Daily Southtown [imgl]http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050928/thumb.ny17409282010.litke_bulls_curry_ny174.jpg[/imgl]The longer the Eddy Curry controversy drags on, the more it appears a parting of ways may be the best solution for the Bulls and the malcontent free-agent center. Amid speculation Curry no longer wants to be associated with the team in wake of its insistence that he submit to a genetic heart test, Bulls officials have not heard from him in several days. "I tried to reach Eddy on a number of occasions but was unsuccessful," said Bulls general manager John Paxson, who last week indicated Curry would not be allowed to play without a favorable test result. Asked whether Curry could be a disruption when preseason camp opens next week, Paxson said, "That's something we'll have to deal with." Indications are Curry will accept a one-year, $5.1 million qualifying offer to return to the Bulls prior to the deadline today, although the official announcement might not come until Saturday. With the support of the NBA Players' Association, Curry could refuse to take the test, in which case an arbiter probably would rule on the matter. Bulls restricted free-agent guard Jannero Pargo is expected to accept an $875,000 qualifying offer today. Paxson confirmed he had talked with the New York Knicks earlier in the week about a possible sign-and-trade deal for Curry, but he said it was highly unlikely such a move would be made. Paxson denied a published report that in recent days he had repeatedly turned down the Knicks' proposed offer of forwards Tim Thomas and Michael Sweetney. Paxson called it a "bizarre proposal" but declined to elaborate. Source
Knicks' proposal would be bizarre with the disproportionate contracts, and the fact that Isaiah Thomas has said he doesn't want to disrupt the young foundation (Ariza, Sweetney, et al). On Curry: There's only one apparent reason that Curry won't take the test; he wants to hustle the Bulls for more than he's logically worth. Curry has made a number of mistakes. First, he shouldn't have been so arrogant coming into the summer. The only real interest he gained was from the Hawks and he disrespected them by leaving a business weekend in Atlanta early. Then, the Bulls were happy to take him back. Next thing you know, he and his agent go public announcing the Bulls are trying to shop Curry in a sign-and-trade. This really peaved John Paxson (probably Scott Skiles, too). On top of that, there are all sorts of rumors of people wanting Eddy Curry. It's highly unsubstantiated and largely unbelievable. If someone made a real offer, it's hard to believe the Bulls wouldn't just ship him off in a heart beat. Speaking of heart beats... If there's nothing for Curry to worry about, he should take the test. He would prove he's right and therefore demonstrate his self-righteousness is founded. If there is something for him to be worried about, he should definitely take the test. If he's in danger, he needs to know it. Reggie Lewis loved the game so much he went for "second" opinion after second opinion. It took his life. If he feels that likely they will find the test inconclusive and doubt will simply shroud the rest of his career... Well, that may be the case anyway. I'd like to see him take charge of his life and let financial motivations (and those whom he hires to manage such) pass. He's already rich for the rest of his life if he wants to be. He needs to do all he can to ensure that's a long span of time.
I read a post in another forum by a bull's fan that suggests the possibility that Curry has taken the DNA test privately. It is hard to believe that any normal person, you and I, would not take the test. The Bull's fan suggests that Curry has taken the test and is keeping the results secret. The motivation being financial security. I think Curry and his agent do have the test results and that they are not good. It would be so very easy to take the test and move forward but only if the results show that he does not have the genetic predisposition for serious heart disease. This is a sad negotiation. A young man's life hangs in the balance for what? Money? I have zero respect for Curry and his agent. None of this makes any rational sense and smacks of flat out greed. I hope Curry doesn't have heart disease and that he might go on and have his overweight underachieving career continue.
Eddy Curry has always been one of my favorite players. He's not too dang bad. And once he lost that weight it made him even better. It added something new to his game because he had better footwork. But, in my opinion, the bulls wanted to cater to Chandler more then they gave a damn about EC. Just my 2 cents.
