Bulls v. Pacers

[qwerty]

Find me 30 articles that refer to him as baby shaq.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/mariotti/cst-spt-jay081.html

 

As I recall, Eddy Curry was supposed to be the star of his hometown skyline, a Sears Tower in droopy shorts. As I recall, he was the fourth choice in the 2001 draft and the future of the NBA as we knew it. As I recall, Jerry Krause stalked him at Thornwood High and was enamored of the complete package, including the lightness of his steps from his years as a child gymnast.

 

As I recall, the operative nickname was ''Baby Shaq.''

 

Today, I am being scolded for expecting way too much.

 

''You guys have had an expectation of Eddy. I don't know if it was ever realistic to begin with,'' said Bulls coach Scott Skiles, more resigned to reality than exasperated by underachievement. ''I wasn't even here then. I wasn't part of all that. I've only known him the last 14-15 months.''

 

http://www.hoopshype.com/interviews/curry_okelly.htm

 

Coming out of high school you were dubbed as 'Baby Shaq'. Do you think that nickname made for higher or unrealistic expectations of you?

 

EC: I think that anyone who goes straight to the NBA from high school, there are high expectations. It's a learning process. It doesn't happen overnight. Look at Garnett, or Kobe. They didn't come in the league and dominate in their first 2-3 years. Jermaine O'Neal is just becoming a star, too.

 

http://basketballphenoms.com/curry.htm

 

Eddy has been given the knickname "Baby Shaq" because of his likeness to Shaquille O'Neal and the power he exhibits with his style of play. Eddy has a super combination of size, strength, and agility. His story is similar to Tim Duncan's in that basketball was his second sport of choice and he didn't pick the game up until he was already a teenager. While Tim was a swimmer, Eddy started out as a gymnast. After growing to over 6 and a half feet, it became apparent to Eddy that basketball may be the sport he was meant to play. Eddy dropped the tights for a pair of shorts and a tank top and he now dwarfs nearly every opponent he faces. What is most intriguing about him is how untapped his talent really is. He is just learning the game and with another year or two of getting familiar with basketball, he may take the world by storm!

 

http://www.hoopsworld.com/cgi-bin/news/exe...ive=44&num=9099

 

As John Paxson ponders whether to trade Jamal Crawford for the likes of Shandon Anderson and Frank Williams, and awaits a buyout of their top free agent target, Andres Nocioni, there is one more decision the Bulls’ GM will be addressing in the near future: the status of big man Eddy Curry.

 

Eddy is eligible for an extension this fall, and John Paxson, unlike his dealings with Jamal Crawford last fall, has indicated he is interested in pursuing that option. The question is whether it makes sense for the club to take that step now when the played dubbed "Baby Shaq" hasn’t exactly become the dominant force some predicted. There are pros and cons to giving Eddy an extension, which fall below.

 

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketbal...yers/18822.html

 

He's called "Baby Shaq" with good reason. With Curry's combination of size and mobility, some have compared him to the Lakers superstar. He's got a soft touch in the paint and can shoot a baby hook. Defense needs work, not surprising for a player so young.

 

http://www.hoopscorner.com/articles/0102ar.../rook_mono.html

 

Pick #4: Eddy Curry F/C, Chicago Bulls Listen up people. I don't mind being nicknamed, but how about something original. Baby Shaq? What happened to the last player who had someone's proper name as their nickname? Harold Minor was Baby Jordan and I'd bet a week's paycheck most of y'all don't know his whereabouts at this moment.

        Please don't make me a victim. Why couldn't I be Big Ed, Money Eddy, or XXE (Extra extra Eddy)? It doesn't matter. I'd rather a corny one than something that brought doom. I do know I draw my destiny not the name, but a good name is a good name. Thanks for your understanding. By the way, give me five years and I'll be dunking on Shaq.

 

 

http://www.thedvdmagazine.com/html/features7.htm

 

He’s the center on the Chicago Bulls who’s been dubbed “Baby Shaq.” The 19 year old, 6’11” phenom who went straight from high school to the NBA. The player with the strength, quick feet, agile moves, and soft touch. He’s fearless yet humble, young yet mature.

But what do we really know about Eddy Curry? Do we know what he’d be doing if he weren’t playing ball? Which celebrities he wishes he could date? What he‘s driving? If he thinks R. Kelly is guilty? I didn’t. But I do now. Wanna know too? Then read on… DW: What was the adjustment like going from high school straight to the NBA, and is it easier for you to play for the Bulls because there are other players on the team your same age?

EC: I was just trying to understand how things were going to be and how tough the competition was going to be. It did make it a lot easier being surrounded by players my age who really understood what I was going through.

DW: This year, what do you expect to accomplish on a personal level?

