http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/44900/shumpert-can-be-knicks-second-star

Could Iman Shumpert be that elite, all-purpose complementary guard to Carmelo Anthony next season and beyond?

The 22-year-old came off an impressive playoff run just a few months after returning from a left ACL repair, and Mike Woodson said on Tuesday, "The sky's the limit for that young man."

Even when Shumpert was missing shots in the postseason, he was making up for it consistently on defense and rebounding -- something J.R. Smith was not doing regularly. While Smith has All-Star scoring potential, he needs shots to go down for him to care more about defense and intangibles. Shumpert, however, is always hungry to guard the best scorer and make the small, significant play.

"I've got to just keep my game where it is defensively and become more consistent with rebounding the ball," Shump said on Monday. "Then, making sure that I become an option scoring the ball."

Woodson is smartly thinking the same thing.

"I think he will be a bigger part," he said. "That was our whole thought process prior to him getting hurt. ... I think this summer will be very pivotal for his growth. He's got an opportunity to be a pretty good player."

This past season, Shumpert mostly played off the ball at the 3 position, watching Smith, Anthony and Raymond Felton go to work. Part of Shumpert's progression from point guard as a rookie to small forward this season was because the Knicks didn't want to overwork his surgically-repaired knee. In fact, he sometimes guarded weaker players.

But down the stretch, when Shumpert felt more comfortable health-wise, he guarded the best scorer, jumped higher for rebounds, attacked the open court as a one-man fast break, and looked to penetrate more and dunk in half-court sets.

"Shumpert came back during the season, which is tough," former All-Star point guard and current Miami Heat scout Tim Hardaway, who overcame a left ACL tear in 1993, told ESPNNewYork.com. "Guards are running full speed, stopping and going. We've got to pick up full court, we've got to come off pick-and-rolls, we've got to get i the lane, stop, pop. I commend Shumpert at what he was able to do."

Hardaway said Shumpert will return next season "playing a lot better," crediting the consistency of Shumpert's recent play. Hardaway remembers not being the same player right away, but he said Shumpert is further along and "won't have any knee effects."

"What impressed me was his jumping ability and movement, and how strong he was playing day in and day out at a high level," Hardaway said. "Sometimes I played at a high level and then sometimes my leg wasn't there. I could play defense on one play, but I wasn't able to jump off the leg and shoot over somebody. I was very surprised and encouraged with his progress out there."

Hardaway eventually went on to have a long All-NBA career, and he expects "great things" from Shumpert because of his 1 through 3 position versatility. He also respects Shumpert's relentless work ethic, which stems from the Chicago playgrounds where both players honed their skills.

"We have a mentality that we're going to go out there no matter what," Hardaway said. "We have a lot of pride in our abilities. ... If you tell us to go out there and guard a seven-footer, we're going to guard a seven-footer. In our mind, we are a seven-footer, too."

Shumpert has the entire mental and physical package. He just needs his offense unleashed.

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He already has the tenacity on defense, and that willingness to guard the opposing teams best player.

It's all about rounding out his offensive and playmaking game. I believe he will make great strides in the offseason to get there.

Hate to say it, but losing JR in free agency maybe the key to unlocking Shump's potential.

We saw in Game 6 a glimpse of what Shumpert can do. Maybe Woodson and Grunwald did too.

Do they have the stones to tell JR to take a hike...

blkexec wrote:We need to stop playing 3 guard lineups....and stay with 2 guards...shump will be one of the guards.....melo at pf.

Felton?
Shump
Cope?
Melo
Chandler?

I like that lineup, because Cope and Melo are interchangeable. I still think we need additional size, so Grunwald must bring in either a true 4 or 5 banger, or it's the same shyt next year.

Knixkik wrote:

holfresh wrote:To be serious contenders..We need a consistent second option that isn't JR Smith..We just have too much money tied up in non producing Amare's and Chandler's contract..If we going into next season with the same line up, I really don't see the outcome changing...

Copeland is coming into his 2nd nba season (assuming we resign him) with a 20ppg per 36 minute as a rookie. He could potentially be that guy. Plus shumpert can also show signs of being that guy. We could see copeland, smith, shumpert all score in the 14-17 ppg mark and I think it would solve a lot of problems.

One of our biggest problem is too many players who specializes in one thing...Cope doesn't change that...Think about it, Melo is probably our most well rounded player right now...

Shumpert is more Tony Allen.

AnubisADL wrote:Shumpert isnt as good as Igoudala was in Philly. Come on now.

Shumpert is more Tony Allen.

i can see that, and really that is not a bad thing..

Tony Allen is a terrible 3 pt shooter, where as Iman is already a 40% shooter, practically money from the corner.

Shumpert also showed some playmaking ability

sidsanders wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

holfresh wrote:To be serious contenders..We need a consistent second option that isn't JR Smith..We just have too much money tied up in non producing Amare's and Chandler's contract..If we going into next season with the same line up, I really don't see the outcome changing...

Copeland is coming into his 2nd nba season (assuming we resign him) with a 20ppg per 36 minute as a rookie. He could potentially be that guy. Plus shumpert can also show signs of being that guy. We could see copeland, smith, shumpert all score in the 14-17 ppg mark and I think it would solve a lot of problems.

all three avg over 14 a game? that seems unlikely given felton/anthony/chandler/amare (maybe) should all be near 10+ as well (or much higher).

10ppg i could see as more reasonable which could/should still help.

Yeah true but I see Felton averaging less than this season and considering some injuries will occur it should bump up some guys minutes and averages, such as copeland.

1. tbd. Ray Felton or a lead guard to be named later.

2. I Man Shumpert could be installed at the two and left alone. A year smarter. Rest and rehab this summer young man.

3. tbd. Chris Copeland, at forward, this time with confidence. If not, sixth man has a nice ring to it.

4. Carmelo.

5. tbd. A 6'11 gazelle would be nice. Tyson, please. Just one offensive move. The 12 foot jump shot is not a disease.

stay thirsty my friends

Knixkik wrote:

misterearl wrote:Indiana may be that good.

1. tbd. Ray Felton or a lead guard to be named later.

2. I Man Shumpert could be installed at the two and left alone. A year smarter. Rest and rehab this summer young man.

3. tbd. Chris Copeland, at forward, this time with confidence. If not, sixth man has a nice ring to it.

4. Carmelo.

5. tbd. A 6'11 gazelle would be nice. Tyson, please. Just one offensive move. The 12 foot jump shot is not a disease.

stay thirsty my friends

When you think about all the starting lineups from this year, it will go a long way hopefully having something concrete. My hope is chandler, Melo, copeland, shump, and Felton are starting. We will see improvements with set roles, especially from shumpert and copeland.

+1