<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> October 2, 2006 -- When the Knicks reported to training camp one year ago, Isiah Thomas completed the Eddy Curry blockbuster and optimism ran amok as the Larry Brown Era began. Brown was a disaster, Curry a disappointment. At least the 6-11 Curry now gets a chance at redemption as the Knicks report for training camp today and attempt to erase the memory of last season's 23-59 epic collapse. First practice is tomorrow under the specter of the Brown contract-arbitration hearing in Manhattan. Curry will take the flight to Charleston, ahead of schedule from the rusty and out-of-shape player who reported late a year ago. It took four days before Curry was allowed to practice as he underwent heart tests before the Bulls' trade became official. During the summer, Thomas said, "He has a great chance to become an all-star in this offense. That's my job as a coach." It was Curry's job to report to training camp in much better shape than last October. And judging by last week's informal 4-on-4 scrimmages, he looks fit. The first practice is tomorrow. Knicks assistant Mark Aguirre spent three weeks with Curry in Chicago. But the biggest difference is this summer Curry played in the legendary Chicago pickup games dominated by NBA players at the West Loop Athletic Club. The games are run by trainer Tim Grover, who worked with Michael Jordan for 16 years. Shawn Marion, Antoine Walker, Michael Finley, Juwan Howard, Shaun Livingston and Bobby Simmons all participate through August. Grover believes Curry's failure to scrimmage last summer as a free agent recovering from an irregular heartbeat contributed to his underachieving first season. "No matter how many drills and conditioning we did, it's not the same thing as actually going out and playing," Grover said. "That was a component he didn't get last year and after the trade, that's where he was behind." Grover also feels Brown was wrong in asking Curry to get down to 283 pounds in midseason after reporting to camp at 306. Free-agent invitees competing for Maurice Taylor's roster spot aside from Elton Brown and Paul Miller include 2002 lottery bust, 7-foot Nikoloz Tskitishvili.</div> http://www.nypost.com/seven/10022006/sport...marc_berman.htm Can we just re-sign Qyntel Woods?
yeah!! Keep Woods he is cheaper and still young and can improve under Isiah Because of the up tempo game the knicks will play under Thomas.Woods is fast enough for the style.
Wow, this could be a first. The only time Curry ever came into Bulls camp in shape was his contract year. Other than that, he was never doing much of anything in the offseason aside from being lazy. Too bad being in fit doesn't make you a good defender or a better rebounder, cause that's what he's in dire need of. The only thing being in fit helps him with is staying on the court longer, and even then, he's never played more than 30mpg throughout a season. He's also a foul happy guy, which is part of the reason why he's not on the court a lot, getting a whopping 3.3fpg last year in only 25mpg. If he plays 35-40mpg, those are closer to 5fpg. I hope he's never wondered why he doesn't stay on the court. Regardless, being in shape helps a little, but it doesn't necessarily help him with his deficiencies, those being rebounding, defense, and staying out of foul trouble...well, the short list anyways.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow, this could be a first. The only time Curry ever came into Bulls camp in shape was his contract year. Other than that, he was never doing much of anything in the offseason aside from being lazy. Too bad being in fit doesn't make you a good defender or a better rebounder, cause that's what he's in dire need of. The only thing being in fit helps him with is staying on the court longer, and even then, he's never played more than 30mpg throughout a season. He's also a foul happy guy, which is part of the reason why he's not on the court a lot, getting a whopping 3.3fpg last year in only 25mpg. If he plays 35-40mpg, those are closer to 5fpg. I hope he's never wondered why he doesn't stay on the court. Regardless, being in shape helps a little, but it doesn't necessarily help him with his deficiencies, those being rebounding, defense, and staying out of foul trouble...well, the short list anyways.</div> One of the main reasons Curry has been weak on the boards and as a defender is because of his conditioning. He usually got tired too quickly and played defense with his hands instead of his feet. The same thing goes for boxing out. In addition to being in better condition Curry has also worked on his game playing schrimmages against NBA competition in Chicago: Shawn Marion, Antoine Walker, Dwyane Wade, and other players who reside around the Illinois area in the offseason.
