photo: i.cnn.net
Basketball, broken down to its simplest compound, is about scoring more buckets than the team you’re playing against. The Semi-Automatic refers to players who leave bodies in their wake with their innate ability to get buckets. And once upon a time, in the not so distant past, New York City and Madison Square Garden were routinely treated to the genius of one such weapon named Allan Houston.
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Allan led Ballard High School to the state title in 1988. His father Wade was, himself, a legend in the state. Wade Houston was the first African-American player to ever suit up for the University of Louisville and went on to become an assistant coach to the legendary Denny Crum for 13 years. It was widely assumed by fervent fans in the state that Allan would suit up for the Cardinals. But when Wade was offered the head coaching gig at the University of Tennessee, Allan followed his pops to Knoxville.
After his stellar college career, where he walked away as Tennessee’s all-time leading scorer, Allan was selected with the 13th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons. By his third year as a pro, he was averaging 20 points per game and was one of the most sought after free agents on the market. Most people assumed that he’d re-sign with Detroit to solidify the emerging dynamic duo of him and the phenomenal Grant Hill. But once again, Houston showed an affinity to surprise.
He brought his considerable offensive repertoire to New York, linking up with the Knicks strong core of Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Charles Oakley, John Starks, Chris Childs, Buck Williams and Charlie Ward in ‘96-’97. Allan faced the formidable task of replacing Starks – a fan favorite due to his heart and blue collar determination that rendered his deficiencies digestible – in the starting lineup.
Throughout his tenure in New York, Houston thrilled the cognescenti with his long distance game, along with his under-appreciated ability to handle the ball and make things jump off with a serious mid-range arsenal. In ‘99, he helped lead one of the most surprising playoff tales in league history. During that strike shortened year, the Knicks limped into the playoffs as the #8 seed with a 27-23 record.
But NY fans were treated to a magic show as Houston set it off with a running one-hander in the lane that sealed the Knicks series win over the top seeded Miami Heat. That play is widely considered among the top 50 playoff moments in league history. The Knicks rode the momentum of that opening round series win all the way to the Finals, where they eventually couldn’t hang with the Spurs’ second year sensation Tim Duncan.
But Houston, Marcus Camby, Latrell Sprewell, Ewing, Larry Johnson, Ward, Childs and Kurt Thomas energized an appreciative city and fan base with their unexpected run to the precipice of the crown. Allan was on top of his game four years later in ‘02-’03, averaging 23 points while playing in all 82 regular season games.
photo: allan20houston.com
But unfortunately, he missed 32 games the next year with a knee injury and only played 20 during his final season in ‘03-’04. It was an unfortunate end to the career of one of the Knicks’ most prolific scorers, as the knee never enabled him to regain the movement needed for his dominant outburts. He fought to come back over the next few years, but proved physically unable and officially retired at the conclusion of the 2008 training camp.
Now working as the Knicks’ Assistant to the President for Basketball Operations, Houston is also a successful entrepreneur, with business interests that range from trucking companies to clothing lines. He’s also active in social causes, including his successful National Fatherhood Initiative and other worthy concerns.
photo: nydailynews.com
It was no secret that Allan Houston was always a good dude off the court. And it was always evident during his playing days that defenders rued seeing him with the ball in his hands, poised to strike. Because he was so smooth, I think most people didn’t really appreciate the nuance of his game and the superb career he put together.
But for those of us who knew what we were seeing night in and night out, especially those of us brave enough to ride or die with the Knicks, we’ll always to be quick to let others know. Allan Houston was the REAL DEAL!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Kenny Patt says:
Was better than a lot of peeps give credit. They always held that 100 mil against him.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
40 Cal says:
And we still hold that mill up against him, it kind of dragged us in the mud, but you know knicks fans will always love Allan Houston for that runner in 1999 when they beat the heat, I watched that whole game and remember going crazy in my crib when Allan hit that jumper, he is one of the greatest knicks of all time but in the same sense that 100 mill killed us!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
ali says:
you’re right kenny, it’s not his fault they gave him that contract and that, in no way, should’ve been held against him. the organization 40 cal, (not allan houston), most notably ed tapscott who selected frederick weiss over ron artest in the draft, and scott layden, the GM who orchestrated houton’s mega deal, need to bear those consequences. people give no credence to the muck that isiah inherited and he seems to unfairly be blamed with everything. but there’s enough blame to be spread around to many. can’t blame allan for taking that cash. he negotiated they gave it up and he went to the bank like he was supposed to. nevertheless, outside of that, allan was NICE!, a bonafide weapon to be feared by any and every knick opponent.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
funkalot says:
Allan was very underrated as a player and scorer in the “l”. Listen, if my employer overestimated my value, I would seize the opportunity, too. So Allan did the American thang and secured his future. Smart move.
