McDyess retiring

[tdunk21]

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine Close
RT @Monroe_SA: #Spurs make it official: Antonio McDyess retiring and they won't guarantee other half of his $5.2M deal. bit.ly/stSrma

[benefactor]

What a waste. Great fucking use of that partially guaranteed contract, RC.

[Nathan89]

We don't want just any big.:flag:

[Ice009]

What a waste. Great fucking use of that partially guaranteed contract, RC.

WOW this is the worst off season in the Duncan era. What a joke.

[loveforthegame]

The Spurs are obviously not trying. They're talking a big game of wanting to improve this season but they're just going to mail it in and hope for the best. And try to reload next summer.

What a waste this season is going to be. Especially if Pop is still up to his old bag of tricks.

[Nathan89]

Any trade the Spurs make now will include: Anderson or Neal + Blair or Bonner

:(

[AFBlue]

At least Pop has one less excuse to not play Splitter and/or Blair. Sink or swim time for both.

[Nathan Explosion]

Instead of bitching about what the Spurs not doing, how about we honor a really good player who could have been great before injuries. Truth be told, I never liked McDyess before he got to Detroit. The injuries made him change his game and he did and became a VERY good big man. I really respected him for the way he adapted his game. Most physically gifted players wouldn't do that after suffering the injuries McDyess had.

Sucks he didn't win a title. Sorry to see him go without a ring.

[lefty]

I liked him


FUck Bonner

[tmtcsc]

So long to one of the Spurs who gave 100% effort against the Grizz. Can't say that for everyone.

[E-RockWill]

Instead of bitching about what the Spurs not doing, how about we honor a really good player who could have been great before injuries. Truth be told, I never liked McDyess before he got to Detroit. The injuries made him change his game and he did and became a VERY good big man. I really respected him for the way he adapted his game. Most physically gifted players wouldn't do that after suffering the injuries McDyess had.

Sucks he didn't win a title. Sorry to see him go without a ring.

Word ....

[GSH]

So you guys still think this isn't the time to split up the Big 3? The front court that got beaten up in the playoffs is now missing its second best player. George Hill is gone. Bonner and Dick are still here. Sound like a contender? Do you really think Kawhi Leonard is going to make up for everything we were missing last season, and everything we have lost since then?

We've got a great looking draft ahead of us, rich with bigs. And the Spurs will probably wind up with a pick in the 15-22 range. The worst of all worlds.

Duncan stays till he is ready to go. Keep either Parker or Manu. But blow it up.

[eric365]

Spurs wanted to amnesty RJ, they couldn't find a SF in FA
Spurs wanted to use Dice contract, they couldn't find a trade for a big

Looking worst and worst. We have one of the worst bigmen rotation in the league right now.

[TimmehC]

So you guys still think this isn't the time to split up the Big 3? The front court that got beaten up in the playoffs is now missing its second best player. George Hill is gone. Bonner and Dick are still here. Sound like a contender? Do you really think Kawhi Leonard is going to make up for everything we were missing last season, and everything we have lost since then?

We've got a great looking draft ahead of us, rich with bigs. And the Spurs will probably wind up with a pick in the 15-22 range. The worst of all worlds.

Duncan stays till he is ready to go. Keep either Parker or Manu. But blow it up.

Parker is the only one with any trade value, and the Spurs's depth at PG is suspect at best. Not a good situation in the trade market either, IMO.

[SenorSpur]

Not really surprising. He was pretty adamant about retiring in his statements before the end of last season. If he were going to play, he would've been in camp by now.

I hope the reports of the Spurs trying to "talk him into coming back" were not true.

Anyway, hail to the Dice man. A true warrior, consummate professional, fine player in his prime and an even better person.

[stephen jackson]

sad to say but kinda wish we traded him to the heat for nothing.. they coulda used him and hed be a great piece to a championship team.
as far as the spurs. horrific.

[ElNono]

Just a shame he came over too late. Thanks for the memories though...

6sfgaAWK7NU

[jjktkk]

Parker is the only one with any trade value, and the Spurs's depth at PG is suspect at best. Not a good situation in the trade market either, IMO.

Just speculating, but I think the Spurs will trade Parker next year, if, and I mean a big if, if Joseph, or a combination of Joeseph and Ford, etc..., can prove that they can handle the pg position at least adaquately.

[MinuteByMinuteSports]

The Spurs are obviously not trying. They're talking a big game of wanting to improve this season but they're just going to mail it in and hope for the best. And try to reload next summer.

What a waste this season is going to be. Especially if Pop is still up to his old bag of tricks.

Pop says every season he'll give Timmy the help he needs, knowing this may be Tim's final season with us. Instead of the bringing help he needs to make sure he goes out on top like David did, he turns his back on him.

He doesn't care about the team anymore. He doesn't have the hunger it seems.

If Mark Cuban owned the team, Pop would have been out the door already.

Fuck Pop.

[DMC]

Pop says every season he'll give Timmy the help he needs, knowing this may be Tim's final season with us. Instead of the bringing help he needs to make sure he goes out on top like David did, he turns his back on him.

He doesn't care about the team anymore. He doesn't have the hunger it seems.

If Mark Cuban owned the team, Pop would have been out the door already.

Fuck Pop.
They would have to tank a season completely to get the help needed to get Tim a ring in his final year. Very few people have retired a champion. David was very fortunate (as he says himself in his HOF acceptance speech).

You probably wouldn't get anything close to that in the draft recently.

