http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/story/221567p-190431c.html
BY SAM STEIN
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

Allan Houston's aching knees kept him out of 32 games last season, and when he was unable to suit up for the playoffs, the Knicks desperately missed him as they lost four straight first-round games to the Nets.
When Houston finally gets healthy again, he'll be part of a very different team thanks to last week's trade that brought guard Jamal Crawford and forward Jerome Williams from the Bulls for Dikembe Mutombo, Othella Harrington, Frank Williams and Cezary Trybanski.

In fact, the 24-year-old Crawford may even push Houston for playing time, especially if health woes continue for the veteran shooting guard. But the 33-year-old Houston is glad to have Crawford aboard.

"Jamal gives us depth," Houston said yesterday at a "Read to Achieve" event at Macy's in midtown. "When you look at teams that go far and win they have depth in that position. He can give us some quality minutes and you have to have that."

Houston believes he'll be physically ready for training camp, but said, "my body is telling me to take it step by step."

Houston seemed more inclined to view Crawford as a protege than as a competitor for minutes, but knows that Crawford, who averaged 17.3 points per game last season, will likely replace him down the road.

"I wanna help him become a better player than he already is," Houston said. "We got to get to know each other and do what it takes. Maybe we'll have some slumber parties or something."

Originally published on August 13, 2004