Curry hurt by friend's departure
Dell Curry became the last of the original Hornets on Friday.
Point guard Muggsy Bogues, the only other player remaining from Charlotte's first NBA team of 1988-89, was traded with Tony Delk to the Golden State Warriors for guard B.J. Armstrong.
Curry, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, had not only played with Bogues and frequently been on the receiving end of his fast-break passes, but had also developed a close personal relationship with his departing teammate.
He had an inkling the trade was coming, particularly after Bogues told him Thursday night the deal was being considered. Bogues was en route to California and unavailable for comment when the trade became public, but Curry had an idea how Bogues was feeling.
``I don't think this is the conclusion Mugs wanted,'' Curry said Friday. ``I think if he was going to change teams he would have wanted to stay on the East Coast.
``You've been with a team 10 years, it's hard to say you want to leave. But he just felt he wasn't being treated fairly.''
Curry offered no opinion on whether Bogues was treated fairly by the Hornets -- ``You'd have to ask him that,'' he said. ``I don't know the inside parameters of everything going on.''
Bogues, 32, lost his longtime starting role during the summer when the Hornets signed free agent David Wesley to a seven-year contract. Going into training camp last month, it was obvious Wesley -- younger, bigger and stronger than the 5-foot-3 Bogues -- would be the starter.
As Wesley adjusted to his new team during preseason games, Bogues had a limited role. Coach Dave Cowens said Bogues asked the coaches repeatedly why they didn't trade him if they weren't going to play him.
Obviously, he was unhappy.
``I think that was clear,'' Curry said. ``It was tough not really being a part of the team, especially for a guy with his pride.
``It wasn't a distraction to the players. The coaches, I don't know. You'd have to ask them.''
Curry first learned of the impending trade when Bogues told him Thursday night at the Hornets' hotel near Landover.
``I talked to him (again) before he left (Friday),'' Curry said. ``They wanted him out there tomorrow for the first game (in the Warriors' new arena).
``From a personal standpoint it hurts. Having a teammate 10 years and then he's gone. I feel for him.
``It's different now, not only because of the 10 years, but also because Muggsy is a popular guy. It'll be interesting to see how the fans react in Charlotte.''