Knicks' Allan Houston to Retire

Allan Houston, one of the greatest players in New York Knickerbockers history, today moves from playing professional basketball into the next stage of life. After 12 seasons in the NBA, including nine in New York, the 34-year-old guard finishes his career as one of the most prolific scorers in franchise annals and as the NBA's 11th best three-point shooter of all-time. A highly-respected man amongst his peers and pillar of the community, Houston will also be forever remembered as one of the purest clutch long-range shooters in NBA history.

"My career as an NBA player and member of the New York Knicks must unfortunately come to an end," Houston said. "Over the last two years, I have done everything I could possibly do to get back on the court, but injuries to my knee would not allow me to do it. While it is extremely disappointing to not be in a Knick uniform again, I feel that it is in the best interests of my family and the franchise that I move on.

"I hope that all of our fans realize how much of an honor and privilege it was to represent them and New York at Madison Square Garden for all of these years. When I arrived as a free agent in 1996, it was truly a blessing to be surrounded by the greats: Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks, Larry Johnson and Charlie Ward, to name a few. As time moved on, I have been fortunate to play for and with other great coaches and teammates. I can honestly say that we tried to give our fans 100-percent each and every night. I also thank the fans and the Knicks organization for all their support, and giving me some of the most memorable experiences of my life. I will forever be a Knick and a New Yorker."

Allan Houston's decision to retire with two years left on his contract could save the Knicks as much as $72 million, although it will not provide any salary cap flexibility.

Houston retired for medical reasons - a chronic knee injury - so the N.B.A.'s insurance carrier will pay 80 percent of his remaining salary, or $32 million over the next two seasons. The Knicks will pay the other $8 million.

Typically, a team must also pay a deductible equivalent to 41 games of salary, but the Knicks already satisfied that requirement last season, when Houston played only 20 games.

What is not known is how much the Knicks will save in luxury-tax payments, which the team is expected to apply for as soon as Tuesday.

Teams that are over the luxury-tax threshold pay a dollar-for-dollar tax, meaning Houston's contract would cost an additional $40 million. But the Knicks will ask the league to remove Houston from the salary cap - and thus remove the luxury tax burden - on the premise that he was forced to retire because of injury.

A league doctor will determine when that injury first occurred. Based on that date, the league will determine when Houston's salary will be removed from the cap. Houston has not played since Jan. 19 - and he sustained the injury months before that - so it is conceivable the league will grant some cap relief for this season.

Alternatively, the league could keep part or all of Houston's salary on the books this season, but grant relief for the 2006-7 season.

Even without Houston's salary, however, the Knicks' payroll would exceed $100 million this season and $80 million in 2006-7. The current salary cap is $49.5 million.

bout time.

You're criticising him for trying to come back still. Who are you exactly, somebody who has made the nba? You are in no position to criticise him. He tried his best to return, but it just didnt hold up. Its not his fault the pre Isiah management offered him 100 million dollars.

And people think Isiah is a bad GM..

Dude, people have different opinions, but you start calling names when somebody doesn't think the same as you. Whether I made the NBA has nothing to do with this at all, neither does whoever offered his contract back then.
If he had continued playing like he did in his contract year, he would have deserved a large contract (this large, I don't know). All I say is that I really hate they cut JYD instead of him. JYD at least had some years left in the tank and Houston obviously struggled to come back. Plus, I've never said Isiah is a bad GM.

"Oh, the choice is sooo hard..
We get a special opportunity, should we cut a game-ready player with a pretty big contract or a guy that has been injured for a while with the largest contract possible?"

I totally agree with cklitsie but I think the Knicks hoped Houston would come back. but sure a healthy houston is better than a healthy JYD. but they geussed wrong and know they got nothing. sad for JYD he retired and sad for houston that he can't come back.

JYD could come out of retirement.

Ah the old "people have different opinions" excuse. The fact is you are criticising him for trying to come back and help the knicks. Actually, you said hate him even more now, which is much worse than just simply criticising him.

How funny it is: you can deal out criticims but when others hand it to you, you cant take it.

Plus i never said you said that Isiah is a bad gm. Not everything i post is directed towards you.

