Curry's bolting?

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Bulls' inaction gives Curry 'sour taste'

July 8, 2005

BY LACY J. BANKS Staff Reporter Advertisement









These are not the best of days for Bulls center Eddy Curry, who thought by now he would be celebrating a lucrative, long-term contract agreement to stay in Chicago.

Free agents Ray Allen and Michael Redd have to wait until July 22, like everyone else, before signing their contracts, but at least they have agreements in hand to stay in Seattle and Milwaukee, respectively.

Bulls operations chief John Paxson has maintained he'll keep Curry and his other restricted free agents -- Tyson Chandler, Chris Duhon and Jannero Pargo -- but Curry is frustrated by the pace of negotiations. The Bulls reportedly are considering a short-term, incentive-laden offer to protect their investment in the wake of Curry's episodes with an irregular heartbeat, which ended his season March 30.

''Honestly, I feel like I've been through enough,'' Curry said Thursday after going through his third day of workouts with trainer Tim Grover at the WestLoop Athletic Club. ''I feel like I've done everything that people have asked me to do to prove I'm healthy enough to play. The doctors have cleared me and said I can play. But I feel like right now, it should happen the way they said it was going to happen.

''They said that once I got cleared, they were going to lock me up [with a new contract], and that was going to be it. But that doesn't seem like it's going to happen. It certainly isn't happening right now. It's definitely leaving a sour taste in my mouth. But right now, all that I can do is come in here every day and work out, do what my trainer tells me to do, get back in top conditioning and be ready to play.

"I never wanted to leave Chicago, but it's a strong possibility that could happen from the way things look.''

The Bulls can match any offer their restricted free agents receive from other teams. If another team offers Curry a lucrative deal without health-based incentives, the Bulls might consider a sign-and-trade deal.

Curry said he won't play for the one-year qualifying offer of just over $5.1 million, after which he would become an unrestricted free agent.

''I'm feeling good, feeling great and glad to be working out again,'' Curry said. ''[But] everything is moving in slow motion now in terms of the Bulls [negotiating a new contract], and there's little I can do about it.

''I've got to gradually work my way back into tip-top shape, but [there aren't any] limitations to what I can do now. The doctor has cleared me to get back to playing ball, and he hasn't put any restrictions as to what I can do. I'm not on any medications, and I'm working out every day except for Sunday.''

I'm in two minds about that. It would be nice if the Bulls were showing a little more commitment to Curry and coming to an agreement before July 22. At the same time, their hesitation is understandable given the risk. Curry says he's fine now, but there's no guarantee these health problems won't resurface.

It's also a slightly different situation with guys like Ray Allen and Michael Redd. Both are unrestricted free agents attracting interest from teams that were willing to pay them a lot of money. It was important for the Supersonics and Bucks to come to an agreement with them before other teams could lure them away.

Hopefully this turns out to be a small ripple and the situation will be resolved by the time Curry can sign a new deal.

If he did decide to bolt, where would he end up? I'm sure there are enough teams who are dying for a legitimately sized big man. He's young & he's talented.

Hehe, you all know what team I'm thinking of.

Seems like curry just wants to get a contract signed so he can go back to beign overweight and underproductive as quick as possible.

I'd say the Hawks would have enough money to offer him, but he's not a swingman so that probably won't happen.

Besides, they don't need a Center, they've got Diaw.

^^^^^ LOL!

eheheeh, anyway i heard Lebron would like him at Cavs.

honestly, who doesnt this guy want lol

If he did decide to bolt, where would he end up?

My guess: the nearest buffet.

i would not mind curry in boston, though he is really a risk player. might actually be better to go elsewhere for help.

