But at this point in his career is this an injury that he's going to rebound from?

I'm not trashing him, I watch him at the games and I think he's trying hard, he just can't keep up. It's clear he's hurt, but when you're 33 and you've been playing competitively, a few games a week since you've been 14 it's going to catch up to you.

That's pretty close to the line to me. The guy is obviously limited physically and it's weird to say he'll never be a starter in this league (almost as if he was a rookie). If you said he shouldn't be a starter "again" in this league, well that would be more understandable. I know the loss is painful and can tend to make us act a little irrational. However, try to relax and take time to think of what the Knicks can be in the next year or two if Isiah is allowed the same time to work his stuff like every GM before him.

The Knicks don't need to make any impulsive moves right now. They may not make the playoffs this year and i'm fine with that. This team is better than last years team but the East is a little better overall than last year so that doesn't bode well for the immediate future. Realistically, trading Nazr for anyone besides maybe Kwame is not an option. Who's gonna replace him. Kurt for Brown would me Washington management is on crack. Isiah just needs to stick to his game plan. Liquidate Penny, Tim and possibly Nazr into a real sized center and a backup power forward (Sweetney starts of course).

Oh btw, NAZR AIN'T 7'0'.....HE'S BARELY 6'10"......GOOD GOD

so he couldnt guard Dickau like everyone saw and couldnt shoot over Kirk Hinrich like everyone saw. He actually got rejected by a guy 3 inches shorter than him. A guy that is not a good defender blocked him world famous jump shot!

Marv: Cut him all the slack you want but not at the expense of the team. This guy cannot play basketball at this level and be effective anymore. It's time for him to either recover completely and/or play 15 mins a game.

IMO, he was never more than a jump shooter, even when he scored 50 points in 2 games. Now he is a jump shooter who can barely junp. He should have a very limited role.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/38253.htm

what a surprise! Houston is contemplating sitting the next "few" games out. Geee sounds a lot like last season all over. I think I predicted that h wouldn't last more than 15 games before having to shut it down again. How many games has he played? At least with the surgery he would have a better chance of staying on the court. Not at the same level but he can't be any worse than he is now.

Important question: Do you think he will retire because of chronic injury and settle for a buyout like LJ did? that would be great for us! I don't want to wait til after 2008 to be good again because of his sorry ass.

Posted by Marv:

Posted by Silverfuel:


Marv: Cut him all the slack you want but not at the expense of the team. This guy cannot play basketball at this level and be effective anymore. It's time for him to either recover completely and/or play 15 mins a game.

I can't argue with that and I think that would be the case if Craw and Penny weren't out. The Knicks aren't handling thissituation well. They're going to be tempted to rush Craw back too soon and they're probably hurting Houston with excessive minutes.

Yea, you are right. We are in an unfortunate situation at SG. Hopefully Craw is completely healthy when he plays tomorrow.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/38291.htm

CRAWFORD RETURNS, HOU STARTS

By MARC BERMAN

January 17, 2005 -- Despite Jamal Crawford's expected return today vs. Chicago, a hobbled Allan Houston will remain in the starting lineup. But that's likely temporary.

Houston's incompetence is the chief cause to the Knicks' demise in losing six of seven. Houston indicated after Saturday's benching he's considered sitting out to get healthier but said yesterday he's not at that point.

In the six losses, Houston has shot 32.9 percent. In their lone win, over Portland, Houston was 8-of-12 for 25 points. With Crawford back from a 10-game absence, the dependence on Houston lessens.

"I have to be patient with myself," Houston said. "I think I was naive in thinking I'd come in right away and be the same."

Houston's decision in September to hire a former Olympian gold-medal-winning high jumper in Charles Austin as his personal trainer has backfired. Houston's feeling pain in his knees and doesn't have the strength in his legs to fight through picks or mobility to get to loose balls or get open.

"I've never been the type to stand around and wait for a shot to come," Houston said. "I've always been able to create that for myself. I'm getting to the point I have to make the adjustment."

Said Tim Thomas: "I feel for him because I know he's way better than that. I know in the past playing against him, his game was at a whole another level."

Wilkens says Crawford's injury hurt Houston, forcing him to play 30-plus minutes before being ready. "You always say the best-laid plans, then something turns it around," Wilkens said.

*

In a feature in his hometown Chicago Tribune, Isiah Thomas said, "The history is this is a place where no one really has been able to win." Thomas was apparently discounting the Knicks' two NBA championships (1970, 1973) and two Eastern Conference titles in past 11 years (1994, 1999). In the story, Thomas was said to still have interest in Toronto's Jalen Rose, even without Vince Carter in package, and has made contact again with unemployed Keon Clark.