Here is a decent read

Houston is not too shabby (update)

By MARC BERMAN

So far so good with Allan Houston. The Post's Brian Lewis was at Westchester headquarters today for Houston's first day of practice and saw part of Houston's first scrimmage.

Isiah Thomas was cautiously optimistic, talking about his rust but also commenting on how good he looked. However, he gave caveats that it's a long training camp and the test will be how Houston's knees hold up to the grind.

Houston said he felt no pain, but we've heard the spiel before, too many times. Houston also acknowledged there are hardly any guarantees he'll make the team.

One witness gushed to me that the best part of Houston's showing was he ran much better than two years ago. If Houston looks legitimately healthy and is burying shots and defending, I don't envy Isiah.

Demetris Nichols is as sure as gone. But Isiah does not want to cut Fred Jones, who has had a strong camp. Jones was 4 for 4 last night vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv and he can pass the ball and defend. He's a smart player. "You don't want to cut him,'' one Knick told me recently.

You don't want to cut Randolph Morris either - a young big man who has lots of potential. Still-injured Jerome James? It just may be time to bite the bullet if Houston shows he's back to old form. There aren't a lot of big centers out there anymore. The Knicks can get by with David Lee and Zach Randolph playing some "5''.

Meanwhile, Eddy Curry (shoulder) was back shooting today, meaning he can lift his arm over his head. His goal of coming back for the next game vs. Boston Wednesday still seems farfetched but he should be playing soon after.

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Fresh from Lewis' tape recorder, this is Houston on his comeback today.

"Usually athletes retire because they no longer have desire or there's no longer a desire for them to be part of whatever situation. That wasn’t the case for me when I retired. It was health. If the desire from the team for me to be here isn’t there, then I'll accept that.''

Houston added if he's cut, he won't seek another club

One witness gushed to me that the best part of Houston's showing was he ran much better than two years ago.

That is very good to hear.

Houston added if he's cut, he won't seek another club

What a true Knick. I hope he gets a loud, long standing ovation when (if) he plays his first game at MSG.

baddapaw - outstanding spy work

gracias

Houston added if he's cut, he won't seek another club

That's because there's no other fool that will sign him.

Exactly! They'd be taking a gamble.

I'm not sure it it's the guy who wrote the script or if it's his acting. I noticed there was no jews there.

Demetris Nichols is as sure as gone.

I can't understand this...

Posted by Knicksfan:

Posted by 4949:

Houston added if he's cut, he won't seek another club

That's because there's no other fool that will sign him.

Not really. If he shows he still has something left, playoff hopefull teams would love to have an asset as Houston and his great long range shooting.

You even said it yourself. There's nothing solid to say about this guy. You wrote 'still has something left'. Sounds like a guy who still wants to go back to the old days and feel that ball again. Forget about whether he can still play. It's all about old times. This has nothing to do with developing the team. That's why the move was soooooooooo stupid! If other teams would have loved to have him as an asset, then how come there was no one else trying to sign him? Don't you get it? This is not about contributing. It's about old times and some silly notion called 'loyalty'. Yuk!! It was just plain stupid not securing Nichols like that. Just stupid as hell.

The Nets were really interested in Houston at one point. If Allan had opened to other teams, maybe more would be asking for a chance to gamble on him. But you are right on the "old times" thing. We'll see what happens but any decision that has Nichols being waved is another terrible decision by our president and coach. He better not waive him...

The important point is that no one else can monitor a locker room the way Allan Houston can. That's gotta be the deciding factor in his favor.

The Grass is Always Greener

I wonder what the reaction would be if Houston accepted a tryout, which is all it is - a TRYOUT - with Dallas.... or San Antionio...

..would people be praising the pioneer spirit of Mark Cuban or Pop?

“People are going to state facts about the condition of your knee. But miracles happen every day. So there’s some things you don’t explain, and I don’t really care.”

Thomas was careful not to judge Houston’s comeback attempt or predict the outcome. But he was frank about the circumstances, saying that any other 36-year-old with a history of knee problems “never would have” been invited to camp. Houston’s stature, as the fourth-leading scorer in franchise history, got him through the door.

“He’s deserving of this chance and this opportunity, and I’m giving it to him,” Thomas said. But that clout will not be enough to win him a roster spot. “Only what you do on the floor gives you clout,” Thomas said.

There is no valid predicted outcome for any of this