It sounds like Curry is in the right direction, which is bad for Raptor fans . I think Curry could be a really important piece for NY, especially if he plays hard.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting el_guasibiri:</div><div class="quote_post">yeah!! Keep Woods he is cheaper and still young and can improve under Isiah Because of the up tempo game the knicks will play under Thomas.Woods is fast enough for the style.</div> Has anyone ever improved under Isiah? Ever? And to expect Qyntel Woods, a 25 year old former first round pick, who has four seasons under his belt, and absolutely nothing to show for them, to improve is just ludicrous. He hasn't improved at any other point (his best per 40 numbers were in his rookie season), he turns the ball over too much, and he's a constant distraction off the court. Not statistically speaking, this guy was someone the Celtics wouldn't even keep through training camp last year because he was just that awful. If Isiah is his usual self this season, he'll probably be one of eleven players traded before the all-star break.
^I don't know how much he'll improve under Isiah, but the reason I wanted Woods re-signed is because he would be better than any of the players trying to make the team. I wouldn't expect him to play much, but chemistry-wise he'll be used to the guys in the locker room and can have a nice little battle with Balkman for the final SF scraps.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">^I don't know how much he'll improve under Isiah, but the reason I wanted Woods re-signed is because he would be better than any of the players trying to make the team. I wouldn't expect him to play much, but chemistry-wise he'll be used to the guys in the locker room and can have a nice little battle with Balkman for the final SF scraps.</div> Now that sounds a little more realistic, optimistic, and grounded. Balkman being picked where he was, you'd think there'd be a lot of pressure on him, but coming from literally nowhere, I imagine he'll have a cool head about him. That said, experience trumps youthful enthusiasm in almost every case, and that will be Woods' calling this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">One of the main reasons Curry has been weak on the boards and as a defender is because of his conditioning. He usually got tired too quickly and played defense with his hands instead of his feet. The same thing goes for boxing out. In addition to being in better condition Curry has also worked on his game playing schrimmages against NBA competition in Chicago: Shawn Marion, Antoine Walker, Dwyane Wade, and other players who reside around the Illinois area in the offseason.</div>Well, even when he was in shape coming into his contract year in Chicago, he was still awful on the boards and on defense. I just don't think he's ever going to be very good at either. He doesn't know how to position himself to get rebounds and he just doesn't know how to play smart interior defense.
Curry for the most part is just slow. He doesn't react quick enough to what's going on, when he does it's too late, and he picks up a stupid foul. Poor kid. He seems to "space out" sometimes during a game. He should practice like "mind concentration" exercises or something.
I think Curry is a sad example of a guy with big time potential that has no fundamentals for anything besides scoring. That and his work ethic is pretty bad. Plus, he had the nerve to ask for the max. Give me a break... Chicago's definitely winning without him. Maybe the Knicks could too by promoting Channing Frye to C and getting David Lee in there at PF. Essentially, it's a PF/F lineup instead of a C/PF, but this could be good for chemistry and to round out the big man play. Once the ball goes inside to Curry, it doesn't really come out that much to set up the guard play. It's either a travel or it's going up with hardly any kickout passes or stuff from the high post. Frye and Lee can score a little from either side of the post and they can rebound better and pass the ball from lowpost or highpost. Am I right? Incomplete basketball players are like baseball players that don't know how to throw, catch, or hit. What happens if one of the starting five is incomplete and he's expected to be a focal point of the gameplay? I guess as long as he scores in the Antwan Jamison/Glenn Robinson type figures he'll be okay... Inside scoring from the center is a rarity these days, but it can be done without if the center commits too many offensive fouls or turnovers in the process. But good big men also tend to pass and play defense.
I understand the concerns of you guys and I, too, am cautiously optimistic about Curry this season, but according to multiple reports he has really put in work this offseason. His work ethic is questionable, but the fact that he was willing to get in shape this summer after receiving guaranteed money shows he's learned from past experiences and he's not motivated by the money. Also, unlike previous seasons, he's been working not only on his body, but his game as well. This offseason Curry has been working with NBA players in Chicago. Last year Curry came into camp out of shape by no fault of his own. With the heart concerns he was advised not to do any basketball activities for those seven months between March and October. So he came into camp out of shape and rusty on a new team. So it's not surprising why Curry struggled. Now having a chance to work on his game with Mark Aguirre and Tim Grover during the summer - the time where players improve the most - I believe Curry will be more improved. I'm not really concerned about statistical improvements, but whether or not he plays better defense and all the other intangibles. Still, I realize Curry could be the same or even worse this season. I'm not having any expectations, I'm just interested to see what Curry is all about this season.
