Tag: forward

Stay or go? McDyess’ status still unclear

In a little more than 24 hours, the Spurs will hit the floor for their first training camp practice of the lockout-shortened season.

Whether 37-year-old center/forward Antonio McDyess intends to join them remains a mystery, even at this late date.

“I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t,” said Andy Miller, McDyess’ agent.

McDyess has long said he intended to retire instead of playing a 16th NBA season, appearing more adamant about that decision as last season wore on.

The three-year free-agent deal he signed with the Spurs in the summer of 2009 included a nice retirement gift: $2.64 million guaranteed for 2011-12, even if he decided not to play.

The Spurs have until today to either waive McDyess,and cut him a check for that $2.64 million, or guarantee the full value of the contract ($5.22 million). McDyess’ contract is set up in such a manner as to make him an enticing trade piece to teams in search of salary cap relief, especially if he intends to retire now.

That could be one reason for the ambiguity.

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said McDyess’ status for the start of camp is “unclear.”  At the end of last season, Spurs officials seemed hopeful they could convince McDyess — a Gregg Popovich favorite — to return to play spot minutes in a short season.

For now, signs seem to point to McDyess not opening camp with the Spurs on Friday.

McDyess, who has averaged 5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds in 150 games with the Spurs, has not been back to San Antonio since the lockout rules were loosened last week.

He has kept a low profile at his offseason home in Houston, either wrestling with his retirement decision or waiting out the trade market.

“I’m his agent and his friend,” Miller said. “The one thing I’m not is his therapist. I’m going to give him my opinion, but then he’s got to make the decision that’s in his best interest.”

Should McDyess decide he needs to attend Spurs training camp, he could get to San Antonio at almost a moment’s notice, his agent notes.

“It’s only a three-hour drive,” Miller said.

With the minutes counting down until the start of camp, McDyess has yet to decide if he wants to make that  drive.

Despite denials, Eva picked up Matt Barnes at airport

Remember Eva Longoria’s heated denials that with Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes?

That may be true. Longoria and Barnes have been involved in several charity projects for Padres and Athletes vs. Cancer.

But it does take a special friend to pick up another friend at an airport — particularly in Los Angeles in the middle of the day. 

And that’s what TMZ.com has reported that Longoria did earlier this week, with the .

Of course, Longoria could be telling us the truth. But it also takes someone special to play the role of chauffeur — even if it is in a custom BMW.

Barnes reportedly tried to make it to the car incognito, but it’s a little hard to hide when you are 6-foot-7.

Longoria has been involved in a relationship with Eddie Cruz, the younger brother of actress Penelope Cruz, since her breakup last year with Spurs guard Tony Parker.

Bonner’s showmanship shines through again

I spent enough time covering the Canadian Football League back in the day to develop an appreciation for most things Canadian.

From Tim Horton Doughnuts to “the Loonie,”  Canadian humor and “Hockey Night in Canada,” there are some things you just have to travel north of the border to experience.

You can see another strictly Canadian experience as Spurs forward Matt Bonner performs at halftime of a recent “Pop vs. Jock” charity game in Montreal.

After earlier losing to Arcade Fire’s Win Butler in a 3-point shooting contest, Bonner has a brief singing performance with retired NBA player Paul Shirley.

Singing along with accompaniment of a courtside electric organ — which I don’t think I’ve seen since the glory days of the Kansas City-Omaha Kings — Bonner and Shirley belt out a very respectable version of “.”

Here’s a You Tube video of the hijinks. And after this performance, I bet Bonner couldn’t wait to get back to the negotiating table with the owners to discuss the merits of a new collective bargaining agreement.