EDDY MAY BE READY
By MARC BERMAN

October 6, 2005 -- CHARLESTON — Eddy Curry touched down in Charleston early last night, strolling into the team hotel at 8 p.m., a strong indication he received passing grades on his battery of heart tests.

Curry is expected to continue his physical today with a team orthopedist, not related to the heart issue. Hence, the Knicks could not officially announce he had passed his physical, but his arrival at the Knicks' training-camp site was a terrific sign. Curry was told by team officials not to comment. Antonio Davis also arrived here last night and watched the night practice.

The need for Curry became apparent when their summer center acquisition, Jerome James, pulled up lame yesterday on Day 2 of training camp.

James strained his left hamstring, missing the last portion of practice, and also revealed he had a banged-up left thumb, wrapped in a brace. James said he pulled ligaments in his thumb late last season and reaggravated it two weeks ago during informal workouts. James, before playing 80 games last season, averaged just 57 the prior three years in Seattle.

Knick officials spent all yesterday analyzing data from the battery of Curry heart tests. The Knicks could've rescinded the trade if he failed his physical.

Tim Thomas and Michael Sweetney, part of the deal, were not allowed to practice with the Bulls last night. Davis, whom Larry Brown wants to keep, couldn't practice either.

Though the Bulls had ordered Curry to take a DNA test to see if he's predisposed to an oncourt fatality, some medical experts don't believe in it.



Dr. David Cannom, who examined Curry recently, gave him a clean bill of health. Specialists who subscribe to genetic theory believe the test is a necessity in Curry's case. Curry was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat last March but has been told it's benign.

Minnesota specialist Dr. Barry Maron recommended to the Bulls he take the DNA test to see if he has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that killed Reggie Lewis in 1993 and Hank Gathers in 1990.

It hasn't been a good first few days for James, first losing his starting job to Curry, then being injured.

"I'm 29 years old, eight years in the NBA," James said. "I lost my ego somewhere around my fifth year."

Brown has his big men run the floor more than most coaches and the new style caught up to James.

"It was one of the fullcourt drills. I got the rebound, gave the ball to the point guard and took off as fast as I could," said James, who signed a $30 million contract. "Somewhere in midstride, I felt it pull."

As for the thumb, James said, "I'm right-handed and it's on my left hand."

The Knicks should boast two of the game's biggest centers.

"Curry reminds me of myself in college, a beast around the basket," James said. "He's wanting to dunk everything."

Brown, who coached Davis in Indiana, doesn't want him released.

"Tony Davis is something this team needs because of his leadership qualities and character and we have young big guys," Brown said.

The Bulls hoped to re-sign Davis and a buyout could still happen.



*

Quentin Richardson also strained a hamstring and Maurice Taylor shut it down with leg and hip cramps. Allan Houston stayed healthy, though not doing double-sessions. He looked to be moving better than last season when he couldn't stay with his man. "Last year everything was a weakness," said Houston.

Maurice Taylor shut it down with leg and hip cramps

to quote the great rvhoss - "those who liked the mo taylor deal...MAN UP!!!!"

MoT = TT

Posted by DarkKnicks:

I like Taylor more than Malik "overrated" Rose.

wow, why? I am the opposite. Rose hustles, plays D, shows energy, shows up in shape.

Posted by DarkKnicks:

I like Taylor more than Malik "overrated" Rose.

I dont.. not even a little. Rose has a bad contract, but its one he earned. He's short, and thats his only problem. He guards bigger guys with gusto. He fights for rebounds. He shares the ball. He tudors young guys. He does anything to win. He's always in shape. He's a tough competitor. Last year when the Knicks were stinking it up he was one of the only guys that actually played like he was sick and tired of losing., At one point he kicked the scorers table in frustration.

I think he's a perfect unselfish type of bench/role player for us. I dont want to have to rely on him for big minutes or production but he can have a great role. He's also regarded as one of the best and smartest guys in the league.

Posted by DarkKnicks:

I like Taylor more than Malik "overrated" Rose.

I like taylor better to. He looked like a superior nba post player with the knicks last year. I was quite impressed with him, hes very polished in the post with a huge intimidating body.

malik is an ok guy, hes going to probably be shifted to pure 3--like a anthony mason type without the dribbling abilities--but for the D+R

guys this is an eddy curry thread...not the idiots who like the MoT trade - man up part 2

Posted by fishmike:

Briggs, you should have seen him with the Clippers. In his good moments with the Knicks last year was how he played every game. He's let himself out to pasture. He doesnt board and doesnt D. He uses his bulk very nicely to score but his scoring doesnt really create much for other teammates.

If Mo T had any drive or dedication he could be a Zach Randolph type player, but he's only interested in playing hard when the ball is in his hands.

He has a little tim thomas in him--he doesnt show up every game--but i think he will fill the void of Sweetney--you know perhaps 7-8 pts 4-5 reb in 20 minutes shooting 50%--is that worth 9mm$ NO

rose is a decent player--a little over-rated in terms of what people believe he does rebounding the ball--good but certainly not great

this team in general lacks a fierce rebounder, and right now it is imperative we keep Davis--i really see Davis getting malik.s 4 minutes[if there was any?] and having malik move to 3 minutes in a back up role as a defender type

Posted by fishmike:

oh yea... and with Eddie we dont need a Mo T scoring type. Rather someone who will focus on hitting the boards and defending

I think Mo T could have a role on the 2nd unit in that he will continue the low post threat when curry is sitting.

Phuch the money and is Mo T. worth it. Sanity went out the window a long time ago! IF Mo T is our worst player, then we have come a long way! Im not sweating over him.

OR Rose, whom has great leadership skills and plays very hard. This is a guy you want around.

This JJ having a bad hand and lame leg is the kinda shoyt that we should be yelling about as we did when we first signed him to our disbelief. All the Summer time Kool Aid drinking made us believe he is all in shape, ready to accept his place among the great ones. Many posters were excited about his coming of age. Fellas, this guy is just cashing his check! He left ego at the door 5 years ago? some people call Ego PRIDE!

I discussed this before way back, but he was on a show about NBA players and their cars, and this guy can spend it like the best of them. HIs house, cars, and this was when he was sucking and in the last year of a 3 year 15 mil contract.

Thats a lot of scratch, but due to many factors like agents fees, taxes, and union dues these guys are lucky to see half.

7.5 mil is a lot of money but one must be careful. I thought this guy was a fool with his money, but I was wrong as Uncle Isiah (in this instance, he is JJ's rich uncle) uped his allowence and has him set for life.

sure Im over reacting, but this guy has a lame history and While I am rooting real hard for him, pulling up lame on day one does not bode well!

I'm guessing there will be a press conference today to introduce Eddy. Anyone hear if they've announced one yet?