Iman Shumpert wants to be Adrian Peterson, not Ricky Rubio.
Peterson, the Vikings running back, came off an ACL tear to fall 9 yards short of the NFL single-season rushing record this season.
Peterson’s season just ended. Shumpert’s is just beginning. The Knicks combo guard expects to pass his final hurdle — clearance to participate in 5-on-5 contact scrimmages — and could be scrimmaging in practice either tomorrow or Wednesday.
“I do,’’ Shumpert said when asked if Peterson were the ultimate inspiration. “It was cool to see him be successful, as soon as he got back, almost breaking a record. It’s an inspiration. But I’ve got to do my own thing.’’
Shumpert, who tore his ACL and meniscus in Game 1 of the Miami playoff series in late April, will undergo final strength tests on his knee. He returned to practice eight days ago but doesn’t want to pin down his season debut, even if he scrimmages tomorrow or Wednesday.
When asked if his debut will be in a week or two, Shumpert said only, “I don’t know. I just know I’ll be cleared for contact.’’
Shumpert, a first team All-Rookie selection last season, has been cautious because he’s in no rush. If swelling occurs after his scrimmages, he will be ultra-conservative.
“I’m listening to the doctors,’’ Shumpert said. “I’m just young and want to play. We’ll read the data and make sure everything’s OK. If I’m feeling any pain, I’m not going to do anymore.’’
Shumpert doesn’t want a repeat of what happened to Rubio, the Timberwolves’ second-year point guard who returned from an ACL tear in mid-December only to last five games and land back on the shelf with back spasms, caused by overcompensation for his knee.
“Me and Rubio are two different people,’’ Shumpert said. “You see Rubio and a guy like Adrian Peterson. Everybody’s body is different. The way they play is different. Rubio doesn’t have a game like he’s trying to dunk on anybody or outrace people. He’s a facilitator. I don’t think he’s had the same type of intensity as me with his comeback.’’
The training staff hasn’t pushed Shumpert, though he has gone past his six-to-eight-month timetable.
“I don’t feel pressure,’’ Shumpert said. “They’ve been telling me however much time I need, take it. ‘Don’t worry about anybody swaying you to coming back if we’re losing.’ Or, [if] someone else with a torn ACL comes back before you. It’s about me being healthy and playing a long time in this league — not about satisfying anybody else.’’