PHOENIX - Eddy Curry was being touted the next Shaquille O'Neal when he entered the NBA. It was an unfair label and one that the Knicks' center has been unable to live up to.

"He hasn't come close," O'Neal says. "I don't want to say anything that is going to hurt his feelings, but I don't know what is going on with him. In this league, when you're touted as something and in your mind you don't think you're that, then you either got to put up numbers or you got to play the game."

Curry's career is at a crossroads. He's sidelined with a knee injury that has kept him out of all 23 games this season.

The Knicks have made it clear that they want to trade Curry because moving his contract would clear even more salary cap room for 2010. Curry knows he's not wanted and would welcome a change of scenery.

But in order for Curry to be traded, he's got to play first, and O'Neal believes that if Curry is right both mentally and physically, he could thrive in Mike D'Antoni's system.

"You've got to understand the history of the game," Shaq says. "All the fast break teams had an out-letter. It can be done. You just got to believe in it. I liked Mike's system. I was the first big man to run the length of the court and do something. I can still do that - it's just that the other offenses, I didn't need to do that. I didn't need to do that in Phil (Jackson's) system and I didn't need to do it in Pat (Riley's) system. If I know I'm going to get that thing, I'm running.

"The way the Knicks play, he can get five to six easy buckets. That's 10 points right there. And if Mike sees him working hard he'll say, 'Okay, he's working hard - let me post him up a couple of times.' That's another 10 points and there you go, you have a nice big man average, 20 and 10."

Curry's career averages are 13.5 points and 5.4 rebounds. O'Neal feels that Curry's conditioning is a factor and claims that when he entered the league, "I was a little big but I was still putting up historical numbers. If he wants to get that next contract he's going to have to go to the New York Athletic Club three times a day and just ride the bike."

O'Neal added that he is rooting for Curry and hopes that he can salvage his future, either in New York or somewhere else.

"What I like about him he's strong and aggressive," O'Neal said. "But I want to see him get up against the big names. If you want to be somebody you've got to kill everybody. When I was young it took me a while to get up for everybody. When you're an okay center that's trying to be good you got to get up for everybody every night."

Posted by Knicksfansince94:

I guess you're right. I just really, really dislike him and his obnoxious ways.

Posted by Elite:

Shaq giving him way too much credit

Posted by knicksbabyyeah:

Funny, was just about to post this.

But yeah, nice quotes. About how Curry could fit in (the minutes part) and what Curry currently lacks (the kill everybody part).

You know, I hope Shaq will do studio work when he retires. He has an interesting voice and a sense of humor.