Sunday was quite a way for Iman Shumpert to celebrate the one-year anniversary of tearing his ACL.

The Georgia Tech product has been looking a lot like his rookie self, a menacing defender and rebounder, armed with a dangerous 3-point shot. He’s also putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket.

Shumpert was impressive in the second half Sunday against the Celtics, finishing with 12 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. On April 28, 2012, Shumpert collapsed on the Miami court in Game 1 after pushing off the wrong way on a drive.

One year later, the one thing he still doesn’t do much is dunk. That may not happen until next season. Shumpert, who returned Jan. 17, acknowledged his athleticism isn’t the same. Not yet. Shumpert often will move in for the kill and lay the ball in like it was the 1950s.

“I feel fine,’’ Shumpert said. “I know I’m going to be able to jump higher. That’s going to come. They told me I’m not going to be able to spring like I usually do. But I know that’s coming back anyway. Something I’m not worried about right now. It’s about winning.’’

The Chicago native had taken a lot of pride in his explosive dunking ability, but now he’s just making the smooth basketball play and playing like a demon defensively. It’s a good thing Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald passed on Phoenix’s offer to trade Shumpert for Jared Dudley earlier this season.

“I’m not really thinking about my knee,’’ Shumpert said. “We’ve just got to win games. I’ve got the whole summer to work on things to get myself where I want to be individually, athletically. Right now with how my knee feels, it’s good enough to play and I got to go out there and make plays.’’

He is and is making Paul Pierce’s life difficult.

“Last year I feel he cooked me,’’ Shumpert said. “I had all summer and all year to study all the guys that really gave me problems and he was one of them.’’

He's suddenly looking like Iman Shumpert of old(new?) and it's gotta be encouraging for us Knick fans.

The way he's harassed and stripped players for layups is a thing of beauty.

Can't wait for the first breakaway dunk off a steal in a key playoff game!

smackeddog wrote:He's where I hoped he'd be at this point in the season, and it's good to see, especially after the rough start he had to the season.

He can work on getting his athleticism back in the offseason, for now he can contribute with his defence and 3pt shooting. Good to have Shump back!

and layups, dude has got to work on making buckets around the rim.

gunsnewing wrote:Yea he is getting there. Still doesnt have the aame breakaway speed but quicker lateral movement feet and hands

It's the hair. Too much resistance.

Shump's looking good. Definitely agree he has to get better with finishing around the rim, but that corner 3 has become a nice weapon for him, along with his terrific defense. If he turns out to be Bruce Bowen, I could live with it. I still have even higher hopes for him though.