Woodson said Shumpert has the edge in the competition right now because Smith is still rehabbing from offseason surgery on his left knee and is expected to miss most of the preseason.

The coach, however, will certainly keep an open mind about the position.

"I'm going to let [Smith and Shumpert] fight it out," Woodson said.

The coach had ample opportunity to start Smith last season. Instead, Smith came off the bench in all 80 games he played.

But Woodson changed mind entering this season.

"I want him to be past that Sixth Man," Woodson said. "Let somebody else get the Sixth Man if he deserves to get that starting job. Last year was last year."

Smith thrived off the bench last season for New York, averaging 18.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game and playing an integral role in the Knicks' regular-season success. But he struggled mightily in the playoffs, making just 33 percent of his field goal attempts.

Woodson said he talked to Smith about the possibility of starting at the beginning of the preseason.

"Why not grant him that opportunity?" Woodson said. "That's not to say he's going to win it, but I'm not telling him he's not going to start… [Starting] frees him up to maybe expand his game and be better for our ballclub. I don't know, but we'll see."

Woodson also revealed that Shumpert felt soreness in his surgically-repaired left knee in the offseason and came into training camp a bit out of shape.

Shumpert, who underwent ACL surgery on his left knee in April 2012, said the soreness he experienced over the summer was expected.

"They just don't want to speed me up [to make sure] I don't hurt it," he said.

Shumpert also said that he'd be fine with starting or coming off the bench for the Knicks, who are coming off a 54-win season.

"I don't really care who I play with. As long as we win, I'm happy," he said.

The Knicks' shooting guard competition may remain open early in the regular season if Smith can't take the court during the preseason. He hasn't resumed running at full speed. Woodson hopes that Smith can be back on the floor shortly before the regular season.

Once Smith is deemed healthy enough to play by team and league doctors, he will serve a five-game suspension for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy.

"I like to think he's learned his lesson," Woodson said. "Hopefully it's a learning curve for him that he'll be better for it."

JR's got the gaudy jv stats (since the regular season apparently doesn't count for anything real around UK during the offseason) and some league bling. Papa Woody holds out the starting carrot.

Shump's healthier, a year wiser, everyone knows he can D. Maybe Woody doesn't like the idea of him losing that rookie crazed drive and this is his way to keep Shump edgy and uncomfortable.

Coach Woody, is he a master motivator or a Dolanite minion who's looking to shove Shump out the door? I'm sure the lines will be drawn on this.

Gawd Daymmy, am I happy the season's almost here or what!!!!!

Woodson also revealed that Shumpert felt soreness in his surgically-repaired left knee in the offseason and came into training camp a bit out of shape.

Shumpert, who underwent ACL surgery on his left knee in April 2012, said the soreness he experienced over the summer was expected.

"They just don't want to speed me up [to make sure] I don't hurt it," he said.

Shumpert also said that he'd be fine with starting or coming off the bench for the Knicks, who are coming off a 54-win season.

"I don't really care who I play with. As long as we win, I'm happy," he said.

What I don't understand about this open competition is that JR isn't even physically able to compete following recovery of his knee surgery. How is JR supposed to win the job? What criteria is Woodson evaluating to make this type of decision?

StarksEwing1 wrote:I would liek to see Sumpert get it. When the kid is healthy he is a difrerence maker. JR had a good year last year but lets afce it he was playing for a contract. Once he got his contract he began to screw up again getting suspended

wouldn't you prefer the players that out performs the other to get it? Don't you want to see this team at its best or, would you just rather see your favorite player start. Not being facetious, I'm truly curious?

StarksEwing1 wrote:

DurzoBlint wrote:

StarksEwing1 wrote:I would liek to see Sumpert get it. When the kid is healthy he is a difrerence maker. JR had a good year last year but lets afce it he was playing for a contract. Once he got his contract he began to screw up again getting suspended

wouldn't you prefer the players that out performs the other to get it? Don't you want to see this team at its best or, would you just rather see your favorite player start. Not being facetious, I'm truly curious?

First of all i dont play favorites. It makes sense to have JR come off the bench because he fits that role better. As much of an idiot he is he had his best season as the 6th man,

And he was the 2nd option on offense the entire year...unheard of from a "6th man".

Shump was a starter, but had role player duties.

Woodson is..imo...making things official.

But who's to say JR cant play the position correctly, he did it before in Denver. and the good thing about it, his role as a starter if he gets will actually suit him better.

At best he'll be 3rd option, and wont have the high usage...everything counts now for JR without the buffer.

