Knicks brass want a look at Eddy's progress

Had this story in today's Newsday that says the Knicks have ordered Eddy Curry to come to Las Vegas to practice with the summer league team on Sunday. According to Jerry Powell, one of the trainers that was hired to get Curry back in shape this offseason, Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni want to see how Curry is doing with the program. Powell said it was clear to him that Curry's "confidence has been damaged," but noted a serious lack of responsibility as the cause of his downfall. "He's going to be better because he's putting the work in ... There were summers he did nothing," said Powell, who is from Lindenhurst and has built a career out of basketball training, with NBA players such as Knicks forward Al Harrington, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, Nuggets guard J.R. Smith and Grizzlies guard Marko Jaric, among other college and high school players, on his client list. Check out the story for more details. * * * Last night we heard conflicting reports from sources and other reporters about the Grant Hill situation. One person said it sounded like Hill was close to taking the Knicks' offer and had several reasons why New York was a good fit (starting role, connection with Mike D'Antoni and his wife loved the idea of living in New York). And that seems to parallel what Bill Rhoden wrote today in the Times. But then you read well-connected Paul Coro in today's Arizona Republic and that concern we've mentioned here before about free agents using the Knicks to get the deals they want with their "home team" return. But Hill may sign today with the Knicks, I was told. Jordan Hill, that is. * * * The Daily News already moved on to the next possible free agent target, Andre Miller. The 33-year-old veteran initially thought he could get a big money deal in Portland, and the playoff contending Blazers could remain an option. Miller would have to take less from the Knicks, who, as far as I've been told, have not yet reached out to him. * * * I'm leaving for Vegas later today, Fixers. I'll blog from Vegas -- the first Knick game is Tuesday (MSG will televise all games live and replay them in the evening, as well) -- and, as always, you can follow me on twitter for more frequent, up-to-the-minute thoughts, rumors and observations.