One of the biggest busts in Knicks history has found his way to the opening-day starting lineup of a recent Western Conference power.
Eddy Curry, whose career in New York consisted of a bloated waistline and a bloated contract, is set to start at center for the Mavericks when they open the season on Tuesday against the Lakers.
“He’s doing OK,’’ Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told the Dallas Morning News. “He’s a force in the paint offensively. We’d like to get him more active defensively and rebounding a little bit more. But his attitude has been good, and he’s worked hard to get himself in pretty good shape.’’
The Mavericks are without their normal starting center, Chris Kaman, who is out with a back injury. They are also missing star forward Dirk Nowitzki, who had knee surgery last week and could miss up to six weeks.
Curry, 29, was in training camp with the Spurs and was waived last Tuesday. The 7-footer was claimed by the Mavericks on Friday, and inserted into the starting lineup Monday.
After coming into the league straight from high school in 2001, Curry showed bursts of talent with the Bulls for four seasons. Then Knicks general manager Isaiah Thomas traded for him in 2005, and in the two seasons from 2008-2010 he played a total of 10 games.
“Every team has a different scheme,’’ Curry said. “And I’ve never really been considered a great defender anyway, so it’s a constant challenge for me. But it’s something I’m willing to work on. I’m still learning everybody’s name around here. I think every day it’ll get better.’
Curry did not play a game in 2010-11, and last season played in 14 games for Heat, which netted him a championship ring.