After a lingering lockout kept Knicks fans from cheering on their boys at Madison Square Garden, the season will finally kick off with a Christmas Day matchup against the Boston Celtics. And no doubt about it, the Knicks are hot this year — including the team’s two rookies, who were drafted from college in June.
Big man Josh Harrellson and guard Iman Shumpert, who banter like old friends, are eager to officially don their uniforms and help the Knicks bring home their first NBA championship since 1973.
But off the court, the pair — one a country boy and the other a city slicker — couldn’t be more different.
JOSH HARRELLSON
Age: 22
Number: 55
Postion: Center
Nickname: “Jorts”
College: University of Kentucky
Hometown: St. Charles, Mo.
Hobbies: Hunting and fishing
Favorite meal: Seafood
Romantic status: Has a girlfriend of one month
Tattoos: One on his back, in memory of his grandfather
When Josh Harrellson walks into a room, he fills it completely — both with his 6-foot-10, 275-pound frame, and with his outsized personality. “I’m not really ever shy,” he says in his country twang. “I need my own reality TV show. Mine will be better than the Kardashians’ and ‘Jersey Shore.’ I’m a never-ending waterfall of fun.”
His charisma was not lost on the faithful at the University of Kentucky, where Harrellson was a fan favorite, earning the nickname Jorts after he first visited the campus in jean shorts. That dubious style distinction, along with his ferocious playing style, became regular fodder for “SportsCenter” segments.
“It’s something I embrace,” he says of his moniker. But don’t expect him to abandon his signature wardrobe staple just because he’s landed in the world’s most stylish city. Rather, he’s hoping to bring a little country to the Big Apple — as well as the Knicks’ most famous fan. “If Spike Lee gets into Jorts, I’ll do a back flip. I can’t do a back flip, but if he gets into them, I’ll do one,” he promises.
Growing up in the Midwest, Harrellson spent his summer vacations at the family farm in a town of about 1,500 residents. “I wear earrings and stuff, so most people don’t know I’m from the country, but I like to be out in the wilderness,” he says.
He’ll be able to savor the peace and quiet in Westchester, where he plans to live — far from the excesses of the city. “I’m going to spend all of my money on a bank account,” he proclaims. Harrellson also puts his comedy routine on hold when he steps out onto the court. “I’m a hard worker who plays with a lot of heart and emotion. When I step in between the lines, it’s a different attitude,” he says. “I’m going to do whatever I have to do to continue playing for the Knicks.”
IMAN SHUMPERT
Age: 21
Postion: Guard
Nickname: “Shump”
College: Georgia Tech
Hometown: Oak Park, Ill.
Hobbies: Writing and rapping
Favorite meal: Tacos
Romantic status: Single and crushing on rapper/video girl LoLa Monroe
Tattoos: About 15. He plans on inking his forearms, too.
When Iman Shumpert makes a certain face, he’s a dead ringer for his new teammate Amar’e Stoudemire. But he’s not interested in being anyone’s mini-me — especially after a breakout performance in Saturday’s preseason game against the Nets.
“It’s annoying on Twitter. People always ask, ‘Can we call you baby Amar’e?’ Nope,” he says emphatically.
But the guard — who left Georgia Tech after his junior year to go pro — does share a love of threads with the Knicks superstar. After all, his mother is an adjunct professor of fashion design in Chicago. “She’s super-excited that I got drafted to New York,” says Shumpert.
“She used to try to get me into fitted shirts. I didn’t want to wear it because everything was baggy. She used to say, ‘Fit is in,’ so now she’ll give me insight into what’s going to be popular next year, and I’ll wear it early,” says Shumpert, sporting Levi’s jeans and a Marc Jacobs blazer. He’s currently building his watch collection, consisting of pieces from Nixon, Michael Kors and Hublot.
During the lockout, Shumpert spent time in the gym and the studio, where he lets off steam with spoken-word rap.
“I love music. It helps me vent,” he says. “I’m always having so much fun that people think I have no problems in my life. People don’t know that I’d rather write my problems into verses.”
Music is an integral part of his pregame routine, which consists of listening to moody music to calm his nerves. On his soundtrack? Jay-Z’s “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love),” Kanye West’s “Champion” and MGMT’s “Electric Feel.” Though Shumpert has many interests, he insists he’s keeping his eye on the ball — and he’s ready for brutal New York fans, even if they boo him. “If I’m slacking and they boo me, I’m going to do better,” he says with confidence. “Fans pay $70, $100, sometimes $1,000 [per ticket]. They’re helping the revenue for us to be the Knicks. But when we win, they’ve gotta love us, too.”
The self-proclaimed neat freak will live in White Plains, near his rookie pal Josh Harrellson. “Right now, I’m young. I’m really into fashion. I like to have fun — and living in the city, I might have way too much fun,” he says. “I want to focus and make sure we’re a championship team.”