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By MARC BERMAN
SOAP STARS: It was Knicks media day yesterday, on the eve of training camp — and Eddy Curry (above) and Stephon Marbury each had lots to say, some of it even concerning basketball.

October 2, 2007 -- CONTINUED

The Knicks' summer turned surreal, starting in July, when Curry and his wife were tied up during a robbery by gun-wielding punks. In his first remarks on the subject, Curry said he was close to being shot after he and the burglar tumbled down steps.

"The house was dark and one of the guys had a gun in my back and he slipped down the stairs into me," Curry recalled. "I'm just like, 'Man, if that gun goes off, I'm outta here.' But luckily it didn't happen. It wasn't meant for me to go out like that. It wasn't meant for anybody to die that night."
Curry missed two weeks of conditioning, fled Chicago and rented a house in Ocean City, N.J., before coming to New York to work out. This was the first summer he did not work with Chicago training legend Tim Grover.

But he's in better shape than Randolph. Asked if he arrived in top shape, the soft-looking Randolph said, "I'm in OK shape. I'm going to get a lot better once I get practices in."

Curry and Randolph have not been on the court together, as Randolph arrived late to voluntary workouts Wednesday. Even Curry seemed unsure if they'll immediately mesh on the low blocks.

"I've got to be honest with you," Curry said, "I'm so curious to see how we're going to play. I know we're going to play well together. I'm just curious to see what kind of adjustments need to be made so we can both coexist. I'm definitely not saying it's not going to be a challenge, because it will be."


Marbury had a bizarre summer, too, going from being saluted on Oprah to being crucified for seemingly defending Michael Vick and dogfighting. Marbury also ticked off some in the front office for a Post exclusive in which he said he'll play in Italy in two years when his contract expires.
After finding Jesus, Marbury no longer is obsessed with winning an NBA title.

"I'm not caught up in winning no ring," Marbury said. "I want to win a championship as a basketball player. Basketball is not my life. If I win a championship, great. If I don't, life is going to continue to go on. After basketball, you've got to live the next 50, 60 years."

Is Curry throwing out subliminals being worried about his touches already?

It will all be up to the PG. Guys in Phoenix and NJ don't worry about touches and finding ways to co-exist.

Posted by BlueSeats:

ut he's in better shape than Randolph. Asked if he arrived in top shape, the soft-looking Randolph said, "I'm in OK shape. I'm going to get a lot better once I get practices in."

remember when the faitful got so upset when andolph's conditioning ethic was questioned

It also wasn't important for Curry and RAndolph to work together before the season started.

Posted by Bippity10:

It will all be up to the PG. Guys in Phoenix and NJ don't worry about touches and finding ways to co-exist.

if we divide Starbury's 13 dimes a game this year between the 2 of them, they both should be getting their fair share of points... not sure how anyone else is gonna get the ball tho... maybe Marbs will surprise us & average 26 assists a game this year & break the NBA record... that's gonna be so awesome!

I think the question is less one of touches (thought that is there too) and more about having two guys who reside in largely the same space. Its a fair question.

And yeah, would have been nice if Curry and Zach put in some time together on the court this summer. But if the pairing doesn't work out, can we point to that lost week or so (and all of two days in vegas) as the reason? I don't think so.

Reading Marc Berman its funny how he couches things...Curry "missed two weeks of working out" when he "fled" Chicago but at least he is still in better shape than Randolph.

Meanwhile, every other media outlet is talking about how Curry has lost weight (20 lbs according to Curry) after focusing more on his work-outs after the incident in his home.

I always find the spin fascinating.

Posted by COSSUCKS:

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by BlueSeats:

ut he's in better shape than Randolph. Asked if he arrived in top shape, the soft-looking Randolph said, "I'm in OK shape. I'm going to get a lot better once I get practices in."

remember when the faitful got so upset when andolph's conditioning ethic was questioned

Yep they said "he looks the same." I'd like to hear them twist what Randolph said in the paper into he's in shape.

I have one available for them to use such as

"He's in camp shape not in if the season were to start today shape."


And the poster from Realgm who broke "Word from the Garden" (Curry being 5lbs lighter and Zach being out of shape) appeared to be dead on.

So basically Curry is still 285lbs or thereabouts and Zach is out of shape. They got a lot done in the off-season.

