Curry...

[Diesel]

In what has to be one of the low points of an already frustrating summer for Eddy Curry, the Atlanta Hawks signed Milwaukee Bucks backup center Zaza Pachulia to a contract without even making an offer to Curry.

Pachulia, who averaged 6.2 points and 5.1 rebounds last season, signed a four-year, $14 million deal that the Bucks aren't expected to match.

And Curry's heart problems, which include trouble getting his heart insured, might not be the only reason the Hawks balked.

Curry went to Atlanta on July 14 for what was supposed to be a two-day visit. A league source said the Hawks were more than a little disturbed because Curry, who was accompanied by his fiancee, Patrice Coye, cut the visit in half to return to Chicago so Coye could attend a friend's baby shower.

''So much for where Eddy's placing his priorities,'' the source said.

The Hawks were hoping Curry would stay two days, see more of the city, talk more with management and perhaps undergo the physical examination he first had refused to take before changing his mind.

''The Hawks pulled out all the stops for Eddy,'' the source said, ''and he seemed to be really impressed with the city and the way he was treated.

''The physical exam was no big deal. They left it to him and said that if he didn't take it then, he could do so on a second visit. Then that Friday morning, he said he had to go back home. The Hawks figured it had to be important because Eddy had wanted to attend a concert by Destiny's Child [on the second night].''

Curry, who has refused to return phone calls, plans to marry Coye on Aug. 20 and honeymoon in Mexico.

Curry has said he would be willing to play next season for the one-year, $5.2 million qualifying offer from the Bulls even if he had to play with every body part insured except his heart.

He would become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

[Inside_Man]

What an effing maroon. I wouldn't want anyone that stupid on the Hawks. We already have stupid owners, stupid players would jump the shark.

[mrhonline]

Couldn't his girliefriend go to the shower on her own?