OK near for Eddy Curry

[knightni]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines

 

 

OK near for Curry

Cardiologist's diagnosis could clear Bull to start workouts

 

By K.C. Johnson

Tribune staff reporter

 

June 23, 2005

 

 

Bulls center Eddy Curry could be cleared to resume physical activity as early as Thursday or Friday if team doctors accept the diagnosis of a prominent Los Angeles-based cardiologist.

 

Dr. David Cannom, an expert on ventricular arrhythmias and chief of cardiology at Good Samaritan Hospital, has determined that Curry's enlarged heart isn't a life-threatening situation and is consistent with an athlete's heart, according to sources.

 

 

"I'd rather not comment," Cannom said late Wednesday when reached by phone. "You'd need to talk to Dr. Cole."

 

Attempts to reach Bulls physician Brian Cole were unsuccessful.

 

Sources said Cannom's diagnosis is consistent with that of Dr. Mark Estes, another prominent cardiologist Curry saw in Boston shortly after experiencing an irregular heartbeat before a March 30 game in Charlotte.

 

"I just feel relieved because I want to start working out again," Curry said Wednesday in a phone interview. "I miss playing basketball. I feel weird not playing."

 

Curry, 22, has been inactive since the Charlotte game, missing the final 13 regular-season games and the playoffs.

 

In between the diagnoses of Estes and Cannom, Curry saw Minneapolis-based cardiologist Barry Maron, one of the country's preeminent experts on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

 

The condition is a hot-button topic in the sports world because both Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis had the condition when they collapsed and died playing basketball.

 

Curry rested for six weeks between his two visits to Maron. This inactivity was suggested to see if Curry's enlarged heart would shrink, which could have signified that his arrhythmia was related to exercise and not structural problems.

 

When little change resulted, sources said Maron suggested more testing, including a DNA test that possibly could rule out cardiomyopathy in definitive fashion. Curry had resisted taking that test, creating a standoff.

 

The limbo period ended shortly after Curry hired Philadelphia-based agent Leon Rose on June 2. Rose has a solid working relationship with Bulls general manager John Paxson, who applauded Rose's attempts to be proactive with Curry.

 

A source said Cannom had been on the Bulls' original list of specialists. The cardiologist viewed pictures of Curry's heart and test results last week and has contacted team officials in the last couple days after first sharing his diagnosis with Rose.

 

Sources said the Bulls are contemplating asking Cannom to fly to Chicago to meet with Curry, Paxson and team physicians in person.

 

Paxson, however, is said to be buoyed by Cannom's diagnosis, which joins that of Estes in painting a positive picture of Curry's heart condition.

 

What remained unclear is what becomes of the signs that gave pause to Maron, the Minneapolis-based cardiologist.

 

It's possible, however, that with two prominent cardiologists reaching similar diagnoses, and Maron only wanting to rule out cardiomyopathy definitively—not issuing that diagnosis—that enough positive feedback is accumulating to alleviate concerns of liability.

 

Curry, a restricted free agent, could command a salary in the six-year, $67 million range under the guidelines of the new collective bargaining agreement if he re-signs with the Bulls.

 

Other teams could offer Curry roughly five years and $52 million. Cleveland and Atlanta are two teams who reportedly will have interest in Curry once the free-agent recruiting period begins July 1.

 

It remains to be seen how this medical situation will affect Curry's ability to get insurance on a long-term contract.

 

But such details aren't the ones concerning Curry after this latest dose of optimistic news. Neither is the fact that he has gained roughly 10 pounds in close to three months of inactivity.

 

"I'll get that off in two weeks tops," said Curry, who is to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Saturday's Cubs-White Sox game. "I can't wait to get started working out again."

 

 

Neither can the Bulls.

[Balta1701]

This is great news.

 

If this kid can play...then maybe we can finally start trying to hit the San Antonio Twin Towers style ball that Krause envisioned when we drafted those 2.

 

Curry & Chandler clogging up the inside, Gordon on the outside, Hinrich and Deng inbetween.

 

That's a Hell of a lineup if they're all together.

[hammerhead johnson]

If this kid can play...then maybe we can finally start trying to hit the San Antonio Twin Towers style ball that Krause envisioned when we drafted those 2.

 

Was that Jerry's master plan?

 

Twin Towers? My grandmother could outrebound and play better defense than Curry. Oh wait, I forgot, Curry opens everything up in the lane so that others get rebounding opportunities, and that's why there are a dozen SGs in this league who grab more rebounds per game than he does, including Bobby Sura.

 

Someone's gonna get stuck with a big f***ing stiff. Let's just hope that it's not us. 6 years/67 million? 5 years/52 million? Is that the going rate for half-assed centers?

Edited June 23, 2005 by hammerhead johnson

[kev211]

This is great news.

