Quinn? Anderson? Not So Fast?
April 28, 2009The 5-Hole: Blue Jackets News and Notes – 4/28/09 – Season-in-Review Edition
April 28, 2009
It wasn’t all that long ago that you, Antonio McDyess, were traded by your team, the Detroit Pistons. You were a part of a trade that many can now look back and say was the beginning of the end in terms of the era – Chauncey Billups to Denver, where he is now helping his team put up historical wins in the post-season. And in a strange twist of fate, the Nuggets released you not long after, allowing you to sign with whomever you chose after a 30-day waiting period.
You were persued heavily by the the Boston Celtics as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers. At the time, Ben Wallace was a bit banged up and our front court was not doing very well. While it is not certain what terms you had turned down, the Cavaliers could have offered you multiple seasons, that would have paid you at least $5 million this year alone. Instead, you opted for the remaining $1.9 million from the Pistons, claiming “obligation to finish what you had started.” Something that we could respect, but not something that made us very happy as Cavs fans.
No one will know for sure what all transpired on the back end, but when Rock penned a piece about a possible deal that could have occurred under the table. While all hell broke loose in the comments, can you blame anyone for considering this an option?
In an interview with the Detroit News, you said the following:
“I don’t want to be jumping from team to team chasing that ring,” he said. “The ring is not guaranteed. Even if I went to the best team in the league, Boston, the Lakers, whoever, I just feel like anything can happen in the playoffs. I know that, and I know this team. Anything can happen.”
And now that the playoffs have ended for the team to which you claimed loyalty, I wonder if your opinion has changed. In the very least, I hope that there was some added compensation.
Not that we can definitely say that the Cavaliers are a better team without you. I watched you in the playoffs, and you were one of the few men on your team that actually appeared to be trying. You’re a solid veteran, and provide a variety of skills. But on the same token, you turned down Cleveland’s offer that ultimately went to our current back-up big man, Joe Smith. While we can compare numbers throughout both of your careers, I think there is one thing that all Cavs fans can agree on in terms of Joe having the edge this season: Chemistry.
The deal that never went down ultimately led to Smith returning to the team that not only gives him a great shot at getting a ring, but also one which he was a part of last season; one that seems more cohesive and enjoyable to watch than any team – in any sport – that I have been able to witness in quite some time.
About a month ago, Matt Watson dug through the options that you will face come this off season. After trading away Chauncey, and having ‘Sheed and AI likely on their way out, there will definitely be plenty of money around to – you know – make up for what you left on the table in March. Of the three teams you were a part of this season, the other two are still playing. Your loyalty was definitely appreciated by your fan base, but was only you can decide if you made the best move. As a fan of the game, I sincerely hope you get made whole. You deserve it.
But as a fan of the Cavaliers, I thank you for turning down whatever offer you received. While I would have loved to have the 13 and eight (along with veteran leadership) that you provided in the first round for the Pistons actually be for the Wine and Gold, I’m more than willing to roll on with Joe Beast and his rekindled mid-range jumper.
Best of luck this off-season. I hope Dumars does the right thing.
16 Comments
Plus, I can root for Joe Beast without having my mouth fill with bile.
Thanks for retelling that story. He was definitely a tough competitor in the series.
The thing is I’ll be surprised if Detroit repays him this off season with a nice deal. Now that its clear that team is going to be completely rebuilding they’ll probably need every penny of cap space to bring in free agent talent that can last them for several years down the road.
At 34 I don’t see McDyess being in their long term plans. Maybe they’ll give him something with a nice bit on the back end, but I can’t see them tying up 4 to 5 million in him when they’re trying to get back in it with free agents. Depending on where the cap goes they’ll have something like 17 to 18 million to work with, which should be enough to land a top name free agent and have some change left over. Maybe they use it on McDyess to repay him for coming back for nothing, I hope they do, but I could see them pulling the “its just business” line on him as well.
I think you can (and did) make a legitamate case for both players being in the wine & gold, but Joe Beast has what McDyess dosen’t. The instant chemistry with the Cavaliers that McDyess would have had to work at. Plus McDyess ain’t writing no Playoff Anthem!
Good stuff Hoy
# 5 Swig Says:
November 24th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I hope McDyess feels real stupid when he’s sitting at home watching the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals (and then the finals) thinking about what he could buy with another $10mill.
That dude seems pretty smart too, except he forgot to include “watching the 2nd round of the playoffs”
If Andy walks, Joe and McDyess as a combo would be the move.
Both McDyess and Smith are good players, good for their organizations and seemingly good guys. It would be a little ironic, though, if McDyess now signs a multi-year with the Pistons and it looks like he had a prior unwritten agreement. Wasn’t Joe Smith the guy who about ten years ago reached an under the table agreement with the Timberwolves for secret cash to circumvent the salary cap, and didn’t the resulting penalties result in huge damage to the team? (I’m remembering two first-rounders plus big cash)
does McHale losing 1st round picks really damage that team? it’s not like he used them wisely (j/k of course).
You know who else is watching the Cavs from home right now?
Carlos Boozer.
uhhh kay so there is more to obtaining the championship ring than just the ring itself and money…case you didn’t get it loserfaces, Dyess is more concerned with LOYALTY and stamina for a team that feels like home rather than Cavs or Lakers…GET OVER IT!! He’s still a great player and has a lot to offer any team and unlike you MONEY HUNGRY TITLE SEEKING LOSERS it’s more to a game than just those two factors. STOP BEING CRITIQUES for a game half of yall couldn’t play to save your life!
Thanks for reading.
Fitting name though.
Antonio McDyess is one of thee classiest players in the league. I give him high marks for being loyal to Dumars, who was the only suitor for him years ago when many NBA GM’s gave up on him and his knee issues. McDyess could be a Cav next season.
Joe Smith will be a complete non factor the rest of the playoffs…you played a disheartened Detroit team that didnt play a lick of defense all series.
McDyess is a true competitor and the only player on the team playing with heart – it’s sad that you say you would rather have Joe Smith on your squad than Micccity mc Dyeeeessssss – that ruined your otherwise great letter to McD.
see you cavs fans next year.
BLAH BLAH, you need anger management therapy. Relax, this is just a forum for exchanging comments.
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