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**USSKittyHawk** · 01-02-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

If he continues to struggle, Eddy Curry may not hang around with the Knicks much longer.
Isiah Thomas had his reasons for campaigning so vigorously last season for Eddy Curry to make the All-Star team. A vote for Curry was a vote for Thomas, who mortgaged the Knicks' future for the talented young center with health problems and a questionable work ethic.

Thomas also believed that making the All-Star team would have lifted Curry's confidence and benefited the entire organization. This year, however, Thomas isn't stumping for Curry. In fact, Thomas can't even say that Curry belongs in the Knicks' starting five, much less a roster of the elite players in the Eastern Conference.

"How can I say this?" Thomas said Tuesday when asked about Curry's dramatic fall. "Simply put, we're 8-21 and he's not having an All-Star year."

Curry is averaging 13.7 points and just 5.1 rebounds in 28 games, including 27 as a starter. Thomas would not say if Curry will continue to be used as a reserve for tonight's home game against the battered and bruised Sacramento Kings. In Sunday's loss to Chicago, Curry played 22 minutes off the bench and afterward expressed his displeasure with his new role. This comes three weeks after Curry reportedly shouted on the Knicks bench that he wanted out of New York.

Trading Curry was unthinkable 12 months ago, but with the Knicks 13games under .500, 18 games out of first place in the Atlantic Division and Thomas' job security a daily issue, it is likely that Thomas is looking to make a move to shake up the roster.

Thomas' philosophy since taking over the reins in New York has always been, "When in doubt, trade." His last major deal was acquiring Zach Randolph from Portland, a move that appears to have destroyed Curry's confidence.

With Curry's value at an all-time low, trading him and his hefty contract is easier said than done. Most teams are looking to dump salary, not add it. The Memphis Grizzlies may be looking to move Pau Gasol, who was being targeted by Chicago when Curry played for the Bulls.

There are said to be several Knicks who wouldn't mind a change of scenery, including Stephon Marbury, David Lee, Malik Rose and Curry. The Kings are reportedly considering deals for Mike Bibby and Ron Artest, who has said he would like to return home and play with the Knicks.

Tuesday, Thomas ruled out making a deal between now and the February deadline. Of course, Thomas has made a habit of denying working on moves right up until he makes them.

"I really don't foresee that," he said. "I don't see us being active around the trade deadline. This is the time when you're down and you can make mistakes that can cost you years. And everything that you've worked for the last three, four years that can set you back another three years. We've got a young group, we've got good players, and we've got good talent. We've just got to get them to play together."

It is unclear if Garden chairman James Dolan would permit Thomas from making a trade that would add to the team's payroll. Dolan has not addressed Thomas' job status since March.

Meanwhile, Thomas is losing the faith of his locker room. When asked what more he can say to his team, Thomas decided to take the tough love approach.

"You definitely don't give them sympathy," he said. "You just keep working them and hopefully you can rattle enough emotions or stir up enough anger (that) you get a fire lit. And if you get a fire lit, then you blow a lot of air on it and try to keep it going."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba..._.html?ref=rss

Zuca · 01-03-2008, 12:23 PM

Curry for Dalembert? Curry may be a good fit with Evans, who is terrible offensively. Any chance of getting Ben Wallace?

alphaorange · 01-03-2008, 06:05 PM

would you want an aging Ben Wallace? This team is not remotely close to competing for anything. Dude...have you checked the record? This team sucks. Jabbar in his prime couldn't make this team a contender.

Kiyaman · 01-04-2008, 10:38 AM

The Curry Factor is Isiah Thomas fault.

When Isiah pulled off the Curry trade his next move should've been hiring an ex-NBA Center as Curry personal day to day trainer.
Everyone in the League knew from Curry Chicago Performance that he was a defense & rebounding project inwhich needed personal work and attention.
For Isiah to say that Curry was the Knicks Franchise Player, and not get personal help for Curry like the Houston Rockets did for Franchise Player "Yao" by hiring Head Coach JVG, then Ewing and Mutombo.

Zuca · 01-05-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphaorange

would you want an aging Ben Wallace? This team is not remotely close to competing for anything. Dude...have you checked the record? This team sucks. Jabbar in his prime couldn't make this team a contender.

Because an aging Ben Wallace plays defense.

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