Iman Shumpert: A Strange Choice for the New York Knicks
Iman Shumpert is a very good defender, which makes you wonder why the Knicks picked him. (Photo Courtesy of diz8882002, Flickr)
Talk in the last couple of days before the draft on Thursday had heated up on the Suns taking Iman Shumpert with the 13th pick overall. The Suns loved his athleticism, his ability to guard a number of different positions and saw him as a possible franchise point guard down the line.
Shumpert was available when the Suns were on the clock with their first and only pick on Thursday night, but Phoenix instead went with a big man and selected Markieff Morris out of Kansas. The Georgia Tech guard fell four spots later to the Knicks at 17.
Most were shocked by New York’s selection, especially with guys like Chris Singleton and Kenneth Faried, who would have been much much better picks for the Knicks. It remains to be seen what kind of player Shumpert is going to be at the pro level, but one thing is for certain, he is not a good fit for a Mike D’Antoni coached team.
The biggest weakness in Shumpert’s game is his shooting ability, which is something that D’Antoni loves out of his guards. Last season at Georgia Tech, the 20-year-old shot only 27 percent from three-point land and just over 40 percent overall. Shumpert was also considered one of the better defenders going into this draft.
A poor shooter and a very good defender are two things that D’Antoni doesn’t usually look for when he drafts a player, regardless of position. Is the former Suns head man suddenly changing his offense first/defense second philosophy? Highly unlikely.
John Gambadoro of the radio show Gambo and Ash speculated on yesterday’s broadcast that the Knicks pick of Shumpert could just be a ploy in order for New York to get Steve Nash to the Big Apple. Phoenix was very high on Shumpert coming into the draft, but instead went with a bigger need with their pick.
Gambo could be onto something here.
Shumpert doesn’t fit in with the Knicks and it is probably unlikely to see significant playing time from D’Antoni if they decide to keep him, especially with Toney Douglas on the current roster. A Shumpert, Landry Fields and Chauncey Billups plus possibly a future first round pick could be just enough for New York to get Nash.
Billups could step in to be the Suns starter for just this season while mentoring Shumpert to become this team’s starter a year from now. Fields could step in to be this team’s starter at shooting guard and Phoenix could add a future piece in next year’s draft, which is expected to be very rich and deep with talent.
This deal as of now if just speculative on my part, but it does make some sense. Hopefully the Suns brass will take a look at this article and use it as a general overview if they decide to change their minds and trade the two-time MVP during this offseason.
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Whoever thinks Nash = First Rounder + Shumpert + Billups + Fields really is an imbecile.
Heck why not put Carmelo and STAT and give us back Hakim Warrick and Josh Childress.
Wow.
You aren’t going to get a two-time MVP and one of the greatest point guards of all-time for nothing. I think a Billups, Shumpert and a future pick is more than a fair deal for Nash.
I think Nash and Lopez fills the needs for the Knicks. In return they send Billups, Landry Fields and Shumpert to the Suns. If I am not mistaken the Knicks have no 1st round pick except maybe 2013 for the foreseeable future. As a Suns follower I would then package Pietrus, Warrick, Childress and maybe Lawal and perhaps a 2012 second rounder of the Knicks to the Clippers for Kaman and Aminu. Following this when the CBA is signed and free agents can be signed the Suns should sign Arron Affalo and Winston Chandler of the Nuggets.
Larry, I am not opposed to acquiring Billups, as long as there is another young piece or two attached to him. I think your offer is fair for both teams. As far as your other one, that is a totally different story. As a Suns fan, I would jump on that deal in a heartbeat, but I highly doubt the Clips would.
I don’t think that I would even give up Billups straight up for Nash. Billups has a championship ring, is a former all-star, and is younger and a better defender than Nash. Now when you speak of including Shumpert, Fields, and a first round pick, now that’s lunacy! Shumpert’s shot is much improved, and his upside is off the charts.