The first was surprising enough, considering Eddy Curry hadn’t managed to block a shot in half of the Knicks’ first 12 games this season.
But when the enigmatic center skied out of nowhere to bat Deron Williams’ layup attempt off the backboard last night in a tight contest with the Jazz, the Garden crowd almost didn’t know how to react.
Neither did Curry’s coach or many of his teammates, all of whom credited that stunning moment with helping the Knicks pull out a 113-109 victory over one of the Western Conference’s top teams.
“The blocks were so surprising that they gave us all a lift – the coaches, the players and even the fans in the stands,” Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said.
The much-maligned Curry wasn’t much of a factor – again – on the offensive end, mustering just eight points on 4-of-11 shooting in 34 minutes. But his season-high two blocks and overdue energy on the defensive end were huge factors in the Knicks’ second consecutive victory after an eight-game skid.
Just ask Curry’s teammates, who couldn’t say enough about his contributions even though Stephon Marbury (28 points) and Zach Randolph (25 points, 14 rebounds) had much flashier statistical lines.
“Eddy came up big for us in a lot of ways that you might not notice by looking at the box score,” guard Jamal Crawford said.
Curry’s best moment couldn’t have come at a better time for the Knicks. With his team clinging to a 107-104 lead with 2:03 left after a Utah surge, Curry watched as the speedy Williams (26 points) drove the lane for what appeared to be an easy layup.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Curry came flying in from the side and blocked the ball off the backboard to send the Knicks scurrying the other way.
The block didn’t lead to any points, but that didn’t lessen its impact.
“He just tried to penetrate on me, so I led him to the basket,” Curry said. “Once he let it go, I just went up there and got it. If I can do that on a nightly basis, we can win a lot of games.”
Curry was a disappointment again in the rebounding department, managing just five boards, but Thomas considered his effort a step in the right direction anyway.
“He didn’t have a huge impact on the game offensively, and I think this will [only] be the second time I’ve come in and talked about Eddy’s defense, but he’s learning how to make an impact on the game with his defense,” Thomas said.
It’s all part of Curry’s plan, he said.
“I’m just trying to be a complete player,” he said.
“The last step for me is becoming a presence on the defensive end, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
For one night at least, mission accomplished.