EC: I just hope that I’ll be able to play well. I think last year I played well in spurts. Every now and then I had a good game, then the next game would be kinda bad. I hope to just play kinda on the same plane this year. I don’t wanna play too bad, and I mean, it would be great to play too good, but I just want to keep it nice and even and just really try to have a solid season this year and just build on top of that for next season.

DW: Who do you admire the most in the league and why?

EC: I don’t really have one particular player who I admire the most. I mean,  I try to take a little bit from every player—their attitude on the court and off the court, and just their lifestyle period.

 

http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p1378.htm

 

Eddy Curry

Eddy went to high school in South Holland, Illinois and was picked fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls. He's

Get outta Tyson's house, punk.

6'll" and has been given the nickname "Baby Shaq" because his size and style of play is so similar to Shaquille O'Neal's. Basketball was actually Eddy's second sport and he didn't pick up the game until he was a teenager. He started out as a gymnast but after growing to over six and a half feet, Eddy decided to trade in his girly-tights for a pair of shorts and sneakers. It was a wise decision because he's a great basketball player and male gymnasts don't make millions of dollar.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...ack=1&cset=true

 

 

It doesn't matter what everyone is saying at the moment, the Bulls aren't out of the playoff race yet.

 

Though they may have been less than impressive this season, I think there's still a chance. As a Bulls fan it has been sickening to watch people turn on the Bulls and call them names like the "Horribulls" and the "Terribulls" when these same people were on the bandwagon only six years ago.

 

And like any other Bulls fan on this planet, I'm tired of waiting for Eddy Curry to live up to his potential and I'm so anxious for this team to start winning that at times I've longed for the Bulls to trade Curry for immediate help.

 

There are times when I check the box score and I see no more than five rebounds by his name and my blood boils. This is all for a guy who got the moniker "Baby Shaq." I see the baby part, but the only Shaq I see is in South Beach.

 

You can say the same about Chandler. I know I'm not the only one who has seen flashes of potential stardom. Most recently against the Wizards he scored 15 points and pulled down an astounding 21 boards. And in the win against the Lakers, Chandler had 10 points and pulled down 18 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass.

 

If he's doing this at only the age of 22, I can only imagine what he'd be doing in a couple years. He's got a bright future in the NBA whether it's with the Bulls or not.

 

I honestly cannot say the same about Eddy Curry.

 

Chandler, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich should remain with the Bulls for years to come. There's the slight chance that Curry could become a part of that group and show that he's a part of the Bulls future, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

 

http://www.ibiblio.org/craig/draft/2004_dr...3_chicago.shtml

 

Eddy Curry - Eddy Curry arrived in the league in 2001 with the moniker "Baby Shaq." Although in the years since, we have seen more "Baby" than "Shaq," Curry showed continued improvement in the 2003-04 season, the third year in which his scoring and rebounding totals have improved (6.7/3.7 to 10.5/4.3 to 14.7/6.2). Like Shaquille, Curry is often the biggest, strongest man on the floor. Unlike O'Neal, however, Curry doesn't possess the combination of power and quickness that has enabled the Lakers big man to dominate on both ends of the floor. By any measure, 6.2 rpg for a guy who goes 6-11/285 is a mediocre total. Continued improvement would place Curry among the best centers in the Eastern Conference, but much depends upon his offseason conditioning. He will be a free agent following 2004-05, so there is a good chance that he'll come into camp in shape and ready for a great year.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketbal..._preview/bulls/

 

Curry, a 6'11" center from South Holland, Ill., whom the Bulls selected fourth, has been dubbed Baby Shaq.

 

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_...02/ai_n11435392

 

Chandler has shown he can live up to his hype, averaging a double- double early in the season, but he's played in only 10 games because of a back injury. Curry gets pushed around too easily for a guy dubbed "Baby Shaq," and he's regressed from last season, when he led the NBA with a .585 field goal percentage.

 

"I know if I was out there, I could make things easier for him," said Chandler, who was drafted second overall in 2001, two spots ahead of Curry.

 

"I'm always going to feel like we can be the best two big men in the East. I know we can be. I know we will be."

 

 

http://slam.canoe.ca/BasketballCNNSI/nba_draft1-cnnsi.html

 

Michael Olowokandi hasn't lived up to his potential, so the Clippers may want to make another bid for the center of the future with "Baby Shaq."

 

 

http://www.dimemag.com/smack_sub.asp?id=1340

 

Now for what looks like a good deal, Isiah Thomas is reportedly offering Mike Sweetney to the Bulls in exchange for Eddy Curry. Curry could definitely give the Knicks the true center they’ve lacked ever since Pat Ewing left, and there’s a great chance Baby Shaq could shape up once he gets out of the morass that is the Bulls organization. As for Chicago, they admit their blunder with Curry, get a true power forward in Sweetney with a ton of upside, and get to play Tyson Chandler at center.