But, to point out how stupid you are exactly. JYD isnt what New York needs. Where would he get minutes? Richardson, Ariza, penny are all ahead of him, and they are all better than Williams. Also, by cutting JYD and Allan Houston retiring, the NBA picks up the bulk of his contract becuase of insurance. They have killed 2 birds with one stone. I know that doesnt come of their cap, but thats insignificant becuase they are so over the cap anyway.

JYD was by far the Knicks best hustler, rebounder and defender. Why cut him, especially since he was healthy and at the very least had trade value.

I suppose it isn't completely out of the blue, though after he avoided the cut that had been nicknamed in his honour it seemed he was poised for a return. While he may have become a poster player for overpaid players in recent times, that shouldn't completely overshadow his contributions to the Knicks during his tenure in New York, especially during the 1999 run. But the $100 mil was definitely an example of one of Layden's blunders.

Ah the old "people have different opinions" excuse.

What else was your oh-so-good reason for immediately calling names then?

How funny it is: you can deal out criticims but when others hand it to you, you cant take it.

I can take criticism very well, but not the way you gave it.

But, to point out how stupid you are exactly. JYD isnt what New York needs. Where would he get minutes? Richardson, Ariza, penny are all ahead of him, and they are all better than Williams.

Please forgive me for having an opinion. Any team can use a player like JYD. Penny doesn't play the same way as JYD at all, so they could very well be on the court at the same time, Penny at the PG/SG and JYD at the SF/PF (althought undersized). Richardson can play SG and so does Ariza, even if they would only play the SF, Jerome could still back them up and find minutes at the SF/PF.
He wouldn't get 15 minutes a game like last season, but there's always playing time for a hustle player like him. He's the perfect guy to play when the other team is resting their starters too.

cklitsie you are so wrong about JYD getting minutes this coming season... New York has a very wide roster at the moment and the only minutes Williams could possibly get, would be at the small forward slot.

Q and Ariza will be playing SF as there are Crawford, Marbury and Nate to man the guard positions... After these, Penny will fill in with the time they leave open.

On the front court they've got Malik Rose, Curry, Jerome James and the two rookies and I'm sure I've left someone out of the mix already...

There is simply no minutes left for anyone else to play in each game... There might be games when there are some foul trouble, but barring those 3 games in a season, there is no time to spare for Williams. Not on the Knicks roster...

Maybe with another team, but this Knicks team is stocked and in no need for anyone at any position...

Houston's comeback attempts have been heroic at least... A very difficult injury and he just wouldn't give up until this last final attempt. A commendable effort and he exhausted all the options before accepting that his body couldn't handle it. Shame... Wish him all the luck in his future endeavours.

JYD was by far the Knicks best hustler, rebounder and defender. Why cut him, especially since he was healthy and at the very least had trade value.

No he wasnt. He was by far the most overpaid knick, and thats saying somthing. JYD isn't the small forward version of Ben Wallace. He offers no help defense, plays decent on the ball defense, is a terrible shooter and cant dribble. in other words, he's useless.

and he had absolutely no trade value. who would want him? they wont even pick him up off waivers.

I suppose it isn't completely out of the blue, though after he avoided the cut that had been nicknamed in his honour it seemed he was poised for a return. While he may have become a poster player for overpaid players in recent times, that shouldn't completely overshadow his contributions to the Knicks during his tenure in New York, especially during the 1999 run. But the $100 mil was definitely an example of one of Layden's blunders.

but he shouldnt be held accountable for it. he got offered a great deal and signed. nobody can fault him for that.

What else was your oh-so-good reason for immediately calling names then?

I can take criticism very well, but not the way you gave it.

Please forgive me for having an opinion. Any team can use a player like JYD. Penny doesn't play the same way as JYD at all, so they could very well be on the court at the same time, Penny at the PG/SG and JYD at the SF/PF (althought undersized). Richardson can play SG and so does Ariza, even if they would only play the SF, Jerome could still back them up and find minutes at the SF/PF.

where would they get minutes for him then? assuming nate robinson, penny, and ariza are all backups. jyd is not worth being the 11th or 12th man, and was worthyof being released.

