Brown: Allan may be ready

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Larry Brown's first practice as Knicks' head coach could include the only player on the roster with a link to the franchise's last winning team.

Both Brown and team president Isiah Thomas said there is a possibility that Allan Houston will be available to practice on Tuesday when the Knicks open their training camp in Charleston, S.C. Houston has appeared in just 70 games over the past two seasons due to a chronic knee condition.

"He gets better every day," Brown told reporters yesterday at Madison Square Garden. "He's confident that he's going in the right direction. But again, we start on Tuesday. And his hope is to be ready to practice and we all want that for him."

Brown, however, admitted that Houston has yet to participate in scrimmages with his teammates at the team's training facility in Greenburgh. In all likelihood, Houston will not be ready by opening night in Boston on Nov. 3. People close to the veteran shooting guard say that Houston may be sidelined until December.

"I'm rooting for him," Thomas said. "I hope he can come back and perform at the level he's accustomed to."</div>
New York Daily News
This is good news to hear. Houston is still our best shooter and clutchest player. This year I want Houston to take his time, though. Last year when he rushed, he wasn't healthy enough to play more than 20 games. We should just want Houston to take it easy and play when he's ready no matter how long it might seem.

 

[bbwAce]

True, but the uncertainty surrounding Houston surely causes discomfort amongst the Knicks...guys dont know if they're gonna start or be benched when he returns; players are sure what their roles will be with him on the floor; coaches have to draw up different game plans to get him open looks, etc...I mean, where's he gonna see minutes with Richardson and Crawford taking up the backcourt?...

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Houston:</div><div class="quote_post">True, but the uncertainty surrounding Houston surely causes discomfort amongst the Knicks...guys dont know if they're gonna start or be benched when he returns; players are sure what their roles will be with him on the floor; coaches have to draw up different game plans to get him open looks, etc...I mean, where's he gonna see minutes with Richardson and Crawford taking up the backcourt?...</div>

If Houston is successful in his comeback then the Knicks might have issues regarding their backcourt especially if Marbury is moved to shooting guard. But I get the feeling that Richardson will be one of the first players Brown has traded. I also think that Brown would prefer if Crawford came off the bench. So in the end if Houston really does get healthy and plays there shouldnt be any issues with the backcourt. Houston doesnt need any special plays drawn up for him to be a contributor which is why Brown likes him. Whether his return will cause a logjam in the backcourt or not Houston's progress is very good news.


Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.