With 2010 Looming for the Knicks, the Time Is Now for Eddy Curry

The last two years have been quite an undertaking for Eddy Curry. In addition to dealing with what seemed like countless personal issues, Curry was limited to just three games in the 2008-09 season due to injury and “personal” matters.

It is hard to believe the often-out-of-shape Curry would have made a difference for the Knicks last year even if he did manage to get some playing time. The team struggled, finishing 32-50 in a season in which the revolving door never stopped. With the team in need of a strong rebounder and defender, it is doubtful that the uninspired Curry could have provided any type of relief in those areas.

Times are different now. The revolving door has finally come to a pause, and the Knicks now have a mix of raw, young talent and expiring contracts. The time has come to look towards the future, to a fantasy world in which Lebron James, Chris Bosh, or even Dwayne Wade may consider coming to New York to play for the once coveted franchise.

There are two players, however, that the Knicks need to shift their focus on at this very moment. These two players could either be what prevents the team from making a run at the class of 2010, or they could very well be the key to such players joining the squad next year.

Jared Jeffries and Eddy Curry both have cap-eating contracts that engulf the Knicks’ franchise through 2010-11. Jeffries, a defensive-minded role player who was signed to a lucrative contract by then President Isiah Thomas, and who is unlikely to be moved, has been working with the coaching staff on his jump shot, which has been steadily improving, in an effort to make the best of an imposing situation. There is nothing else that can be done there, but time will tell whether this tinkering will make Jeffries a more complete and productive player.

That brings us to Curry, the wild card. Given his disastrous season last year, and the fact that he is currently coping with a torn plantaris muscle, it would appear as though Curry may not be playing much at all.

It may, of course, just be wishful thinking—in fact, a part of any Knicks fans’ wildest dreams—to see Eddy Curry emerge again as a starting center in the NBA as he lives up to his once “Baby Shaq” reputation. Nearly a 55 percent shooter in his career, it was just three seasons ago that Curry averaged career highs in points per game and rebounds, with 19.5 and 7.0, respectively, even gaining all-star consideration in the big-man-deprived eastern conference.

With Curry still on the young side, only turning 27 this season, there is still a window of opportunity. It would do wonders for the Knicks’ credibility in 2010 if the team were able to boast a powerful center to pair up with a star or two.

There is just one pressing problem bursting that bubble of imagination.

He needs to play.

One way or the other, Eddy Curry needs to play this season . The Knicks have to realize that by having him take up space on the bench, not to mention the payroll, the team is losing out in more ways than one. The Knicks just don’t have the luxury of watching him rot on the bench.

If the Knicks are going to have any chance of signing more than one marquee free agent, they need to prove that Eddy Curry can still effectively play the game of basketball. Curry is no longer a starter; that ship has sailed. However, if the Knicks can put Curry in a position where he can be an effective role player, they may also be able to convince another NBA team that with just two more years on his contract, Curry is worth the investment.

If it can be proven that Curry is still able to play the game of basketball competently, he can get moved and the Knicks would be able to free up a considerable amount of cap room for the summer of 2010.

The Knicks need Eddy Curry to play. Eddy Curry needs Eddy Curry to play. The fate of both parties is resting in the balance of Curry’s presence this season. It is much easier for him to just fail, as everyone is expecting him to. In doing so, Curry would be tightly shutting the door on any chance of the Knicks’ potential success, not to mention his own career. However, if he can beat the odds and garner any type of reasonable respect, Curry can achieve two things. The obvious would be to revive his own career. Miraculously, though, he can also provide the Knicks with another key bargaining chip, whether it be in the form of cap room or a reliable role player.

Watch out Nate Robinson! You may just have competition for the team’s sixth man. Oh well…a fan can dream, can’t he?