Iman Shumpert hopes that he can return from right knee soreness to help the Rockets in the coming days, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes.
Shumpert, 28, has missed Houston’s first two games following the All-Star break due to the injury. He has not played since Feb. 13 and is currently listed as questionable for the Rockets’ game against the Hawks on Monday.
“I just need to run and do stuff,” Shumpert said. “I haven’t really tested it out now. We’ve been doing strength work. I’ll be able to do a little running (Sunday and Monday), see how it responds and go from there.”
After appearing in just 14 games last season due to knee surgery, Shumpert acknowledged he needs to be more careful in returning to the court. In 45 games between the Rockets and Kings this season, 8.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 1.1 SPG. Houston acquired Shumpert as part of a three-team deal ahead of the trade deadline.
“I don’t think it was a certain play that happened. I sat out a year. Just an accumulation of minutes,” Shumpert said. “Don’t get me wrong. I can still play through it. Looking at the long haul, being traded to this team, knowing what we’re up against and what we have to do come playoff time, I have to be able to play through. If I’m able to take some time now to get it all right, using the All-Star break for those days and taking these days, will do me a lot of good in strengthening it and making sure my form is right.”
Maybe…(whispering)… This is why Sacto traded him. (?) There was no talk of knee issues at trade deadline time. He has missed 11 games this year but was playing fulltime minutes leading up to the trade.
Shump was having a great year in Sac but he also wasn’t feeling any pressure as the Kings are playing with house money. Now he’s gotta go back into the championship or bust mentality like in the land. Good pick up by the Rockets for that reason.
Odd headline. I doubt many people were thinking otherwise.