LMAO, I thought the same way Jowe did

just wondering: why don't some people give their opinions when they post an article?

i don't think eddy understands the FA signing process. either that or his agent is an idiot

he should go play with lebron. how can anyone pass up the chance to play with king james. shame on ray allen, michael redd, and any other FA

just wondering: why don't some people give their opinions when they post an article?

i don't think eddy understands the FA signing process. either that or his agent is an idiot

he should go play with lebron. how can anyone pass up the chance to play with king james. shame on ray allen, michael redd, and any other FA

lets break this up into 3 parts

1. i wonder the same thing

2. i doubt eddy understands the process and i feel his agent is an idiot. but mostly i think he wants to sign a deal before something new comes out about his health.

3.maybe he is one of the only players james dont want?

just wondering: why don't some people give their opinions when they post an article?

Mmmm... they don't necessarily have a postworthy opinion?

i never have postworthy opinions yet i continue to spam...


Curry should sign with the Bulls, i think he has a future there... i think he has a future pretty much on any team that needs a Center

lets break this up into 3 parts

1. i wonder the same thing

2. i doubt eddy understands the process and i feel his agent is an idiot. but mostly i think he wants to sign a deal before something new comes out about his health.

3.maybe he is one of the only players james dont want?

1. haha i was hoping i wasn't the only one thinking this. the articles that get posted here aren't breaking news anyway lol

2. i'm not so sure about his health thing. he's said all along he felt fine the whole time. just experienced some minor pains in the warmup lines. didn't collapse or anything like that as did marcus camby or reggie lewis. but we'll see what happens....

3. actually, lebron james has been reported as wanting curry to come to the cavs.

and actually my mini rant was directed at ESPn and AP for coming up with these headlines for the Redd resigning: "oh no! he passed up the chance to play with Lebron James, the king. OMG!

I read that Curry will be visiting the Atlanta Hawks to see what they've got to offer him. Apparently, the Haws are willing to give up Al Harrington for Curry which by the way would be great for the Bulls I think.

I like the contract the Bulls are offering. (Not for Curry) But from a GM stand point it makes sense. Stay healthy and you wil get your money. These GM's have been throwing money around....$70 million for a bad heart. I say screw that.

He should do well w/ the Bulls now that most of the responsibility is off of him. The team leader is Hinrich, Ben is the go to scorer. Anything that Curry contributes is a bonus, which is better for him.

David Robinson also had huge issues when the team relied on him, since he never developed any consistent moves, but he was still a force down in the paint. Curry can still be a presence without a patented shot.

One thing that really bothers me about Curry is his extremely low rebounding numbers.... I mean, he's a 6-11 285 lb beast and he can't even get more than a career high 15 rebounds. That's pretty sad, and I don't think he's worth that much money.

I read that Curry will be visiting the Atlanta Hawks to see what they've got to offer him. Apparently, the Haws are willing to give up Al Harrington for Curry which by the way would be great for the Bulls I think.

I'd rather the Bulls keep Curry quite frankly, or at least replace him with either a centre or a swingman.

It might not be too bad. Chandler can play centre, with harrington at pf, deng at sf, and gordon/hinrich in the backcourt.

and not too good either

chandler had a very impressive playoff: about 12ppg,10rpg, 2bpg.

still harrington is just not nba starter quality. the average wiz frontcourt easily outplayed the bulls...

the bulls need a legit scoring presence, in the post preferred. chandler brought some scoring in the p-offs but mostly on putbacks or launching bricks off the backboard on his 'patented' runner.

as maes mentioned, curry would be in 'support' type of role, albeit an important one on offense.

no post scoring= teams focus on stopping bulls perimeter guys, who outside of gordon, aren't adept to creating their own shots

i think curry does have a patented move.. park his fatass in the lane to get good post position and jump hook with the right hand. similar to shaq's- not much grace but gets the job done hehe

Chandler would foul out by the half time break of every game as starting C, the guy must freak out on 3 lattes and six pack of Jolt before every game.

I do wish the Bulls would make some moves this summer, Pax seems content to just ride with what he has now. Donyell...?

lol@chandler. he gets starters minutes anyway

pax can't really make any significant moves since the team doesnt have much cap to work with. and duhon's new contract will eat into the MLE

donyell would be great but i think it's a pipe dream