With the obvious exception of Phil Jackson, Miami Heat president Pat Riley remains a master of motivating superstar talent. As if the trio of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and That Other Fella didn’t have enough to play for in the forthcoming NBA Playoffs, Riley may have identified a tempting career goal than no true competitor would avoid. To wit, The Big 3 have a chance to Win A Ring For Eddy Curry. From the New York Daily News’ Mitch Abramson :
“Pat (Riley) worked him (Curry) and about a half-dozen guys out as part of a big picture look,” a team spokesman said Saturday without elaborating. “Anything else is pure speculation.”
According to a Yahoo! Sports report, Riley put Curry through his paces in Chicago and scheduled the 7-footer to visit Miami early next week for another workout and a physical.
According to the report, the likelihood of the Heat signing Curry is “better than 50-50.” But to add Curry, the Heat would have to waive a player, since the team is already at the league limit with 15. Dexter Pittman, a rookie who once played in the NBA Development League and saw his first action with the Heat Friday night against Minnesota, is rumored to be the player who could be cut to make room for Curry, who, according to the report is still hovering around 350 pounds.
During an optional team practice Saturday at The Sports Academy in Millburn, N.J., Pittman didn’t sound like a man who was worried by the rumors.
“It’s a business and by being in a business, you’ve got to make business decisions,” he said. “There’s always rumors. Some are true.”