[timvp]

McDyess goes down as one of my favorite players of all-time. The athletic version of McDyess was really fun to watch. I thought he was done after his knee injuries but he reinvented himself as a very good role playing big. I can't think of another player who totally reinvented how they played the game and did so seamlessly.

Thanks, Dice :tu

[timvp]

As for the Spurs not being able to turn this unguaranteed contract into anything ... I ... I ... I have no words for you. This has been the weirdest offseason ever. I don't even know what to think.

[monkeypunk]

Does taking this partial contract off the books give us the full MLE?

[mexicanjunior]

This has been the worst offseason ever. I don't even know what to think.

fify

[Lukor]

Sad news. McDyess was a class act. Good riddance.

[Interrohater]

Sad news. McDyess was a class act. Good riddance.
lol, gay.

[TimmehC]

Does taking this partial contract off the books give us the full MLE?

Nope.

[The ADMIRAL 50]

So long to one of the Spurs who gave 100% effort against the Grizz. Can't say that for everyone.

McDyess played his absolute heart out. Tough way to go out but couldn't have done it any better. One of the most passionate performances I've ever seen, and he did it all while his back was shot.

Great career for a great guy, kudos Dice :toast

[Lukor]

lol, gay.

lmao Bonner and Blair frontcourt.

[Sean Cagney]

As for the Spurs not being able to turn this unguaranteed contract into anything ... I ... I ... I have no words for you. This has been the weirdest offseason ever. I don't even know what to think.

Yes this offseason has been flat out horrible, they have no shot at winning it and we know it. Last years team was just reassuring of that, now they appear to have gotten worse.

[crc21209]

Thanks for everything Dice! This guy really seemed to give it his all everytime he stepped on the court! Major props! :toast

[dunkman]

Too bad, he was a solid bigman.

[therealtruth]

Pop says every season he'll give Timmy the help he needs, knowing this may be Tim's final season with us. Instead of the bringing help he needs to make sure he goes out on top like David did, he turns his back on him.

He doesn't care about the team anymore. He doesn't have the hunger it seems.

If Mark Cuban owned the team, Pop would have been out the door already.

Fuck Pop.

I agree he just doesn't have the sense of urgency. I also think it's part of why he's never repeated. He tries to remove the pressure on the team to compete for a championship. All last season he was saying they weren't a good team instead of putting pressure on them to improve. Sometimes you really need to embrace that pressure to take the next step.

[SenorSpur]

It's too bad the Spurs couldn't have acquired him about 5 years before they did.

[TD 21]

I can't wait until Splitter goes down, which shouldn't take too long. Then we'll see if this dumb, senile old man doesn't think they need "just anyone to play minutes". Since they obviously had no designs on bringing in quality, they at least needed quantity. This is a soft team, that has zero respect and will continue to receive that.

So, what's his plan when he wants to manically monitor Duncan's minutes and even sit him out the odd game? Play the two offensive liabilities together or split them up and have at least one pairing that's a massive defensive liability?

The pathetic, sorry excuse for a front line get's ripped to shreds last season by any half decent big, culminating in that embarrassing playoff performance and this is their response? Do they really think anyone buys that they care about defense anymore? Don't piss in people's ears and tell them it's raining.

I don't know how Duncan could allow this. He should have went berserk a few years ago, but especially after last season. Should have demanded that they brought in size, even if the best they could do was a Turiaf type. Instead, he, Ginobili and Parker, continue to put on a brave face for the cameras and pretend. Meanwhile, they've allowed the dumb, senile old man and the drunk piss away whatever slim chance they still had at contending. Well done.

[Dex]

I can't wait until Splitter goes down, which shouldn't take too long. Then we'll see if this dumb, senile old man doesn't think they need "just anyone to play minutes". Since they obviously had no designs on bringing in quality, they at least needed quantity. This is a soft team, that has zero respect and will continue to receive that.

So, what's his plan when he wants to manically monitor Duncan's minutes and even sit him out the odd game? Play the two offensive liabilities together or split them up and have at least one pairing that's a massive defensive liability?

The pathetic, sorry excuse for a front line get's ripped to shreds last season by any half decent big, culminating in that embarrassing playoff performance and this is their response? Do they really think anyone buys that they care about defense anymore? Don't piss in people's ears and tell them it's raining.

I don't know how Duncan could allow this. He should have went berserk a few years ago, but especially after last season. Should have demanded that they brought in size, even if the best they could do was a Turiaf type. Instead, he, Ginobili and Parker, continue to put on a brave face for the cameras and pretend. Meanwhile, they've allowed the dumb, senile old man and the drunk piss away whatever slim chance they still had at contending. Well done.

Agreed on all counts. Of course no team wants to bring a guy in "just to fill minutes", but if your frontline consists of one star in his twilight, one largely unproven player, one undersized center, and two guys who are just to big too play at the wing position like they should....imo it becomes a necessity. If even one of our real bigs goes down, Spurs might as well send out perfumed invitations to the paint. Couple that with a complete lack of perimeter defenders capable of keeping guys out of the paint, and a defensive scheme that insists on helping off your man and having players switch despite whatever mismatch might be created....opponents will be feasting like Thanksgiving every game.

And heaven forbid if Duncan AND Splitter are forced to miss time (which isn't that far outside of the realm of possibility....say Splitter gets injured, and its the third night of a B2B2B), we're suddenly looking at a frontline of two 6'10 non-rebounding three point shooters (Bonner and Novak), and two 6'7 wanna be PFs. (Blair and Kawhi).

