Curry: “The Highest I’ve heard is 6″

by Tommy Dee on April 28th, 2009 at 9:50 am

In an interview with Dan Patrick, Davidson’s Stephen Curry told the host that he’s heard that he will be a lock first round pick and seemingly that made him most comfortable about his decision to turn pro.

“…Former Davidson guard Stephen Curry joined the show to discuss his decision to go pro.

Curry said his father and coach talked to every NBA team before he made his decision. “The highest I heard was No. 6. The lowest was 20,” Curry said.

Curry said the Knicks were the team at No. 6 and Charlotte at No. 20. Interestingly, he’d probably rather go to New York than his hometown team, because he’d love to play in Madison Square Garden.

Curry says he’s really 6-2 1/2. Not 6-feet tall like Reggie said. Curry and Dan discussed what NBA player he’s like. Ben Gordon was one comparison that seemed to work.

Curry said he wasn’t 100 percent sure he would declare himself eligible for the draft  until an hour before he announced it. He said he was sad at the press conference because he’s leaving his family of teammates and coaches at Davidson…”

Judging from these conversations if the Knicks don’t get lucky and move up and don’t make any trades, they seem to be locked in with Curry.

But let’s hold our horses, there are still workouts to be had and trades to be explored. Oh, and that whole lottery thing to see where exactly the team picks.
  • danisrob

    I would obviously love to get Rubio but if not I owouldnt be totally disappointed with Curry. From what I have seen and read he seems to have the swagger to be a clutch shooter in the NBA, and hopefully Mike D can teach him to be a proper PG as well.

  • http://www.knicksfan.net/?p=1474 Knicks Locked in on Steph Curry? | The Knicks FanBlog

    [...] Tommy Dee linked this morning to a radio interview conducted by  CNNSI’s Dan Patrick with Stephen Curry where Curry informs Patrick that he’s been told his draft range is between six and twenty (Although that high water mark sounds like it might be a bit off. Or is it? More  on that in a minute). [...]

  • Sergio

    *Fingers crossed.

    Stephen Curry would be awesome in orange and blue. He’s a Mike Bibby/Mo Williams/Sam Cassell PG. And if you bring in King James or Joe Johnson, you can play Curry at the 2.

    Screw these players with “potential” and “athleticism” and give me a player with heart and leadership like Curry!

  • Funk

    taking curry at 6 would be a mistake. especially if a guy like james harden is available. I feel like Curry is going to be exactly like boobie gibson. both lights out shooters, although curry has that quick release and in the gym range. I can’t see curry taking the ball to the hole like mo williams. If we can land a pick in the mid first round through some trades, I wouldn’t be mad at having Curry on the knicks..but taking him at 6 is way to early.

  • JASONHAYES

    Just some interesting comments from a chat with ESPN’S CHAD FORD, JUST THOUGHT I’D SHARE:
    Jon (NYC): Are you hearing anything about the Knicks’ plans for the offseason? Do you think they’ll end up retaining Lee and Nate or letting them walk?

    Chad Ford: (1:28 PM ET ) Too early to tell. David Lee’s going to want A LOT of money. But he may be too valuable to let go. I think Robinson is wearing another uniform next year. Right now the Knicks’ plan is to be well under the cap in 2010. Look for them to shop Eddy Curry hard this summer. I think Donnie Walsh made his first big mistake at the trade deadline when he passed on a deal with the Kings that would’ve shipped Jeffries there for Kenny Thomas.

    Brian (Fort Worth, TX): Chad, Is there really a difference between teams drafting 8th vs teams drafting 22nd in this year’s draft?

    Chad Ford: (1:40 PM ET ) Not really. There’s an elite first tier with Blake Griffin and Ricky Rubio. A second tier that has Hasheem Thabeet, James Harden and Jordan Hill. After that … the difference between 6 and 22 is negligible right now.

    Jeff (NYC): Of the lottery teams, is there anyone of them that would NOT take Blake Griffin with the first pick? If so, why and are they out of their minds?

    Chad Ford: (1:54 PM ET ) I think all 14 would take Griffin. I’ve spoken with reps from every team and that’s what they are all saying. There’s been some speculation in the media that the Kings might prefer Ricky Rubio … but from what I’m told, they’ll take Griffin if they get the No. 1 pick unless there are medical issues with Griffin’s knees. Lots of team like Rubio … but Griffin’s the one sure thing in this draft.

  • CircleLimit4

    Curry isn’t nearly as strong as Ben Gordon, but Curry is a much better passer.

  • Mucha

    I see Stephen Curry’s ceiling as a blend of Reggie Miller and Sam Cassell.

    I rank Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, James Harden, Jordan Hill and maybe Tyreke Evans ahead of him. Then comes Stephen Curry – and maybe Brandon Jennings. I would be satisfied though, but I do expect more and I want James Harden or Ricky Rubio.

