Knicks Memories Fresh in Houston’s Mind

• PHOTO GALLERY: HOUSTON'S YEARS WITH KNICKS

During his nine full seasons with the Knicks, guard Allan Houston established himself as one of the greatest players in the team's history.

Between 1999-00 and 2003-04, Houston never averaged fewer than 18.5 points per game. That included a pair of seasons over the 20-point mark and a pair of NBA All-Star selections in 1999-00 and 2000-01.

Best remembered for his game-winning shot against Miami in the first round of the 1999 NBA Playoffs, Houston retired in October 2005 at the age of 34. NYKnicks.com recently caught up with Houston at a local charity golf event, and asked him to reflect on his Knicks experience in this exclusive interview:

Question: What went into your decision to sign with the Knicks as a 25-year-old free agent back in 1996?

Houston: Ultimately, the decision came down to being in an environment where you were expected and prepared to win. That, above anything else, to be in that kind of environment where winning is paramount is the reason for coming here. Being in New York to play with some of the greatest players to ever play, that was really second when it came to the fact that I was going to be able to win.

Question: What was it like being able to call Madison Square Garden home for all those years?

Houston: When you talk about playing in Madison Square Garden every night here in New York, I mean, I didn't know what to expect, but it was ten times more than I could have ever dreamed. I have people from all over the world, even today, talk about how much it meant to see us play. When you go all over the world and people notice you, and that's cause you've been in New York, that's pretty special. That is something I will never take for granted.

Question: The Knicks had a long and storied history before you got there. Now you hold some of the team records and are mentioned in the same breath as Willis Reed, Walt Frazier and other greats. What is that like?

Houston: I get chills when I think about what that means. I really do. When people come up and say that to me, that they mention me in the same sentence with those guys and the history of the Knicks, it just means a lot. All I ever wanted to do was just get better every year I played. I had no goals in terms of going down in history. Every year I played I just wanted to continue to get better. To know that you are even part of history like that, I don't take it for granted. I look at it as a special, special thing and I thank God for it. It was a blessing to be a part of it every single day. I look at who I got to play with, and even lasting in New York that long was a miracle! (laughs)

Question: How was it coming in when there was already an established, popular player at shooting guard in John Starks?

Houston: The first experience I ever had with a teammate in New York when I first signed was with John walking into the locker room. He gave me a big hug and said welcome. I thought this showed a lot about his character. This was the guy who I'd be competing for his spot. And he welcomed me. From that day forward, I always had a lot of respect for who he was. And, obviously, playing with him, his intensity and desire, he is just a great guy. We had a lot of talks about how we could get better as individuals. I'm fortunate to be able to have had a relationship with him over the years.

Question: What other former Knicks teammates do you still keep in contact with?

Houston: I still talk with John, Herb (Williams), Patrick (Ewing), Charlie Ward, Kurt Thomas. Those are most of the guys I talk to.

Question: What would you say was your defining moment as a Knick?

Houston: I think a lot of people would say the shot against Miami, but it's more after the shot when we went to the Finals. The Indiana series, when Reggie and the Pacers had haunted so many people in the past, I had a good Game 6 to beat them and get to the Finals. And then my daughter was born. I look at that as more important because the only reason people think of that history or time period is because of that time. The playoffs. It's not because you win 50 games. It's what you do in May and June. So to me, that is when players are defined, in those games and those moments. To me, to be a part of that was special.

Question: There were two main Knicks rivalries that you were a part of: Miami and Indiana. Which was the more intense of the two?

Houston: The Heat, by far. That was the most intense and got me amped up. That's also the one I got the least amount of sleep in. Those rivalries, you couldn't even calm down or relax yourself to play. They were so intense. We mirrored each other, from our styles of play to our coaches. The amazing thing, too, is when we'd go to Miami we'd have a lot of New York fans, so it was crazy. It was a really intense rivalry.

Question: You mentioned the shot that beat Miami in the last second of Game 5 of the 1999 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. That play took a bit of time to develop with it bouncing of the rim. What was going through your head the second the ball left your hand? Did you think it was going in?

Houston: No, I really didn't. Not at all. That's why I jumped and tried to time my jump before everybody else to tip it in. That's happened before where its short and I've timed it to tip it in. Then after that I didn't know what to do. I didn't know where to go or where to run. I probably would have ended up in the locker room if they hadn't caught me (laughs). All those emotions just caught up with me at the same time.