DENVER -- Antonio McDyess had said this likely would be his final NBA season. He's not backing off.Barring an unexpected turn of events, the San Antonio Spurs forward will retire after this, his 16th season.
"No doubt,'' McDyess said in an interview with FanHouse before Thursday's game at Denver about retiring. "I've been in it for 16 years. I'm tired. My body is breaking down. I'm just tired. Enough is enough.''
McDyess had said in an interview last April with FanHouse he expected this to be his final season. McDyess said the $5.22 million left on his contract for next season is half guaranteed, but he's willing to walk away from $2.61 million.
"If I'm willing to retire, definitely it's not about the money right now,'' McDyess said. "(Playing) 16 years is a long time. I had fun. I've been blessed to play that long. Just to get to this point of my career is definitely a great thing. But I know when to say, 'No (more).' I know when to stop because I can't do it no more. I'm out there and can't run around with young guys and waking up with achy bones for no reason. That's kind of telling me it's time to let it go.''
McDyess did acknowledge there's a slim possibly he could come back for a 17th season.
"I hate to say never, that I won't (ever play again) because I still love the game,'' McDyess said. "But if you ask me right now, it will definitely be, 'Yes, I'm done after this year.' ... It's a strong, strong, strong yes (of retiring after this season). ... I'm pretty sure I will retire, but I still got friends that still say, 'Hey, Dice give us one more year.'''
McDyess, 36, looks capable of perhaps squeezing out one more season. He entered Thursday averaging 4.9 points and 5.1 rebounds.
McDyess, who has career averages of 12.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, said there are stops during his likely farewell season that are emotional. Denver is one.
The 6-foot-9 McDyess broke into the NBA with the Nuggets, playing with them from 1995-97. He also spent 1998-2002 with Denver, and was traded by Detroit to the Nuggets in November 2008. However, the Nuggets bought out his contract and he soon returned to the Pistons.
"It's sad,'' McDyess said of returning to Denver, where the Spurs also will play March 23 during the regular season. "When you've been doing it for so long, and then just to say, 'Goodbye to it,' ... This is my favorite by far, where I started my career, and to end. And be thinking, 'This is my last time playing in this arena ever,' is definitely sad to be. But it's still a good time.''
McDyess' resumé includes a 2000 Olympic gold medal and an appearance in the 2001 All-Star Game. He doesn't have a championship ring, but that's not out of the question this season with his Spurs being an NBA-best 21-3.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com or on Twitter@christomasson
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