With the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons traveling to across the pond for a regular season game in London, coach Mike Woodson will be hoping for the return of guard Iman Shumpert on the court for the game, according to NewsDay.com
"Just to have him back in uniform will be nice," Woodson said Sunday on Shumpert, who has been cleared to play after left knee surgery and, barring a setback, will make his season debut Thursday. "I'm sure he's going to be a little sore, the fact that he hasn't played in some time. Just want to get him through health-wise and just see where he is. A lot of that will be based on his minutes. He'll definitely be restricted when he first steps out on the floor."
Shumpert, 22, was the Knicks' first-round pick in 2011, finished seventh in the NBA with 1.7 steals per game last season - the first Knick to finish in the top 10 in that category since Mark Jackson in 1987-88.
According to the New York Daily News, Shumpert feels great physically and ready to make a return.
"Physically I feel great. I don't think I'll have any setbacks in that department. Right now I'm just looking forward to making sure I know all the coverages and the system to the best of my ability before I come back," Shumpert said after practice Saturday in Greenburgh. "I know the guys have been waiting (for me). I think I can relieve a little bit of the pressure as far as defensively being a presence, offensively just being that energy guy. I'm the youngest guy on the team, and I'm the one that's full of life all the time. That's what they expect. They expect more my of spirit, and me coming out here and providing that energy."
Woodson also spoke on the trip to London: "I don't know if we're going to have a whole lot of time to sightsee. Players will have a little time to themselves, but I think the league has some things set up as well in terms of appearances and things of that nature."
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