http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/jack_mccallum/01/16/choosing.sides.chandler.curry/index.html

Who would you rather have?
Each week, SI.com's Jack McCallum analyzes two players of similar talents and/or
on-court tendencies. (Contracts and salary-cap considerations are non-factors.)

They came into the league together in 2001 when the NBA's infatuation with high school players was at its apogee. The first pick of that draft was -- cue laugh track -- Kwame Brown. Tyson Chandler, out of Dominguez High School in Compton, Calif., was second, and Eddy Curry, out of Thornwood High School in South Holland, Ill., was fourth. (Pau Gasol, a better pro to this point than any of them, was third.)

Chandler and Curry ended up as teammates for four years on the Chicago Bulls, and more than one NBA observer was heard to remark: Between them they would make one helluva NBA center. Had changing on the fly been legal in the NBA, the Bulls would've been in good shape, sending Curry out to shoot, then racing Chandler into the game to plug the lane. (That would presuppose Curry could move that fast.)

Still, both are legit starting centers, Chandler in New Orleans, Curry in New York. Who would you rather have?

Curry certainly has the higher profile. He's the Knicks' first option, a legit back-to-the-basket scorer averaging 19.1 points and shooting 57.9 percent from the floor through Monday. Chandler, predictably, is getting only 6.4 points per game, definitely below what is expected for a No. 2 pick in the draft.

But Chandler is a big-time rebounder with 11.3 per game, fifth best in the league. Moreover, he gets 3.7 off the offensive glass, fourth best in the league. Curry is not a bad rebounder (7.3), but should get more for his size and frequently doesn't go after his own misses.

Neither player is a slick passer (which is putting it generously), and both turn it over too much. Chandler gets his points economically (he's shooting 62.8 percent from the field) and, befitting a good defender, blocks 1.56 shots per game, as compared to Curry's .59.

"Both of them needed more seasoning before they came in, but it's not their fault they got drafted," said one NBA coach. "Curry has more upside because he's much more polished as an offensive player, but, personally, I would rather watch CHANDLER every night."

So would I.

This is going to be an even split. The people that value Curry value him for the one thing he does well. I doubt they'd value Chandler for not doing that same thing well, but being good in other areas.

Yes, combine them and you have a hall of fame center. Neither one is close to being a complete player, though.

HAHAHAAA ROFL

Posted by Killa4luv:

I'd prefer Curry, its easier to teach D than it is offense

I'm not sure I agree. Can you think of any examples of an awful defensive player who got to be good with practice? I can certainly think of examples of good defensive players who improved their offensive games.

this mostly depends on the team fit, but if I'm starting from scratch I take Eddy. This pains me deeply, as I am choosing a guy that Gunnery Sgt. Hartman would have called a "disgusting fatbody" over Chandler, a guy who brings great effort every night, and a guy who shows up in shape to actually play basketball every year.

Still, what Curry brings is the NBAs version of a 98mph fastball. You can protect him with defenders on the perimeter (we dont). You can pair him next to a great rebounder (Isiah benched ours). You can do some things that can turn Curry into a force on a winning team (Isiah has yet to read these simple steps).

Chander certainly has abilities, and he can certainly impact a game. But to get the most out of Chandler your still looking for another stud to play him next too up front. Maybe a guy like Elton Brand. Heck, even David West as developed into a very nice all around player. Point is we are talking about pairing him with a higher level of talent than we are talking about pairing Curry with.

If Curry ever took his career and winning seriously he could quickly become a top 10 player. Of this I have no doubt. For anyone that plays sports, go put on a backpack with 25 pounds of books in it and tell me how it affects your game. Curry is probably 310-325 right now. If he played at 260-280 you might actually see the franchise player Isiah thought he was getting.

Posted by SugarRayRichardson:

Here are what Bulls fans think. Keep in mind most of these guys hate the Knicks, Isiah and Curry.

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=611597

Nice to see Bonn throw in his two cents as a Knick fan preferring Ben Wallace and get ignored...

Posted by fishmike:

this mostly depends on the team fit, but if I'm starting from scratch I take Eddy. This pains me deeply, as I am choosing a guy that Gunnery Sgt. Hartman would have called a "disgusting fatbody" over Chandler, a guy who brings great effort every night, and a guy who shows up in shape to actually play basketball every year.

Still, what Curry brings is the NBAs version of a 98mph fastball. You can protect him with defenders on the perimeter (we dont). You can pair him next to a great rebounder (Isiah benched ours). You can do some things that can turn Curry into a force on a winning team (Isiah has yet to read these simple steps).

Chander certainly has abilities, and he can certainly impact a game. But to get the most out of Chandler your still looking for another stud to play him next too up front. Maybe a guy like Elton Brand. Heck, even David West as developed into a very nice all around player. Point is we are talking about pairing him with a higher level of talent than we are talking about pairing Curry with.

If Curry ever took his career and winning seriously he could quickly become a top 10 player. Of this I have no doubt. For anyone that plays sports, go put on a backpack with 25 pounds of books in it and tell me how it affects your game. Curry is probably 310-325 right now. If he played at 260-280 you might actually see the franchise player Isiah thought he was getting.

Great post fish. I agree 100%.

Fish there is so much hatred in you against curry you can't see things realistically. Curry is in shape. Could he join the jerry rice training school and be in unbelievable shape? sure but he is in shape. You really think hes 50 pounds overweight?? give me a break. BTW i'm still waiting for you to explain currys "inflated #'s" in your post last week.

this mostly depends on the team fit

What it comes down to.

Starting from scratch I would probably go with Curry as well. Its a lot harder to find a center with Curry's potential on offense in the paint than it is to find a player with Chandlers potential on defense in the paint.

Frye & Chandler would be a pretty good combo. Chandler wshould be a 2.5shot blocker I don't know how he is only at 1.6 with 32mins per game. But he deos alter a TON of shots and definatly does intimidate. The problem with Chandler also did seem to be an injury risk early in his career since he was so thin but he seems to have shaken that.

Sorry if I dont think man boobs and a J-LO ass are positives on an NBA athlete.

Curry is the hottest Knick ever!

oohah

Sorry if I dont think man boobs and a J-LO ass are positives on an NBA athlete.

LOL!! thats the line of the day.