  • Magik_Trick

    Everyones talking Rubio or Harden, unless we get lucky and recieve one of those top 3 picks then those guys are just out of reach, if we stick with our seed and get 8, then Tyreke Evans, DeMar DeRozan or Stephen Curry, will be dressed in Orange and Blue

  • cragganmor

    Yep, I think the strategy is:
    a) hope the ping-pong balls fall our way to get Rubio
    b) if that fails, then take Curry somewhere around #8
    c) if that fails, then trade down to snag Maynor or the best SG available in the teens

    It’s going to be tough this year, no draft camp and a very small window to evaluate the talent this year. I would not be surprised to see us completely trade out of this draft; we could try and package for a pick next year or rely on skilled, low risk guys like Goran Suton and Danny Green in the second round.

  • J-Knick

    I’d rather Donnie draft a true PG like Lawson, Jennings or Maynor
    Outside shooting is not a real need with Gallo, Chandler and hopefully James or Wade in 2010 (or at least Johnson or Ginobili)

  • CircleLimit4

    If we take a guard not named James Harden then he should really be a real pass-first guard. Now I happen to think that Curry has the tools to become an elite passer. I was impressed with his move to the point and would love to see his skills on a team where he’s not the number 1 scoring option.

    Conversely take Curry, Lawson and maybe even Flynn over Tyreke Evans, unless we get a true point from trade/FA. Personally I’d love to trade down and grab Calathes.

  • Bart

    Stephen Curry is NOT better than Eric Maynor and Brandon Jennings is not a pure point guard from what I’ve seen he wants to get his. Rubio is the best pure point in this draft then comes Eric Maynor, if I couldn’t trade down for Maynor I would take him at 8 over Stephen Curry. Curry has hype and wants to play in NY but by no means is he a PG, at all.

    Harden is a safe pick I think he can be as good as Paul, but in this draft that is “weak” there will be some sleepers that’s for sure and I can see Maynor being one of those guys, He’s like a pass first version of Brandon Roy, and he has some Sam Cassell and Gary Payton in his game he’s hands down the second best PG in this draft.

  • CircleLimit4

    Did you really just compare Harden to Chris Paul? Because he is neither, not even close.

    And I have a hard time accepting Maynor as the second best PG in the draft.

  • Bart

    Paul , Paul Pierce come on ur better than than!

  • Bart

    That*

  • jcmoney

    Not fond of Curry at 6. Ben Gordon is always exactly how I’ve seen him. Great jump shooter who can create his own shot, drive, and dish, but not a true point guard in the sense that he doesnt have the vision or the ability to truly run an offense or create for others. The other thing that scared me about him was that he seemed to shut down against good defenses.

    The thing is though, that Ben Gordon is still a great guy to have on your team (see: playoffs). He can score in bunches and obviously carry a team when he is on. I just see him, because of his size, developing into that sixth man type spark plug, and in this draft we really need another future starter. But if the draft plays out poorly and we are stuck, I don’t think Id mind seeing him on the team. He has only been a point guard for one year.

    OK, I have to admit, as I was typing this, I kind of talked myself into Curry not being a horrible pick at 8.

  • CircleLimit4

    Harden is a lot like Pierce…. if you take away size, speed. strength, ability to go weakside, inside game and ability to play the 3. And I’ve never heard anyone refer to Paul Pierce as just Paul. I didn’t know he reached “Mike” status.

  • Mucha

    The only things Harden doesn’t have are the first step and 2 additional inches.

    He’s strong and he’s actually a nice finisher around the basket. He’ll never be as good as Pierce is/was (and definitely not a shooting forward) but that’s a fair comparison if we’re talking about his upside. Manu Ginobili is a better comparison in my opinion.

  • CircleLimit4

    Your love affair with Harden is well documented Mucha, haha.

    We’ve been in circles about this. I think we’re at the point where we agree to disagree. I just don’t see Hardens ceiling nearly that high. He’s not strong. Maybe in comparison to a disappointing Pac-10 and non-conference cupcakes, but not real NBA talent. I don’t see him being able to get to create his own shot like in college. Nor do I think will he will get to the rim. He won’t be driving on a lot of 6’8” centers. Take that away and he’s got his perimeter game, where he’s overrated. He can sink a 3, but only when he’s got space.

    2 things Harden does have going is hustle and basketball IQ. He’s be able to adapt and learn. I think his ceiling will be reached through shot development. If he improves his mid-range game and uses the screen he could be a shorter Rip Hamilton. Otherwise I see your average 2.

  • Mucha

    Haha, sorry for the fact that I kept repeating myself.

  • Kid Tarheel

    I’m not sold on Harden either. He seems to me to not be as safe a pick as everyone says he is. He reminds me of Courtney Lee of the Magic in that he can do some things well that help a team, but his overall skill level is really too average to do much more than that.

    I still think that Lawson should be our guy. His floor is a quality back up pg with blazing speed- something that every team needs. His ceiling is Tim Hardaway- I really believe that. He is a stout lead guard who elevates his game when he is needed the most.

    If we don’t do that however, I like Curry. He has an unbelievably quick release that will help him get his shot off. D’Antoni always says to just find him basketball players, and I think that he is the most fluid basketball player in this draft. His jump shot will keep him in the league for 15 years. Again, even if he is a 6th man for his entire career, he will be a valuable player fo a long time.