ESPN NBA

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Here are five observations from Pistons' training camp, gleaned from watching them Oct. 11-13:

Pistons loving McDyess: If the Pistons are going to turn in another special season, they're going to need a big year from their only prominent free-agent addition, Antonio McDyess.

McDyess spent the better part of the past 2½ seasons nursing injuries and, at times, pondering retirement. However, when Larry Brown (an assistant coach when McDyess played for Team USA in the 2000 Olympics) and Chauncey Billups (a close friend) came calling this summer, McDyess decided to give his creaky legs one last go.

"When they asked me, I couldn't say no. It was a privilege to help them defend a championship."

The results, so far, have been nothing short of miraculous.

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