Allan Houston

[Bergen Jet]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1932459

Associated Press
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Allan Houston took what he called "a huge step" Friday toward his comeback, participating in a half-court scrimmage and setting next weekend as the possible date of his return from prolonged knee problems.

"It felt better than I thought it would. It was the first day I did a contact drill in I don't know how long," said Houston, the highest-paid and longest-tenured member of the New York Knicks.

Houston 13 of the final 14 regular-season games and the playoffs last season due to soreness that developed after he returned from microfracture surgery on his left knee.

The date of his return has been this season's longest-running mystery surrounding the Knicks, who entered the weekend in a virtual three-way tie for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Jamal Crawford has replaced Houston as the starting shooting guard, averaging 16.6 points but shooting below 40 percent from the field.

Coach Lenny Wilkens said Crawford would remain the starter, although he envisioned using Crawford, Houston and Stephon Marbury together on the floor for periodic stretches.

"I'm not saying that would be our steady diet, but there are times in a game when a team is small and you can take advantage of it," Wilkens said.

Houston said he was hoping to return sometime during the four-game road trip to Charlotte, Memphis, New Orleans and Washington that begins a week from Saturday.

"I'd like to play the first one at home, but it really depends on the progress," said Houston, who opted not to compete in the team's full-court scrimmage. "My legs feel better then they've felt since I've been here."

Wilkens said Houston's timing appeared to be off, and Houston said he was tentative at first when it came to pushing off with his knees.

Whenever he returns, Houston will provide a legitimate outside shooting threat to relieve some of the defensive pressure against Marbury on the perimeter and against Kurt Thomas in the low post. But he'll also have to adjust to coming off the bench for the first time since early in his career while trying to mesh with an almost entirely new set of teammates following team president Isiah Thomas' wholesale changes over the past 11 months.

With a career average of 17.5 points, Houston was the Knicks' leading scorer in four of the past five seasons.

Fans have been impatient with his slow recovery and booed him at an open practice during training camp.

"This is a huge step for me physically and mentally," Houston said of practicing. "It was an exciting thing for me."

This could be huge IF he comes back as nothing more than a sharp shooter off the bench. Jamal Crawford is the real deal and needs to get the minutes. Houston misses almost a YEAR with a knee injury that didn't require surgery for the first 30 or so games that he missed last year.... Though, seeing him on the court late in games with Crawford and Marbury would be sweet. The Knicks have had people open on the perimeter all season and this will keep Starbury and Crawford from getting swarmed every time they sniff the ball late in a game (because you know D is only played the last 2 minutes of each half).

[Icer]

Well when H20 comes back he'll probably get limited minutes to make sure he doesn't hurt himself.

And they will run the 3 guard line up sometimes.

But I fear what the opposing SF is going to do to us if we do that. Gonna be rough

3 Guards who cant defend a lick, eek

[OneEyedWonder]

Allan should not be starting right when he gets back....i actually think his best role on this team will be as the sixth man. he can come in against others teams 2nd team players, and just do what he does best...shoot, shoot and shoot some more. 20-25 minutes a night, thats it...keep him fresh for the playoffs.

when marbury needs a rest, put in allan, move jamal to the 1. i don't really invision them playing all 3 at the same time, unless its late in the game and we need to make some 3's.

either way, it'll be nice to see old number 20 back out there again.

[Bergen Jet]

Definately nice to see him back. I just don't want to see Crawford get major minutes taken away.

Having a sharp shooter like him on the floor with Marbury and/or Crawford slashing could be a very pretty sight. Houston is money beyond the arc when he is open.