He wouldn't get 15 minutes a game like last season, but there's always playing time for a hustle player like him. He's the perfect guy to play when the other team is resting their starters too.

Which is why teams are rushing to sign him. Oh wait, isnt he retired? Therefore the knicks got rid of his salary, plus got 80% of their money back with houston. What a terrible deal for new york! they should have swallowed the entire amount remaining on houstons deal, and kept jyd and his stupid contract just to play him in garbage time!

but he shouldnt be held accountable for it. he got offered a great deal and signed. nobody can fault him for that.

Oh of course. Not many of us would knock back a pay rise we didn't necessarily deserve compared to our peers. That was a management blunder, no question.

He was by far the most overpaid knick, and thats saying somthing

Yeah, if you disregard Crawford, Marbury, Houston, Richardson, Curry, James, Hardaway.

He offers no help defense, plays decent on the ball defense, is a terrible shooter and cant dribble. in other words, he's useless.

He still plays better man to man D than any other Knicks player and has a decent mid range shot. He's not a go to guy, but unlike most Knicks players, he's not hurting the team when he doesn't have the ball.

What the fuck, JYD doesnt have a midrange shot! You've lost all credibility in this arguement shep. And thats not even taking into account thinking that JYD is a better player money wise than crawford, marbury and richardson.

Wait hold on, isnt richardson on a similar deal to Williams? Are you saying JYD is better than Q? Haha, you idiot.

What the fuck, JYD doesnt have a midrange shot!

Obviously, you haven't seen him play much. Just because he doesn't shoot often doesn't mean he can't shoot. According to most Mavericks players, Shawn Bradley was their best mid range shooter....not Nowitzki.

And thats not even taking into account thinking that JYD is a better player money wise than crawford, marbury and richardson.

Stephon is making 16 million this year, and at the end of his contract (4 more years) he'll be making 21 million. That's a lot to pay for a loser.

Nothing needs to be said about Houston

Maurice Taylor is making 9mill a year

Hardaway @ 15

Richardson will rape the Knicks 8.7mill at the end of his contract, and Crawford will walk away with 10 million at the end of his tenure.

All overpaid. Sure JYD is too, but not as significantly as these guys.

Let me mention Marbury again, man, how did he suck Isiah Thomas into getting him. He got burnt by Shane Heal and he makes 16 million, haha.

Wait hold on, isnt richardson on a similar deal to Williams? Are you saying JYD is better than Q? Haha, you idiot

nope i never said he was better.

well anyways, enjoy watching the Knicks suck balls. Have fun with Larry Brown and the NBA's worst GM. I'm sure Jerome James and Co will provide you with many thrills.

Obviously, you haven't seen him play much. Just because he doesn't shoot often doesn't mean he can't shoot. According to most Mavericks players, Shawn Bradley was their best mid range shooter....not Nowitzki.

lol are you stupid? that has nothing to do with how jerome williams shoots. he is a terrible mid range shooter.

Stephon is making 16 million this year, and at the end of his contract (4 more years) he'll be making 21 million. That's a lot to pay for a loser.

Nothing needs to be said about Houston

Maurice Taylor is making 9mill a year

Hardaway @ 15

Richardson will rape the Knicks 8.7mill at the end of his contract, and Crawford will walk away with 10 million at the end of his tenure.

All overpaid. Sure JYD is too, but not as significantly as these guys.

Let me mention how you are comparion all of these guys end of contract figures to JYD's current total, and the fact that these guys will actually contribute. JYD did nothing for the team. Therefore, he was more overpaid.
and since when has jerome williams been such a great winner compared to marbury? hmm..

Let me mention Marbury again, man, how did he suck Isiah Thomas into getting him. He got burnt by Shane Heal and he makes 16 million, haha.

Oh yeah Shane heal is anything to go by. Apparently Darko burns Ben Wallace in training, how much must ben wallace suck. Speaking of ben wallace, what a pussy. he gets twig piston fans to fight his battles with artest. What a cocksucker.

nope i never said he was better.

if he's earning the same amount as JYD, and you say that he is better value for money, thats saying he's better.

well anyways, enjoy watching the Knicks suck balls. Have fun with Larry Brown and the NBA's worst GM. I'm sure Jerome James and Co will provide you with many thrills.