[SenorSpur]

When Duncan was younger, he seemed a lot more vocal about the FO keeping a talented supporting cast around him. I agree that I cannot see how he didn't lobby for more frontline support. Of course, we never know what goes on behind closed doors. However the one thing is clear, by allowing the situation to become this dire, Pop has really screwed the pooch on this - and thus has really screwed his future HOF big man. Duncan absolutely deserved much better than this.

[Giuseppe]

:violin

[jjktkk]

I can't wait until Splitter goes down, which shouldn't take too long. Then we'll see if this dumb, senile old man doesn't think they need "just anyone to play minutes". Since they obviously had no designs on bringing in quality, they at least needed quantity. This is a soft team, that has zero respect and will continue to receive that.

So, what's his plan when he wants to manically monitor Duncan's minutes and even sit him out the odd game? Play the two offensive liabilities together or split them up and have at least one pairing that's a massive defensive liability?

The pathetic, sorry excuse for a front line get's ripped to shreds last season by any half decent big, culminating in that embarrassing playoff performance and this is their response? Do they really think anyone buys that they care about defense anymore? Don't piss in people's ears and tell them it's raining.

I don't know how Duncan could allow this. He should have went berserk a few years ago, but especially after last season. Should have demanded that they brought in size, even if the best they could do was a Turiaf type. Instead, he, Ginobili and Parker, continue to put on a brave face for the cameras and pretend. Meanwhile, they've allowed the dumb, senile old man and the drunk piss away whatever slim chance they still had at contending. Well done.

Your sooo right. Why, after last season's debacle, didn't Tim, Manu, or Tony, demand that Pop and RC bring in a quality, starting big? Who gives a shit that no viable free agent wants to sign in S.A., or that the Spurs are capped out. Dammit one of the big 3 should of forced RC to break out his magic wand and get Dwight's ass wearing silver and black pronto!

[TD 21]

Your sooo right. Why, after last season's debacle, didn't Tim, Manu, or Tony, demand that Pop and RC bring in a quality, starting big? Who gives a shit that no viable free agent wants to sign in S.A., or that the Spurs are capped out. Dammit one of the big 3 should of forced RC to break out his magic wand and get Dwight's ass wearing silver and black pronto!

When are you and all the other front office apologists going to stop making excuses? No one was expecting a star or anything close. But even if they couldn't have gotten someone in Turiaf's class or a cut above (which I don't buy, with a decent package of McDyess, Blair and a 1st, at their disposal), their was Wright, Clark, McRoberts, Murphy, the two Williamses', etc., that all signed at very affordable numbers. They could have easily exceeded what many got and forced their hand. But worst of all, we didn't even hear them mentioned as being interested in any. In fact, the only big we've heard of them being interested in is Kaman.

They didn't even try. It came across loud and clear in today's article about how they "don't want just any center". They did what they always do: nitpicked and thought they were smarter than everyone else. And now they're pretending they're "being patient", as if someone is just going to release a decent big for no reason, because that happens all the time.

[angelbelow]

Too bad we got him a few years too late. Image if we had the 2005-2008 version of Dice.

[SenorSpur]

When are you and all the other front office apologists going to stop making excuses? No one was expecting a star or anything close. But even if they couldn't have gotten someone in Turiaf's class or a cut above (which I don't buy, with a decent package of McDyess, Blair and a 1st, at their disposal), their was Wright, Clark, McRoberts, Murphy, the two Williamses', etc., that all signed at very affordable numbers. They could have easily exceeded what many got and forced their hand. But worst of all, we didn't even hear them mentioned as being interested in any. In fact, the only big we've heard of them being interested in is Kaman.

They didn't even try. It came across loud and clear in today's article about how they "don't want just any center". They did what they always do: nitpicked and thought they were smarter than everyone else. And now they're pretending they're "being patient", as if someone is just going to release a decent big for no reason, because that happens all the time.

Seems to me that they waited too long. The music has all but stopped on the abbreviated NBA free agency period, yet the Spurs are still standing around with their thumbs up their rear.

It there are no other frontline options available, and the FO is going to continue to take such a passive approach, then I agree with others who have suggested that they may as well begin the slow rebuilding process now. Trade Parker, accumulate as many future assets as they can get (to go along with those they already have), secure the highest draft position possible - and let's go. There's absolutely no sense in dicking around on this "treadmill of mediocrrity?" Becoming a perennial 7th or 8th seed also ran in the playoffs gets you nowhere. Blow it up and start all over.

[jjktkk]

When are you and all the other front office apologists going to stop making excuses? No one was expecting a star or anything close. But even if they couldn't have gotten someone in Turiaf's class or a cut above (which I don't buy, with a decent package of McDyess, Blair and a 1st, at their disposal), their was Wright, Clark, McRoberts, Murphy, the two Williamses', etc., that all signed at very affordable numbers. They could have easily exceeded what many got and forced their hand. But worst of all, we didn't even hear them mentioned as being interested in any. In fact, the only big we've heard of them being interested in is Kaman.

They didn't even try. It came across loud and clear in today's article about how they "don't want just any center". They did what they always do: nitpicked and thought they were smarter than everyone else. And now they're pretending they're "being patient", as if someone is just going to release a decent big for no reason, because that happens all the time.

