According to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, Antonio McDyess has decided that he’s not yet ready to hang up his size 14 sneakers.
Antonio McDyess, the 36-year-old Spurs forward who as recently as last month had been leaning toward retirement at the end of the season, said Thursday he plans to return for a 15th season.
“My mind is pretty much made up,” McDyess said. “I feel like I’ll be able to lace ‘em up and go again.”
When McDyess joined the Spurs as a free agent in July 2009, his plan was to play two more seasons and call it quits. As an incentive, the Spurs built into McDyess’ contract a third season in 2011-12, of which only $2.64 million is guaranteed — sort of an early retirement present.
McDyess is playing about three minutes less than last season and his numbers haven’t seemed to be effected by the dip in playing time. He’s also played a bigger role this season than originally expected, something he didn’t foresee coming into this season.
“I don’t know what my role will be, but whatever it is I’m going to take it and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be totally different than what it was last year,” McDyess said during training camp.
McDyess’ role hasn’t changed due to Tiago Splitter’s development taking longer than expected, especially due to an injury during training camp. After a few turn-back-the-clock games and his game-winning tip in in Los Angeles, I expect that Spurs fans are glad to hear that he’ll be sticking around.
