http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/322281p-275545c.html Agent: Houston not retiring type BY FRANK ISOLA DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Allan Houston's agent confirmed yesterday that his client has no intention of retiring, but William Strickland acknowledged that several key recent developments increase the "probability" that Houston's career in New York is over. As of last night, the Knicks still were finalizing a deal that would send Kurt Thomas to the Phoenix Suns for small forward Quentin Richardson. The Knicks also would receive a conditional first-round pick in the trade, giving them five first-round picks in the next two drafts. The deal, which paves the way for the Knicks to release Houston and save $40million in luxury tax under a provision in the new collective bargaining agreement, is expected to be made official on Monday. "Given that amnesty provision, it increases the chances that something could happen," Strickland said over the telephone. "But I do not believe that Allan will retire. He's worked too hard to get back. He still wants to play." If and when Houston is released, he would become an unrestricted free agent. And if he proves himself to be healthy, the veteran shooting guard should draw interest from contending teams that are in the market for an accomplished outside shooter. Miami, Detroit, Houston, Denver and San Antonio are teams that would love to have Houston coming off their bench. Indiana, which is a short drive from Houston's hometown of Louisville, also is an option. An arthritic left knee has limited Houston to 70 games over the past two seasons. Last season, Knicks president Isiah Thomas stunned Houston by publicly suggesting that retirement is an option that the veteran guard should consider. Houston, who has been with the Knicks for nine years, has maintained all along that he will not quit. He also believes that, considering Antonio McDyess overcame a similar injury to become a contributing player for the Pistons, he shouldn't call it a career just yet. Even if Houston were to retire, the Knicks would not be eligible for a medical exception because the rule applies only to players who appeared in 10 or fewer games. Houston, who will earn $39 million over the next two years, played 20games last season. Instead, the Knicks and Houston likely will have to part ways by exercising the one-time only provision in the new CBA. Releasing Houston would erase the last piece from the great Knick teams of the late '90s through 2001. Houston hit one of the biggest shots in franchise history when his last-second leaner eliminated the Miami Heat in Game5 in 1999. Houston's Game6 that year against Indiana, in which he scored 32 points to send the Knicks to the NBA Finals, was one of the greatest clutch performances in team history. "Ultimately, Allan believes he will be back," Strickland said. "He has pride and he puts his faith in God. I will never doubt him."
If healthy, I actually think he can start. He can guard the easier matchup of the 2/3 positions. We're probably gona re-sign Barry, so Houston would probably start. However, if that deal with Memphis goes down or if Finley or Hill are available, we'll take our chances with them, although most likely Finley since he's still fairly young and not injury-prone. He's the sure-shot, and he won't have to move too far from Dallas.
sure i'll sign him! if it is like a min. vet contract for a couple yrs...and even then it seems like we are just throwing money away...
Lets see if he meets these requirements that the Rockets need: Young and athletic wing position player- - - check Plays awesome defense - - - check Runs the floor well - - - check consistantly healthy - - - check yeah, sign him up
I would sign him if and only if he came cheap and accepted a bench role similar to Mcdyess. The main benefit of getting a player like Houston (or Finley) would be it would give the Rockets the luxury of starting an unproven 2-guard such as Julius Hodge or Francisco Garcia. That way the Rockets can infuse some youth and athleticism into the starting lineup, while still having proven backups that can step in as the fail safe.
I wonder if we'd even be considering him if McDyess and Hill hadn't came back strong. Still, for the vet minimum, it's be silly to not even give him a look. I can see him contributing in some way. After we dump Mooch, Baker, Spoon, Ward and Wesley, we'll have plenty of roster spaces. And cmon, Houston playing in Houston would be entertaining as hell for about 30 minutes. But damn what a 30 minutes.
The shooting guard position is by far the easiest position for a player to transition to from college to NBA. If the Rockets can shore up the other 4 starting positions (ie. upgrade the 1 and 4 spots) and put some proven veteran players (Houston or Finley) to back up the rookie, I wouldn't consider it a big deal.
as I said in the finley post.... we have to get Houston and Finley so maybe we get ONE of them available for all 82 games...
Precisely why he won't start here. We are looking for a class A defender at the 2 to take the tougher of the 2/3 matchups and help TMac out. We don't want TMac on the tough defensive matchup every night. The only way Houston works here is to come off the bench behind TMac and our starting 2, whoever that is.
for the LLE he would be a nice backup to tmac for 10 minutes a night. we still have the MLE for AD and we can trade wesley and sura for a SG. if we draft simien or turiaf we would have a nice team: yao-deke Jho- simien tmac-houston trade-JB AD-james
While you may correct for the Rockets. Duncan, Parker and Ginobli have played major minutes for SA since they have been there and all started games as a rookie. Duncan started 82 as a rookie and has averaged 38 MPG over 7 years; Parker started 72 games as a rookie has averaged 33 MPG over 4 years; and Ginobli started 6 games as a rookie and has averaged 26 MPG over 3 years. So I guess you would have to say it depends a lot on the rookie. Even JVG would play a rookie if it won him games.
all great points. if we drafted the next parker or ginobili, can you imagine JVG starting a rookie, a mean a foriegn rookie. and in parkers case a 19 year old foriegn rookie. hell no.