Not apologist, just a realist. Look at this teams history. Trot out the names of all the great free agents that the Spurs have brought to S.A.? For whatever reason, money, location, etc..., prime free agents do not want to sign with the Spurs. But please provide your source on the fact that the Spur's FO " didn't even try. Now lets go over some of the possible bigs you've mentioned: By Wright, I take it you mean Brandon? A sf, not a big, who so far has been a lottery pick. Clark made it known all along that his top choice in free agency was to return to Orlando. a Clark quote stated in the Orlando Sentinel:


"I'm used to my teammates," Clark said. "I think it was a good fit here, and I like the organization. My family's here. I just love Orlando."

As far as Murphy and McRoberts, I can understand why they picked the Lakers over the Spurs. So I can understand why your pissed at the lack of free agent activity by the Spurs front office, I am too, but given the Spurs lack of trade assets, as well as their cap situation, quit whing so much and hope the Spurs can, somehow, find a big.

[urunobili]

Dice was gr8 for us! he'll probably be picked up for a ship run with a team next year ala PJ Brown with the Celts.

[Tyrone Jenkins]

I can't wait until Splitter goes down,

Are you serious? You can't wait for a Spurs player to get injured? Why, so you can prove your point? So you can say "see, I told you guys...".

I have no idea where you and anyone else who agrees/sympathizes with you are from but anyone with this mentality obviously isn't a true fan.

Do I agree w/ everything that Pop and the FO has done? No, but I'll be the 1st to mention that I dont' know everything they've done.

I DO know that they brought 4 championships to a small market basketball team in the 3rd largest city in the state. Besides Detroit, what other small market team has one championship in the last 40 years?

Spurs fans are spoiled.

[Juanobili]

Are you serious? You can't wait for a Spurs player to get injured? Why, so you can prove your point? So you can say "see, I told you guys...".

I have no idea where you and anyone else who agrees/sympathizes with you are from but anyone with this mentality obviously isn't a true fun.

Do I agree w/ everything that Pop and the FO has done? No, but I'll be the 1st to mention that I dont' know everything they've done.

I DO know that they brought 4 championships to a small market basketball team in the 3rd largest city in the state. Besides Detroit, what other small market team has one championship in the last 40 years?

Spurs fans are spoiled.
seriously, what a tool. is he in jr high or something? stick to the WWE storylines.

[Obstructed_View]

And the music officially stops. The Spurs don't have a chair.

Thanks, Dice. It was fun.

[bigfan]

Thanks Dice. A class act and good luck in the future.

[4>0rings]

Dice was one of the few players the Spurs ever had that never showed any quit. He played every game like it was his last and gave everything he had to help the Spurs win. He wasn't afraid to call out his own pussyass teammates for being bitches and lazy.

Thanks Dice!

[TD 21]

Not apologist, just a realist. Look at this teams history. Trot out the names of all the great free agents that the Spurs have brought to S.A.? For whatever reason, money, location, etc..., prime free agents do not want to sign with the Spurs. But please provide your source on the fact that the Spur's FO " didn't even try. Now lets go over some of the possible bigs you've mentioned: By Wright, I take it you mean Brandon? A sf, not a big, who so far has been a lottery pick. Clark made it known all along that his top choice in free agency was to return to Orlando. a Clark quote stated in the Orlando Sentinel:


"I'm used to my teammates," Clark said. "I think it was a good fit here, and I like the organization. My family's here. I just love Orlando."

As far as Murphy and McRoberts, I can understand why they picked the Lakers over the Spurs. So I can understand why your pissed at the lack of free agent activity by the Spurs front office, I am too, but given the Spurs lack of trade assets, as well as their cap situation, quit whing so much and hope the Spurs can, somehow, find a big.

I specifically said "no one was expecting a star or anything close" and I then went about listing affordable third-fifth big type options. I don't need a source, it's called common sense. If they wanted someone, they'd have gotten one of the names I mentioned.

Wright is a PF, genius. Shawne Williams wanted to stay with the Knicks, too. But the money and opportunity with the Nets was too much to pass up. Supposedly Clark got a little over $1 million annually on a 2 year contract. If the Spurs offered him $2, he's not turning that down. Just like if they offered Murphy $2 or a little more, instead of the $1.4 he got and told him he'd have a shot to eventually start, he's not turning that down.

Lack of trade assets and "cap situation", my ass. The Lakers found a way to get two of the better low cost bigs available. The Celtics damn near got a near All-Star caliber big. The Knicks did get a near All-Star caliber big. Not a single one had cap space, but they found a way to fill their needs or at least gave it their best shot. These cheap assholes nitpicked and thought they were smarter than everyone else.

Hope they "somehow find a big". Right, because solid bigs are always inexplicably cut for no reason. They'll probably bring Cousin back if/when he's waived by the Rockets, waive Lawal and act like they'd solved their issue. Meanwhile, they'll continue to get destroyed inside, especially once Splitter goes down and Duncan wears down.

[baseline bum]

McDyess goes down as one of my favorite players of all-time. The athletic version of McDyess was really fun to watch. I thought he was done after his knee injuries but he reinvented himself as a very good role playing big. I can't think of another player who totally reinvented how they played the game and did so seamlessly.

Thanks, Dice :tu

Cheers to Dice for a great career. I was such a fan of his in his Denver and Phoenix days and thought the Rockets were completely nuts to sign Pippen over him in 1999. After the hard times in New York I was so glad to see him regain control of his career in Detroit, and against any other team in those 05 Finals I would have been cheering like hell for him to ring. I'll never forget the way he was able to guard Nowitzki in the 2010 playoffs and help deliver an improbable series win. Antonio will go down as one of my favorite supporting players in franchise history. What I would have given to have him on the team for that 2006 matchup with Dallas.

