New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert believes he can thrive in Phil Jackson's triangle offense. Despite the myriad trade rumors his name is always attached to, Shumpert could cement his spot in New York with a strong season under new coach Derek Fisher.
Shumpert routinely is mentioned in trade rumors, and it appears Shumpert still being in the Big Apple isn't for Jackson's lack of trying. Jackson's failure to find a trade for Shumpert essentially gives the 2-guard another chance to impress the new front office, which Shumpert believes he can do now that former coach Mike Woodson's offense has been replaced.
"The way it's set up, you can start three guards, it really doesn't matter. Everybody's going to get touches, everybody gets opportunities to cut," Shumpert said of the triangle offense, via ESPN. "It's constant action going on. So I think that I'll be able to capitalize on that and I'll be able to use my athleticism a lot more than standing in the corner (like in Woodson's offense).
"I know this year in the offense I will have a lot more opportunities to cut and get to the basket," he added. "I just want to work on the strength of my leg. Been working on that and being able to pull up off one or two dribbles (and working) on corner (3-pointers) and open 3s."
Shumpert also indicated being a full season removed from tearing his ACL in his rookie season, along with the time off to recover from last season's sprained MCL, should improve his performance on the court.
In other Knicks news, it still appears likely that veteran Amar'e Stoudemire will be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers at the NBA trade deadline in February.
