New York Knicks reserve guard Penny Hardaway is working out with a physical therapist in Houston to try to strengthen his knee so that he can return to the team.

"We're not trying to reinvent the wheel and make me fly through the air again like when I was 21, but be able to go out there and just be able to run and function without any problems," Hardaway told Houston television station KRIV.

The Knicks gave Hardaway permission to work out independently. He's training with former NBA head coach John Lucas and physical therapist Russ Paine to fully complete his recovery from knee surgery three years ago.

Paine said it will take four to six weeks to make significant strength gains.