GustavBahler wrote:There is an article from Berman that says that Prigs will be starting again over Shumpert. While I'd rather have Shump start, it beats JR starting. It does make some sense because it helps get Bargs up to speed with the starters, and allows Felton to operate on the wing where he is quite effective.

Don't want to run Prigs into the ground either. Its why I believe its important to have Murry on the roster just in case. He's also quicker than most of our PGs as well, can also play good D. 2 of our PGs out hurt could easily happen considering this team's history over the last 3-4 years with point guards.

knickscity wrote:

StarksEwing1 wrote:

DurzoBlint wrote:

StarksEwing1 wrote:I would liek to see Sumpert get it. When the kid is healthy he is a difrerence maker. JR had a good year last year but lets afce it he was playing for a contract. Once he got his contract he began to screw up again getting suspended

wouldn't you prefer the players that out performs the other to get it? Don't you want to see this team at its best or, would you just rather see your favorite player start. Not being facetious, I'm truly curious?

First of all i dont play favorites. It makes sense to have JR come off the bench because he fits that role better. As much of an idiot he is he had his best season as the 6th man,

JR was essentially a starter, other than Melo no one tallied more minutes...he just wasnt in the game during the opening tip.

And he was the 2nd option on offense the entire year...unheard of from a "6th man".

Shump was a starter, but had role player duties.

Woodson is..imo...making things official.

But who's to say JR cant play the position correctly, he did it before in Denver. and the good thing about it, his role as a starter if he gets will actually suit him better.

At best he'll be 3rd option, and wont have the high usage...everything counts now for JR without the buffer.

TeamBall wrote:

knickscity wrote:

StarksEwing1 wrote:

DurzoBlint wrote:

StarksEwing1 wrote:I would liek to see Sumpert get it. When the kid is healthy he is a difrerence maker. JR had a good year last year but lets afce it he was playing for a contract. Once he got his contract he began to screw up again getting suspended

wouldn't you prefer the players that out performs the other to get it? Don't you want to see this team at its best or, would you just rather see your favorite player start. Not being facetious, I'm truly curious?

First of all i dont play favorites. It makes sense to have JR come off the bench because he fits that role better. As much of an idiot he is he had his best season as the 6th man,

JR was essentially a starter, other than Melo no one tallied more minutes...he just wasnt in the game during the opening tip.

And he was the 2nd option on offense the entire year...unheard of from a "6th man".

Shump was a starter, but had role player duties.

Woodson is..imo...making things official.

But who's to say JR cant play the position correctly, he did it before in Denver. and the good thing about it, his role as a starter if he gets will actually suit him better.

At best he'll be 3rd option, and wont have the high usage...everything counts now for JR without the buffer.

Agree with everything but who would be the 2nd option? I actually think JR would be the 2nd option if he were in the starting lineup.

That front court starting rotation is locked imo....I dont think Woody has even tinkered with anything else in training camp.

TeamBall wrote:

knickscity wrote:

TeamBall wrote:

knickscity wrote:

StarksEwing1 wrote:

DurzoBlint wrote:

StarksEwing1 wrote:I would liek to see Sumpert get it. When the kid is healthy he is a difrerence maker. JR had a good year last year but lets afce it he was playing for a contract. Once he got his contract he began to screw up again getting suspended

wouldn't you prefer the players that out performs the other to get it? Don't you want to see this team at its best or, would you just rather see your favorite player start. Not being facetious, I'm truly curious?

First of all i dont play favorites. It makes sense to have JR come off the bench because he fits that role better. As much of an idiot he is he had his best season as the 6th man,

JR was essentially a starter, other than Melo no one tallied more minutes...he just wasnt in the game during the opening tip.

And he was the 2nd option on offense the entire year...unheard of from a "6th man".

Shump was a starter, but had role player duties.

Woodson is..imo...making things official.

But who's to say JR cant play the position correctly, he did it before in Denver. and the good thing about it, his role as a starter if he gets will actually suit him better.

At best he'll be 3rd option, and wont have the high usage...everything counts now for JR without the buffer.

Agree with everything but who would be the 2nd option? I actually think JR would be the 2nd option if he were in the starting lineup.

Bargnani.

That front court starting rotation is locked imo....I dont think Woody has even tinkered with anything else in training camp.

I definitely think Bargs is gonna be part of the starting 5. I just think Woody would go to JR before he goes to him. Melo was actively looking for Bargnani yesterday though which is a good sign.

He may even be more controlled especially with his shot attempts as he'll only have open shots that he wont have to create per se.

Woody seems defined in the frontcourt and those two will be getting the bulk of the starters shot attempts...I even see 7-10 attempts for Tyson through a combo of lobs, pnr and a couple of jumpers.

it almost forces JR to play as he should.