Houston Practices In Comeback Try With Knicks

Protecting a lead in the final minute of a scrimmage Friday, a group of role players kicked the ball out to the newcomer for an open 3-pointer. Allan Houston buried the shot, just as he had so many times for the New York Knicks.

"He could still shoot the ball,'' Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said. "He's probably one of the top 10 best shooters to ever play in our sport. So he'll be able to shoot the ball when he's 60 years old.''

But to pull off a comeback at age 36, Houston has to do more than that. He must prove he can run, jump and do all the other things that not long ago were too painful because of chronic sore knees.

Houston began that process Friday, taking part in his first practice for the team he spent nine seasons with - on the same floor where he announced his retirement two years ago.

"Usually I believe that professional athletes retire because they no longer have the desire or there's no longer desire for them to be part of whatever situation they are in,'' Houston said. "That wasn't the case for me when I retired. It was health.''

Houston no longer wears No. 20 - Jared Jeffries has that now - and there is noticeable gray in his hair. But he showed the shooting stroke was still the same, knocking down two of the three shots he attempted in the time the media were permitted to watch.

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source : NBA.com