By InsideHoops.com

Eddy Curry was taken straight out of high school by Chicago early in the 2001 draft. He's a big, promising young center, learning the ropes with Tyson Chandler and all the other young Bulls. InsideHoops.com interviewed him late in the 2002 season and talked about getting used to the NBA.

InsideHoops.com: Tell me how your life changed from the time you got drafted up till now.

Eddy Curry: Well my whole personality is a lot more serious now. I have a lot on the line. I can't afford to make the same mistakes I made in the past. It's a lot more serious, and I really put a lot more thought into everything before I do it.

InsideHoops.com: What's the bigger challenge, learning the way the game works on the court, or conditioning and getting into shape?

Eddy Curry: It's both, I mean, the conditioning part kind of takes care of itself - you play a lot of games, and hopefully you get a lot of minutes in, so the conditioning part takes care of itself. It takes getting used to just having the whole mindset of going in there and playing against these guys you've seen on tv for so long, all-stars and everything.

InsideHoops.com: How does it feel to go against favorite players that you used to watch on tv?

Eddy Curry: My favorite player from the last couple of years has been Rasheed Wallace. When I got in the league and I finally had a chance to go up against him, you can't help but to be in awe over him. Michael Jordan was the same way, Michael Jordan was my hero growing up as a kid, and I just happen to be on the same organization that he was in for such a long time. At times it can be overwhelming, you can't help but to be in awe of some of these guys, but at the same time we got a job to do.

InsideHoops.com: What are the biggest things you want to improve about your game right now?

Eddy Curry: I want to be a better defender. I think that's what's lacking in my game right now, is my inability to defend, at times. But, it's going to come in time, I'm just a rookie, I'm trying to get everything in right now. I realize it's going to take time, but I'll be okay.

InsideHoops.com: Is anyone in particular helping you develop?

Eddy Curry: You get a lot of help from everybody. I mean, this whole organization has been great at helping the young players and even the older players need help sometimes, so I mean we kind of help each other and keep each other on our toes.