THE HEART OF THE MATTER: Fingers crossed for Eddy Curry

usually a franchise desperate enough to take a bold chance, and this case did not prove to be the exception. Pending the results of another round of medical testing, one of which will not be the DNA test since New York state law prevents DNA testing by an employer, Eddy Curry has switched teams via trade from the Bulls to the New York Knicks.

From the outside looking in, one can form any number of opinions about this less than typical NBA transaction. Eddy Curry may be viewed as a young man who is listening to bad advice from those in his corner and shunning the good intentions of those who are acting with his best interests in mind. The Bulls organization can be seen as a class act for their generosity and earnest desire to keep Curry out of harm's way. On the flip side, the Knicks can be looked upon as a franchise that cares first and foremost about victories, playoff appearances, and selling out games. Obtaining a player of Curry's caliber would help to ensure these things, and if allowing him to play for them turned out to be fatal for him, tough luck. Some feel that rather than leaving this matter in the hands of the Bulls, the Knicks, and Eddy Curry, NBA commissioner David Stern should impartially step in and bar Curry from playing until he submits to the DNA test.

The truth is probably less simplistic than speculation suggests. There isn't always a good guy clearly defined by his white hat and a bad guy blatantly marked with a black hat. Each party involved may have hidden agendas and selfish motivation for the actions undertaken to date. If Eddy Curry goes on to have a brilliant career with the Knicks, the decision by Jim Paxson and the Bulls to trade him will be considered their biggest mistake of the post-Michael Jordan era, though they will at least have the luxury of claiming the moral high road. Isiah Thomas and the Knicks will be perceived as being shrewd enough to take advantage of a situation that allowed them to obtain top tier talent at a bargain basement price, making their wisest move of the post Patrick Ewing era. If Eddy Curry is allowed to play professional basketball and his health is not put in jeopardy as result, sports writers and fans will eventually point out the conclusive

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