[jjktkk]

I specifically said "no one was expecting a star or anything close" and I then went about listing affordable third-fifth big type options. I don't need a source, it's called common sense. If they wanted someone, they'd have gotten one of the names I mentioned.

Wright is a PF, genius. Shawne Williams wanted to stay with the Knicks, too. But the money and opportunity with the Nets was too much to pass up. Supposedly Clark got a little over $1 million annually on a 2 year contract. If the Spurs offered him $2, he's not turning that down. Just like if they offered Murphy $2 or a little more, instead of the $1.4 he got and told him he'd have a shot to eventually start, he's not turning that down.

Lack of trade assets and "cap situation", my ass. The Lakers found a way to get two of the better low cost bigs available. The Celtics damn near got a near All-Star caliber big. The Knicks did get a near All-Star caliber big. Not a single one had cap space, but they found a way to fill their needs or at least gave it their best shot.


Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, you really don't have a clue do you?

[Spurtacus]

Disappointing but not unexpected. Thanks for your efforts on the Spurs. Sorry you couldn't get a ring.

[024]

i can't believe the spurs couldn't turn mcdyess's expiring contract into anything. what a waste. i would have liked mcdyess to do one last thing for the spurs before he sinks into retirement like bowen (even though that didn't turn out well). sad to see mcdyess never get his ring.

[TD 21]

Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, you really don't have a clue do you?

I knew you'd pull that, but not surprisingly, you're missing the point. For the umpteenth time, I'm not saying they should have got someone at the level of a Chandler, West, etc. But Murphy, McRoberts, Clark, Wright, Gray, Shawne and Shelden Williams, etc., they definitely could have gotten one of. And honestly, between McDyess, Blair and their 1st, they should have done better than that via trade. Those guys should have been the minimum.

This old, senile asshole tells us he felt (to paraphrase) "uneasy about the spotty defense last season", then claims he'll do "whatever it takes to get back to 4th-7th defensively". He responds by losing either their second or third best defensive big, increasing the role of their two worst defensive bigs and not even bothering to bring in a surefire NBA player for a fifth big. And idiots like you, who have little to no knowledge and just blindly defend their every move, continue to give them a free pass.

[ElNono]

Not apologist, just a realist. Look at this teams history. Trot out the names of all the great free agents that the Spurs have brought to S.A.? For whatever reason, money, location, etc...

Well, not that long ago they picked up Bones, Finley... when they really wanted to get a big, they went after Horry, Oberto, Gooden, Dice...

This is a team that flew over the coach and dropped the red carpet for mighty mouse Stoudamire... so, when they really wanted, they've managed to do stuff. But it's readily apparent that the urgency isn't there this time, and Pop said basically as much a day or two ago.

That Dice contract is just a waste. I wish the best to Dice, this has nothing to do with him, but the Spurs had an asset, and basically decided to throw it away.

[ElNono]

I don't know how Duncan could allow this. He should have went berserk a few years ago, but especially after last season. Should have demanded that they brought in size, even if the best they could do was a Turiaf type. Instead, he, Ginobili and Parker, continue to put on a brave face for the cameras and pretend. Meanwhile, they've allowed the dumb, senile old man and the drunk piss away whatever slim chance they still had at contending. Well done.

When the SA media wasn't around, Tony said what he really thought...

[NRHector]

thanks Dice, FU Pop and RC

[ElNono]

Are you serious? You can't wait for a Spurs player to get injured?

I don't think he's wishing anybody to get injured. If you don't know Splitter's softness when it comes to injuries, then you need to catch up. I'm sure everybody wishes him to be healthy all season long, but it's true he's basically the only true big we have outside of TD, who can't really play that many games himself.

[Morg1411]

McDyess was the man. I was totally excited to have him come to SA, and I'm appreciative of how well he played for us.

[Morg1411]

In current news, I'm enjoying the pre-season meltdown. Entertaining shit.

[jjktkk]

Well, not that long ago they picked up Bones, Finley... when they really wanted to get a big, they went after Horry, Oberto, Gooden, Dice...

This is a team that flew over the coach and dropped the red carpet for mighty mouse Stoudamire... so, when they really wanted, they've managed to do stuff. But it's readily apparent that the urgency isn't there this time, and Pop said basically as much a day or two ago.

That Dice contract is just a waste. I wish the best to Dice, this has nothing to do with him, but the Spurs had an asset, and basically decided to throw it away.

Bones, was the arguably the best fa pickup in long while. Why aren't fa's wanting to come to S.A.? Is it because they look at S.A. and no longer view them as a contender? To me that is part if the reason. Is the FO lowballing free agents? Is it Location? If this was 5 years ago, do you think the Spurs would be having such a hard time finding a decent big? I honestly do not know, do you? According to MacDonald(Twitter), the Spurs were trying to make a trade using a Dice/Blair combo, but the trade to whatever team(didn't specify which team) fell thru. Look, this FO is far from perfect, the RJ fiasco is mind numbing to say the least, but considering and understanding what the Spurs are working with, in terms of trade assets and/or money, what realistically where you expecting?

[jjktkk]

I knew you'd pull that, but not surprisingly, you're missing the point. For the umpteenth time, I'm not saying they should have got someone at the level of a Chandler, West, etc. But Murphy, McRoberts, Clark, Wright, Gray, Shawne and Shelden Williams, etc., they definitely could have gotten one of. And honestly, between McDyess, Blair and their 1st, they should have done better than that via trade. Those guys should have been the minimum.

