http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/38894.htm

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January 27, 2005 -- As he continues to miss time with balky knees, Allan Houston (above) now is subject of speculation he may retire. N.Y. Post: Susan May Tell

Knick President Isiah Thomas raised the possibility yesterday of Allan Houston retiring if he's unable to get healthy this season.

"I think Allan has to make that decision himself in terms of retiring," Thomas said. "Only the player can answer that. It would be a good question to ask him. As an organization, we'll continue to support him and help him overcome his injuries."

If Houston applies for medical retirement, the Knicks could save a big chunk of the $50 million and three years left on his contract. If NBA doctors rule him unfit, insurance built into every NBA contract pays 80 percent of the contract after a 41-game deductible, according to NBA spokesman Tim Frank. The contract still counts fully on the cap, however.

According to a league source, Knick brass has privately discussed the retirement issue, concerned Houston will be unable to recover from arthritic knees. The source added, however, that Thomas has yet to approach Houston on a retirement scenario.

However, Thomas admitted there's a distinct chance Houston will never get right.

"I think we all hope he can get back to being Allan, but realistically we may all have to come to the conclusion he may not get there again and we may have to deal with it," Thomas said.

After an 81/2-month layoff, Houston made his return Dec. 10 in Washington. But after 19 games, ineffective Houston shut it down again with soreness. He has missed the last two games.

Houston said Tuesday night he may try playing tomorrow against Cleveland. He was limited to just 50 games last season, recovering from microfracture surgery on his right knee. But last March, his left knee became sore from overcompensating. The left knee had microfracture surgery five years ago.

Microfracture surgery is done to stimulate cartilage growth. Knee specialists say pain that continues after surgery is an indication sturdy cartilage did not grow back.

Houston resisted more surgery last summer, when Thomas asked him to contemplate it. Houston felt rest would do the trick.

Houston has been somber in recent days. He was largely ineffective once his minutes shot up over 30 minutes prematurely after Jamal Crawford went down. Houston's erratic jumper and immobility on defense have contributed to one of the most vile stretches in Knick history.

Privately, the organization has wondered whether Houston did the right thing hiring a personal trainer, former Olympic high jumper Charles Austin in September.

"[Austin] has nothing to do with what we're doing as a team right now," Houston said last week.

It was Checketts, not Layden, who promised Houston a max contract, despite his less than max skills. Layden merely fufilled that promise.

I have thought Houston was done since the middle of last season.

Too bad, but it's time to get it over with and move on.

IT kinda sucks. We get no cap relief and No healthy Allan. there is no postitive here. He won't come off the books, still counts against the cap even if insurance pays for it!

Also, Isiah will try to make Allans life as miserable as possible to get him to retire, and Dolan gets his insurance money! Somehow when Isiah wants you out, it does not end pretty.

Yes, Allans contract was the brainchild of Checketts, and Layden simpley fulfiled that promise. We can go back and forth over it all we want, we know it was too much, and we know it hurt us.

But Allan is a true gentleman, a first class guy and elegant performer! He never achieved the tier one stardom but came close. He was to deliver us and be that player with Ewing that could take us to the top. He never quite lived up to that hype!

Since his salary won't come off the cap, I'd rather have him on the team and hope he can return to some form. On the other hand, I don't think he is quite ready to hang it up and feel bad for him. Money aside, its been a tough stretch for him and he must adjust if he hangs it up. I think this happens this summer if it ever does.. I would not hold my breath.

IM sure Isiah/Dolan will do everything possible to keep him off the court and isolate him to help his decision along. They have that certain way about them. It be easier for him to become an alcoholic than deal with a Dolan sniffing insurance money!

Posted by Bonn1997:

I'd rather have the Knicks get the insurance money if that means extra money to spend on young players.

its about 17mil a year. That is only one third of what our cap penalty will be.

We spend money regardless! We will spend about 160mil this year with the tax. They will spend it anyway if they want to. Its never been about not having the money!

Bonnie, thats a very naive view to take. Don't get addicted to change for the sake of it. Allan retiring won't bring a big free agent signing any quicker unless they change the rules.

