Allan Houston was the "best player" on the New York Knicks last season.

At least that's the opinion of incoming coach Larry Brown, who plans to have the chronically sore-kneed shooting guard ready to go when training camp begins next week.

Meeting with reporters Thursday for the first time since he was hired, Brown had only complimentary things to say regarding nearly everything Knick-related -- from Jerome James' desire to Nate Robinson's potential to Maurice Taylor's enthusiasm.

Brown even said he anticipated working again with Stephon Marbury, although he may have slighted the self-proclaimed best point guard in the NBA during the process.

Asked to give his impression of what went wrong for the Knicks last season after they ended December with a 16-13 record, Brown brought up the knee injury that has kept Houston sidelined for the better part of the past two seasons.

"They started out pretty darn good, but when you lose an Allan Houston, you know, your best player, it's pretty difficult to overcome that," Brown said.