… they’re still saying today: he’s a leader, he relates to players and he takes it upon himself to keep everybody motivated. Check it out for yourself in this old Free Press article about Curry’s role on the 2001-02 Pistons:
But Curry, a Pistons co-captain, is more than a shoulder to lean on. He’s part camp counselor and amateur psychologist, a motivator who studies the emotions and mind-sets of his teammates. He helps Carlisle push the right buttons to achieve team goals. And he does it without being asked.
Curry is also the player, his teammates say, who has delivered some of the most memorable and most eloquent locker room talks this season, quoting everything from the Bible to messages from the heart.
[…] “I understand what I can do as a player, and I understand what is needed for me to do as a player,” Curry said. “I’ve tried to fit into what the team wants. I know what the team goals are, and my objective is to succeed at achieving those goals. I see myself as a guy who bridges the gap between the coaches and the players. I try to make sure everyone buys into the system so we can have success. That’s all I care about.”
Asked about his play, Curry said: “I think what I contribute on the court helps my leadership. My teammates know that I could shoot more, but I decline to shoot more to help my other teammates get shots. They know I’m giving up myself. They know I’m about the team, and that helps make me a better leader for them.”
If you read the whole thing, I guarantee you’ll be properly amped for today’s announcement in which he’s officially named head coach. (Thanks to Quick Darshan for the link)
a little hijacking but i liked this pistons mailbag so much i had to share:
“Chester (Grand Rapids, Mich.): The Pistons should take a chance on Ron Artest. He would be a good fit. Send Rip and Billups to the Kings for Artest and it would be a new day in the D.
Langlois: Chester, you must owe the same size gambling debt to the Maloof brothers that Charles Barkley owed. Two All-Star guards for a guy one double espresso from a hostage situation? Tell me you’re kidding.”
heh, that is funny. Artest might not be a bad addition, but certainly not at the cost of our entire current starting backcourt. Ridiculous Chester, just ridiculous (but probably par for the course for a guy named Chester).
Is anyone streaming the press conference? I failed to catch it because Channel 4 and 7 failed to keep their promise in broadcasting it.
anyone knows what truth there is to the melo-billups trade rumors?
The AP is reporting that Dave Cowens will remain on the staff. I’m not sure of the impact Cowens has had with this team (if any?), but it’s nice for continuity’s sake. I’m interested to see how Curry is able to fill out the staff.
queen james, cnnsi.com has (taken from the Denver Post) talk of Billups, Sheed, Prince and 1st rd draft pick in exchange for Carmelo, Camby, Martin, and Atkins.
I havent seen or heard about it anywhere else, and I dont know what to think about it. I trust in Stuckey, Sheed is my fave player but I know he might be going soon, but I dont want to get rid of Prince.
RE: Denver trade
I think this is just Woody Paige throwing something out there. I like Carmelo, and think the Pistons could turn him into a better defensive player… maximize his potential. Would really hate to lose Prince… kind of wish he would be one of those rare players that retires from the same team that drafted him.
Shudder to imagine it, but anyone think Miami might be interested in dealing their #2 in pkg with the Pistons? Billups/Wallace seem to make sense with Wade. Not sure what Detroit could do with a #2 pick though… probably deal it somewhere else.
Back to Curry. I always thought this was a smart hire. Little risk involved. Cheap. And a lot of great coaches start with little experience, but you gotta start somewhere. I know he had Jordan when he started, but this is from the Phil Jackson wikipedia entry:
As a player “…he was very limited offensively. He compensated for his offensive limitations with sheer intelligence and hard work, especially on defense…”
I know, I know. PHIL JACKSON. It’s a stretch to compare Curry to one of the greatest NBA coaches ever. But…
Admittedly, I don’t remember how he was as a player and that is probably the case for a lot of people but I have to respect his brand of revisionist history.
From the Freep.com article:
“”Michael wasn’t a great shooter,” said John Hammond, the former Pistons assistant coach and executive, who just took over the Milwaukee Bucks. “Michael wasn’t great passer. And Michael wasn’t a great ball handler.”"
And then his stating the following:
“My teammates know that I could shoot more, but I decline to shoot more to help my other teammates get shots. They know I’m giving up myself.”
Don’t know how he’ll be as a coach yet but he’s got me laughing a little on the inside today.
I remember Curry being impressively unspectacular as a player.
The article that proposed trade Melo,Atkins,MArtin,Camby. For Billups, Prince and Sheed . It’s not gonna happen .
sheed has an expire contract, and Martin doesnt, Camby stil have 2 years.With Curry on command, Amir should have a chance to play more. So Trade one frontcourt players , for 2, is against this .
Bilups and Dyess , for Antony is more realistic.
This is encouraging - from the Pistons site, regarding the introduction of Curry:
“And when [Curry] was asked what he would do to motivate players to play hard, he said ‘you don’t make anybody play. You substitute.’”
I likes the sound of that.
Rob G. I also like the sound of that.
Amir will be freed next season, can’t wait.
Carmelo, Iverson, Artest, these are what people think of Detroit. Send them lesser players.
Anyone can hoist 25 shots a night and rack up 25 points a game with help of referees here and there. It doesn’t take anything at all to do that in the NBA on any given night.
How many players can DEFEND a player like Carmelo, AI, or Artest? The list dwindles considerably.
The #1 and #2 ranked team overall in the NBA currently play the rigged NBA Finals. Both of those teams, however, were top 5 defenses during the regular season.
Detroit’s problem won’t be solved by adding Vince Carter or T-Mac.
The best part of that article is when Ben Wallace of all people refers to Curry as the big brother of the team.
sauce, i stand by my iverson pitch. if it didn’t work, you’d still have freed up $30 million from sheed and iverson’s expiring contracts to completely reload. it’s a fantastic idea.
JackDutch, I see your reasoning but what free agents will be available then?
Here’s a list:
http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-06-10/what-people-said-about-curry-six-years-ago/#comment-139556
There aren’t too many there that excite me. I love Elton Brand but if he looks good this year, I’m sure the Clippers will extend him mid-season.
Jamal Crawford is the only one I think will be available that I would go after. But, he’s probably not worth blowing up the team for.
i’d say slow-roll the cap relief to 2010 when the FA class is absurd. the timing of it isn’t perfect, but it still could work.
what is with you and your jamal crawford adoration, qd? you getting 10%?