Blasted by the critics for his fadeout in the Game 5 loss to Toronto last spring that eliminated the Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, Allan Houston has responded with a preseason performance that suggests his jumper is as pure as it has ever been.

Although he suffered through a 3-for-11 shooting performance in the Knicks' 107-90 loss to the Spurs Friday at the Alamodome, Houston has shot 46.4 percent from the field in the preseason despite rules permitting zone defense.

The long summer vacation seems to have refreshed Houston, who came into last season feeling run down after a couple of months preparing for and playing in the Olympics. "I've had a lot of time to work on it and get my legs under me," Houston said after his 24 points helped produce a 98-91 win Wednesday night in Phoenix. "I can tell the difference from last year, especially by my jump shooting."