New York Knicks: Garden history – Allan Houston

Former New York Knicks shooting guard Allan Houston is an often forgotten star. What was it that made his tenure with the Knicks worth remembering?

Allan Houston spent the majority of his career with the New York Knicks, and was beloved by fans in every borough. Even through his questionable contract years, Houston’s value was understood.

Growing Up

Houston grew up in Louisville, won a high school state title, and went to play college for his dad at Tennessee. Sounds like an amazing way to grow up.

He retired as the all-time leading scorer with the Vols’, before he was eventually passed over by Chris Lofton (remember him?). Houston’s jersey hangs in Thompson–Boling Arena and should hang in Madison Square Garden, if we’re being frank.

Pistons

Houston was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 11th overall pick. It’s weird to think about him in a different uniform. It’s like when Dwyane Wade went to play in Chicago; it just doesn’t look right.

It only kind of works because it looks like the Knicks jersey.

Knicks: Playing Career

Houston arrived from Detroit to New York during the end of the Patrick Ewing era. New York was struggling with old players who were well past their prime. They needed fresh meat, and the ribeye that arrived was Houston.

Houston came to New York, and off the bat didn’t see a lot of time due to the presence of John Starks. Houston didn’t really come on until the playoffs in 1999.

The Knicks squared off as the No. 8 seed against the heavily favored Miami Heat, who as you probably guessed from every David and Goliath story, were seeded No. 1.

He dominated the series, even hitting a game winning shot in the final game of the matchup.

It’s not really talked about that much, but the Knicks and Heat used to be big rivals.

Back to Houston, he was mostly known for being a shooter, with the best shooting form in the game. Watching him play, he was like the original Klay Thompson offensively.

Allan Houston would’ve been amazing if he played during today’s NBA. He was a born competitor, played both sides of the ball well, and mostly was a lights out shooter. In today’s spread-like NBA, he would be a huge piece for any franchise.

Knicks: Off The Court)

Growing up as a Knicks fan, I vividly remember the Knick’s PA announcer, Mike Walczewski, announcing, “Three-point goal, Allan Houston!”

Houston was one of the most underrated players during his time as a Knicks player, but he was one of the biggest influences off the court. He worked with so many youth organizations, and exemplified what it means to be a positive mentor in the community.

He’s now the assistant general manager of the Knicks, and the general manager of the Westchester Knicks. I don’t think there’s anything that this guy can’t do.

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As you can hear Chris Broussard say about the former New York Knicks star in the video above: “Great player on the court, model citizen off of it.”