 

If this kid can play...then maybe we can finally start trying to hit the San Antonio Twin Towers style ball that Krause envisioned when we drafted those 2.

 

Curry & Chandler clogging up the inside, Gordon on the outside, Hinrich and Deng inbetween.

 

That's a Hell of a lineup if they're all together.

And every year they will get better

[Balta1701]

Was that Jerry's master plan?

 

I'm pretty sure that was actually his master plan when he drafted them...he pointed at San Antonio as an example of what he was trying to do.

 

Let me put it this way...Curry is not a rebounder, and Chandler is not a scorer. Not yet anyway. But if you have both of those guys on the floor, they compliment each other, and they'll make each other better at what they do. And I still think that both will only get better with time.

 

Although...those damn guaranteed contracts still scare the hell out of me.

[SleepyWhiteSox]

Was that Jerry's master plan?

 

Twin Towers? 

 

Yep. Anybody who has read a few Chicago paper sports sections over the years must have seen the "Twin Toddlers" reference half a dozen times.

 

Someone's gonna get stuck with a big f***ing stiff.

 

You have a right to your opinion, but it shall remain to be seen.

 

The only way I see that happening is for health-related reasons and not actual ability. I have no idea what your definition of what a stiff is, but in my book a C with Eddy's scoring ability would not be called one. His rebounding, on the other hand, does leave a bit to be desired...

[hammerhead johnson]

Let me put it this way...Curry is not a rebounder, and Chandler is not a scorer.  Not yet anyway.  But if you have both of those guys on the floor, they compliment each other, and they'll make each other better at what they do.  And I still think that both will only get better with time.

 

The sky is the limit for Tyson Chandler. He's a balls-out motherf***er who will break his back for the team. With his physical tools, and more importantly, his passion for the game and his determination to win, you can begin to see why myself and certain others on here are salivating.

 

On the other hand, you have Eddy Curry. No passion, no balls, no heart, no work ethic, no determination, no nothing.

 

There might be a shortage of centers in this league, but that doesn't mean you give a loser 6/67 or 5/52.

[kev211]

It would be huge in curry got the OK

[wsox08]

BULLS- NBA CHAMPS 06!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO

[hammerhead johnson]

BULLS- NBA CHAMPS 06!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO

 

Go back to the Pale Hose Forum, sheesh. :headshake

[SleepyWhiteSox]

The sky is the limit for Tyson Chandler.  He's a balls-out motherf***er who will break his back for the team.  With his physical tools, and more importantly, his passion for the game and his determination to win, you can begin to see why myself and certain others on here are salivating.

 

On the other hand, you have Eddy Curry.  No passion, no balls, no heart, no work ethic, no determination, no nothing. 

 

There might be a shortage of centers in this league, but that doesn't mean you give a loser 6/67 or 5/52.

 

Blinded by your tyson man-love and Curry hatred...

 

You're way overhyping tyson and ridiculously hating on Eddy.

 

But again, you're entitled to your extreme opinions...

[SoxFan1]

Tyson = D

Eddy = O

 

Tyson Curry = MONSTER

[qwerty]

BULLS- NBA CHAMPS 06!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO

 

At the earliest 2007 once robinson is fully off the books along with davis. That is nearly 20 million off the books right there. Realistically i am looking at 2008 ( one year for next years free agent pick-ups to gel with the rest of the team. Next year we will just be making minute up grades, nothing drastic.

[GoodAsGould]

my goals for this year is to show last year wasnt a fluke maybe get 50 some wins and win a playoff round....Realistically I think we can beat any team in the East besides the Pistons and Heat in the playoffs next year.

 

A course this can all change if we dont resign Curry and if the Cavs add a big F/A to play with Lebron.

[AirScott]

Tyson = D

Eddy = O

 

Tyson Curry = MONSTER

I've always said that if you could combine Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry, you'd have the best basketball player ever. Chandler has the hustle and height, Curry has the skill and size. I just don't get Curry, he's capable of 25/12, but that would require him putting forth effort, so he gives 15/5 or whatever.

[Jake]

Curry - Size and talent/potential to make any scout/gm drool. Already being proven to be a great scorer, although defense has yet to be seen. I have seen small improvements on defense. They are small, but nonetheless they are improvements. And we aren't sure yet on his heart (both physically and mentally)

 

Chandler - Hustle, work ethic, and desire to make any scout/gm drool. He is taller than Curry, but lacks the mass Curry has. If he gains a lot more massive (20-40 pounds) and can keep that drive, he can be a monster. He is already awesome on defense and on boards so we won't go there. This guy is terrible on offense. Sure, he puts down a monster dunk now and then, but the guy plays like he's 6'6" on offense. He goes to the hole like a lot of guards would against PF's and C's, trying to avoid contact and being afraid to attack (like fading away and throwing up runners) and he can't score like a guard well.