This old, senile asshole tells us he felt (to paraphrase) "uneasy about the spotty defense last season", then claims he'll do "whatever it takes to get back to 4th-7th defensively". He responds by losing either their second or third best defensive big, increasing the role of their two worst defensive bigs and not even bothering to bring in a surefire NBA player for a fifth big. And idiots like you, who have little to no knowledge and just blindly defend their every move, continue to give them a free pass.

Lol, oh wise and noble armchair GM, I see you added Sheldon Williams to your impressive list of bigs. The guy has bounced the league for quite a few years now and can't keep a job as a 4th string 4, or 5, but, you want the Spurs to snatch him up. And how in the hell did the Spurs lose their "second or third best big", when the guy retires? Since you have this wealth of knowledge, regarding the Spur's assets, I'm curious as to exactly how much money are the Spur's willing to spend and tell me exactly which deals were RC and Pop working on? Which deals and trade senarios were Pop and RC working on and were ultimatly turned down? Or are Pop and RC just doing nothing at all and are kicking back over a bottle of wine and waiting for the season to start?

[Bruno]

It's disappointing that Spurs haven't been able to turn Dice's contract into something good. It was a nice trade asset. Even the typical salary dump trade would have given Spurs a nice trade exception and more flexibility with the luxury tax.

I also don't get at all what Spurs are trying to do with their bigmen rotation. Waiving Novak to let him sign with Knicks is a nice move but it also meant that Spurs told him that he has very little chance to make the roster. Why that? Are Spurs ready to only have 4 bigmen on their roster? Have Spurs a mystery bigman waiting on the sidelines? That's just so weird...

[ElNono]

Bones, was the arguably the best fa pickup in long while. Why aren't fa's wanting to come to S.A.? Is it because they look at S.A. and no longer view them as a contender? To me that is part if the reason. Is the FO lowballing free agents? Is it Location? If this was 5 years ago, do you think the Spurs would be having such a hard time finding a decent big? I honestly do not know, do you? According to MacDonald(Twitter), the Spurs were trying to make a trade using a Dice/Blair combo, but the trade to whatever team(didn't specify which team) fell thru. Look, this FO is far from perfect, the RJ fiasco is mind numbing to say the least, but considering and understanding what the Spurs are working with, in terms of trade assets and/or money, what realistically where you expecting?

I listed 6 different FA's. Whether they pan out or not is really irrelevant. The point is that when the FO really scrambled, they managed to get something done.

I can buy the "FAs don't want to come over here" when it comes to starters. But for 2nd-3rd stringers FAs, I really doubt it. I would buy that the Spurs need to overpay a bit in order to entice them, but really, those guys are after the guaranteed money.

I also don't buy the "CIA Pop" line of "they tried but couldn't convince anybody, you just never hear about it". In this day and age, when you're trying to pull a trade or sign and trade, you're talking with other team's managers, agents, etc. It's how we found out about our search for a new SF.

Plus Pop's tacit admission that they're not in a hurry really rounds it all up.

[ace3g]

DarrenMHaynes Darren M. Haynes
Here's my exclusive interview with Antonio McDyess on "possible" retirement https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=344233798924217

[Doctor J]

I haven't seen a better competitor in the paint who plays with heart and soul and gives 110% every night than Dice since Buck Williams in the 80s and 90s.

Dice, I will miss you.

Thank you for great memories!



I still think you should have come to San Antonio after the 2007 championship season....

[Ice009]

DarrenMHaynes Darren M. Haynes
Here's my exclusive interview with Antonio McDyess on "possible" retirement https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=344233798924217

I couldn't understand half of what he said.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

It's disappointing that Spurs haven't been able to turn Dice's contract into something good. It was a nice trade asset. Even the typical salary dump trade would have given Spurs a nice trade exception and more flexibility with the luxury tax.

I also don't get at all what Spurs are trying to do with their bigmen rotation. Waiving Novak to let him sign with Knicks is a nice move but it also meant that Spurs told him that he has very little chance to make the roster. Why that? Are Spurs ready to only have 4 bigmen on their roster? Have Spurs a mystery bigman waiting on the sidelines? That's just so weird...

Must be a trade in the works or something. Why wouldn't they send Dice's contract + $3M to a team under the cap for a top 59 protected 2nd rounder and a TE? Don't see why no team would take this deal.

[SenorSpur]

I'll always remember, in the Memphis playoff series, how ferociously angry Dice got at, what he thought was a terrible call against him, and the Spurs. I remember Tim and others literally having to pull him away from the official to avoid a technical, while Dice was flinging his arms wildly. I've never seen him so animated and so angry. It clearly showed how much passion, frustration and desire he had to win that game. By that time, the series was already slipping away, yet Dice was still out there fighting and competiting. A true warrior.

[++SaiNt TiAg0++]

man ive never felt so depressed about the spurs in my life. what the hell is going on !!? i was saying it last year and ill say it again this year POP NEEDS TO GO! especially if hes not going to help timmy/manu/parker i mean who the hell does he think hes fooling? does he even know where he is.. im serious he needs to have a damn physical for all we know hes on a binge lol you would have to be to sit idle with what you have

[Bruno]

Must be a trade in the works or something. Why wouldn't they send Dice's contract + $3M to a team under the cap for a top 59 protected 2nd rounder and a TE? Don't see why no team would take this deal.

It's hard to understand while Spurs haven't done a trade like that because it would have allowed them to save a lot of money by going under the tax.

