it took JO 5 years before he was averaging a double-double 20-10.

JO was great in the *first* season where he got significant minutes. We can expect from Curry in year seven roughly what he's given in years 1 to 6.

[Edited by - bonn1997 on 05-19-2007 09:01 AM]

Posted by BigSm00th:

given that curry came out of high school, i figured to look at another slow-developing HS big man, jermaine o'neal.

it took JO 5 years before he was averaging a double-double 20-10.

it took curry 5 years to get to where he was this year, 20-7.

curry is 24 years old. everybody knocks him for only doing one thing (scoring, as if thats a bad thing?) and not being a defensive stalwart or good rebounder. point taken. but if curry continues to improve, which has a good chance of happening if the knicks add another shooter this offseason and curry can face less doubles, in addition to everyone knowing the offensive goal every game is to feed the post.

is it unrealistic to expect 23 and 8 next yr from EC? i say no. i think his scoring will go up, esp. if almond is the pick in the first round. if he plays in the same frontcourt as lee and balkman (presuming lee continues to be one of the 5 best rebounders in the League and balkman gets 30 min/gm and rebounds 7-9 boards a game), two forwards who rebound the rock, are people still gonna bitch about this guy?

bonn you would trade curry for a first round pick wtf are you serious??? you think curry wouldn't dominate josh mcroberts or jason smith?

if curry continues to improve his scoring and passing, his rebounding stays where it is, and his defense improves to the point where he isn't a top shotblocker but at least isn't getting scored on by stiffs like ty chandler, are people going to stop complaining? ya i know we could have ty thomas and whoever, boo hoo, the fact of the matter is eddy curry is a knick and he scores over 20points a game from the post. that ain't too bad.

I get very weary and non-trusting when the word 'if' gets used too much. We can't live off of 'if', like we have been doing. Just about all of the above is very practical 'if' it turns out that way. It's hard taking chances, in search of a surprise. I never liked that method. The method I prefer to use, like most other managements, is to first hire a sollid, proven GM (but in our case, we almost need a new owner first). And then bring in a solid, proven Coach. These men (or even possibly a woman) must come with as little controversy as possible. It must be about fundamentals (vs. 'if') and then development start, by making the best moves you can with free agent signings, draft picks 'all geared towards protecting your cap space'. Now, when you have all of those fundamental things in place, then you are able to develop some young talent (no more high schoolers, please), with the option of trading them, if they are not working. While they're still young enough and have a certain ability that another team might be interested in. The important thing is to protect the money, because when those free agent superstars go on the market (and I don't mean just any superstar - be selective), then you will have a chance to add a player or two to the stature of your already developed foundation. Building a nucleus, with good fundamental players, who work hard, who are all driven with the same goal in mind (it's called a team and not the 'me' crowd). And here's something no one really considers in they're picks. 'Respectability'. I myself realize that now. Being respectful to your fellow teammates, your coach, the organization and to your fans counts, whether you are winnig or not. It really counts. We don't hear our players complimenting each other too often (not too often). We need more of that, it is a simple and fundamental thing to do as a team player, in this game of basketball. I always hear great things for instance on how starbury does all of this charity work off the court, but wonder why that hasn't been reflective throughout his past on the court. That's part of what I mean about being respectful. The NBA had it years ago, on a regular basis, for years and years, before the attitudes came along. I'm trying not to be critical here, but merely stating a condition that our team and management has or lacks fundamentally. These are the things that I myself tried to practice as a fan, especially until recently, about mid season when I lost the faith. I faced the music of this team and believe that's what needs to be done first, before we can move foreward. Dolan has to be accountable and admit his mistakes, Thomas has to be accountable and admit his' mistakes, all of the players have to be accountable and build character and the media also is not immuned from this either. They too must be accountable in what they write, before we can move foreward. If this were to happen, then and only then will I start taking this team serious again. Am I sounding a little optimistic again? Don't count on it for now. I'm stating what would bring my optimism back.

