Allan Houston has asked once again to go on the disabled list, this time for a worsening condition of "gingivitis," teams officials said. Houston, who recently rejoined the Knicks' roster after a long absence due to knee problems, said he was discouraged to have to leave the team again, but that he "couldn't fool around with this."

"This is about my future, my family," Houston said gravely. He was scheduled to fly to Boston for aggressive treatments of the gum disease that "runs in my family."

The Knicks' team dentist, Arnold Schmeckler, DDM, said that Houston was worked-up "inside and out" by medical specialists who, as usual, "found nothing to substantiate his complaints."

Schmeckler was then asked, as a last resort, to examine Houston, and diagnosed a "mild case of gingivitis."

"Ninety-percent of the population over 30 has this level of gum disease or worse," Schmeckler said. "But Allan was very concerned. In fact, as soon as I mentioned 'gingivitis,' he expressed that his knee suddenly hurt excruciatingly."

Schmeckler said that Houston asked him if there was a link between gingivitis and knee pain, "and I told him no, that's ridiculous. You're fine. Your knee's fine, and daily flossing and gurgling with a good mouthwash will reverse the gingivitis. You can play; none of this hinders you."

Nevertheless, asserting that "I know my body, I know when something's wrong," Houston informed Isiah Thomas, the team's general manager, yesterday of his plan to seek treatment in Boston for "my advanced oral disease."

"I told Isiah I'd be back as soon I could. He knows how hard this is for me, not to be there for the guys. But with this gingivitis, you know…I gotta take care of it."

Houston had been inconsistent in his brief return; his departure coincides with the return of Jamal Crawford who, while also erratic, has never been sidelined with gingivitis.