Iman Shumpert couldn’t wait for his first full training camp as a pro. But now he’s beset by a sore right shoulder and a sore subject — his starting status.
The shoulder prevented Shumpert from practicing Thursday on the third day of workouts. Shumpert, meanwhile, still doesn’t have his starting shooting guard position locked up — with coach Mike Woodson calling it “wide open,” suggesting even sixth man J.R. Smith has a shot.
That’s quite a shock since Woodson branded Smith a sixth man out of the gate last preseason and never wavered.
“I don’t know who’s going to start,’’ Woodson said. “Camp will determine that. It’s a competitive game. Anything can happen. Tyson [Chandler], [Carmelo Anthony] and Raymond [Felton] will start but a few other spots are wide open. I’m not guaranteeing those spots.’’
Smith can’t start opening night, Oct. 30, versus Milwaukee because of his five-game drug suspension. He still hasn’t even been cleared for running or contact drills as he rehabs from knee surgery. But Woodson appears more open-minded about Smith potentially starting this season if Shumpert falters.
“He’s in the mix, too,’’ Woodson said of Smith. “If things turn out well for him coming back, he can possibly slip in.’’
Shumpert’s injury occurred Wednesday during a 3-on-3 drill, when he tweaked the shoulder on a pull-up when a defender jabbed at the ball as he went to shoot. Shumpert said no MRI exam is scheduled, but he’s sore.
“Nothing major,’’ Shumpert said. “I want to make sure I’m healthy before I go out there. This is minor. Rest right now is good. They don’t want to push it. If it’s sore today, chill out, no rush. We just need you healthy for the first game. No point in getting a 1,000 jump shots up while I’m sore.
“I’m glad it’s not my knee, man, honestly,’’ added Shumpert, who spent all of last training camp rehabbing from a torn ACL and saw the lockout torpedo his first camp as a rookie.
Shumpert started 57 games last season, including the playoffs, after his return in London last January.
Shumpert isn’t taking it as a lack of respect, though he reportedly earned the ire of owner James Dolan after not giving his full commitment to Las Vegas summer league. Woodson may be just trying to motivate the Georgia Tech stud.
“He shouldn’t name me the starting shooting guard,’’ Shumpert said. “We don’t know whose playing well, whose not. Woody’s job is to put the best five players out there. After training camp, he’ll assess who he needs to start.’’
Shumpert, who gradually progressed late in the season after a tentative first two months, says the knees aren’t on his mind.
“It’s been good,’’ Shumpert said. “I can take off from both legs., one leg, two legs. I’m not thinking about it. I can step and slide the way I want to.’’
Woodson would not rule out Shumpert practicing Friday. He was to be reevaluated last night after a team dinner. Anthony played with a slight tear in his shoulder in the Indiana playoff series and the Knicks never did an MRI exam. Obviously, if the pain persists, Shumpert will go into the MRI tube.
Woodson talked repeatedly last season that all that mattered was winning a title. His expectations seemed lower Thursday.
“It was a learning curve, getting to the second round,’’ Woodson said. “We’re trying to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. That’s what it’s all about and maybe getting to The Finals.’’
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Nets coach Jason Kidd said Woodson played him too much early last season, leading to his playoff downfall. Woodson said he agrees.
“I learned a lesson,’’ Woodson said. “When Raymond went down [Christmas Day], Kidd’s minutes went up. He didn’t complain about it. In hindsight, if I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t have given him those minutes. I can’t go back and get it.’’