Now speaking of fundamentals, the only thing we really have going for us right now is our nucleus of young people. I will put some critizism to side and take a look at that possibility. We have Curry, who I will state again, would make a very good back up center, or tall forward, if we were to acquire a fuller packaged center, like say a J.O. If you can't get a Duncan, then why not two capable big men in the back? I like Curry's attitude overall. We have Frye, who was doing great until the injury, and seems to have a mental problem with his fundamentals. That seems to affect his courage, maybe something he could eventually overcome. Who knows? We have Lee, who's been the most solid of the young guys, but this injury? I get suspicious when guys get injured and hope it's nothing serious. The only reason I use the word 'serious' is because we were led to beleive that it wasn't that bad and that he would be back. Well' he came back, but it was very limited and I feel that there's something they're not telling us again. We'll have to see on that one also. I suspect under normal circumstances, he'll be back full strength by the start of the season. As with Nate, I hate to use the name 'head case' but guys like that don't usually go away so easily. If we are to be respectful, he would not fit the bill and that woud be too bad, because the guy has such tremendous talent and I beleive he could take that talent to another level if' he were to get rid of the attitude problem. As with Balkman, only by an injured riddled team did we get a blessing chance to see what he could mean. Baring injury, it looks like maybe Thomas might of found another hidden diamond in the rookie ranks. I look foreward to seeing him around for years. For Collins, it looks as if he might have a chance to play as he came packaged. I can definately see him being a major guard force on this team. A defensive minded guard, that could end up making a huge difference. So I'm impressed for the most part of our young team. Thomas's only strength as a GM, when it comes to picking pure young talent (and I still think we need a coach, Gundy anyone' to take this team to that other level of play we all been hoping for). I think with this particular group, I think Frye is going to have to be the difference here, to come back with a big year. If this can happen (trying to use as little 'ifs' as I can) then that could very well be the difference of ten to fifteen more wins, vs. ten to fifteen losses on our record. The options with the young guys could be endless. That's about as optimistic as I'm going to get at this point. Feels kind of good again. Enjoy.

I expect Curry to be a better passer out of the double-team, a better help defender, and a better shooter from the FT line and the perimeter. Basically, Curry needs to expand his game and improve his defense. He does not need to make huge improvements. Really just noticeable improvements in these areas would go a long way to cutting down his turnovers and helping our team defense. I am really more concerned with the improvements in Collins, Frye, Lee, and Balkman. These are the guys who are really going to make a difference in the wins next year. IT has to cut Francis, so that means that Collins is going to be getting 10-15 minutes a game next year. Also, IT has to see that Balkman is better than Jeffries, so I think Balkman will be getting 20 minutes next year on a consistent basis. Lee should be starting next year, and Frye, if we don't trade him, will be our first big man off the bench. More so than Curry, these are the guys that are going to take us to the next level. Curry just needs to improve his game enough to be a positive in terms of moving the ball and helping on defense.

I wish Curry would play some stronger defense. The offense is there, and will always be there but the Knicks need him to control the paint defensively. I have never been a fan of a big man that wasn't intimidating. Cut the braids, and get "triller" on the low blocks.

Please, sir.

Well step 1 for Curry is what he spoke of at the end of the year, GET IN BETTER SHAPE! His losing fat should help his game overall. I think he realizes that this time he'll have to do it the hard way. Eat better and exercise. All the while he of course needs to work on his mental approach to the game. He should be looking to become more aware of what's going on around him. Help D is a frame of mind. He must get to the point where he is already moving into position to cut of penetration or at least is prepared to take the right angle to cut off any shot attempt or force them to turn back or into a bad shot. I don't know if I want him actually trying to block everything. I don't think that will work for him. He should tho be able to intimidate and alter shots if he get's his hands up and actually goes after penetrators.

What will also help him is the better play on the perimeter by our guards. I think having Mardy and Balkman out there more often will help. A returning and healthier Q will also help. Now the last piece of the puzzle is getting Curry some help inside. A bigger PF who can also block shots and help defend. We've already been discussing this, but if you have a guy that isn't very strong in that area then it's clear that adding a guy who is can make a difference.

Curry needs to shed atleast 10 or 15 pounds b/c we'll never have a straight up half court offense like Houston or San Antonio.......not with the personell we have.

Best we can hope for is Utah Jazz motion offense.

If I could have Eddy lose 15 lbs or learn to pass out of the post I'd take the latter. Eddy isn't suffering from a lack of athleticism, it's his uncertainty what to do with his athleticism that's most worrisome.

Really, if I could have one prayer answered WRT Curry it would be that he be imbued with a killer spirit. With that the rest would probably fall into place. Without it all the drills in the world will probably add up to naught.