ATLANTA – Cuttino Mobley underwent tests yesterday in Minneapolis with the nation’s leading specialist for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – the same doctor with whom Eddy Curry refused to undergo testing during his public dispute with the Bulls, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Mobley was at the Minneapolis Heart Institute to undergo tests with Dr. Barry Maron, the director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at the clinic. Dr. Maron is a big proponent of the controversial DNA test to determine if a person is genetically predisposed to the fatal heart condition.
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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – which claimed the lives of star players Reggie Lewis, Jason Collier and Hank Gathers – is the enlargement of the heart walls which restricts blood flow.
Dr. Maron, who checked out Curry, recommended that the center, while in negotiations with the Bulls, take the DNA test to rule out hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Curry refused, forcing the Bulls to trade him to the Knicks in October 2005.
Before the Curry trade was made official, Knicks team doctor Lisa Callahan had Curry see a half-dozen heart specialists for airregular heartbeat but did not make him see Dr. Maron for a DNA test before clearing him to play. The Knicks doctors diagnosed Curry with a different condition than Mobley.
According to a source close to Mobley, he insisted on seeing Dr. Maron after he failed his Knicks’ physical because of an enlarged heart.
Mobley, obtained two weeks ago from the Clippers, was expected to meet with Knicks president Donnie Walsh today but that has been pushed back to next week until all the test results on his heart can be gathered. The source could not confirm Mobley took a DNA test, just that he underwent tests with Dr. Maron.
One source said Mobley has mulled taking a medical retirement, depending on the results of the series of heart tests. However because this was a preexisting condition it is unclear if he has the standard insurance stipulations in his contract. Mobley has seen at least two other specialists before Maron. It has been reported Mobley signed a waiver with the Clippers, absolving them of liability.
“It’s a tough call,” the source said. “I’m pretty sure (he) doesn’t want to take chances if it’s really that serious. It’s a tough situation. The most important thing is him and his health.”
DNA testing for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is considered inconclusive by some cardiologists – which is the grounds on which Curry balked. Curry has had no heart arrhythmia incidents since joining the Knicks.
When Curry underwent heart tests, one opinion was his irregular heartbeat episode could have been because of an extraordinary amount of caffeine Curry had consumed prior to the test.
The standard medical retirement would have insurance covering two-thirds of a player’s contract. But because Mobley may not have the standard insurance because it was discovered a few years go, the Knicks may have to pay all of the $18 million left on the pact if Mobley is unfit to play.
Mobley’s agent, Andy Miller declined comment, though said his client is far from making any decision.
With Walsh trying to buy out Stephon Marbury’s contract and Mobley’s situation up in the air, the Knicks president said he already is investigating free agents. Obviously Patrick Ewing Jr. is high on Walsh’s list, but he is looking more for a shooting guard. Former USC shooting guard Desmon Farmer, recently cut by San Antonio, will be considered.
“I’m looking at a lot of things around the league,” Walsh said.