NBA

Shumpert puts on debut-tiful show for Knicks

Iman Shumpert looked smooth and dynamic in scrimmages during training camp, but Carmelo Anthony wanted to see how Shumpert responded “when the lights went on.’’

It wasn’t Broadway yesterday, just Newark, and it was preseason, not Christmas Day. But when the lights went on, the Knicks rookie combo guard lit up the Nets.

Coming off the bench, Shumpert looked rock-solid, creating steals hitting long-range buckets and snaking to the hole on one herky-jerky move for a lefty layup, making him look a little like Earl “The Pearl’’ Monroe. Yes, he was that much of a splendid eye-opener in his Knicks debut.

Shumpert scored 16 points in 25 minutes, and had two steals and two assists as the Knicks coasted past the Nets, 92-83.

“I love his energy and intensity on both ends of the court,’’ Anthony said. “He’s aggressive. He didn’t look passive today. There’s things he could get better at but we believe in him. He’ll give us another slasher on the wing, another defensive guard with a presence out there.’’

Shumpert, through his Post lockout diary, kept writing to the notion he needed to just fill in the scoring gaps, since Amar’e Stoudemire and Anthony would carry the scoring load. But yesterday he looked like he could be the Knicks’ third scoring option and eventually challenge Landry Fields for the starting shooting guard position.

“I think my game is a little better because you got people worried about Melo and Amar’e,’’ said Shumpert, who played both point guard and shooting guard. “When you got guys like that drawing double teams and attract that much attention, you can play your game.’’

Coach Mike D’Antoni said Shumpert looked “poised’’ for a rookie.

“His confidence is great,’’ D’Antoni said. “He can get a shot whenever he wants to. He can definitely defend. He’s athletic, long. But again this is just one baby step.”

As all rookies did, Shumpert had an unorthodox summer because of the lockout, missing a chance to work with the coaches and play the Las Vegas summer league.

“I think just playing the [players] Vegas League and a lot of lockout games helped me,’’ said Shumpert, who’s listed at 6-foot-5. “When you play against veterans you pick up things fast.’’

Rookie center Josh Harrellson also looked good (seven points), hitting his first shot, a 3-pointer, and putting up three fingers.