My two weeks in Las Vegas at the Impact League turned out great. I got to know over 30 NBA players, got a chance to meet union president Derek Fisher to get insight on the lockout, bumped into Barry Bonds at the Venetian, watched a friend play blackjack at a table with boxer Victor Ortiz and finally played some basketball alongside my future Knicks teammate Chauncey Billups.
HAPPENS IN VEGAS: Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert says he has benefited from playing in the Impact League in Las Vegas during the lockout with future teammate Chauncey Billups (right).
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HAPPENS IN VEGAS: Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert says he has benefited from playing in the Impact League in Las Vegas during the lockout with future teammate Chauncey Billups (right).

I couldn't be happier with the Vegas experience, with league play ending Friday. I know most people's stories from Vegas are cliche due to the gambling and partying, but this was a pure business trip for me. I chose not to stay in a hotel because I DO NOT GAMBLE. I rented an apartment off The Strip. Thank God.

I tried my first slot machine to say I'd done it. I started with 20 dollars, played an hour and cashed out for 35 cents. Won't be doing that anymore, even with my first NBA check, whenever that comes.

At first, competition was just mediocre in the Impact League, due to only having five players to a team and not everyone being in tip-top shape. Once teams began to stack up, it surely got intense -- more technical fouls, more loud trash-talking from my Vegas teammate, former Heat guard Damon Jones.

My experience with Chauncey was big. He breaks the game down, makes it simple and demands a lot out of everyone on the team. I plan to work out with him soon 1-on-1, and we will definitely see each other in a few weeks at Amar'e Stoudemire's training camp in Florida.

The best part of playing in the Impact wasn't just competing against guys like O.J. Mayo, John Wall, Rudy Gay and Kyle Lowry, but it was advice and pointers given by all the older players and encouraging words they gave me when evaluating my game.

To look on my Twitter after Day 1 and seeing Jared Dudley had shouted me out only drove me to go harder to gain respect from NBA players and turn heads in the crowd.

Myself and rookies Josh Selby, Travis Leslie and Isaiah Thomas -- not that one -- all came out to go at the older guys and we did some exciting things that our youth allows us to do. LOL. I can't tell you how many times guys like Tony Allen, who usually plays above the rim, laid the ball in and then said that they would leave the dunking to me.

I don't think any of the veteran guys have called me by name. An occasional "Shump" here and there, but mostly it's "Young Blood," "Young'n," or my favorite: "Rook".

Vegas was a nice preview for me since the lockout has handicapped my rookie experience and transition into the league. Heading to my hometown Chicago to work out this week. Until next time . . .
http://Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/class_in_session_szjcd4ufOYCxnuutAq6bpL#ixzz1ZC6SttZP

Nothin heavy, but it's interesting how this kids being embraced and he hasn't even officially been signed yet.

We've drafted a kid who seems to have great talent. As happy and surprised as people were about how well Fields played, Iman has even more talent and could possibly be an impact player for this team. What does any Knick fan have to be down about or even apathetic about when it comes to this team? We're probably just a couple of good role players away from contention. Who knows we may already have those players depending on how some of the young players workout. In any event the core of the team is at least capable of serious playoff contention, which we haven't had for years.

nixluva wrote:Nalod, I don't share your sense of humor or sarcasm. I think we've suffered for years with horrible situations for this franchise and now we finally have a team we can get behind. We've got some good kids in addition to a couple of All Stars in their prime. I'm not being overly optimistic given the circumstances.

We've drafted a kid who seems to have great talent. As happy and surprised as people were about how well Fields played, Iman has even more talent and could possibly be an impact player for this team. What does any Knick fan have to be down about or even apathetic about when it comes to this team? We're probably just a couple of good role players away from contention. Who knows we may already have those players depending on how some of the young players workout. In any event the core of the team is at least capable of serious playoff contention, which we haven't had for years.

I'm keeping out of the bigger debate

I do think your enthusiasm--in this case--is justified. His physical gifts make him an immediate fit on this squad. I haven't really kept my well-documented pre-draft concerns. but we've read a lot of unjustified enthusiasm when "we've suffered for years with horrible situations for this franchise."

Nalod wrote:Whoa, there is no argument here. Commentary over Nix overly optimistic views perhaps a bit obnoxious on my part but just some lite ribbing where there is not spice on the UK these days........

Some guys like the banter, some don't. No intentions to hurt anyone.

Rooting for the Knicks is like going to the Candy mountain. Isiah is waiting to take your kidney.

I thought Candy Mountain was hilarious, even if I appreciate Nix' optimistic take on our team.

Moonangie wrote:

Nalod wrote:Whoa, there is no argument here. Commentary over Nix overly optimistic views perhaps a bit obnoxious on my part but just some lite ribbing where there is not spice on the UK these days........

Some guys like the banter, some don't. No intentions to hurt anyone.

Rooting for the Knicks is like going to the Candy mountain. Isiah is waiting to take your kidney.

I thought Candy Mountain was hilarious, even if I appreciate Nix' optimistic take on our team.

Personally, Isiah collecting kidneys is pure gold.

It is hard to compare him, not seeing him vs NBA competition. He does have the tools and ceiling to becoming a star in the future.
Cp3 when healthy is one of the best pure PG's in the league however, he doesn't fit our defensive needs. With the way the charity games have been, Cp3 has been teaming up with Amare and Melo. Shumpert can become a lockdown defender used to guard the NBA elites, a player we simply need compete for a finals appearance.
We can just hope, we would play out the year, watching how this kid develops.

The only thing I think would keep the Knicks from trading him for Cp3, a proven all star PG, is the possibility of adding Dwight Howard in the summer. I think NO would be trying to unload their undersized center, Ok4. However, we would not be able to take on his contract. Jack and Ariza are also 2 players I have interest in.

I pray we don't pull another Melo, wait out the year and try to add to our core vs trading the farm for 1 player. Reevaluate what we have, what is open in FA, and what we need to take us to the next level during next summer.

RonRon wrote:As much as I hate it, I fear Nalod could be right.
If Shumpert show the qualities that he can be a rising star at PG/SG, there is a good chance he would be asked for in exchange for Cp3 and whatever we have left.
I don't know if he would Shumpert would be "untouchable" because the team seems so intrigued to add the 3 headed monster we have been seeking.

It is hard to compare him, not seeing him vs NBA competition. He does have the tools and ceiling to becoming a star in the future.
Cp3 when healthy is one of the best pure PG's in the league however, he doesn't fit our defensive needs. With the way the charity games have been, Cp3 has been teaming up with Amare and Melo. Shumpert can become a lockdown defender used to guard the NBA elites, a player we simply need compete for a finals appearance.
We can just hope, we would play out the year, watching how this kid develops.

The only thing I think would keep the Knicks from trading him for Cp3, a proven all star PG, is the possibility of adding Dwight Howard in the summer. I think NO would be trying to unload their undersized center, Ok4. However, we would not be able to take on his contract. Jack and Ariza are also 2 players I have interest in.

I pray we don't pull another Melo, wait out the year and try to add to our core vs trading the farm for 1 player. Reevaluate what we have, what is open in FA, and what we need to take us to the next level during next summer.

Shump could be a bust.