PACERS COACH A CURRY FAN

By MARC BERMAN

January 21, 2007 -- INDIANAPOLIS - Despite Eddy Curry's big mistake in the final seconds Friday - not boxing out the Nets' Cliff Robinson or jumping on the game-winning tap-in - Pacers coach Rick Carlisle believes Curry is one of the league's elite centers.

"He's up there near the top," Carlisle said. "He's built some real consistency. His numbers are breathtaking - his field-goal percentage [58 percent], his scoring average [19.2 ppg] and really the level of consistency this year as opposed to other years. Isiah [Thomas] has had a lot to do with that. [He believed in the guy and played him. That's certainly contributed to his success."

NBA coaches will get e-mail ballots to vote on All-Star reserves Thursday, but Curry did not help his case Friday night. Yesterday, however, facing single coverage, he bounced back with 26 points, made his first six shots but fouled out in the fourth quarter and had just one board. He faces - possibly - Shaquille O'Neal next, if O'Neal returns from injury.

"I just wanted to establish an inside presence early and not wait," Curry said.

The Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal seemed to be taking a shot at his coach and at Curry afterward when he said, "You let people go 1-on1 with you, it's going to be tough. Any guy in this league can get it going 1-on-1. Curry had zero assists."

The loss to the Nets encapsulated the flaws Curry still has in his game defensively. Thomas will often yank Curry in the final minute on defensive possessions.

"Curry was leading us with rebounds," Thomas said. "He had 11. He was rebounding the ball well. It's his next step in his growth and development."