Maybe Spurs didn't find a team to do that trade, maybe Spurs want to keep the $3M asset for another trade, maybe Spurs hopes to have Dice back with the team later this season...

In the past, Spurs have done some weird move financially wise. They were just over the tax and didn't go under while there were some easy moves to do it. It's possible that there are some complicate stuffs regarding Spurs financing and that it's not always in the owners best interest to have a payroll as low as possible.

[SA210]

Well, we lost our only gangster on the team..

:pop::pctoss

[tdunk21]

It's hard to understand while Spurs haven't done a trade like that because it would have allowed them to save a lot of money by going under the tax.

Maybe Spurs didn't find a team to do that trade, maybe Spurs want to keep the $3M asset for another trade, maybe Spurs hopes to have Dice back with the team later this season...

In the past, Spurs have done some weird move financially wise. They were just over the tax and didn't go under while there were some easy moves to do it. It's possible that there are some complicate stuffs regarding Spurs financing and that it's not always in the owners best interest to have a payroll as low as possible.

so after waiving novak and dice, are we under the cap?if we are under the cap we can offer the full MLE right?

[Bruno]

so after waiving novak and dice, are we under the cap?if we are under the cap we can offer the full MLE right?

Nope. Spurs are over the tax and can only offer the mini MLE.

[Budkin]

Sucks.

[BanditHiro]

T.T can we just tank to get a bigman...i heard there was some good prospects this year.

[spursince#99]

I swear we need to tank. Fuck this season & Pop & this wack ass front office. I'm ultimately depressed by this shit.

[manufan10]

The mood swings on SpursTalk is great for entertainment purposes.

[lefty]

Fuck thhis franchise

[TD 21]

Lol, oh wise and noble armchair GM, I see you added Sheldon Williams to your impressive list of bigs. The guy has bounced the league for quite a few years now and can't keep a job as a 4th string 4, or 5, but, you want the Spurs to snatch him up. And how in the hell did the Spurs lose their "second or third best big", when the guy retires? Since you have this wealth of knowledge, regarding the Spur's assets, I'm curious as to exactly how much money are the Spur's willing to spend and tell me exactly which deals were RC and Pop working on? Which deals and trade senarios were Pop and RC working on and were ultimatly turned down? Or are Pop and RC just doing nothing at all and are kicking back over a bottle of wine and waiting for the season to start?

Williams would have made sense as a fifth big, particularly if Blair were traded. He's strong, a good rebounder, solid defender and can make the occasional mid range jumper. Basically, a poor man's Kurt Thomas. Speaking of whom, why wasn't he signed? Despite his age, he was solid again last season and is similar enough to McDyess, who they wanted to retain. They lost McDyess to retirement and failed to replace him. Even you should be able to understand that.

The Spurs have their mini mid-level exception, worth $3 million, available. There's no reason they couldn't have outbid a bunch of teams for one of those bigs. This is a results oriented business and nobody cares if they tried or were limited in what they could do. As I alluded to, other teams were limited too, but still found a way to fill at least some needs and it wasn't just the glamor teams.

If they were interested in any of the aforementioned bigs, I'm sure we'd have heard in at least a few of the cases. They were too busy nitpicking and acting like they were smarter than everyone else, like they thought a quality all around big would fall into their lap for the minimum. If you can't have quality, then you've got to have quantity. They have neither.

[jjktkk]

Williams would have made sense as a fifth big, particularly if Blair were traded. He's strong, a good rebounder, solid defender and can make the occasional mid range jumper. Basically, a poor man's Kurt Thomas. Speaking of whom, why wasn't he signed? Despite his age, he was solid again last season and is similar enough to McDyess, who they wanted to retain. They lost McDyess to retirement and failed to replace him. Even you should be able to understand that.

The Spurs have their mini mid-level exception, worth $3 million, available. There's no reason they couldn't have outbid a bunch of teams for one of those bigs. This is a results oriented business and nobody cares if they tried or were limited in what they could do. As I alluded to, other teams were limited too, but still found a way to fill at least some needs and it wasn't just the glamor teams.

If they were interested in any of the aforementioned bigs, I'm sure we'd have heard in at least a few of the cases. They were too busy nitpicking and acting like they were smarter than everyone else, like they thought a quality all around big would fall into their lap for the minimum. If you can't have quality, then you've got to have quantity. They have neither.

Did you not read the article, that the Spurs are not gonna just sign anybody? Depth is nice, if that depth actually gets on the court.

[TD 21]

Did you not read the article, that the Spurs are not gonna just sign anybody? Depth is nice, if that depth actually gets on the court.

I did. Hence the "they nitpicked and thought they were smarter than everyone else" comment. Depth isn't just "nice", it's a necessity. And it's especially essential in a compressed season, where your best big by far is 35, with a ton of mileage and you have only two other legit sized bigs, one of whom is basically a perimeter player and the other being fairly injury prone.

The two positions you absolute can't be short at, in term of bodies, is center and point guard. They no longer have the luxury of quality. The aforementioned bigs were as close to quality as they could afford in free agency and they apparently weren't interested. So now it's not about that, it's about having another big body. And whoever it is will get on the court. They won't be in the rotation, but they will be needed to eat up a fair amount of minutes, even if the four rotation bigs avoid injury.

[ChumpDumper]

Williams would have made sense as a fifth big, particularly if Blair were traded. He's strong, a good rebounder, solid defender and can make the occasional mid range jumper. Basically, a poor man's Kurt Thomas. Speaking of whom, why wasn't he signed? You should review the player pool.

