PROVIDENCE, R.I. — If J.R. Smith were in the lead to overtake Iman Shumpert for the Knicks’ starting shooting guard slot entering Wednesday’s preseason opener, Shumpert sent a big message to skeptical coach Mike Woodson.
Woodson’s worried state about Shumpert’s knees and offensive repertoire went unfounded as Shumpert was driven to perfection.
Shumpert was 7-of-7 from the field to score a team-high 18 points as the Knicks hung on for a 103-102 preseason victory over the Celtics before 10,404 fans at Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
Woodson revealed Wednesday Shumpert had knee soreness over the summer, indicating his durability could be one reason Smith is potentially in line to go from sixth man to starting shooting guard.
Shumpert, who scored 11 points in the second quarter, made three 3-pointers against the Celtics and capped his night with a beautiful 1-on-1 15-foot pull-up jumper after dazzling off the dribble.
“He was great,’’ Woodson said. “I don’t think he missed a shot tonight. He was poised. He has nothing to prove to me. In fairness to J.R., he is a big part of what we do and will be right in the mix when he comes back from injury. It’s going to be competitive.’’
At Wednesday morning’s shootaround, Woodson said he believes moving Smith into the starting lineup could “expand his game.’’ Woodson sounded as if Smith is the favorite, though Smith is still rehabbing from July’s patella tendon surgery and wasn’t in the house.
Woodson revealed part of Shumpert’s developmental program was shut down this summer because of his knees. Shumpert, who came off ACL surgery last season, said Wednesday his knees are now fine and the training staff felt it a natural reaction considering his surgical history.
Smith won the league’s Sixth Man of the Year Award last season and the role seemed suited for his game and personality. But he may be in store for a promotion — at Shumpert’s expense.
“I think he’s past that,’’ Woodson said of Smith coming off the pine. “I want him to be past that. Let someone else get the Sixth Man [Award] — if he deserves to win the starting job. Last year was last year. He’s capable of defending [but] that’s the only question I have. I know Iman can defend and he’s still searching for the offense.
“You can go back and forth. I’m going to let the two fight it out.’’
Shumpert came off the bench Wednesday as Pablo Prigioni got the starting nod. Woodson went with a two point-guard alignment but that was only because the coach wasn’t sure whether Shumpert had enough practice reps after sitting out three days of practice with a sore shoulder.
“When his shoulder went out, I was [like], ‘Damn, here we go again,’ ’’ Woodson said.
Expect Shumpert to start the rest of the preseason trip — Friday in Toronto and Saturday against the Celtics in Manchester, N.H.
Shumpert reminded he came off the bench during the Linsanity era his rookie year and spearheaded an electric second unit. Jeremy Lin’s starting backcourt partner was Landry Fields.
“J.R. came off the bench all last year,’’ Shumpert said. “My first year I had to come off the bench when we made a lineup adjustment. I played well coming off the bench with the second unit.’’
Shumpert wore a bag of ice on his left knee after the shootaround, but said he’s no longer in pain and looked sharp as a tack in the opener.
“It was here and there,’’ Shumpert said. “They said that would happen when I had ACL surgery. I was expecting it. Actually I was thinking it would come earlier, trying to get back in shape [for training camp].
“I’m fine,’’ Shumpert said. “I just took time off after the season — four weeks. Then working out, full-speed court stuff, it was a shock on the knees, trying to get in game shape.
According to Woodson, Smith should be ready to scrimmage by the final week of training camp. The flaky guard will have to sit out the first five games because of a marijuana suspension.
Woodson admitted he was stubborn in keeping Smith as his sixth man last season.
“That was last year,’’ Woodson said. “I was adamant about that. When I sat down with J.R. at the beginning of [last] season, I wanted to try to help him do something to make him feel good about himself. The notion was, let’s see if you can be the sixth man. … That was my thing to him. I sold him on that. He got it done. That’s last year.
“I told him in his exit meetings if you came back next year with the attitude you can win the starting job, why not grant him that opportunity? It frees him up to maybe expand his game and be better for the ballclub.’’