LONDON -- Iman Shumpert survived a workout with 200 kids in London. The next step is to keep pace Thursday against the Detroit Pistons, maybe even from the start.

Barring any last-minute tweak, the New York Knicks guard is about to end a seven-month spell on the sideline that started when he suffered an ACL injury during last season's playoffs.

Shumpert -- one of several players who took part in a special NBA schools clinic Wednesday -- said he feels ready to help shore up a Knicks defense that has been increasingly porous during a stretch of just six victories in their past 14 games.

"I'm excited about it," Shumpert said. "I don't care what atmosphere there is. There doesn't have to be anybody here. If nobody shows up, I'm going to have fun, just having my jersey on and being with the guys again."

Knicks coach Mike Woodson has yet to make up his mind on whether Shumpert will go directly into the starting lineup against Detroit. "It's a possibility," he said.

"It's been sort of frustrating," Shumpert said of his time spent on the bench. "But at the same time, it's been a big learning experience for me. I had to grow up a lot, watching from the sidelines. And it's only going to help me when I finally get out there."

As well as cheerleading, Shumpert has taken long looks at his teammates, observing both the good and the bad in their 24-13 start. Mostly, though, he likes what he has seen.

"No matter how bad we're playing, we always find ways to pull through and make runs," he said. "That's big for the character of this team. We've had a couple of losses as of late. But we'll be fine.

"There are always ups and downs throughout the season. We were a little down but we got our win coming in here to London. And we expect to get another win and try and pick back up from here."

MEN ABOUT TOWN: There has been a lot of internal emphasis, several Knicks players said, on ensuring that the focus of their trip to the UK has been on defeating Detroit. Inevitably, though, the league -- as well the sponsors -- have arranged a flurry of promotional activities to promote the NBA and its stars.

There was an unexpected twist at an event sponsored by Nike when Amar'e Stoudemire found himself dunked on by a young basketballer from London. Other members of the New York party cited Buckingham Palace as their main target to see through the foggy, freezing London weather.

Several players are slated to attend Wednesday night's soccer match in London between Chelsea and Southampton. Team officials say the visit to Stamford Bridge was lined up by Knicks training and conditioning director Dave Hancock, formerly employed by Chelsea. But Rasheed Wallace is among those taking a pass. "I'll probably watch it on TV," he said.

SPIKE IN TOW: Knicks and Pistons players weren't the only ones in demand at a busy media session here. Super-fan Spike Lee has come along for the ride and will get his usual courtside seat.

"I've been to London a ton of times, but it's the first time I've seen the Knicks here," he said.

But the trip wasn't guaranteed. "My wife gave me permission to come to the game," he said.