Knicks give Houston room

Allan Houston hasn't been able to get through a full practice, let alone be healthy enough to actually dress for a game. But, he insists, there is reason for optimism in his second comeback attempt.

"The good thing is we're not talking about my knees," the 37-year-old said.

But we've yet to be able to talk about what kind of role the former University of Tennessee star can play, if any at all, on a New York Knicks roster that has to be cut down to 15 players from 18 in less than two weeks. Houston sat out the first four preseason games.

Houston's issue is a nagging strain in his right quadriceps muscle, which he suffered a week before training camp. Perhaps a year ago, when he first tried a comeback with Isiah Thomas at the helm, Houston might have felt more pressure to play through the pain and make a case for himself. But this year he says Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni are giving him all the time he needs.

"I'm so thankful for that, that I don't feel like I have to go out and because that's going to make it worse," Houston said. "That way we'll never know, we'll never really know."

D'Antoni has said he has "no expectations" for Houston, but remains open-minded. The Knicks like the idea of having Houston's shooting ability and experience on the bench, as well as his high character as an influence in the locker room. And Houston sounded as if he was willing to accept a role as a reserve player.

"If it comes to a point where I'm practicing and helping out, that's fine," Houston said. "If I can do that, I'm good, and I feel like I can do that."