I was disappointed that he did not end up at the ‘Ville. During his college years, they would have been even funkier. Could you imagine Allan with Felton Spencer, LaBradford Smith, Greg Minor, Dwayne Morton and Jerome Harmon to name a few. It would have been reminiscent of earlier editions of the ‘Ville, with ample funky wings.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
ali says:
yeah funk, that would have been a great team to watch. funky stylistics indeed.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
illest says:
they could have given him 20 mil and the knicks would still find a way to mess it up.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:07 am
ali says:
anybody see the gem wisconsin’s trevon hughes, a queens native, put on duke last night? how about rice hs’s durand scott, a freshman at miami putting in 20, w/ 5 boards and 3 dimes against minnesota?
the kid from jersey, corey raji, did work for BC against michigan w/ 24 points and 9 boards. and my detroit peeps put me on to manny harris a ways back and he flew under the radar as a freshman due to michigan’s struggles. last year, as they returned to respectability, you heard his name more but this year, it’s pretty evident that the radar cannot contain him. he’s for real. nice 19 pt, 7 boards and 6 dimes last night. i don’t see any college shooting guards that are better than him right now. and with harris, durrell summers at michigan state and jordan crawford at xavier, motown seems to have the best production line of off-guards this year.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:10 am
ali says:
btw, how fitting was it that the nets record for opening season futility came at the hands of jason kidd?
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
illest says:
very fitting. absolutely terrible basketball from the nets.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Seven Duece says:
Class dude on and off the court. On another note, anybody know where I can get those Knick shorts from back in the day?
December 7th, 2009 at 11:32 am
illest says:
greg oden is the new bill sam bowie.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
ali says:
is there a hex over the big man in portland? walton, bowie, now oden with the leg injuries? i feel bad for the kid because he was coming along and seemed prime to break out with a strong, consisitent year. they say he’ll be back for training camp. wishing him nothing but the best of luck b/c i want to see him succeed. oden seems like a genuine, good dude.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:47 am
illest says:
the question is does he even want to go through this again. all of the rehab and the watching.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:10 am
funkalot says:
I guess everything ain’t roses in Rose City, especially for bigs. How much is a Duckworth , appears to be one of only Trailblazer bigs to have escaped relatively injury free. Even Sabonis was maimed. Although, he incurred his damage prior to obtaining his visa.
I am pulling for GO too, Ali, as he seems like good folk.
Hopefully, like Illest referenced, he can overcome the mental of the rehab and watching, again.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:41 am
illest says:
funk….even though duckworth wasnt drafted a blazer, he did escape it. its amazing that all the centers they drafted turned out this way. you cant predict the body of the nba center. its tough for the centers….most of them dont like playing basketball. its just that they are tall and have no choice most of the time.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
ali says:
illest,
what makes yoiu say that most centers don’t like playing basketball? just curious.
December 8th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
illest says:
ali….i dont think they are always interested in the game. the ed currys who dont love the game…oden wanted to be a dentist…kareem and his many interest but you know he loved the game. im sure there are some who loved the game. their focus is not 100 percent basketball. being tall is probably a burden for them at times.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
funkalot says:
Illest,
There is some truth to your sentiments on bigs. Most of them got forced into playing because they were big and then coerced by the potential for fame beacuse of their height. So, for many of them they did not just love the game like the many shorties who just start dribbling from the cradle. Bigs find it hard to catch the rhythm of the beat, it is not as natural for them as it is for shorties.
As always there are exceptions, Olajuwon, D-Rob,Sabonis to name a few with funkiness to their games, who added dimension to being a big.
Of note,I watched Pat Ewing’s transformation. He grew up a soccer player and was coerced and forced to pick up b-ball as a social adjustment tool at age 13, when he came to Massachusetts. I am sure, eventually, he dug ball, but not like that, you know what I mean?
December 9th, 2009 at 10:03 am
illest says:
funk…i understand the ewing scenario. a jamaican playing soccer becoming a basketball player.
December 9th, 2009 at 10:47 am
ali says:
i hear you. it’s nice to see dwight howard and shaq enjoying themselves and having fun with the big man craft. i think back to moses malone also, whose stone face belied the joy and passion he had for the game.
December 9th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
illest says:
ali…but dwight is having too much fun and not getting better. still no offensive game at all. i know the 20 and 20 every now and then but he has no go to moves. frustrating to watch. if kobe bryant can go to akeem for post moves as a guard why cant howard learn from akeem? what is ewing showing dwight? ewing didnt have a great post up game. howard needed to change his whole shooting form this past summer and he didnt. he has no idea how good he can be.
December 10th, 2009 at 8:02 am
funkalot says:
Illest,
Dwight does underachieve. It is puzzling that his game has not gotten better under Ewing’s tutelage, since he was instrumental in Yao’s development with Houston.
Plus, being at G’town, Big John always had Bill Russell come in and run big man clinics,that is how Ewing, Mourning and Mutombo developed.
Also, you have Pete Newell’s Big Man camp, and guys like Olajuwon out there for tutoring. Dwight’s lack of progress underscores your point on a Big not being 100% into ball. THis young man should be much farther ahead, no excuses.
December 10th, 2009 at 9:50 am
illest says:
funk….exactly funk.
December 14th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
ali says:
i see some slight improvements in dwight’s game. there are flashes, but he is far too reliant on his strength and athleticism. but that doesn’t mean that he’s not interested. the kid is having a ball out there, showing an appreciation and joy for the game.
December 15th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
illest says:
where is the improvement? he plays the same exact game as last season. its good to appreciate and enjoy the game. but his offensive game still hasnt improved. hes only been in the league a few years so he has plenty of time. but why not now? he should be averaging in the 30s. just like amare. its ridiculous that with his leaping ability and quickness that he cant average 10 rebounds a game. he should be averaging at least 13-15 boards a game not 8 and 9 a game.