The Antonio McDyess Appreciation Thread

[buddahfan]

I for one have to say that this idea, whose ever it was, of switching Dyess to the starting unit, appears to have been an excellent decision up until now.

I think the core four with Dyess are better than the core four with Webber.

Remember that we started slowly mainly because of the injuries to our starters during the pre-season, Rip and injuries after the season opened.

Now that this starting unit has started a number of games it seems to me that with Dyess averaging close to a double double, at least as of late, this starting unit is pretty darn good.

It seems to me that Dyess has answered the call to be switched to a starter with great success.

Dyess if you read this forum I want you to know that we love you big guy. Keep up the great work.

[KGREG]

I'm so glad that this thread was started. I don't really know if us Piston fans really realize just how good McDyess makes our team in this role. For reasonable purposes he is the 5th option, yet he can go out and get you 15pts/9rebs and play very good defense, and has really started to make alot of the hustle plays. When Antonio McDyess becomes the starter the opposition pays the least amount of attention to, WHOA BABY!!!!

I do believe, RIGHT NOW TODAY, this starting five is better with Dyess in it, then it would be with Ben in it. Keep in mind I'm adjusting for coaching changes, and Stern rule changes. If you look at the things that Ben did for us, Dyess and Max are pretty much giving us about 85% of Ben-Ball, yet they give us about 200% more on the offensive end.

[max]

Given the fact that we are 21-7 and have been blowing teams out lately, mainly in the 3rd quarter with the startes. Then yes I would say the McDyess in the starting unit experiment is working out better than expected.

Still need to tweak that bench though. Get Stucky in there with Afflalo as our backup guards. Give this Wally guy a look at backup SF, who knows if he will be the one to hit that crucial shot in a playoff game. See what Amir has.

Always look for ways to improve should be the theme of this season. Keep things fresh going into the post-season.

[BillLaimbeer]

Having Maxiel coming off the bench is exactly what the team needs. Great decision by Joe and Flip to start McDyess. The argument to keep McDyess' minutes down to give Amir more burn is a good one.

[KGREG]

Originally Posted by max

Always look for ways to improve should be the theme of this season. Keep things fresh going into the post-season.

Flip actually said something that made me smile the other night. He was asked is it difficult to harp on team improvement when the team is playing so well. Flips response was that it's easier to coach mistakes now, when the team is playing so well, the mistakes tend to get maginified and exposed quickly.

[jammertime]

I'll admit that I was wrong. I didn't like the idea of Dice starting because I felt that it would weaken (in Flip's eyes) a bench that was already underutilized. But so far, so good - as long as Flip keeps the bench involved.

[bricalz]

I don't think it's a matter of Dyess starting, IMO. He could be on the bench and still play well. In fact, he did play well off the bench the last couple of seasons, at times better than Ben.

The thing is, he has now taken up more of the slack on the rebounding, which we sorely need him to do. He's also playing great defense and hitting his outside shots, and at times he's shown he can still do some damage inside.

He's just playing well right now.

He's not the Dyess of the dunking days. This is a more refined Mcdyess, a veteran who is getting the job done.

[FreshPrince22]

Dice is a beast. Now knock about 5 mpg off his current total, Flipper.

[TWOTIMESRALPHI]

I'm impressed by his play as well. Didn't expect him to put up numbers like that while managing to remain healthy. Still, he should play about 5 minutes less, no one wants him to be exhausted come playoff time.
He simply seems to play better with the starters on the floor than having the pressure with the 2nd unit. I hope he'll be able to do what it takes to win that freakin' ring since he plays a bigger role now.

[linwood]

I was afraid that Dice would quickly pick up fouls as a starter. I was wrong... he seems less foul prone than last year.