http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/18594.htm

ALLAN WELCOMES CRAWFORD

By MARC BERMAN

August 13, 2004 -- A still-rehabbing Allan Houston extended an olive branch to the new young stud on the block, Jamal Crawford, heading off a potential controversy over playing time.

Houston, who plans to be at full strength by the start of training camp Oct. 5, said he wants to be Crawford's mentor. Houston compared Crawford's arrival to when he left Detroit for New York eight years ago to share the shooting guard role with John Starks — an indication he's ready for a reduced role.

"Joe Dumars and John Starks were people I consider mentors," Houston said yesterday at a Read-To-Achieve event at Macy's in Midtown. "Jamal is in his career where I was, coming from Detroit. Whatever he's willing to take in, I'm willing to help him. I want to do the same thing John Starks did with me. I want to help him become better than he already is, on and off the court."

Houston isn't ready to pass the torch, however, still feeling his knees will be healthy. Though he says, "I'm where I want to be at this point" in his rehab, Houston admitted, "I still have a ways to go."

It has been 41/2 months since he has played and is still only doing shooting and court drills, having yet to scrimmage.

"My goal has always been to do drills on the court in August," said Houston. "I still have a ways to go, but I'm right where my goal is. My goal is to play in August and I think in a couple of weeks I'll be able to go out and play.

"The key right now is the progression. I'm being very smart so I can be my strongest not now, but when I need to be. To sit out that long and be ready to play at that intensity, you have to build up to that. That's what happened last summer. I tried to come in and go all out without making progressions. That's why I had a setback."

Houston hasn't spoken to Crawford, though he made a recruiting call to C Erick Dampier. Even without Dampier, Houston believes the Knicks have the cast to earn home court in the first round.

With the Nets' fall, Crawford's addition and the expected signing of Vin Baker — who's coming off surgery to correct a rapid heart rate that friends say will make him a new player — the Knicks, on paper, should challenge for the title in the newly structured Atlantic.

Asked about the Knicks' Dampier quest, Houston said, "I hope so. With him in the mix, it makes things a lot better for us."

Posted by Rich:

Houston, who plans to be at full strength by the start of training camp Oct. 5, said he wants to be Crawford's mentor.
"Joe Dumars and John Starks were people I consider mentors,"
...
I want to do the same thing John Starks did with me. I want to help him become better than he already is, on and off the court."

Say what you want, that that's only politics and blabla, but houston is really a classy guy. Crawford would be clever to learn as much as he can from that guy, as long as it will be possible for him to do so.

Every basketball team should be that about. Passing the torch, raising young players with the help of vets. IT on that point is doing the right thing.

Posted by raven:

Posted by Rich:

Houston, who plans to be at full strength by the start of training camp Oct. 5, said he wants to be Crawford's mentor.
"Joe Dumars and John Starks were people I consider mentors,"
...
I want to do the same thing John Starks did with me. I want to help him become better than he already is, on and off the court."

Say what you want, that that's only politics and blabla, but houston is really a classy guy. Crawford would be clever to learn as much as he can from that guy, as long as it will be possible for him to do so.

Every basketball team should be that about. Passing the torch, raising young players with the help of vets. IT on that point is doing the right thing.

Jamal has a great opportunity to learn from five great guards--Isiah, Lenny, Allan, Penny, and Steph. You can't ask for a better opportunity than that

TMS... that cracked me up. Houston is actually a pretty funny guy.

These guys are the same respective ages that Starks/Houston were. I believe Starks was the 6th man of the year that first year as well. Probably the only difference was Starks didnt have $58mm remaining over his last 3 years. The legacy of Layden lives on...

I like Penny but he's cap fodder in another year and I'm not even sure he's the backup 3. With Crawford and Marbury in the backcourt together I would like to see JYD get some time at the 3 as well.

We will see... I guess it depends on matchups.

I was gonna look for that same emoticon, TMS, but I had a feeling you would beat me to it, and you did.

Posted by Knixkik:

As long as Houston shows Crawford how to shoot we're in great shape. Crawford is a much better athlete than Houston and probably even more talented. He's going to be a great player to look forward to.

i hear crawford is like an iverson in the making, how much truth is there in that?

I remember reading somewhere that an NBA player (I think it could've been Dajuan Wagner, not sure) called Crawford the 2nd quickiest player in the NBA behind Iverson. Maybe I'm thinking about another player?

This article made me laugh. Houston wants to be Crawfords 'mentor?' WTF!! Crawford is already better than Houston. What is Houston going to teach him?

Rebounding? Defense? Passing the ball? Ball Handling? running without the ball? playing hard? Oh no wait. The only thing Houston can do is jump shoot!! What are these people thinking writing articles like this? I would hope Crawford decides to take lessons from Marbury about his game rather than Houston.

Posted by gunsnewing:

I think the only thing he can teach him is to be wiser on the court and put up better shots.

Yo guns, no offense to you or all the Houston apologists out there but, he really cannot teach Craford anything.

Houston has a talent: shoot jumpshots with almost anyone in the league. His talent is not versatile. It requires a system that makes use of his skill at right times. His game itself restricts him to break certain defensive patterns. I dont think Houston should teach Craw anything. I think Crawford should learn to shoot for a better % but I think he should a) learn that for himself or b) learn that from someone else.

Posted by HARDCOREKNICKSFAN:

The Changing of the Guards, literally.

If we can change the guard from Allan Houston to anyone else I will be happy. I still think he will do more harm in teaching Craw how to do anthing. And also, I dont think Houston learned anything from Starks. No heart, no passion, no defense, no drive to the hoop, no ferocity and obviously no 'THE DUNK'.

Just like he cannot learn anything, he cannot teach anything. H2O and his contract is the worst thing that could've happened to the Knicks.