INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Iman Shumpert still gets a big smile when he reflects on his pivotal four-point play during Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

But that moment was one of the few bright spots during Shumpert's "worst statistical season ever," a year that didn't sit well with him and drove him to make numerous changes in the off-season.

"Worked on a lot of stuff, added stuff to my game, stopped searching for what I want to do and just take what the defense gives you," Shumpert said Friday following the Cavaliers' practice. "A lot more attention to jump shots and when I was playing pickup, every time we played I was working on something."

Shumpert focused on ball handling, an area he would've pinpointed even if the Cavaliers didn't have such a shaky backup point guard spot. He altered his shooting mechanics, trying to jump higher on each shot, especially 3-pointers. The tweaks were necessary after he hit a career-worst 29.5 percent from beyond the arc and 37.4 percent overall.

He even examined film, from the season and the NBA Finals, and saw that he didn't play up to standards on the defensive end.

"I have to have a lot more attention to detail on the defensive end," Shumpert said. "A lot of my frustrations on offense led to me doing a lot of gambling. That pisses (head coach Tyronn) Lue off. Now that I've had a chance to let it all sink in and we have a championship under our belt, think it will be a better year for me."

The biggest change for the 26-year-old guard came elsewhere. He altered both his workout routine and diet so he could drop weight and keep his conditioning at a level that allows him to play with the same intensity on both sides, a trait that led the Cavs to target him in a trade early in 2015.

"I came in last year at about 225," Shumpert said. "Then by the time I came back off the injury I was 230 and had to get myself back down to 225 and I just think it's a different 225 than me coming off the summer. ... I just wanted to take some of it down. I weighed in at 212 when I came in (this year), felt a lot better and healthy. That's the best thing for me."

During Shumpert's busy summer, he brought his trainer everywhere so he wouldn't be tempted to stray from his meal plan, which he says included all grilled and baked foods.

"This is the lightest I've played. Feel good," Shumpert said. "I didn't say I was no softer. I'm still a pretty strong guy out here. But everything this summer was low weight, high reps, instead of me forcing the issue with trying to get stronger and stronger."

He's healthy now but staying that way has been a challenge. Shumpert missed the first few months of last season after surgery on his right wrist, injured while dunking in a workout at Georgia Tech. That's why he eliminated dunking from his repertoire this summer.

All of the work should be helpful. The Cavaliers will need the best of Shumpert, especially as J.R. Smith's absence lingers.

"I know he took it upon himself to just get a lot better offensively," LeBron James said. "He just felt he wasn't there last year, but he put a lot of work into this summer. We're going to need him to make some timely shots, we're going to need him to make some plays, and he can absolutely do that for our team.

"He has to continue to get better, and he will."

Lue expressed the same confidence, stating Shumpert will be the team's starting shooting guard as Smith remains out of the picture.

"Shump can make shots," Lue said. "I just think he can't get sped up offensively trying to score the ball. We need him to make open shots, run the pick-and-roll, take his shots and don't get caught up in the offensive part of it because he's so much more valuable. ... We're going to expect him to make shots like he did the year before."

The Cavs have plenty of confidence in Shumpert. But, unfortunately, that was briefly tested as his eventful off-season extended beyond the court.

He was arrested outside of Atlanta in August on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after admitting to a local sheriff's deputy he had smoked marijuana just before getting into his rental car.

"Bad mistake," Shumpert said. "Can't touch on it much. But I will deal with that. I apologize to anybody that had to read that -- not only my fans but anybody that's a fan of the Cavs organization and anybody that's a fan of the NBA. They shouldn't have to read that or see that. I will take that. It's still pending and something we've got to work out."

Shumpert's court case for the DUI is ongoing in Fayette County, Georgia. He waived his arraignment this week, which also means he's pleading not guilty. His trial isn't set to begin until the week of Dec. 5. Without a conviction, it's highly unlikely the NBA would suspend him. The season will be a month old before the case even goes to trial.

The case is in the hands of his lawyer, William C. "Bubba" Head, the self-named DUI "guru" who has written more than 12 DUI defense books and also represented rapper Lil Wayne in his Georgia case recently.

For now, Shumpert's focus will remain the same: Rebound from the worst year of his career. Also, have more than one play bring a smile to his face when he eventually reviews the 2016-17 season.