Antonio McDyess' career was interrupted at its peak by three knee surgeries, and he has finally come to grips with the fact that he'll never regain the explosiveness he once took for granted.  His knee gives him nightly problems, but he is a key contributor on the Pistons' title defense.

"It was kind of hard to swallow in the beginning, definitely. But if it wasn't for my injury I wouldn't be here competing in the Eastern Conference finals," McDyess said Friday. "So I look at it now and feel it was a good thing. It gave me an opportunity to play with the world champions."