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| Shumpert won't be back soon. (Getty Images) |
There had been talk that Knicks guard Iman Shumpert could return from his ACL tear before the new year. But in an interview with the New York Post, Shumpert shut that down hard.
Iman Shumpert’s goal is to come back to the Knicks better — not quicker.
That is why nobody is rushing him. In fact, Shumpert, in a rare interview, told The Post don’t expect a December return. If you are a betting man, Shumpert said January is likelier.
The reasons are clear. Shumpert, the lone, young, rising star on the Knicks’ ancient roster, doesn’t want any dropoff from his rookie season of excellence.
“What you all are saying is not what we’re going by,’’ Shumpert told The Post before last night’s 110-88 victory over the 76ers that improved the Knicks to 3-0. “January, February is what we’re aiming for. I’m just trying to get healthy. When I get healthy, I’ll return to the court. I’m not going to come back and not be able to do the things I did last year and a little more. I want to come back and add something.’’
via Knicks' Shumpert expects January return - NYPOST.com.
The Knicks have started off just fine without the youngster, and taking the approach to getting him 100 percent is a much better plan. The Knicks have some depth with the two-point-guard lineups they've been using featuring Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni with Raymond Felton and J.R. Smith looks to be playing the best ball of his career.
Shumpert needs to make sure he recovers 100 percent and can get back for the playoffs. This isn't last season with a maddening schedule and a short run. He's got months. If he's not back before March, that's even fine. They've just got to get him to be 100 percent.
From there, it's just about getting him back into condition and getting him to fit in on this team. Shumpert has shown the talent to convince the Knicks to invest long-term. And from the sounds of it, it's a good thing, because even January seems awfully iffy.
