By By Richard Dark / EMG staff writer
March 29, 2004
NEW ORLEANS Much like the namesake of the city in which he again finds himself, Quitman native Antonio McDyess' NBA career resembles the mythical Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Friday night against the New Orleans Hornets, his stat line was impressive. He epitomized the New Orleans Arena Retro Night theme by putting up numbers the way he did at the height of his career, before knee injuries robbed him of playing time for the better part of two years.
Dice,' as his teammates call him, tossed in 13 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and five steals for the Suns, while overcoming three quick fouls in the first quarter on the way to seeing 27 minutes of action in the center spot.
It was his second straight double figure rebounding game. Included in that total was a crucial steal and board inside of two minutes left that helped to stave off a furious Hornet comeback and preserve a 99-94 Suns road win.
This is his second stint in the valley of the sun, coming back to Phoenix on Jan. 5 in the trade that sent Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway to the Knicks for he, Charlie Ward and several throw-in players and draft picks.
He averaged 8.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in 18 games this season in New York. His last stint on the injured list ended on Feb. 20, and he has played in all 16 games for the Suns since.
D'Antoni, who also coached on the staff in the Rocky Mountains, where McDyess spent six seasons with the Denver Nuggets, is also convinced that the former University of Alabama standout can come all the way back from the setbacks.
One of his Friday night opponents agreed.
Heading into this season, McDyess owned career averages of 17.6 points per game and 8.7 rebounds.
And while the numbers he's put up in the past may not be there just yet (4.3 pts, 4.2 rebs.), that may be more of a byproduct of the other talented players on the Phoenix roster, rather than just him working off the rust.
And even though it had nothing to do with his teammates, McDyess will be quick to tell you his time in New York was a forgettable experience, beginning from the 2002 preseason, when he fractured his kneecap in a game, ironically enough, against the Suns.
And there's also less pressure to come back and produce too quickly, before the natural healing process had run its course.
And during all that time, he says, fears of an abbreviated career slowly began to engulf him.
What does the future hold for him?
McDyess, a free agent this summer might get a look from a team like New Orleans, which desperately needs to get younger, longer and more athletic as they move into the Western Conference. Being less than three hours away from home is also attractive for him, but given his circumstances, he'll feel good with whatever happens.
Given all he's already overcome, it doesn't seem like much of a stretch.