Iman Shumpert Expects to Return in January or February


According to Iman Shumpert, his recovery from a torn ACL in his left knee won’t be complete until sometime early in 2013. The second-year guard wants to ensure he is fully healthy before rejoining the Knicks. Reports the NY Post: “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 said. ‘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.’ … ‘It’s going to be a sight to see when we’re back at full strength,’ Shumpert said. ‘It’s going to be nice when we’re all together. We’re deep in every position. I’m happy and excited.’ This is a deeper team than last year’s and that has given Shumpert and the organization more reason to be patient. ‘It hurts a little bit to be watching these guys,’ Shumpert said. ‘I got myself and Amar’e, We’re all getting ready. It could be as easy as December, but I’m not aiming at December. When I feel my knee’s right, that’s when I’m going to come back. January, February, that’s the target. If you can talk to my knee, I’d love you to write what it says.’”