Former Bulls center Eddy Curry denied a report in the New York Daily News that he began taking the controversial dietary supplement ephedra during the summer of 2004 in an attempt to lose weight.

Ephedra is not recommended for anyone who has experienced heart trouble, and Curry, who was traded from the Bulls to the New York Knicks on Oct. 4, was sidelined late last season because of an irregular heartbeat, as well as an enlarged heart diagnosed after the alleged consumption of ephedra.

Curry's condition and the Bulls' demand that he take a genetic test the team believed could determine if his condition was potentially fatal -- a test that Curry refused -- ultimately led to general manager John Paxson's decision to deal Curry to the Knicks.

Curry told the Daily News he never took ephedra.

''I wasn't taking any supplements,'' he said. ''I cut out bread and sugar from my diet. I lost something like 35 pounds and I came [into the Bulls' 2004 training camp] at 275 pounds. I felt uncomfortable. I didn't feel myself at all. I wanted to play at 285 or 290.''

Citing an unnamed source, the Daily News reported Sunday that Curry took pills containing ephedra provided by Tim Grover, Curry's Chicago-based trainer.

Ephedra has been linked to more than 100 deaths.

The agent for George Lynch said yesterday the veteran small forward is intrigued by the possibility of being reunited with Larry Brown in New York.

Lynch was released by the Hornets on Friday and will become a free agent once he clears waivers on Tuesday. The Knicks are one of several teams that have expressed interest in Lynch.

"George has interest in the Knicks," said his agent, Steven Kauffman. "He has a tremendous amount of respect for Larry Brown. They're both old-school guys."

The 6-8 Lynch has played 12 seasons in the NBA, including three years in Philadelphia with Brown. The Knicks' coach would like to add an experienced, defensive-minded small forward.

"It's up to Isiah (Thomas)," Brown said when asked about Lynch. "We have 15 guys. We'll see how things shake out."

Singer-actress Brandy has ended her 15-month engagement with NBA star Quentin Richardson and transformed her tattoo of him into a cat.
     
The New York Knicks player presented the 26-year-old single mom with a $1 million engagement ring last July, the World Entertainment News Network noted. But the couple split last month and since then, Brandy has undergone the painful process of having her back tattoo changed into a cat, WENN said.

Small forward George Lynch, who played for Brown in Philadelphia, was placed on waivers by the Hornets and may draw interest from the Knicks. Brown also wants to add an experienced backup point guard.

"You look at our roster now and we've really got an abundance of big guys," Brown said. "I don't know how you can reward guys that deserve to play with the minutes they deserve simply because of the numbers. That'll work itself out somehow."

A Western Conference personnel expert confirmed reports that the Knicks have offered veteran power forward Malik Rose to Portland as part of a deal for small forward Darius Miles.

The Trail Blazers don't want Rose's long-term deal but are interested in the expiring contract of Antonio Davis.

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Isiah Thomas announced today that guards Steven Barber and Jamison Brewer and forward Otis George have been waived.

Barber, 5-10, 160-pounds Guard averaged 3.3 points and 8.5 minutes in four preseason games, Brewer, a 6-4, 180-pounds Guard averaged 1.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 17.9 minutes in two preseason games. This marks the 2nd time Brewer leaves the Knicks; the first time, when he was traded last year to the Spurs in the Nazr-Malik Trade. George, a 6-8, 225-pounds Foward appeared in one preseason game. New York's Roster is now at 15.

The Knicks continue to try and acquire either Ruben Patterson or Darius Miles from Portland.

The Blazers want expiring contracts in return while the Knicks are offering Malik Rose.

Jamal Crawford raised his left hand during yesterday's shootaround at Wachovia Center, trying to pose a question to Larry Brown as the Knicks coach discussed defensive options against a particular Sixers play.

Crawford never got the query out.

"It's crazy," the Knicks guard said before last night's 80-71 preseason victory over the 76ers. "I was about to ask him a question. He knew what I was about to ask and he already had the answer for it. He's always two steps ahead of everyone else.

"That's why he's the best out there," Crawford said. "He didn't have to hear what I had to say."

Meet Crawford The Convert. It's refreshing to hear him talk enthusiastically about defense.

"I'm very excited [about the defense]," Crawford said. "You don't have to score a ton of points to win a basketball game. He's getting that across. You can score 85 a game and keep a team to 80, you win."

Malik Rose is now the subject of trade rumors, but unless Rose is dealt within the next eight days, his experience combined with fitness should give him the edge into the starting line-up over Larry Brown favorite Antonio Davis as well as rookies Channing Frye and David Lee.

Quentin Richardson, plagued with hamstring problems throughout the preseason, is in jeopardy of missing opening night against the Celtics.

"The worst thing is to get him back to soon and have him re-injure himself," coach Larry Brown told the New York Post.