 

http://www.foulshots.com/Analysis/2001nbadraftgrades.htm

 

4. Chicago Bulls - Eddy Curry (6-11 305 C/F)

"Baby Shaq" showed he has a quick wit by throwing a subtle jab at Charles Barkley during TNT's television coverage of the draft. He also has very quick feet for such a gigantic human being. If Curry can avoid blimping out and becoming the next Robert "Tractor" Taylor, stardom awaits this gifted man-child. 300 pound widebodies with franchise center skills come around once every 10 years, so this pick was a no-brainer.

Grade: A.

 

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_..._29/ai_84895040

 

Even "Baby Shaq" himself, the Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry, is the "before" picture to Shaq's "after."

 

http://www.northeast10.org/stories/mbkb/20...owellsunmoragne

 

The River Hawks' shooting guard witnessed the biggest and baddest the Chicago area had to offer come at Moragne, with nary a flinch or step back. Take, for instance, Evanston's meeting with a kid named Eddy Curry, who just so happened to be labeled as the Chicago Bulls' first-round pick a few months later.

 

Curry, a 6-foot-10 wide body many dubbed "Baby Shaq" before his high school graduation, got Moragne's entire surprise package that day step-back jumpers, lefty hook shots, and body-shielding lay-ups. Fifteen points later and the kid from Evanston had his respect.

 

"He's going to be in the league soon, that's what is going through my head," recalled Moragne. "I'm kind of amazed I'm playing against him, but at the same time I want to destroy him."

 

http://www.geocities.com/HoopsCage/Article...badraft2001.htm

 

Eddy Curry- Yep, you’ve all heard of this guy, Baby Shaq.  He is guaranteed to be top 5.  Why?  Because of his size!  At 6-11 and 300 pounds this guy is certainly unstoppable in the post.  He possesses a good post game and already has more quickness and moves than Shaq.  In addition he also shoots well from the free-throw line, and is an All-American first team member.

 

 

http://www.outsports.com/topsbottomsmar2001.htm

 

March 29:  "Baby Shaq" was in the house last night.  6-foot-11, 290 pound high school senior Eddy Curry, nicknamed for obvious reasons after the Lakers center, dominated the McDonald's All-American game Wednesday night, putting up 28 points as the West rallied from 15 down to beat the East, 131-125.  He shot 12-for-21 from the field and added eight rebounds and four blocks.

 

http://www.kcchronicle.com/SportsSection/l...20433028604.php

 

Complimentary: O'Neal spoke before the game and said Curry should not have had to bear the burden of getting labeled "Baby Shaq" coming into the NBA.

 

"I think he's doing a fabulous job," O'Neal said. "I always wish big men well."

 

O'Neal also credited Bulls coach Scott Skiles, his former teammate with the Orlando Magic. O'Neal said he is not surprised by how Skiles has invigorated the Bulls, but made sure to get in some friendly jabs.

 

http://www.bobgibbons.net/secure/NewsPub/N...8998851515.html

 

The First Team All-Americans were our picks as the best in the nation at their respective position during the 2000-01 basketball season. This senior class has the best overall depth of talent of any class since 1997.

 

Our 2001 All-Americans include 28 seniors, two juniors, and one "super sophomore." Our 2001 Frank McGuire National High School Player Of The Year is massive "Baby Shaq," 6-11, 295 lbs., center Eddy Curry, South Holland, IL, Thornwood High School, who averaged 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game.

 

http://www.teamarete.com/nbadraft.html

 

2. L.A. Clippers

Eddy Curry, 6-11, 290, C/PF, HS, Thornwood High (Ill.)

Baby Shaq dominated in the McDonald’s All-American Game, but he didn’t have to go up against 7-footer Sagana Diop, who was injured. The Clippers need some beef in the middle, especially now that the Candy Man (Michael Olowokandi) has clearly been a flop. Curry fits the bill and will give some rebounding help to his buddy, Darius Miles, and Lamar Odom.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/baske...all-america.htm

 

DURHAM, N.C. — Eddy Curry's nickname is 'Baby Shaq.' He lived up to it in the McDonald's All America high school game.

 

The 6-foot-11, 290-pound Curry had 28 points and David Lee added 21 as the West rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat the East 131-125 Wednesday night.

 

http://216.109.117.135/search/cache?p=baby...&icp=1&.intl=us

 

Some draft experts had Curry as the top prospect of the 2001 draft. The Bulls took him with the 4th overall pick. Curry has the kind of size, strength, soft hands and quick feet that make NBA scouts drool. Dubbed "Baby Shaq," Curry's body is better developed than O'Neal's was at 18 and his shooting touch is already better than Shaq's. The main criticism of Curry has been his work ethic and conditioning. However, since graduating from high school and turning pro, he's dropped most of his baby fat and hit the training room and practice court with enthusiasm. The sky's the limit for Curry.

 

http://www.nba.com/games/20030311/LALCHI/recap.html

 

"Baby Shaq" Eddy Curry scored 20 points -- his third game in a row with at least 20 -- and helped limit Shaquille O'Neal to a season-low 13 points as the Bulls beat the Lakers for the third time in four games over the last two seasons.

 

http://www.ihigh.com/0%2C1773%2C2_7_0_44598%2C00.html

 

Oct 18, 2001 - After helping the Thornwood Thunderbirds to the Class AA state finals, Eddy Curry, who graduated in 2001, has been drafted to the Chicago Bulls as the fourth overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft.

 

To many scouts, Curry was known as "Baby Shaq" due to his combination of agility and strength.

 

Throughout his years at Thornwood, Curry could be seen in a T-Bird jersey, usually eating food in the hall. Now he has graduated to a Chicago Bulls jersey where he will roam the halls of the United Center instead.

 

 

http://www.hoopsworld.com/cgi-bin/news/exe...ive=44&num=9099

 

Eddy is eligible for an extension this fall, and John Paxson, unlike his dealings with Jamal Crawford last fall, has indicated he is interested in pursuing that option. The question is whether it makes sense for the club to take that step now when the played dubbed "Baby Shaq" hasn’t exactly become the dominant force some predicted. There are pros and cons to giving Eddy an extension, which fall below:

 

 

http://www.hoopshype.com/interviews/curry_okelly.htm

 

Coming out of high school you were dubbed as 'Baby Shaq'. Do you think that nickname made for higher or unrealistic expectations of you?

 

EC: I think that anyone who goes straight to the NBA from high school, there are high expectations. It's a learning process. It doesn't happen overnight. Look at Garnett, or Kobe. They didn't come in the league and dominate in their first 2-3 years. Jermaine O'Neal is just becoming a star, too.

 

http://66.218.71.231/language/translation/...fr=FP-tab-web-t

 

Eddy Curry 2,08m 136Kg C Thornwood (South Holland) The HS Sr. - It could be the successor of Shaquille O' Neal (already now is nicknamed "Baby Shaq"). Little high of its more famous colleague, but with the same force and in more one educated hand more. Perhaps it is not agile as Shaq or as Kwame Brown, but it is destined to being one of the first ones chosen (if not the first absolute). The greater perplexities are of characterial origin.

http://www.nbadraftreport.com/pegler1.htm

 

Probably the most rewarding out of the bunch is Eddy Curry also known as “Baby Shaq.” Curry is having his most successful season averaging 14.7 points per game and 29.5 minutes per game. He has showed improvement every year and is a vital part to the Bulls future.

[qwerty]

You're right.  The expectations were higher for Chandler, hence why he was picked before Curry.

 

 

Actually, it was a shocker to everyone when chandler was taken that high. Most people thought curry was a guaranteed number one or two pick. If you do not believe me i can show you a bunch of mock drafts from 2001 where chandler is four or lower in the majority of them.

 

I don't know how many times i have seen snippets like this said about chandler.

 

6. Vancouver

Tyson Chandler, 7-1, 225, SF, HS, Dominguez High (Calif.)

Chandler may be a 7-footer, but he’s not a center in the NBA. At least not right now at 225 pounds. Remember Brad Sellars? That’s Chandler on the offensive end. He shies away from taking the ball inside — even at the high school level — but is a tremendous shot blocker, a la Marcus Camby. His intensity and commitment are his biggest obstacles to becoming a superstar, but he has all the tools.

 

Garnett my ass.

[SoxFanForever]

Actually, it was a shocker to everyone when chandler was taken that high. Most people thought curry was a guaranteed number one or two pick. If you do not believe me i can show you a bunch of mock drafts from 2001 where chandler is four or lower in the majority of them.

 

I don't know how many times i have seen snippets like this said about chandler.

Garnett my ass.

[hammerhead johnson]

You and other like-minded fans are the ones who are giving him lower expectations when it comes to scoring.  All of a sudden, he's not supposed to score anymore.

 

First of all, who is dumb enough to compare 18 year olds to NBA legends like Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Garnett?

 

I'll read those sites that y'all have been linking in order to know what NOT to think.

 

There is an endless supply of dumbf***s out there watching basketball and trying to make desperate comparisons in order to write columns. I don't wanna hear about it.

 

Top 10 Defensive Players in NBA history, IMO

 

Bill Russell

Nate Thurmond

Dennis Rodman

Ben Wallace

Hakeem Olajuwon

David Robinson

Michael Jordan

Scottie Pippen

Alonzo Mourning

Dikembe Mutombo

 

Could Dikembe, Bill Russell, Dennis Rodman, and Ben Wallace provide much on the offensive end? Nope. Were they the types of players that you build around in order to contend for a championship? You're god damn right. Next up is one Tyson Chandler.