McDyess Gets Buy-Out, Becomes Free Agent

From RealGM.com:

The Denver Nuggets have reached an agreement with Antonio McDyess and will buy out his contract, allowing the forward to become an unrestricted free agent, the Denver Post is reporting.

Miller said that 19 teams have inquired about McDyess’ status, and it’s possible that the veteran forward could return to the Pistons, the team who traded him on Monday, along with Chauncey Billups and Cheikh Samb, in exchange for Allen Iverson.

Well we all knew it was coming. Now the big story is where will the Dyess Man decide to resume his career. Does he go back to the team who just traded him away or does he choose to come to Boston for a better chance at winning a title? Although he needs to wait 30 days before he can re-sign with Detroit, I’m sure his future will be decided much earlier than that.

Perk Owns the Paint

I have always been a Kendrick Perkins fan, even when my allegiance may not have been warranted by his play. He was always a big bruiser with limited skill and that look on his face like he’s ready to decapitate anyone at a moment’s notice. Two seasons ago, he was starting to come around like maybe there was a glimmer of hope for him o become a decent starting center in this league. As soon as you put him next to Kevin Garnett, he turned it up to a whole new level.

Last season, Perkins averaged career-highs in points, rebounds, blocks, field goal percentage and minutes. His problem used to be that he would take himself out of the game by picking up two quick fouls in the first quarter, but he is learning how to play physical without fouling every time down the floor. He averaged a respectable 1.5 blocks last season and I’m sure playing next to KG helped that.

But watching him play the last three games this season, I’m starting to think he very well may have the timing down when it comes to blocking shots. After back-to-back four block performances (@ Houston, @ Oklahoma City), Perkins returned home and kept the block party going. Last night with the Milwaukee Bucks in town, Kendrick Perkins rejected SEVEN shots! The seven blocks is now his new career-high (he had six on three different occassions) and puts him tied for 3rd in the league with 2.8 blocked shots per game. Now do I expect Perkins to challenge Dwight Howard for the blocked shots leader for the season? Not at all. But will it surprise me if he averages over 2.5 blocks a game this season and finally becomes a top defensive center? I already think he is one of the best low-post defenders in the league already. If he starts blocking shots at this rate, he’ll be a force in the paint that all teams will have to respect.

C’s Keep Rolling, Blow Past Bucks at Home

Celtics return home after a three game road trip to host the Milwaukee Bucks. As seems to be a recurring theme this season, the Celtics got down early and for most of the first half, but close out the 2nd quarter on a nice little run. Then in the 3rd quarter, they pull away and hold them off for the rest of the game.

Early on in the game, Richard Jefferson was unstoppable, scoring 16 points in the first quarter alone (finishing the game with 20). With Michael Redd out, there just wasn’t enough offensive fire power for the Bucks to hang with the Celtics. When you’re relying on Charlie Villanueva to be your 2nd option against the defending champs, you know you’re in big trouble.

Paul Pierce continues to be the Jack of all trades as he finished the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Garnett was the only other starter scoring in double-digits with 16 points and chipped in with nine rebounds. Ray Allen struggled from the field (3-13) but the bench stepped up with Tony Allen, Leon Powe and Eddie House scoring 13, 10 and 11 points respectively. Rondo finished with eight assists and Kendrick Perkins swatted a career high SEVEN shots.

This next week will be a marathon for the Celtics as they will have five games in seven days (four of which are back-to-back nights). Sunday night at 6:00 PM, the Celtics will be in Detroit to take on their Eastern Conference rival Pistons with their new look lineup featuring Allen Iverson.