[TD 21]

You should review the player pool.

? Both of them were available at the start of free agency and both signed for the minimum.

So you don't want depth up front? You like the fact that they don't have quality or quantity of bigs?

[ChumpDumper]

? Both of them were available at the start of free agency and both signed for the minimum.

So you don't want depth up front? You like the fact that they don't have quality or quantity of bigs?Sorry, misread your sentence.

We have enough slow big men. I wanted to sign him for years and years -- it was a bit too late when he actually got here and it's far too late now.

[TD 21]

Sorry, misread your sentence.

We have enough slow big men. I wanted to sign him for years and years -- it was a bit too late when he actually got here and it's far too late now.

I agree. But beggars can't be choosers. At least he can make a shot outside of 10 feet and hold his own on the glass and defensively in the post. There's only one big on this team who the same can be said for.

[ChumpDumper]

I agree. But beggars can't be choosers. At least he can make a shot outside of 10 feet and hold his own on the glass and defensively in the post. There's only one big on this team who the same can be said for.Sure beggars can be choosers -- it's just that all the choices suck.

[Giuseppe]

Sorry

For posterity.

[slick'81]

i still remember bringing in dice and how great a fit he was.Will always remember timmy going against dice early in his career when dice was still a sun.

Gl antonio srry u couldnt go out with a ring

[jjktkk]

I did. Hence the "they nitpicked and thought they were smarter than everyone else.

Hmmm. I wonder if their smarter than TD 21? I'll go out on a limb and say yes.

[TD 21]

Hmmm. I wonder if their smarter than TD 21? I'll go out on a limb and say yes.

So smart that they managed to take a severe weakness and make it worse, despite having the trade assets to improve it.

[Spurs Brazil]

By Mike Monroe
[email protected]

HOUSTON — Admitting it felt strange to be sitting in the stands 10 rows behind the Spurs bench, and even weirder seeing Tim Duncan sitting out the second half of the third game of the season because the Spurs were being blown out by the Rockets, Antonio McDyess put to rest any thoughts that he might elect to come out of retirement at any time this season.

“Uh-uh,” he said, flashing his characteristic smile. “A lot of people have been asking, but it’s not happening.”

McDyess and his wife are expecting their first child in a few days and he said he is comfortable with his decision to leave the NBA after 16 seasons, the last two with the Spurs.

The former All-Star and Olympic gold medal winner paid a short visit to the Spurs locker room after the Rockets’ 105-85 drubbing, to the delight of coach Gregg Popovich.

“The best part of this whole night was seeing Antonio,” Popovich said.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/12/29/former-spur-mcdyess-says-hes-done-for-good/

[Giuseppe]

I recall when Denver & Phoenix got into a pissing match for his services many years ago. Denver brought him into town and out to the Pepsi Center. Kidd, George McCloud and Rex Chapman took a Lear up at Colangelo's expense in order to get him to come back down here. They took off from Sky Harbor and arrived in a snow storm in Denver, landed and drove out to the Pepsi Center. But, they wouldn't sell them a ticket, or, answer the door. Finally they got a janitor (Lefty's estranged father) to open the door a crack, but, he refused to let 'em in.

[SenorSpur]

Congrats to Dice and his wife. He will be missed. I hope he enjoys retirement.

[MmP]

I recall watching him hit open jumpers on us on game 3 of 2005 finals and thinking, man it'd be nice having this guy.
it was great seeing him as a spur too bad we didn't win more

[dunkman]

The FO should convince Dice to unretire for one last season. He can hit long jumpers on offense, without sacrificing defense and rebounding.

[Obstructed_View]

The FO should convince Dice to unretire for one last season. He can hit long jumpers on offense, without sacrificing defense and rebounding.

I was really hoping we could get through this thread without someone begging for Dice to come back. If Dice were here, he wouldn't be eating into Bonner's minutes. Let that sink in.

[dunkman]

I was really hoping we could get through this thread without someone begging for Dice to come back. If Dice were here, he wouldn't be eating into Bonner's minutes. Let that sink in.

Pop likes to have a bigman that plays on the perimeter, however the Spurs need a backup for the other players. The red rocket could be replaced by RJ, with his role at SF covered by Leonard or Anderson. But when the other 3 bigs get in foul trouble, the options are very limited. Also, it would allow Duncan to miss some RS games. And if somebody gets injured, it will be very difficult.

Dice seems an mature individual, the Spurs should simply talk to him and put an offer on a table. If accepted fine, if not move one. Working with Pop or in a Spurs FO has later granted a top level job to many persons. Perhaps the Spurs offered $$$, so Dice says he's comfortable being retired.

[Obstructed_View]

Dice seems an mature individual.

QFMUI*









*Quoted For Massive Unintentional Irony

[ChuckD]

Any use of the Mini Mid would actually cost the Spurs about $12M this season, 3 for the salary, 3 for the tax, and a negative 6 on the luxtax distribution. You don't do that for Shelden Williams. KMart would be another story, if he were interested in coming.

[dunkman]

QFMUI*









*Quoted For Massive Unintentional Irony

Not really, it was a literal translation from Spanish. When did I stated to have perfect English command?

It makes little sense to "beg" a grown person, and its unclear why would that be necessary. That being said, would agree it doesn't make sense pay like $12M for the 5th big.

[Obstructed_View]

Sorry for the language barrier. Let me say it clearly: Dice is really old. No thanks. Not sure he would be any better than Bonner at this point. He dug really deep against the Grizzlies and managed to not completely suck for a short burst.