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steve smith part deux
Well I guess the Reggie Miller talk has all kinds of veterans coming out of the woodwork.
The article below is an interesting read. Houston is only 36 (just about right for this team), a great shooter, and a class guy.
Would you mind if the Spurs added him to this squad?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2967380
As you can see, it mentions the Spurs, but only as a "logical destination". Still, I'd bet they issue a courtesy call.Houston working out with eye on returning to NBA
By Chris Broussard
ESPN The Magazine
Reggie Miller is not the only former All-Star shooting guard considering a comeback. Allan Houston, one of the deadliest jump shooters of the past 15 years, is also looking to return to the NBA.
"It's something I'd like to do,'' Houston said in a telephone interview Thursday morning. "It's just a matter of getting myself back in game shape and getting used to playing again.''
Houston, 36, was forced into retirement in October 2005 after an arthritic left knee limited him to just 70 games over the previous two seasons. In 2002-2003, his last full season, he led the Knicks and finished 10th in the NBA with a career-high 22.5 point scoring average.
Houston, who worked as an NBA analyst for ESPN last season, said he has been working out hard for more than a month and that his knee feels great. He recently played in high-caliber (though not NBA level) summer league games in New York and plans to work out in Las Vegas with a personal basketball trainer later this month.
He would not discuss which, if any, teams have shown interest in signing him, but sources say Dallas and Cleveland headline the list of interested clubs. Boston, which has contacted Miller about a comeback, Phoenix, Miami and perhaps San Antonio, are also teams that would be logical destinations.
Out of courtesy, Houston informed Knicks owner James L. Dolan of his comeback attempt earlier this summer, and Dolan has allowed him to train at the Knicks' practice facility. It is not clear whether the Knicks would be interested in signing him, but Houston, who lives in nearby Connecticut, said he would not rule out a return to the place he played the last nine seasons of his 12-year career.
Houston, a career 17.3 point scorer, was still near the top of his game when he retired. He averaged 18.5 points in 50 games during the 2003-04 season, and while visibly struggling through knee pain, still managed to average 11.9 points in 26 minutes during his 20-game stint in 2004-05.
However, the two-time all-star and 2000 Olympic gold medalist is not expecting to return as a 20-point scorer.
"I'm looking to play a supporting role to some of these great young stars,'' Houston said. "More of a leadership role, someone who can add experience and stability late in games. I don't expect my scoring and my minutes to be what they used to, but at the same time, I'm not looking to just be a decoy out there. I'd like to have some kind of role.''
Chris Broussard covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine
What do you think of the possibility?
steve smith part deux
He recently played in high-caliber (though not NBA level) summer league games in New York
Hahah someone's been living at the Rucker this summer...
"high caliber"
Allan Houston
Age: 36
Last NBA job: New York (2004-05 season)
Rate Houston as a much more likely candidate to return to the hardwood than Miller. He's younger, obviously, and he's not hesitating like Reggie; both have been away from the game for two seasons, but Miller, who last played in 2004-05, is understandably torn about his ability to unretire at 42.
Houston? As ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reported Thursday, he has already committed to a comeback after a season of TV work at ESPN.
The challenge for both of these decorated marksmen would be the same. They'll have to adjust quickly to the speed and athleticism all around them -- not something easy to relocate after a long layoff -- or they won't find the rhythm to consistently make shots.
Neither, though, is struggling to attract interest.
An executive from one interested team, in Houston's case, said he's been told to operate on the assumption that "everything goes through the Knicks." In other words, Houston is expected to give New York the first crack at re-signing him after an arthritic left knee limited the sharpshooter to 70 games over two seasons before his October 2005 departure.
Yet Houston's camp, according to NBA front-office sources, has already reached out to contenders such as San Antonio and Cleveland and is open to alternative destinations.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/column...=comebacktrail
Old shooting guards in a league that keeps getting quicker and more athletic = disaster.
He and Reggie should just stay home and enjoy their mint...
However, he used to be a Spur killer, and he can flat out shoot. I wouldn't object to him for the vet min if the Spurs thought he could make a difference.
They should make him play Reggie 1-on-1 with the winner getting the Celtics' job.
If Bruce can cover Allan's man and his own simultaneously then I say ok.
I bet Miami could fit him in
Trail of Tears
Now that's reality TV that people would actually tune in for....
Houston? That must be a joke. However, every over the hill baller does end up here sooner or later - Sleepy Floyd, Vinny Johnson, Glenn Robinson, Moses Malone, Dominique, Nick Van Exel, the list goes on....
Sure, why not.
Dude was one of the best shooters ever to play.
If he can hang, his jumper would be great.
If we're talking about him as an end-of-the-bench-type player, then you could certainly do a whole lot worse.
He should go to Miami; they could use some young legs on that team.
On a team that goes cold offensively from time to time, it's nice to have a guy that can hit open jumpers. That role has been valuable on the Spurs from Glenn Robinson back to Antoine Carr. From Big Dog to Big Dog. I'd take a chance on Houston if there's a spot left, just for that reason.
I hear Dale Ellis is available.
whenever spurs are mention = bs marketing tactics
i bet yah some rival is goin to sign him
Bring on Len Bias.
John Starks! Anthony Mason!
Houston's two months older than Bowen; he'd be the second oldest guy on the Spurs. Dale Ellis isn't even remotely the player I described, and he's as old as Julio Franco.
allen is really ty with his boring and robotic analyis on NBA Matchup...maybe ESPN let him know beforehand that he was going to get let go.
crazy ma er
I would sign him. Pop is great at managing minutes.
I agree why not. Never can have too many shooters. And unlike Reggie he can create of the dribble. (well could anyway)
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