PHILADELPHIA — Iman Shumpert’s goal is to come back to the Knicks better — not quicker.
That is why nobody is rushing him. In fact, Shumpert, in a rare interview, told The Post don’t expect a December return. If you are a betting man, Shumpert said January is likelier.
The reasons are clear. Shumpert, the lone, young, rising star on the Knicks’ ancient roster, doesn’t want any dropoff from his rookie season of excellence.
“What you all are saying is not what we’re going by,’’ Shumpert told The Post before last night’s 110-88 victory over the 76ers that improved the Knicks to 3-0. “January, February is what we’re aiming for. I’m just trying to get healthy. When I get healthy, I’ll return to the court. I’m not going to come back and not be able to do the things I did last year and a little more. I want to come back and add something.’’
Shumpert, if he is right, will return as the Knicks starting shooting guard, though they are doing well at that position. In their new small lineup, Jason Kidd has expertly moved to shooting guard and Ronnie Brewer to small forward. When Amar’e Stoudemire returns in mid-December, Kidd will move to the bench.
“It’s going to be a sight to see when we’re back at full strength,’’ Shumpert said. “It’s going to be nice when we’re all together. We’re deep in every position. I’m happy and excited.’’
This is a deeper team than last year’s and that has given Shumpert and the organization more reason to be patient.
“It hurts a little bit to be watching these guys,’’ Shumpert said. “I got myself and Amar’e, We’re all getting ready. It could be as easy as December, but I’m not aiming at December. When I feel my knee’s right, that’s when I’m going to come back. January, February, that’s the target. If you can talk to my knee, I’d love you to write what it says.’’
Shumpert was first-team all-rookie, was as good a perimeter defender as anyone in the league and explosive attacking the rim. Shumpert’s selection at No. 17 was former president Donnie Walsh’s final parting gift, though it was current general manager Glen Grunwald who ran the draft.
Shumpert, who tore his ACL and meniscus in Game 1 vs. Miami in April, worked on the side throughout preseason, doing exercises and shooting drills with new shooting coach Dave Hopla.
“It’s a power thing now,’’ said Shumpert, who played at Georgia Tech. “Getting my power back and my explosion. I can’t do a lot of things. I’m more restricted as far as cutting and doing all the things I’d normally do.”
Hopla is taking the chance to work with Shumpert’s technique on his jump shot. The new coach’s theory is Shumpert’s liftoff is too high and it hurts his accuracy. Shumpert averaged 9.5 points but was streaky from the perimeter — 40.1 percent, 30.1 percent on 3-pointers.
Shumpert was considered the wild card in the playoffs versus the Heat because of his potential defense against Dwyane Wade or LeBron James. The Knicks are looking for him to be that stopper if they get the Heat again in the postseason.
Ironically, Shumpert went down with the same injury as fellow Chicagoan Derrick Rose. His status is even murkier, with speculation that he may not be back until late in the season.