You enjoy the great draft pick named Darko sit on the bench as well yeah they pistons did great with that. Who needs wade, Melo, bosh or hinrich. We can have darko! dwayne shitznus eat your heart out. we have a new euro trash player for eddie 2.

Speaking of ben wallace, what a pussy. he gets twig piston fans to fight his battles with artest. What a cocksucker.

Well... I actually found Allan Houston to be a pretty alright player.. i didn't have a grudge against him... i was envious towards his big pay roll but eh... if he didnt get the injury.. the contract would've been worthy for him...

Good Luck Allan for the future

yeah they pistons did great with that. Who needs wade, Melo, bosh or hinrich. We can have darko! dwayne shitznus eat your heart out. we have a new euro trash player for eddie 2.

Oh.. i hate that argument about the Piston's pick .. i was arguing about it the other day...cant be bothered putting in my 2 cents...

Knicks shouldn't retire Houston's jersey....if he had of stayed injury-free and had many years at his peak then maybe you could consider it....Starks will get his number retired before Houston ever does, and I don't think Starks is in the running to get his number retired....so that is that....

Let me mention how you are comparion all of these guys end of contract figures to JYD's current total, and the fact that these guys will actually contribute

JYD's contract, now and at the end is essentially the same as far as memory goes.

Theses guys will contribute loosely, when they get hot they get hot, but when they don't make shots they aren;t doing ANYTHING for the team. No defense to speak of. Look at Iverson, when his shooting is 7-21 or something like that, his teams still has a chance to win (and often does).

since when has jerome williams been such a great winner compared to marbury?

we aren't comparing JYD to Marbury. JYD is a role player, let's make that clear. Marbury, tries (and fails) to be a star.

Oh yeah Shane heal is anything to go by. Apparently Darko burns Ben Wallace in training, how much must ben wallace suck. Speaking of ben wallace, what a pussy. he gets twig piston fans to fight his battles with artest. What a cocksucker.

Getting burnt by Shane Heal is EXTREMELY embarassing considering your the self proclaimed best point guard. It's not like Heal is quick or gifted compared to Marbury.

Good for Darko, let him burn Ben Wallace IN PRACTICE.
And Yes, Ben Wallace let the Detroit fans fight for him. It's a shame that he went AFTER Artest and Artest was backing away....then he goes psycho on the fans. I praise Ben Wallace. He didn't get himself suspended for a whole season....i love that big pussy.

You enjoy the great draft pick named Darko sit on the bench as well yeah they pistons did great with that. Who needs wade, Melo, bosh or hinrich. We can have darko! dwayne shitznus eat your heart out. we have a new euro trash player for eddie 2.

I will. We drafted Darko and won the championship. Not only are we CONTENDING each year but we have a FUTURE. Words foreign to New York Knicks fans.

Who the hell wants Melo's bitch ass anyway? Hell, even Denver wanted to draft Darko. Prince is the Pistons solution @SF. He plays DEFENSE (another foreign concept to Carmelo).

Bosh? Yes he might have been a good choice, but all indicators pointed to Darko having more potential.

Hinrich? Billups, a top 5 NBA PG is already there.

Wade? Hamilton is already there.

back on the topic of Houston....

Allan Houston in his 3rd year with Pistons > Allan Houston with Knicks

imagine a healthy Houston and Hill together during their primes, ahhh, that would have been sweet....

Hills only competition for best SF in 2000 was Garnett. Add Houston and you have an awesome tandem. The rest of Detroit sucked though.

dwayne shitznus eat your heart out. we have a new euro trash player for eddie 2.

"Ivan makes basket"

I will. We drafted Darko and won the championship. Not only are we CONTENDING each year but we have a FUTURE. Words foreign to New York Knicks fans.

Truth hurts...

I will. We drafted Darko and won the championship. Not only are we CONTENDING each year but we have a FUTURE. Words foreign to New York Knicks fans.

Very true what you said there. Too bad the Pistons didn't win last year, something which probably wouldn't have happened had they drafted Wade (or Hinrich, Bosh, etc.).

They did outlast Wade's team though...

Good no more dead weight for the Knicks.