My name is Juan Dixon
Saturday, April 5, 2008
This is my view of the court, most of the night. As a fifth guard for the Detroit Pistons, I play about 12 minutes a game.But it wasn't always like this.
As a college star, I used to get a lot of floor burn.
Six years ago this week, I even had my shining moment.But that was just college, experts said. I wouldn't make it in the NBA; they claimed I was too small, that my jumper was too weak. Guys like Rod Grizzard and Steve Logan were ahead of me on the draft boards.
But one man believed. He plucked me in the draft, thinking I was worthy to sit at his side.
Looking back, my years in D.C. were good ones. The team wasn't great, but expectations were low and the town loved my effort and work ethic. When we finally made the playoffs, I even played a starring role, bringing fans to their feet.
Still, I wanted to get paid. And the Trailblazers obliged, to the tune of $8 million over three years.
My days in Portland were happy, at first; I ended up starting at shooting guard most nights, and Coach McMillan loved my guts and grit.
It didn't last, though. The team was awful, and everyone said that a skinny, short combo guard was part of the problem. So we drafted Brandon Roy and gave more time to Jarrett Jack. I fell out of favor by midseason and got shipped to Canada.
It felt like I'd been elbowed aside.
Toronto was sort of like Portland; things started well, but my time to shine quickly faded. After a year in the T.dot, I got dealt to Detroit; now, I sit behind rookies Arron Affalo and Rodney Stuckey, who sit behind Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups.
And that takes us back here.
Six years in the League, and I'm officially a journeyman guard.
But I'm not ashamed.
Draft experts said I'd be a second-round pick; the Wizards took me after the lottery. GMs said I was too small to stick in the league; I've outlasted bigger, more-hyped guards like Dajuan Wagner, Qyntel Woods, and Jiri Welsch. And maybe I'm a fifth guard, but it's on a team with a chance for a title. A team that's eyed me for more than a year.
This could be it for me in the NBA, though. My contract's up this summer, and who knows where I'll land next. The bottom of an NBA roster, at best; Europe, most likely.
Still, fans won't soon forget my heart and hustle. My drive in carrying the Terps, my hard work to carve an NBA niche. At least for a day, my praises will be sung.
Labels: Juan Dixon, Maryland, NBA, Portland Trailblazers, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
posted by Crucifictorious @ 20:20,
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