CHICAGO — Iman Shumpert is home for Halloween – and will be wearing the Knicks’ new alternative all-orange jersey at Chicago’s United Center on Thursday night.
Shumpert will do his best to scare the daylights out of his Chicago high school rival, Derrick Rose.
“I know I’m going to see some of Derrick Rose tomorrow,’’ Shumpert said late Wednesday in the victorious Knicks locker room at the Garden.
Though both of their schools (Simeon Academy for Rose, Oak Park for Shumpert) were in the playoffs one season, they never met. They are linked by their roots and torn ACLs – injured on the same playoff afternoon in April 2012. Shumpert returned Jan. 17, 2013, in London. Rose returned two days ago in South Beach as the Bulls were blown out by the two-time champion Heat. I asked Shumpert whether it was exciting for him to get Rose in his hometown.
“Of course it is,’’ Shumpert beamed. “It’s nothing to hide. Of course it is. Big-time home game.’’
Shumpert was one of the big bright spots for the Knicks in their season-opening 90-83 survival Wednesday night over Milwaukee. He bagged 16 points and four rebounds. Knicks coach Mike Woodson used Shumpert as the starting small forward in the small lineup that flourished down the stretch last season. If he plays with aggressiveness on both ends, it will be hard for Woodson to reshuffle the deck when J.R. Smith returns from his five-game pot suspension.
Before the game, new president/GM Steve Mills raved about Shumpert the way Woodson rarely does.
“I think he has an opportunity to be a really good player in this league,” Mills said. “He’s such a strong defensive player, and has been a real stopper. We’ve encouraged him to work on his offensive game. We’ve spent a lot of time and have people assigned to help him do that. I think he has an opportunity to be a really, really complete player in the league.”
My favorite play from Shumpert in the opener was him grabbing a defensive rebound, sprinting downcourt to create his own fast break and finishing with a layup while a flagrant foul was called on Caron Butler for wrapping him up.
“I think I have a better understanding of the NBA game,’’ Shumpert said when asked to assess why he looked more aggressive.
With Raymond Felton’s hamstring a concern, Woodson surely will want Shumpert to guard Rose at times. Felton departed for the locker room after clutching his left hamstring when he landed badly in the second half. He later returned to the game.
Felton admitted the hamstring could be a lingering issue. He missed two preseason games because of it.
“It can be,’’ Felton said. “Hopefully tomorrow it’s not that sore and doesn’t hinder me that much. I’ll be on the court. I’m a warrior.
“Hopefully it goes away,’’ Felton added of the hamstring. “It could last two, three days, but it could last up to six weeks. Hopefully one day I wake up and it’s gone. Right now it’s a nagging thing I have to deal with.’’
Felton took offense when asked if he may need help with Rose.
“He puts his clothes on just like I put mine on,’’ Felton said. “I’m looking forward to the game. I‘m not handicapped. I don’t need no help.’’
But he acknowledged Shumpert will see action on Rose.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll be on him too,’’ Felton said. “[Shumpert] is a big, physical guard, 6-3. Definitely going to use him as well.’’
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The Knicks blew a 25-point lead to the lowly Bucks, but at least center Tyson Chandler looked like the guy who signed as a free agent off his Dallas championship. He was an interior menace with five blocks, had a few exceptional putback dunks and was an energizer. It was a far cry from the beaten man he looked like in the playoffs when he was dealing with a sore neck and lost 12 pounds due to a strep throat.
“I feel a lot better,’’ Chandler said. “I’m going to give my teammates 100 percent, no matter how I feel. Last year it wasn’t enough unfortunately. This year I feel a lot better.’’
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The Knicks were 0-4 vs. Chicago last season. “They’re physical,’’ Chandler said. “They made us uncomfortable.’’
The Knicks shot 50.7 percent from the field against the Bucks. They were 15-2 last season when hitting 50 percent or better.
The Knicks have won four straight season openers. They are 41-27 overall in their history.
Amar’e Stoudemire is slated to make his season debut Thursday night after sitting out for Kenyon Martin in the backup power-forward platoon. Martin played just 4:58.
Carmelo Anthony (19 and 10) notched his first double-double. He had 10 last season.