It has been a tough start for Eddy Curry. He has missed training camp because of a bacterial infection and missed both preseason games because of conditioning and unfamiliarity with the offense.
But that should change tomorrow because the Knicks’ burly 6-foot-11, 285-pound center is aiming to make his preseason debut against the 76ers at the Garden.
“I’m feeling great right now, and as of now, I feel like I could play Tuesday,” he said yesterday.
That would be the good news for Curry. The bad news is it’s uncertain how he fits into the Knicks’ plans.
Keep in mind Zach Randolph and David Lee have thrived up front, and Curry still has to fully learn coach Mike D’Antoni’s new offense.
“He still doesn’t know exactly the plays and stuff,” D’Antoni said. “It’s going to take him a little while.”
Nevertheless, Curry said he’s getting more comfortable with the system and believes he will continue to get in better shape.
“I’m starting to get a feel for what’s going on,” he said. “My wind is picking up and getting better.”
D’Antoni said Curry and Randolph might be the two Knicks who have to make the biggest adjustments offensively because of their post tendencies.
Curry and Lee, however, said they think big men can excel in the new offense.
Lee said he feels an up-tempo offense such as D’Antoni’s can tire out opponents and allow Curry to wear the other team down late in games. And Curry said he is confident he still will be a key player in this system.
“I’ve been watching, Zach’s getting a lot of touches in the post and D-Lee’s getting a lot of touches,” he said. “I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”
Though Curry sounds ready to go tomorrow, Allan Houston might not be. Houston, who missed both preseason games with a sore right quadriceps, and said it tightened up yesterday. . . . D’Antoni said he believes Danilo Gallinari (sore back) is “doing a little bit more every day.” The first-round pick worked on a side court yesterday.