During a March 20 victory over the Orlando Magic, Shumpert felt a "pop" in his left knee and was forced to leave the game (though he admitted he could have returned).

"I took a step to explode and go up to the rim and I felt it pop," said Shumpert afterward (via Barbara Barker of Newsday ). "Last time I felt it pop, I was out for eight months. I was nervous and more scared than anything."

"I've got the whole summer to work on things, to get myself to where I want to be individually, athletically," he said (via Al Iannazzone of Newsday). "But right now, with what we've got and how my knee feels, it's good enough to play and I've got to go out there and make plays."

One nasty spill in a Game 3 loss to the Pacers later, there was. Shumpert missed practice following the loss and the Knicks are now forced to take precautionary measures like flying in his doctor.

"There's always concern," Woodson said (via Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com). He took a bad spill and he hasn't been (able to play) the last two days so sure there's concern.

Of course there is. How could there not be? He was playing well. Everything seemed to be fine. Shumpert was the antithesis of Rose and he was supposed to be rewarded for it.

Instead, he's left to wallow in equivocation. The doctors have once again cleared him to play, but he's still left to wonder "what if," even if he says otherwise.