Auburn Hills, Mich. – Numerous Nuggets losses. Three knee surgeries. Serious thoughts of retirement. A seven-year playoff hiatus.
All that weighed on Detroit Pistons forward Antonio McDyess the past eight seasons of his career. But with former Nuggets teammate Chauncey Billups by his side, McDyess said he believes the pain has guided him to a chance to win an NBA title.
Tonight, McDyess and the Pistons play the host Miami Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, which are tied at 2-2.
“It’s funny how everything works out,” McDyess said. “It works out for a reason. People told me that things happen for a reason. I didn’t believe it at the time, and I pretty much see it now.”
In six seasons with Denver, McDyess averaged a career-best 21.2 points in 1998-99, was a 2001 all-star and is ninth on the franchise’s list of points (6,555) and rebounds (3,231) and fifth in blocks (604). The 6-foot-9, 245-pounder was known for having a 40-plus inch vertical leap.
“We’ve had a few conversations (in Detroit) with everyone chipping in saying, ‘Do you remember him in Denver?”‘ Billups said.
That was before McDyess suffered major knee injuries late in the 2000-01 season and was limited to 10 games in his last season with the Nuggets. He missed the 2002-03 season with New York with a fractured kneecap and played just 42 games last season with New York and Phoenix.
McDyess considered retirement. Billups was among those who talked him out of it.
“I remember his lowest points,” Billups said. “Like when he was in New York. Him just really wanting to say: ‘That’s enough. I’ve had enough surgeries. It’s not working. I’m ready to give it up.’ I always told him: ‘Man, you’re too good for that. … It’s at least worth you trying and continuing to try.’ We always talked about it taking him being in the right situation.”
The right situation ended up being in Detroit. With the Pistons in search of a big man to replace Mehmet Okur, Billups pushed for McDyess. Detroit signed him to a four-year, $22.5 million contract.
“(Billups) always said, ‘Man, I’d love to play with you again,’ ” McDyess said.
McDyess averaged 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in 77 regular-season games this season. He has averaged 6.8 points and five rebounds against the Heat in the Eastern finals. He hasn’t missed a game because of his knee.
“The first three months he was with us, every time he jumped or ran I was scared to death,” Detroit coach Larry Brown said. “I truly believe that next year he will be even better. But he’s been huge for us.”
Now McDyess has a chance to own a championship ring.
“It would mean the world to me,” McDyess said. “This is what it’s about. If I got a ring, I don’t know what I’d do. I’d just smile every day.”
Footnotes
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich called Brown on Tuesday, asking him to tell Billups he had a great Game 4. The Denver native had 17 points, seven assists and no turnovers in a 106-96 win over Miami. “(Popovich) has his own problems right now,” Billups said. “For him to call coach Brown and take the time out to tell him I did a great job is a great compliment.” … With rumors that Brown may become Cleveland’s president, Nuggets assistant general manager Jeff Weltman, who interviewed for the Cavs’ GM job, all but eliminated himself from consideration. “My understanding is they’re going to go with the model of a president and let him hire the GM,” Weltman said. “That’s not what I’m interested in.” … Weltman says he has not had contact with Orlando, the NBA’s other team with a GM opening.
Staff writer Adam Thompson contributed to this story. Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
