Curry hoping to resurrect career in Miami

MIAMI - The Miami Heat press release announcing the signing of Eddy Curry read, Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. As for the center, his mantra is, Per Eddy Curry policy, his weight was not disclosed. Curry, who got a one-year deal from the Heat for the veterans minimum, bristled after his first practice Saturday when he asked what he currently tips the scales at. I cant tell you all that, he said. But the 7-foot Curry at least said he has lost 70 pounds this year in hopes of resurrecting his career. But that still looks to have left him a dozen or two pounds over 300 and a good bit over his listed weight of 295 pounds. Curry, 29, is trying to resurrect his career with the Heat after he ate his way out of New York. Out of shape for the Knicks, he played in just 10 games in the previous three years, including none last season. His 11.53 million contract eventually was shipped Feb. 22 to Minnesota in the three-way deal that brought Carmelo Anthony from Denver to New York. Then Curry was waived March 1 by the Timberwolves. Curry has been trying to shed pounds since then. The center-starved Heat worked him out last June before the lockout began and liked enough of what they saw to take a chance on him for this season. This is a great place for me both just to rejuvenate myself and I feel I can help here, Curry said. I feel good Im a lot closer than what I thought I would be (from a conditioning standpoint). Some thought Curry, who was taken with the No. 4 pick in the 2001 draft in 2001 and averaged 19.5 points for the Knicks in 2006-07, might never again play in the NBA. But he said, I never gave up hope. Now, the Heat hope Curry can give them some much-needed help at center. Their starter, Joel Anthony, averaged 2.0 points and 3.5 rebounds last season. The only other center on the roster is sparingly used Dexter Pittman, although power forward Chris Bosh will play some there this season. Its about an opportunity, and well see, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said about Curry. He had a very good (practice Saturday) and well see (Sunday) and how he progresses He actually lost weight from the last time we worked him out in June, which was encouraging. Curry said he lost pounds by getting in the gym and watching what he ate. He made an effort to give up late-night snacking. I knew I could do it, said Curry, who has a solid career scoring average of 13.3 but an anemic career rebounding number of 5.3. I have more faith in myself than anybody. I feel no obstacle is too hard for me to overcome I feel like brighter days are ahead of me and this is the first step. Curry never fulfilled his promise after being taken by the Bulls directly out of high school. After being hospitalized in 2005 with an irregular heartbeat, he refused later on privacy grounds to take a test to assess whether he had a congenital heart problem. That led the Bulls to trade him to New York in the fall of 2005. Despite some initial good moments, namely when Isiah Thomas was coach, he was exiled to the bench after Mike DAntoni took over in 2008 and had no need for an out-of-shape Curry in his up-tempo attack. I think Eddy will probably tell you he wishes his career would have turned out a little different, said newly signed Heat forward Shane Battier, taken two spots behind Curry in the 2001 draft. But hes being given an unbelievable chance to come to camp and win a spot on a championship team. Obviously, our team needs size and somebody down in the middle to bang with the likes of Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum. Hes a big guy. Curry long has known Heat guard Dwyane Wade since both are from Chicago. Hes known Miami forward LeBron James since James was a sophomore in high school and used to come to Chicago to play. He looked well, James said of the first day of practice by Curry, who wasnt yet signed to take part in Fridays first workout after the end of a five-month lockout. He got up and down the court just like everybody else. Its good to see him back on the NBA court. I know hes happy about that. Its been a long time coming for himself. Theres no expectations for him right now. He shouldnt put any on himself. He should just be happy and blessed again that hes able to be back on the court and were happy to have him. Its been a while since Curry was happy. D'Antoni never had any use for him. The Knicks last season had no plans at all to play Curry. They were simply looking for the best way to use his expiring big contract by the trade deadline. Its frustrating to not play the game you love, Curry said of the past three seasons. But Im given an opportunity now to be able to do it again. So thats all I really can focus on. Its easy to look back and say, I wish this wouldnt have happened. I wish this would have happened in a different way. But I cant do that. Curry also feels he cant divulge his weight. But at least hes looking better than before. Chris Tomasson can be reached at christomasson@hotmail.com or on Twitter@christomasson