Eddy Curry close to being cleared!

June 23, 200521 yr

Bulls center Eddy Curry could be cleared to resume physical activity as early as Thursday or Friday if team doctors accept the diagnosis of a prominent Los Angeles-based cardiologist.

Dr. David Cannom, an expert on ventricular arrhythmias and chief of cardiology at Good Samaritan Hospital, has determined that Curry's enlarged heart isn't a life-threatening situation and is consistent with an athlete's heart, according to sources.

"I'd rather not comment," Cannom said late Wednesday when reached by phone. "You'd need to talk to Dr. Cole."

Attempts to reach Bulls physician Brian Cole were unsuccessful.

Sources said Cannom's diagnosis is consistent with that of Dr. Mark Estes, another prominent cardiologist Curry saw in Boston shortly after experiencing an irregular heartbeat before a March 30 game in Charlotte.

"I just feel relieved because I want to start working out again," Curry said Wednesday in a phone interview. "I miss playing basketball. I feel weird not playing."

Curry, 22, has been inactive since the Charlotte game, missing the final 13 regular-season games and the playoffs.

In between the diagnoses of Estes and Cannom, Curry saw Minneapolis-based cardiologist Barry Maron, one of the country's preeminent experts on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The condition is a hot-button topic in the sports world because both Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis had the condition when they collapsed and died playing basketball.

Curry rested for six weeks between his two visits to Maron. This inactivity was suggested to see if Curry's enlarged heart would shrink, which could have signified that his arrhythmia was related to exercise and not structural problems.

When little change resulted, sources said Maron suggested more testing, including a DNA test that possibly could rule out cardiomyopathy in definitive fashion. Curry had resisted taking that test, creating a standoff.

The limbo period ended shortly after Curry hired Philadelphia-based agent Leon Rose on June 2. Rose has a solid working relationship with Bulls general manager John Paxson, who applauded Rose's attempts to be proactive with Curry.

A source said Cannom had been on the Bulls' original list of specialists. The cardiologist viewed pictures of Curry's heart and test results last week and has contacted team officials in the last couple days after first sharing his diagnosis with Rose.

Sources said the Bulls are contemplating asking Cannom to fly to Chicago to meet with Curry, Paxson and team physicians in person.

Paxson, however, is said to be buoyed by Cannom's diagnosis, which joins that of Estes in painting a positive picture of Curry's heart condition.

What remained unclear is what becomes of the signs that gave pause to Maron, the Minneapolis-based cardiologist.

It's possible, however, that with two prominent cardiologists reaching similar diagnoses, and Maron only wanting to rule out cardiomyopathy definitively?not issuing that diagnosis?that enough positive feedback is accumulating to alleviate concerns of liability.

Curry, a restricted free agent, could command a salary in the six-year, $67 million range under the guidelines of the new collective bargaining agreement if he re-signs with the Bulls.

Other teams could offer Curry roughly five years and $52 million. Cleveland and Atlanta are two teams who reportedly will have interest in Curry once the free-agent recruiting period begins July 1.

It remains to be seen how this medical situation will affect Curry's ability to get insurance on a long-term contract.

But such details aren't the ones concerning Curry after this latest dose of optimistic news. Neither is the fact that he has gained roughly 10 pounds in close to three months of inactivity.

"I'll get that off in two weeks tops," said Curry, who is to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Saturday's Cubs-White Sox game. "I can't wait to get started working out again."

Neither can the Bulls.

Out-freaking-standing news!!

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