I got to watch him live in a Piston uniform, but I knew that I was going to love him as a player when about 1 minute into him entering the game he booted the ball into the upper deck of the Palace because of a bad call by the official.
I feel like he is the only player from our teams latest renaissance that could have played on the Bad Boy teams in the 80’s and 90’s (him and Ben of course).
I hope my daughter marries a man like Dyess. He was an amazing basketball player and is an even classier guy.
Plus he’s rich and probably has a huge…retirement fund.
I wrote a book about time travel. Buy it and/or die. http://www.thetimetravelguide.com
Now you guys have gone and ruined it! RUINED!
by garrettelliott on Dec 21, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
met him once at a signing
He showed up maybe 20 minutes late, but wound up staying over an hour later than the scheduled time because he was talking with everyone at relative length as they passed through (much to the chagrin of the people “running” things). Looked us in the eyes when he talked, generous with the signatures, friendly, and all-around genuinely nice guy. Thanks for going to work in the D, McD.
(and rec’d MFMP)
My dad was selected to get a players’ warmups for being such a long-standing season ticket holders. The player was random, and he wound up getting them from Dyess (MF huge btw). He hadn’t yet shown just how amazing he would be for the team, so I was less excited than I maybe would have been for another player. But in hindsight, considering his time here and everything that happened since, I’m incredibly happy we got his. I hope he gets his due recognition and is remembered.
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