Locked-out Knicks rookie first-round pick and point guard Iman Shumpert is writing an occasional diary for The Post detailing his offbeat transition into the NBA due to the work stoppage.
CHICAGO — Despite the lockout, I can’t complain about how things are going.
I feel like I’m getting better and staying in shape. When the lockout ends, I will be ready. So will the Knicks. I’m in my hometown Chicago now, training until further notice.
Union president Derek Fisher and fellow Knicks guard Roger Mason, who is on the negotiating committee, both have been checking in on me to tell me what’s going on. I’ve gotten a lot of texts from them. They know me and all the rookies are so excited to play our first NBA games and want to explain the issues. I understand them and know this lockout is necessary.
Last week, I flew to Portland for the Adidas Tour, an orientation for rookies who signed with the company. Talk about excitement. I love Adidas so much more now.
I’m excited about the styles like the “Crazy Lights,” “Jeremy Scotts” and their most famous, the “Shell Toes.” Jeremy is one of their top designers and known for his colorful, loud shoes. Adidas has yet to tell me what I will wear as a Knick. The brand is a lot deeper than I initially thought and I feel like I made the right decision.
I went through the tour with other rookies — Nets guard Marshon Brooks, Detroit’s Brandon Knight, Utah’s Alec Burks and others. We played pickup and did a dunk contest. Marshon is a scorer, very creative and will blend in well with the Nets.
From Portland, I flew to Atlanta to play in an exhibition, the Southern Hospitality Showcase, headlined by Rajon Rondo, Marquis Daniels and ex-Knick Nate Robinson.
Nate told me I’ll love New York and it fits my personality. You can tell how much he loved NYC. The exhibition was a ton of fun for fans and kids and raised money for charity. Any time I can give back, I try.
Amar’e Stoudemire came to Atlanta for the BET Hip-Hop Awards. I gave him my first NBA assist. He needed a gym, and I opened up the Georgia Tech gym for him for a late-night workout. I hope to give STAT many more assists in the future.