The Knicks Fix

No one benefited more during the past three off days between games than Eddy Curry, whose diesel engine was struggling to get into high gear over the past few weeks since the all-star break.

Perhaps its the mileage he's racked up this season that has caused the Big Fella to hit the wall at this point of the season. Consider the fact that Curry has never played as much as he has this season. The load is heavy, especially when your body is already a heavy load to carry all its own.

If all goes accordingly -- knock on wood, of course -- Curry will likely pass his career high for minutes in a season Saturday against the Washington Wizards. The previous career-high was 2,154 minutes, which he did in 73 games for the Chicago Bulls in 2003-04. This season, Curry has logged 2,130 minutes in 61 games.

Curry already passed last year's total of minutes (1,865 in 72 games) back on Feb. 21 against Philadelphia, his 54th game of the season. In the next game, Curry passed his career-best point total (1,070), which also took place in the 03-04 season. Curry now has 1,180 points.

Stephon Marbury's scoring explosion has allowed Curry to catch his breath a little and take a back seat in the offense. But if the Knicks are going to make the playoffs, it will have to be on Curry's broad back. He's hit the 20-point mark only twice in the past seven games.

Perhaps more alarming -- and a greater sign of fatigue -- is Curry's effort from the foul line in the past 11 games. After hitting 9 of 11 from the line in the overtime loss to Utah on Feb. 10, Curry's free throw percentage hit a season-high of 62.5 percent, which was almost a full 10 percent improvement from the 52.7 percent clip he shot 16 games into the season. But in the past 11 games, Curry has made just 44 of 83 from the line, which is 53 percent. Those are costly points he and the Knicks have lost.

This blog was boring and full of stats. It must be baseball season.