Allan Houston spent yesterday reminiscing about “The Shot” 10 years ago, taping an MSG Network special on the Knicks’ 1999 run to The NBA Finals.
Houston, the Knicks’ assistant to Donnie Walsh, finds himself reminded of his historic last-second, game-winning shot in Miami almost every day.
Saturday marks the 10th anniversary of the May 16 epic in Miami — when Houston’s running right-hander knocked off the front rim, the backboard and into the hoop with .8 seconds left, sending Pat Riley home and New York City into a frenzy. One of the biggest shots in Knicks history rocket-launched the eighth-seeded Knicks to their first-round upset over top-seeded Miami and all the way to The Finals.
“I get reminded literally every day when I’m in New York,” Houston told The Post after the taping. “Even when I’m out of town. They remember that ride and that shot. You feel appreciative to be able to have a moment in people’s history like that.”People tell me where they were. You knew where you were at that moment. That’s what people say. They remember going out on their block and people going crazy. Some said they got hurt, hit their hand or foot on something. I hear it all.”
Houston often wonders why the shot has taken on a life of its own.
“It was the intensity of the rivalry,” Houston said. “And that season was the lock-out season, so intense. We had to win six of eight to make it to the playoffs.” It was big then, bigger now, considering the Knicks have made only bad memories since 1999. The Knicks are preparing for another lottery, with Houston chosen to sit on the Secaucus dais Tuesday. On appearance, Houston is being groomed as the Knicks’ next president.
“I just want him to get a taste of a lot of different things,” Knicks president Donnie Walsh said on why he chose Houston to represent the Knicks Tuesday.
“I feel blessed I’m in a position to learn,” Houston said. “I feel fortunate to be part of the process in trying to bring this back.”
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Houston will celebrate the 10th anniversary by kicking off his Father-Son basketball camp in Detroit tomorrow before it moves to Atlanta (May 30) and Harlem (Father’s Day Weekend).