Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 13, 1994 TAG: 9405130099
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
``It's a big relief,'' the former Virginia Tech All-American said after accepting the honor at the Charlotte Coliseum. The 6-foot-5 guard finished fourth in the balloting last year.
Curry, the second-leading scorer in Hokies history behind Bimbo Coles and Charlotte's all-time leading scorer, edged Nate McMillan of the Seattle SuperSonics in voting by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. He received 46 of a possible 101 votes, and McMillan received 37 votes. Craig Ehlo of the Atlanta Hawks was third with seven votes.
A total of 11 players received at least one vote, including two-time winner Ricky Pierce of Seattle, who had three votes.
``People keep asking me about being in the race the last two or three years,'' said Curry, 29. ``I think it was my time.''
Curry said the award eases some of the sting he felt when the Hornets, riddled by injuries, failed to make the playoffs. The club struggled to a 41-41 record after losing stars Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning to injuries for extended periods. Curry and Hersey Hawkins were the only Hornets to play in all 82 games this season.
``I take a lot of pride in being consistent. It's tough coming off the bench night after night,'' said Curry, who hit 152 of 378 3-point shots (40 percent). He twice hit a club-record six 3-pointers in a game and scored in double figures in 73 of the Hornets' 82 games.
Curry, Charlotte's first pick in the 1988 expansion draft, was at his best during the Hornets late playoff run in April. He averaged 17.4 points and hit 39 of 76 3-point attempts as Charlotte won 10 of its last 14 games but failed to catch the Miami Heat for the last playoff slot in the Eastern Conference. Curry was a first-round draft pick by Utah in 1986, the 15th selection overall.
``I will cherish this,'' Curry said as he cradled the award. ``I'll play my best defense to keep it away from my kids.''
Curry, the Hornets' all-time leading scorer, finished with a club-high 1,335 points this season. He also averaged 2.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game. He also led Charlotte by shooting 87 percent from the free-throw line.
Team owner George Shinn said the award might stop the media from mentioning Curry's name ever year when the trade deadline nears.
``It seems like Dell's name comes up every year around trading time,'' he said.
Hornets coach Allan Bristow, also a Virginia Tech alumnus, called Curry ``probably the best pure shooter in the league right now.''
``A lot of NBA players have big egos and they want to be starters,'' Bristow said. ``Dell has been able to establish himself as a great player without starting.
Curry, who played high school basketball at Fort Defiance in Augusta County, said it took him several seasons to adjust to his role as a reserve. After listening to Bristow, he said he'd still prefer to be a starter but realizes he's more valuable coming off the bench.
``Good teams have good benches,'' he said. ``Out team is better with me coming off the bench.''
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB