GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Eddy Curry pedaled on a stationary bike in cool-down speed, watching teammates run up and down the floor in a scrimmage. The 6-11, 300-pound center got off the bike, plodded down the sideline with a slight limp and headed toward a back door that leads to the Knicks' locker room at the MSG Training Center.
Curry, who has a "sore right knee," according to the team, has not practiced in more than two weeks and hasn't played in a game this season. That trend will continue when the Knicks (6-5) visit the Bucks tonight.
There has been frustration within the organization that Curry is not pushing himself hard enough to get back on the court. A person with intimate knowledge of the situation noted "lack of desire." Two other sources agreed. Curry, according to one source, has been warned and has since picked up the effort level.
Mike D'Antoni said that even in his up-tempo approach, the team could use Curry's size and that Curry "can really make us good." But the coach would not deny conditioning is an issue.
"The key is for him to be in the best shape he's ever been in, and I think he can get there," D'Antoni said Thursday after practice. "We're hoping for that, we're working with him. We're trying to do everything we can."
But is Curry doing the same? He was not available for comment. Curry, who had arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage March 17, said he banged the knee a few times during preseason and has had swelling. He had a cortisone shot Nov. 7.
But Curry also has been upset with D'Antoni, who told reporters Curry was not in the rotation plans before he told Curry. D'Antoni also played him sparingly in preseason after Curry missed the first week of training camp with a bacterial infection.
There also is a perception that D'Antoni has little interest in using the lumbering Curry in his quick-strike attack, which does little to motivate him to want to come back only to sit the bench.
"I hope not; it's possible that that's true," D'Antoni said of the perception. " ... We miss his size and what he can give us. But he has to get himself ready. At the same time, the team's not waiting. We're moving forward."
Curry, who turns 26 Dec. 5, could do the same. He has an opt-out after this season, but that would leave two years and $21.8 million on the table. It is believed the Knicks -- who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday -- would be open to trading Curry, who averaged 19.5 points two seasons ago, but have had no offers.
