Like many fans, one of the players I feel for the most right now is Antonio McDyess, especially after reading his comments from after Game 6:
“I feel like I’m at the end of my career and it just ain’t gonna happen,” said McDyess, 32, who has a contract option to return. “Tonight, I accepted that I’m never gonna win. I felt this team was the one to get us there. We had all the chances in the world and we blew it. It seems like it’s over for me now.”
McDyess’ option is worth roughly $6.3 million, and there’s also the chance that Joe Dumars will try to extend him. That said, if he does decide to leave for another contender he deems closer to a title, I wouldn’t fault him — I don’t think anyone else on the team takes losing quite as hard as he does.
After losing Game 7 of the NBA Finals in 2005, McDyess didn’t talk about it for months. Following a loss in Game 5 of last year’s second-round series to the Cavs, he was so distraught that he stayed on the bench long after his teammates went to the locker room and eventually left the arena without even taking off his uniform. After getting ejected in Game 5 this year, he was so stressed out watching the game from the locker room that he left the arena in the third quarter and went home:
He went to his house. He couldn’t turn on the TV. He paced up and down his street, with his fiancée and friends sending him updates on his cell phone.
“Me sitting there pulling my hair, I’m walking up and down the street,” he said. “I didn’t want to see it, so I told them don’t give me any kind of updates on what’s going on until after the game.”
In this day and age, there are few players who give you the feeling they’d rather win than get paid, but McDyess is certainly one of them.
I feel bad for the guy. I feel like his teammates let him down. Still, I’d rather not see him come back. I’d rather some younger legs get some playing time. Since I (currently) have little faith the Pistons will win it all anytime soon, I hope he finds a championship team.
He’s the emotional opposite of Chauncey Billups. Where Billups has no shortage of bravado and self-confidence, McDyess is constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
From his bizarre obsession with his pre-game rituals to his admitted fixation with slumps, this guy is one strange cat.
Reminds me a little of Barry Sanders, someone we all appreciated, but was so introverted, we never got to know him as a person.
I LOVE Antonio McDyess, and my heart just breaks for him right now. After his roller-coaster of a career, finding his place on the Pistons roster seemed like a storybook ending. In my opinion, he’s contended for 6th man of the year for the last 3 years at least, often providing a much needed spark off the bench with his sharp-shooting eye for those long jumpers. I’ll love him no matter what color jersey he wears — Antonio, you’ve done right by us. I wish the Pistons had done better by you. But maybe they still will, someday…
“Done better by you”? Let’s keep things in perspective here. The Pistons gave him a very nice deal at a time when most of the league had given him up for dead. At the time anyone who actually bothered to talk about his acquisition called it a mistake. Since then, Dice has resurrected his career and gone deeper in the playoffs than he ever did elsewhere. It’s great that he takes losses to heart, but it won’t be the worse thing that ever happened to him.
LF: That is a great point. A lot of recent fans tend to forget this, but McDyess used to live above the rim. Most people figured his knees were shot when the Pistons signed him — and not in the “he’s slowed down” kind of way like Chris Webber, but rather the “he can’t play without his knee exploding in a million little pieces” kind of way.
I was shocked when I first heard the Pistons signed him, and if you told me he’d go on to play in all but five games over the next three years (including every game the last two), I’d have called you a liar.
Man there is no one that deserves the championship more than Dyess. He has been working soo hard to get that ship and he has really soon us during the playoffs. I just hope the Pistons win it next year because it would make me soo happy. And it broke my heart when the Pistons loss.
He does have an Olympic gold medal. Those are nice too.
Should have went to Phoenix when he and Kidd were in their prime. Instead, he jerked the Suns around when they were trying to get him signed and he ended up in Denver. I have no sympathy for the guy.
first off, who gives a s— about phoenix from 10 years ago?
more importantly, i would feel bad for mcdyess if he hadn’t shot 35% for the entire playoffs and got ejected from a pivotal game 5, where his presence may have somehow made a friggin’ difference in a double ot 2 point loss. it ain’t the cosmos making you miss 17 foot baseline jumpers or forcing you to tackle brazilians, buddy.
Well said about McDyess and I agree with you completely. If Dumars did not dismantle the bench (mainly not having Williamson and M James – both were under salary cap), the Pistons and he would win a championship in 2005 when L Brown was their coach. I would like to see him to go to the Bulls and he would be a terrific mentor for Tyrus, but I have no confidence in Bulls coach. I would like to see him to go to the Spurs, but the west is too competitive and the Spurs may not be able to win the west next year. McDyess is one of the most unselfish and talented NBA players who make me feel it’s worthy of watching NBA games.
Oh, for the love of Pete, go easy on Dice, Jack. Give me a break. You’re upset at his 35% FG percentage? Why aren’t we calling for Prince’s head? 16/66 for the series? I’m no math whiz, but I think that’s under 25%. Chauncey averaged more turnovers than assists in the series too. Let’s not forget his shortcomings. And they’re not bench players.
And as for his getting ejected? Can you honestly tell me he meant to do that? The official who spoke with him had a mic, and we heard him say, “I didn’t get his head! I got the ball!” or something to that effect. Plus, I’m sure we can all agree that should have been a Flagrant-1 foul, not a Flagrant-2, which would not have resulted in an ejection.
And he was torn up about it! So cut him some slack, okay?
i’m not calling for his head. i’m saying he needs to cut out the “woe is me” routine when he had a hand in the ultimate failure of the squad. it’s not like his teammates just let him down. he was out there missing j’s, turning the ball over, and getting outplayed like everyone else on the squad. i would prefer he take this as motivation to shoot some extra jumpers, do yoga, add a sky hook, ANYTHING to improve his game. and if he’s given up on winning a championship, then give back the 6+ million and let’s all move on. now, i don’t think that’s type of guy mcdyess is, so i’ll chalk it up to post-postseason blues. but i don’t have to join in on the pity party.
Wow. i am glad i found a place where i can vent. Antonio, please dont retire. And you should not be so hard on yourself. There are 30 teams, 500 players, only 16 teams and 240 make the playoffs, 2 teams 30 playas make the finals and 1 team, 15 playas when the entire thing. He should be so proud of himself/Detroit is a Dynasty, they could not compete with bogous calls against the team, especially Rasheed. Lebron is great, but my God, the man travel so, so, many times/ Antonio, I need to see you when you come to Charlotte, please dont give up, you have 2 more good years left. And i am heartbroken to know you are engaged, with your fine self/Gosh/Great summer/great things/
South Carolina
Celest
I absolutely love mcdyss!!! he is my fav player by far!! i think he plays with the most integrity of any player in the game. he has been through so much and has still excelled. he is one of the hardest workers i have ever seen and his game continues to improve. i think after this years loss he should give it one more try. the pistons are such a great team and have the ability to suceed. and i want so badly to see mcdyss win a championship!! i also want a mcdyss jersey so please make them!!