MIAMI — Knicks assistant general manager Allan Houston is the expert on surviving a shortened, lockout schedule, turmoil, a bad seed, facing a tough Miami team in the first round, posting the upset and then getting within three wins of a championship.
Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson, in fact, asked Houston and recent front-office hire Larry Johnson, also part of the 1999 Finals team, to speak to the club this week for inspiration on what could still be. Houston’s magical series-winning runner off the rim and glass knocked No. 1 seed Miami out 13 years ago in Round 1.
That club also fought through tumult, including then-coach Jeff Van Gundy nearly getting fired and Latrell Sprewell’s and Marcus Camby’s awkward additions to the club. There was a coach-GM feud and even a report Phil Jackson was being actively courted.
“It was just how much we had to fight to get to that point,’’ Houston said of 1999. “These guys have done the same thing. They fought. They’ve gone through a lot to get to this point. They’ve gone though a lot of ups and downs. They remained a team. Nobody made excuses. In that way, it’s very similar. ’’
Houston said his talk was “mostly about them and the potential they had.’’
Houston’s heroic shot occurred in the old Miami Arena and it’s rare when he does not hear about it when in South Florida. Houston, who turned 41 last week, still has his touch — making two halfcourt heaves during the All-Star Weekend Shooting Stars competition.
“People remind me when I’m here,’’ Houston said. “It’s great history. It’s exciting to be part of what this team can do. We got a lot of dynamics. It’s exciting to see them coming together and just sacrifice. Nobody pointed fingers this year. Nobody doubted.’’
Houston has worked with Landry Fields on his shot and has been very hands-on in recent weeks, traveling with the club and sitting behind the bench.
“Last year [Fields] was playing with confidence, he has impact on game in so many ways outside of just shooting,’’ Houston said.
* Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert, a candidate for the All-Defense Team, will get to cover Dwyane Wade, a fellow Chicagoan.
“I’m used to it, knowing he’s from Chicago, his style of play,’’ Shumpert said. “I’m used to playing against that. I grew up playing against it. I feel there is a Chicago style. I can’t explain it to you but I know you can tell where everybody’s from just from their crossovers.’’
* Sources say Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire have grown closer because of all the talk they can’t play together.
“Before when we used to hear it, we tried not to pay attention to it,’’ Anthony said. “The more we started hearing it, the more we started getting closer and talking about it.’’
Anthony said he also wants to make sure Stoudemire is ready to assume a larger role after playing just four games in his comeback from a bulging disk that forced him to miss 13 straight games.
“It’s something me and Amar’e, we talked about it,’’ Anthony said. “I asked him how he felt out there as far as comfortable on the court being only a few games back and he said he’ ready to go. At same time we have to be on the same page and lead this team where we want it to go.”