It was done this way so the knicks could not trade for guys like Terrell Brandon and stock pile them, get the insurance, and replace them with new players. Brilliant, but a tax loop.

If all you care about is wins or losses your rooting for the wrong team! Team Cablevision just wants a piece of you.

Posted by Nalod:

Posted by Bonn1997:

I'd rather have the Knicks get the insurance money if that means extra money to spend on young players.

its about 17mil a year. That is only one third of what our cap penalty will be.

We spend money regardless! We will spend about 160mil this year with the tax. They will spend it anyway if they want to. Its never been about not having the money!

I thought no team--not even ours--had unlimited spending! That's what Fish and a bunch of other posters kept saying

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 01/27/2005 09:22:12]

Allan might need to go under the knife again and plan on a come back in the spring of 2006.

I doubt he'll retire.

I'd be happy if he could give us outside, zone busting shooting off the bench- 20 mins per night and average a 10 to 15 pts a night.

I don't see any benefit to him retiring, besides the fact that we can stop talking about him.

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by Nalod:

Posted by Bonn1997:

I'd rather have the Knicks get the insurance money if that means extra money to spend on young players.

its about 17mil a year. That is only one third of what our cap penalty will be.

We spend money regardless! We will spend about 160mil this year with the tax. They will spend it anyway if they want to. Its never been about not having the money!

I thought no team--not even ours--had unlimited spending! That's what Fish and a bunch of other posters kept saying

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 01/27/2005 09:22:12]

No team has unlimited spending, but thats my point. Your post insinuated we could spend the money on younger players. There is no more money to spend. Dolan only gets relief, not the team. It only helps a bit, when he has to write a tax check to the league. Better for him to returned to form. Why are you trying to pull in other posters again, let them speak for themselves, or defend you if they wish.

If Houston were to retire this year, next year would be on the cap, but his last year wouldnt. Also, insurance would cover most of the cost.

this sounds like the papers are fishing for some story and controversy with this team since we're almost between season between the nfl and mlb. i think EVERYBODY in the organization wants allan gone b/c of his deal. isiah has not shown a knack for handling things he doesn't like (chaney, shandon). so hopefully this won't get ugly.

Actually there is a possibility that we get some relief. The team can apply for an exemption and if the NBA allows they can sign a player for 50% of his yearly salary ie Houston makes 19 mil the year he retires and it is ruled he cannot continue to play due to a career ending injury the Knicks would have roughly 9.5 mil to play with. The Heat got this exemption w. Mourning. We got this exemption w. Longley (didn't use it due to the timing of the year) and we were turned down on a Larry Johnson exemption because we delayed filing the paperwork. The key is to get the exemption @ the right time of the year, because you have a limited time to use it (not sure how long). If you get it after the season has started, like we did Longley, there won't be players available that are worth the money...if you can get it @ the end of the season you're in business.

Posted by Nalod:


IT kinda sucks. We get no cap relief and No healthy Allan. there is no postitive here. He won't come off the books, still counts against the cap even if insurance pays for it!

Also, Isiah will try to make Allans life as miserable as possible to get him to retire, and Dolan gets his insurance money! Somehow when Isiah wants you out, it does not end pretty.

Yes, Allans contract was the brainchild of Checketts, and Layden simpley fulfiled that promise. We can go back and forth over it all we want, we know it was too much, and we know it hurt us.

But Allan is a true gentleman, a first class guy and elegant performer! He never achieved the tier one stardom but came close. He was to deliver us and be that player with Ewing that could take us to the top. He never quite lived up to that hype!

Since his salary won't come off the cap, I'd rather have him on the team and hope he can return to some form. On the other hand, I don't think he is quite ready to hang it up and feel bad for him. Money aside, its been a tough stretch for him and he must adjust if he hangs it up. I think this happens this summer if it ever does.. I would not hold my breath.

IM sure Isiah/Dolan will do everything possible to keep him off the court and isolate him to help his decision along. They have that certain way about them. It be easier for him to become an alcoholic than deal with a Dolan sniffing insurance money!