Doc: No Need For DNA Test
27th September, 2005 - 5:24 am
Chicago Tribune - The cardiologist who in June gave Eddy Curry clearance to resume playing basketball said DNA tests requested by the Bulls are unwarranted because Curry's heart is structurally sound for an athlete of his size.

In a telephone interview from his Los Angeles office, Dr. David Cannom said Monday he attributed the benign arrhythmia the 6-foot-11-inch center experienced March 30—that led to an array of tests and inconclusive findings—to a magnesium deficiency and the ingestion of legal supplements with high levels of caffeine.

"There's a standard being applied that wouldn't be applied if he weren't a $60 million athlete," Cannom said of the Bulls' request for genetic testing. "This is beyond clinical routine care."

Curry declined to comment on specifics of his ongoing medical saga on the advice of his agent and lawyer. But he said he is satisfied with Cannom's diagnosis, especially since it was supported by two other California cardiologists in recent weeks and also was consistent with the opinion of Boston-based cardiologist Mark Estes, who examined Curry in April.

The only specialist who apparently doesn't agree is Barry Maron, considered one of the world's leading experts in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He recommended the genetic test with hopes of ruling out the condition, and the Bulls are adhering to his opinion.

"There's one guy who isn't sure," Curry said. "I can live with that because of what the other doctors say."

Bulls general manager John Paxson declined to comment. Last week he indicated the Bulls will compel Curry to submit to a genetic test during the team's physical exams Monday—assuming Curry accepts the team's one-year qualifying offer of $5.14 million.

"I'm definitely prepared to do that," Curry said of accepting the offer. "One year, $5 million isn't the worst thing."

Curry's lawyer, Alan Milstein, has said Curry again will refuse the DNA test and predicted the case will end up in arbitration. The NBA Players Association vowed Monday to back Curry.

Union spokesman Dan Wasserman said the association doesn't oppose a player voluntarily agreeing to DNA testing.

"But there is nothing in the collective bargaining agreement that allows a team to compel a player to undergo DNA testing," Wasserman said. "It's voluntary or it's not going to happen. And we'll back that up." [READ]

DOes this mean Curry is going back to Chicago? If so, I can live with that. Even though he would be our best scoring big man, I don't want to even worry about his heart.

He's not that great of a rebounder either.

oohah

ditto.

Posted by Killa4luv:

I'd give up Sweets or Ariza to get a deal with done with Curry. Hes a risk I'd be willing to take.

i can't do that. i'm willing to let curry play for them this year and then try to do a sign and trade next year for mo or malik. sweets or ariza? can't do it since curry is unproven healthwise. i wouldn't have traded sweets or ariza for kwame and he, at this point, is healthier than curry. can't gut two members of our young core for a guy that may be here or alive for 1/2 a season.

[Edited by - djsunyc on 09-27-2005 2:00 PM]