Curry said he lost around 20 pounds and yesterday you said that poster said James was 15-20 pounds heavier than last year. That was directly contradicted by beat writers who said James came in lighter than last year including one that said he can see his waist now.

Correct on the James contradiction. But no confirmation from the player himself. Zach is at least confirming his situation. Curry doesn't look 20lbs lighter and not being able to admit his weight is a red flag he's being evasive. If I lost 20lbs which is fairly decent BTW I'd say I'm about 260-265. Reports last yr also stated Curry lost 12lbs so from what weight are we basing he lost weight? His playing weight listed last yr was 285lbs. He was probably close to 290lbs or more by the end of the LB season. He loses 12lbs the start of 2006-2007 season, he's about 275lbs correct? Now he's lost 20lbs from the horse's mouth, that would make him 255lbs. Are you saying Curry looks like he's around 255-260lbs? Or is this a player who doesn't control his weight during the season? But wait reports also said last yr he played his way into shape and then hit a wall post the All-Star break. He probably plans to be 20lbs lighter than last season's playing weight when the season starts.

[Edited by - TrueBlue on 10-02-2007 5:40 PM]

Posted by COSSUCKS:

If the "source" was dead wrong about James why would we assume he is right about Curry?

Curry said he lost 20 pounds from last season not from his listed weight that has been the same for 2-3 years. Last season I think he was anywhere from 290-305. Right now I would guess he is 275-285. I dont think its logical to expect Curry to be at 260 pounds. Dabvid Lee is 2 inchs shorter and 250 pounds. Randolph Morris is 260 and Jared Jeffries is 240.

[Edited by - COSSUCKS on 10-02-2007 6:46 PM]

So in 2 seasons he's lost close to 35lbs so obviously he gains weight as the season goes on. Dwight Howard is listed 6'11" and 265lbs. Not sure if it's accurate but probably real close he's not too far off from Lee and Jeffries, Tim Duncan is listed at 6'11' 260lbs, Andrew Bynum 7'0" 270lbs, Chris Kaman 7'0" 270lbs. I don't understand the comparison of Curry to Lee and Jeffries.

Posted by TrueBlue:
But no confirmation from the player himself. Zach is at least confirming his situation. Curry doesn't look 20lbs lighter and not being able to admit his weight is a red flag he's being evasive.

Wait, you have seen Curry? Do tell?

I would submit that if Curry was telling reporters that he had lost 20lbs and he didn't look it, one of them would have called him on that. Otherwise the statement wouldn't have much credibility, would it?

As for Zach, has his weight ever really been an issue? I know he is a big guy and all, but I don't recall his ever being accused of being too out-of-shape to play, and I have heard plenty of reports that he is a hard worker and a gym rat. So maybe thats a problem we can file away until it actually is one.

Randolph has never been the definition of an Adonis by any stretch. No definition in his arms, looks a bit pudgy, has a baby face, but somehow he gets the job done. I would expect NY reporters, looking at Zach up close and personal for the first time, to say he looks out of shape. He's not the typical specimen. But I'm sure he'll be fine.

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by COSSUCKS:

Guys have different body types. If Lee is 2 inchs shorter and 250 pounds and skinny as a rail Jeffries is 240 pounds there is no reason to reasonably expect Curry to be at 260 pounds. Thats just not his build. My guess is right now he is around 275-280. Currys arms looked more toned than David Lees in yesterdays picture. Currys 1 arm looks to be about twice the size of Zachs arms. If you watch the Knicks videos or see closeups of Currys face you can see he has toned up.
Curry is a big man with a big build. Shaq is probably around 330-340 pounds. Nobody expects Shaq to be at 260 pounds.

So Zach is out of shape and probably about 260lbs, Curry has double the arms he has, his chest, mid section, and legs are bigger than Zach but he's only 15lbs heavier than him? OK GOTCHA!

When did I say how much Zach is? All I did was give a guess on Currys weight. I havent weighed anyone. Seems like you just want people to say Curry is out of shape despite all reports to the contrary. Not one single beat writer said Curry looked out of shape. Not 1. I could not care less if he weighs 270 or 295. Its about being in condition. He seems toned. His arms look rock solid. His face looks lighter. The guy doesnt have the genetic predisposition to be a rail thin guy like a Jeffries. Nor do Knicks fans want him to be one.