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This says it all:

“I didn’t expect a standing ovation. That was a very nice moment for me,” McDyess said. “I was hoping no one was looking at my face, because I was getting quite emotional. I played some great basketball here, and my heart still belongs to these fans.”

source

I was just taking a look at Antonio McDyess’ numbers and they’re down across the board from last season. In his defense he’s playing 10 less minutes per game.

I haven’t seen too many Spurs games this season so I’m kind of wondering if that’s more of a reflection of a lesser role with the Spurs than he had with the Pistons, the extra birthday (‘Tone’s 36), or a combination of the two?

UPDATE: Check the comments for some Spurs insight from Jeff at Project Spurs

Quick note Pistons Nation, we’re now calling Dice ‘San Antonio Mcdyess’.  How fitting  that it translates to Saint Antonio McDyess (as pointed out by reader and Tweeter brgulker).

As we say hello to the two newest Pistons, Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon, we also are saying good bye to one of the most respected Pistons of all times, Antonio McDyess.

The Pistons held their press conference today for the signings of both BG and Villanueva at the Palace making the two of them official members of the team that we recently learned would be headed by former Cleveland Cavaliers’ assistant John Kuester.

Then the bitter sweet news that Antonio McDyess has agreed to a 3-year, $15 million offer from the San Antonio Spurs.  I’m sad to see ‘Tonio go, but at the same time I’m happy for him.  He’s going to a team that has a better shot to get him the ring that he deserves because that man is a champion.  Good luck Dyess!

Is it safe to say the Pistons are and have been over matched against the Cavaliers?  I think so.  I’ll put my fanhood up against anyone’s, but I’m not disillusional.  There’s a pretty good chance the Pistons are going to get swept out of these playoffs.  That means there’s some guys who will probably being playing their last game as a member of the Detroit Pistons.

Rasheed Wallace is in the final season of his contract.  It’s been a blast following the entertaining and enigmatic Roscoe Wallace, but the end of this run will also mark an end to Wallace’s days in Pistons’ blue in my estimation.  As it’s been pointed out during these playoffs Rasheed has lost a step.  I can’t see paying him to come off the bench and shoot three’s.  We have a need for post play and rebounding and Sheed rarely offers that anymore.  I can see him getting a good offer from a team that is perhaps closer to the Larry O’Brien chase than we are.  Somewhere where he’s not counted on to be the man, but rather an x-factor type who can stretch a defense.  Plus if Dumars plans to roll with Curry he’ll be better served without a guy who has a history of challenging the leadership of his head coach.  Curry cannot afford to lose the confidence of the younger players.

Antonio McDyess is the other guy who is likely to seek an opportunity elsewhere.  Dice could definitely still help the Piston cause.  I would love to see Dice retire as a Piston, but he seems like such a great guy I wouldn’t  begrudge him taking a stab at a ring in another city.  He’s said he doesn’t want to be a ring chaser but he might just owe it to himself.

Walter Herrmann’s contract will also come off the books at the cessation of the season.  I’ve always been a little indifferent about the Herrmannator.  He’s shown at times he can help the team, but I think it depends on which way the team is headed.

Then there’s Tayshaun.  Coming into the season Michael Curry talked about Tay’s inner all-star  finally coming out, which never really happened.  I think the Pistons had designs on Prince possibly evolving from a “glue-guy” into a 20-10 guy.  Since that hasn’t happened Joe may be willing to deal Tay, who still as plenty of trade value, for that 20-10 guy he covets.

So what I’m saying is despite the Pistons slim chances Sunday you might want to sit through all the inevitable LeBron James post-dunk posing for a last glimpse at a group of guys who have given us a whole memorable era of championship caliber basketball.

(Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

He’s at it again folks.  When Michael Curry said he might experiment and start Dyess in the last 20 games what he meant to say was that he was desperate and he’ll try anything starting tonight against the Bucks at the Palace.

 “As I talked about going into the break, I’m going to start him instead of Amir,” Curry said of McDyess. “Hopefully Amir will play better with some second line guys. Hopefully we can be more solid defensively, especially when we have the help with ‘Dyess in there and also to stay consistent.

Look out for that bus you’re being thrown under Amir!

Despite Antonio’s preference, productivity and the fact that Dyess is playing starter’s minutes already Curry is again flip flopping on lineups.  Shocking right?

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:

After the workout, Pistons coach Michael Curry said that he might consider starting backup power forward Antonio McDyess for the last 20 games of the season and into the postseason.

But he’s only considering it as a way to bulk up the starting lineup and try to avoid early foul trouble for either Rasheed Wallace or McDyess.

Why?  Why is it taking so long to settle on a rotation?  Are we supposed to wait to game #70 or so to really evaluate this team?  C’mon!  Could anyone else see this coming when Dice was killing it on the glass last night?

Dyess prefers to come off the bench.  Bring him off the bench. It’s where he’s most comfortable and productive.  Besides that he’s already getting a starter’s share of the minutes.

Wasn’t it just a couple days ago that we were reading how Amir is going to be the full time starter?  If Dice is starting how far is Curry going to bury Amir in the rotation?  Or will it just lead to more odd DNP’s for Maxiell?

The only consistency with Curry is inconsistency.  You can understand if guys are losing confidence in him.  This is getting comical.