 

So there's a bit left to be desired on both sides.

[GoodAsGould]

The thing about Curry he was really starting to hit a groove it seemed when he had to be disabled because of his heart.... And I think Skiles influence on him has gotten him to become a much better player and I think if his heart truly is not a problem and we do resign the giants we will see a huge huge improvement from them since last year.

 

Good thing is Curry seems enthusiastic about working out

[hammerhead johnson]

Chandler - This guy is terrible on offense. Sure, he puts down a monster dunk now and then, but the guy plays like he's 6'6" on offense. He goes to the hole like a lot of guards would against PF's and C's, trying to avoid contact and being afraid to attack (like fading away and throwing up runners) and he can't score like a guard well.

 

Get used to it, because he can't dribble for s***. He doesn't play 6'6, I don't understand that portion of your analysis. He plays like a guy who can't dribble and has zero post moves. Those runners have no fluidity to them. He's just goofy on the offensive end, and there is no upside. He can provide maybe 12 PPG off of offensive boards, tips, and free throws. That is plenty, considering his value to the team from a defensive/rebounding perspective.

 

Always remember that scorers come a dime a dozen, and elite defenders in a 30 team league are precious commodities. The irony of the situation is that you spend so much less money on defense. Look at Ben Wallace, he's making 6.5 million per year. That's less (in some cases waaaay less) than what Jamal Crawford, Allan Houston, Shannon Anderson, Quentin Richardson, Anfernee Hardaway, Tim Thomas, and Stephon Marbury make per year, and that's only the Knicks.

[nitetrain8601]

The thing about Curry he was really starting to hit a groove it seemed when he had to be disabled because of his heart.... And I think Skiles influence on him has gotten him to become a much better player and I think if his heart truly is not a problem and we do resign the giants we will see a huge huge improvement from them since last year.

 

Good thing is Curry seems enthusiastic about working out 

 

I agree. His last 10 games, he was becoming a beast. LeBron wants him according to ESPN.

[GoodAsGould]

I agree. His last 10 games, he was becoming a beast. LeBron wants him according to ESPN.

 

 

screw Lebron Eddy is ours, without him we have absolutely 0 post presence..... If we went into the playoffs with Tyson and Deng down instead of Eddy and Deng we would of easily beat the wizards. No offense to Tyson he is one of my favorites but Eddy would of been more useful that series.

[DukeNukeEm]

Tell LeBron if he wants Eddy, he can come to Chicago.

[qwerty]

Tell LeBron if he wants Eddy, he can come to Chicago.

 

He won't be coming here but i doubt he stays with the cavs unless they get things turned around a hurry. Sure it's his home town and all but winning and championships> being at home on a s***ty team. What they do this year will end oup telling their future for years to come. I know they are looking at sarunas jasikevicius, he would be huge for them.

[hammerhead johnson]

He won't be coming here but i doubt he stays with the cavs unless they get things turned around a hurry. Sure it's his home town and all but winning and championships> being at home on a s***ty team. What they do this year will end oup telling their future for years to come. I know they are looking at sarunas jasikevicius, he would be huge for them.

 

I think that the Cavs are f***ed in the long term. They play in the wrong division. You have two perennial championship threats in Detroit and Indiana, a team on the rise in Chicago, and a futures team in Milwaukee. I can't see the Cavs making any progress...they are missing so many pieces and Ilgauskas can't possibly last much longer. I know jack s*** about Sarunas Jasikevicius...what position does he play?

[qwerty]

I think that the Cavs are f***ed in the long term.  They play in the wrong division.  You have two perennial championship threats in Detroit and Indiana, a team on the rise in Chicago, and a futures team in Milwaukee.  I can't see the Cavs making any progress...they are missing so many pieces and Ilgauskas can't possibly last much longer.  I know jack s*** about Sarunas Jasikevicius...what position does he play?

 

 

Think a point guard version of peja. He is considered to be one fo the top five point guards currently playing in the world. He only wants a 3/10 million dollar contract which for a player of his caliber is pretty cheap. That is less than 70% of the league probally. He is considered to be a steve nash clone when it comes to running an offense. Last year in athens lithuania won verse the usa with Jasikevicius and his 28 points and 10 points in 3 possesions in last minutes. He made 21-32 threes last year in the national cup. You might recall he went to maryland in the mid 90's and went undrafted. For a long time he was buried on the bench. He became the player he is today right around the 2000 olympics and last years showing in the olympics raised his stock so much that he is one of the most highly sought after free agents.

 

The main teams after him are portland (why?), boston, cavs, and houston.

[Rowand44]

Eddie looked horrendous today throwing out the 2nd first pitch.

Edited June 26, 2005 by Rowand44