McDyess thinking about a comeback

[Andrew]

Antonio McDyess considering return to NBA

McDyess, 38, has been working out in Houston and has instructed his agent, Andy Miller, to gauge league interest in him.

"He would consider coming back and I will be reaching out to select teams," Miller told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday night.

Long considered one of the consummate professionals and gentlemen in the NBA, McDyess played 15 seasons before retiring with the San Antonio Spurs in 2011. Several knee surgeries between 2001 and 2004 perhaps curtailed McDyess prime as perennial All-Star selection, but McDyess had several productive seasons as a role player with Detroit and San Antonio before leaving the league after the 2011 playoffs.

If he's healthy and in shape, why not? That's two players from the class of 1995 seeking to make a comeback this year, with Sheed making his official in the Knicks' opener against the Heat. Now we just need Joe Smith to latch on somewhere he hasn't played before, so that he can break the record he currently shares with Chucky Brown, Tony Massenburg and Jim Jackson.

As for 'Dyess, he used to be one of my favourite non-Bulls players. I say best of luck to him.

[Mandich]

If he's healthy and in shape, why not?

Because he is not and he'll be useless anyway

Now we just need Joe Smith to latch on somewhere he hasn't played before

I doubt Smith will ever return to the NBA, Isiah Thomas isn't a GM in this league anymore.

[Andrew]

Hence why I said "if". That said, how do you know that he isn't? The last season he played in the league, he appeared in 73 games, for a respectable 19 minutes per game and averaged a double-double per 36. If he can get into game shape, or he's still in game shape, no reason he can't or shouldn't put out some feelers and try to latch on as a veteran big to round out the bench. That's essentially what he was doing before, it's what Kurt Thomas and Rasheed Wallace are doing right now. If there's interest and he makes it back, good for him. If not, well, his day is done but he gave it a shot. Again, I say good luck to him.

[Mandich]

His knees were shot 6 years ago. It was a great deal of luck that he played 73 games. If he wants to play 10 minutes a game while fouling on virtually every possesion, the go ahead. Fouls per game is also a category you need to be "good" to lead in it. (Dwight will have competition then)

My guess is that he is broke and in desperate search of money.

The NBA is turning into a new retirement center for christ's sake. (not saying that there are some good oldies)

[_Steve_]

McDyess could be a perfect pick up for the Knicks... agewise...

[Andrew]

His knees were shot 6 years ago. It was a great deal of luck that he played 73 games.

Taking a look at how many games he played over the last seven seasons of his career:

2004/2005: 77 games
2005/2006: 82 games
2006/2007: 82 games
2007/2008: 78 games
2008/2009: 62 games
2009/2010: 77 games
2010/2011: 73 games

In other words, he appeared in 531 out of a possible 574 games (or 92.5%) during that span. That's some pretty damn good luck.

If he wants to play 10 minutes a game while fouling on virtually every possesion, the go ahead. Fouls per game is also a category you need to be "good" to lead in it.

Not really an issue given his role, his minutes and numbers the last few years of his career.

My guess is that he is broke and in desperate search of money.

Or maybe he just misses the game and wants to get back in the league. But even if he is broke, so what? He's allowed to pursue opportunities, the same as anyone else.

The NBA is turning into a new retirement center for christ's sake. (not saying that there are some good oldies)

There are plenty of young stars in the league. A few older players are sticking around or looking to come back in smaller roles. Nothing wrong with that, nothing new about it either.

[_Steve_]

What's against giving him a contract for vets minimum? Even without much of his former explosiveness, his rebound numbers were ok and he could still provide some presence in the paint. And if he sucks, he could join Eddy Curry...

[Andrew]

Exactly. His knees obviously aren't the best and put an end to his career as a star, but he was solid and healthy for the last seven years of his career. He's welcome to try, if he can't make the cut anywhere then so be it.

[Dc311]

if he can't make the cut anywhere then so be it.

Agreed.


I enjoyed his last season with the spurs.I am hoping he get's one more chance.

My guess is that he is broke and in desperate search of money.

So when Jordan retired and came back and retired and came back and then finally retired for good was he "broke and in desperate search of money"?
I think not.

Or maybe he just misses the game and wants to get back in the league.

[Its_asdf]

McDyess pre injury was Blake Griffin before Blake Griffin. I was really impressed at how he reinvented himself as a solid post defender/rebounder after his injury. HIs turnaround from the block was a thing to watch as well.

[Andrew]

There was a bit of Shawn Kemp there, too. It's a shame injuries shut that down before he could firmly establish himself as an elite player in the league but he did manage to become a very solid and dependable role player.