Eddy Curry

Eddy Curry (born December 5, 1982 in Calumet City, Illinois) is a professional basketball player in the NBA currently with the New York Knicks.

Related Topics:
December 5 - 1982 - Calumet City, Illinois - Basketball - NBA - New York Knicks

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Curry was regarded as one of the best if not the best high school basketball player in the nation as a senior at Thornwood High School in South Holland and led his team to second place in the 2001 IHSA State Playoffs. It came as no surprise that he declared himself eligible for that year's upcoming NBA Draft and the Chicago Bulls made him the fourth overall pick in 2001 NBA Draft. The decision to draft Curry and pair him alongside fellow rookie Tyson Chandler was a major surprise to many basketball fans given that both players were both high school seniors.

Related Topics:
Thornwood High School - South Holland - NBA Draft - Chicago Bulls - 2001 NBA Draft - Tyson Chandler

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Curry's contribution was limited during his rookie year due to limited minutes. However, he did improve in his second year, leading the NBA in field goal percentage (58.5%) and becoming the first Bull to lead the league in a major statistical category since Michael Jordan in 1998. His 2003 season was widely considered a disappointment as he failed to live up to expectations after a strong finish to the previous year. In the 2004-2005 season the Bulls improved by 28 wins and made the playoffs as the 22 year old Curry led the team in scoring before being hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat. This caused him to miss the last 13 games of the regular season and the entire playoffs. On June 24, 2005, heart specialists cleared Curry to resume practice. His status for the 2005-2006 season is still unclear but it is likely that he will play. On October 3, 2005, after refusing to submit to a DNA test, as requested by Bulls management to assess whether he has a congenital heart condition, Curry was traded to the New York Knicks. Curry, who missed the final 13 games of the regular season and the playoffs after experiencing an irregular heartbeat, balked, saying it violated his privacy. The trade included the Bulls' Antonio Davis, as well as the Knicks' Mike Sweetney, Tim Thomas, and Jermaine Jackson. Draft picks were also exchanged in the trade.

Related Topics:
Michael Jordan - Playoffs - June 24 - Antonio Davis - Mike Sweetney - Tim Thomas - Jermaine Jackson

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Several prominent cardiologists cleared Curry to play, but Barry Maron, a world-renowned specialist in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, suggested the DNA test.

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During the team's media day, Bulls General Manager John Paxson said he understood the privacy issues involved but insisted the Bulls did not have an ulterior motive; they simply do not want a situation similar to those of former Boston Celtics guard Reggie Lewis or Loyola Marymount star Hank Gathers -- players with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who collapsed and died.

Related Topics:
John Paxson - Boston Celtics - Reggie Lewis - Loyola Marymount - Hank Gathers

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Paxson told reporters the Bulls had offered Curry $400,000 annually for the next fifty years if he failed the genetic test.

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