<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><div align="center"></div> ALLAN WELCOMES CRAWFORD By MARC BERMAN August 13, 2004 -- A still-rehabbing Allan Houston extended an olive branch to the new young stud on the block, Jamal Crawford, heading off a potential controversy over playing time. Houston, who plans to be at full strength by the start of training camp Oct. 5, said he wants to be Crawford's mentor. Houston compared Crawford's arrival to when he left Detroit for New York eight years ago to share the shooting guard role with John Starks ? an indication he's ready for a reduced role. "Joe Dumars and John Starks were people I consider mentors," Houston said yesterday at a Read-To-Achieve event at Macy's in Midtown. "Jamal is in his career where I was, coming from Detroit. Whatever he's willing to take in, I'm willing to help him. I want to do the same thing John Starks did with me. I want to help him become better than he already is, on and off the court." Houston isn't ready to pass the torch, however, still feeling his knees will be healthy. Though he says, "I'm where I want to be at this point" in his rehab, Houston admitted, "I still have a ways to go." It has been 4 1/2 months since he has played and is still only doing shooting and court drills, having yet to scrimmage. "My goal has always been to do drills on the court in August," said Houston. "I still have a ways to go, but I'm right where my goal is. My goal is to play in August and I think in a couple of weeks I'll be able to go out and play. "The key right now is the progression. I'm being very smart so I can be my strongest not now, but when I need to be. To sit out that long and be ready to play at that intensity, you have to build up to that. That's what happened last summer. I tried to come in and go all out without making progressions. That's why I had a setback." </div> Read the Rest
Houston is a good guy he will be a good mentor for crawford. I am sure he will try his best not sure how willing crawford will be to listen though as he sort of has a me first attitude about everything he does. I actually think the reason Houston doesnt mind a reduced role is because he is still getting paid the big bucks. He will be a good mentor for crawford, but crawford is no Allan Houston tring to teach him how to take better shots will be hard if he doesnt have the work ethic. I dont know how long Houston's mentor role in new york will last as a guy with the size contract he has will not be getting paid that type of money to play 25-28 minutes a night. Mabye they will try to move him although he seems unmovable mabye a trade with the kings for c-webb or something may take place.
