Allan Houston says his knees feel better than they have in a long time, yet he still plans to be extra cautious when training camp opens for the New York Knicks.

"I probably could go out there and start right now, but I don't want to because I'm being cautious," said Houston, who missed the playoffs and 13 of the Knicks' final 14 regular-season games due to soreness in his left knee.

Houston's right knee underwent microfracture surgery in 2003, and he believes he injured the left knee by coming back too soon at the start of the 2003-04 season and overcompensating for the pain. His decision to remain cautious in training camp reflected his desire not to make the same mistake twice.

"I've been in this league 12 years, I'll know when I'm ready," Houston said. "I just want to be surer than sure."

Houston averaged 18.5 points last season for the Knicks, who were swept by the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the playoffs.

Houston, who joined the Knicks in 1996, has the longest tenure of any member of the team. He averaged a career-high 22.5 points in 2002-03.