It is too early to say what Shumpert can actually do in the NBA, but i am hopeful. He has great size and athleticism, but many of the premier "athletes" have not fared weil -- Joe Alexander and Gerald Green are recent examples. Balkman is another, so perhaps is Anthony Randolph. But, of course, athleticism helps. Gallo would be fantastic if he had Randolph's athleticism.
One thing I do like about Shumpert is that he seems to be level headed, willing to work and very inteliigent. His interviews have been terrific and Amare' and Melo appear pleasantly anxious to welcome and work out with him. He will learn a lot trying to guard Melo.
We needed to get lucky in this draft. I hope we have gotten lucky and that Shumpert becomes a Westbrook -- but without all the foced shots.
Indeed, if Shumpert becomes a Westbrook I feel as if we would have some tough long-term problems to deal with.
I still believe that not making use of Anthony Randolph's talents was Mike O'Antoni's biggest mistake...AR was psyched to come to NY, he talked about how he had a good season the year before and was amongst the league leaders in blocks before he got hurt and was hoping to prove himself in front of the Garden crowd and then O'Antoni decided playing Amar'e for 41 minutes a night was more important than giving Anthony Randolph playing time.
**** this coach, man.
Frankly with the way Shumpert's game projects out I wouldn't be surprised to see D'Antoni put Toney Douglas and Chauncey Billups on the floor together against Miami and let Dwyane Wade torch us for 40 points when we have an elite perimeter defender rotting on the bench...that's just how O'Antoni works.
I Like D'Antoni's bravery in saying this-- But, waaaaay too early to say it. He hasn't played one game at the NBA level yet, and Shumpert doesn't yet know how much of a different pace the game is played at from College to NBA Level. Maybe in a few years Iman can match up on these guys, but these are SUPERSTARS, almost impossible to guard.
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Here’s a nice quote from Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni about first round pick Iman Shumpert that’s going to get misconstrued all over the place.
“He has the athletic ability to guard a [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] or a [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] or a [Only registered and activated users can see links. ],” D’Antoni said Friday.
The Knicks need defense, and they drafted Shumpert, and based off of that quote, you can take the approach that D’Antoni said Shumpert can guard Rose, Wade, or James. But that’s not actually what he said.
To defend players of that caliber, you need athleticism, instincts, skills, and savvy. All of that, plus some luck, will probably get you to hold them to 43 percent shooting or worse. Throw in some help defense from teammates (on the Knicks! Haha, what a funny joke!) and you’ve got a better chance at getting them to 30% or worse. But you do need athleticism. D’Antoni’s not saying Shumpert’s going to come in and guard those guys, that’s obviously insanity. But having that kind of athleticism means Shumpert can be a defensive weapon in time.
Now, whether he’ll actually wind up getting the defensive attention he needs to become that kind of defender under D’Antoni is a separate question.
This reminds me of the time when Mike D said another foolish statement by saying that Gallinari was the best shooter he has ever seen. PUTTING EVEN MORE PRESSURE ON HIM.
Mike D needs to take a psychology class to learn that high expectations on a big stage just cause stress for a young player and cause him to fail.
Now he says Iman Shumpert can guard the best 1-2-3's in the NBA, arguably. ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Even if Shumpert has the ability, you don't say it because NOW he has to or else he is not exceeding Mike D's expectations.
Mike D is an idiot. He says and does the stupidest things as a head coach.
Indeed, if Shumpert becomes a Westbrook I feel as if we would have some tough long-term problems to deal with.
I still believe that not making use of Anthony Randolph's talents was Mike O'Antoni's biggest mistake...AR was psyched to come to NY, he talked about how he had a good season the year before and was amongst the league leaders in blocks before he got hurt and was hoping to prove himself in front of the Garden crowd and then O'Antoni decided playing Amar'e for 41 minutes a night was more important than giving Anthony Randolph playing time.
**** this coach, man.
Frankly with the way Shumpert's game projects out I wouldn't be surprised to see D'Antoni put Toney Douglas and Chauncey Billups on the floor together against Miami and let Dwyane Wade torch us for 40 points when we have an elite perimeter defender rotting on the bench...that's just how O'Antoni works.
Mike D would bench Shumpert and put in Douglas because of his love fest with a small/fast lineup...just like how he benched Darko Millicic, Jordan Hill, Shelden Williams, Mozgov, all because he wanted a more offensive lineup...he has no defensive concepts.
This reminds me of the time when Mike D said another foolish statement by saying that Gallinari was the best shooter he has ever seen. PUTTING EVEN MORE PRESSURE ON HIM.
Mike D needs to take a psychology class to learn that high expectations on a big stage just cause stress for a young player and cause him to fail.
Now he says Iman Shumpert can guard the best 1-2-3's in the NBA, arguably. ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Even if Shumpert has the ability, you don't say it because NOW he has to or else he is not exceeding Mike D's expectations.
Mike D is an idiot. He says and does the stupidest things as a head coach.
I agree, but it also cleverly takes the pressure off of him as well. If they don't live up to his hype they will be seen as busts. Plus, he has a talk show that will give him the stage to shine more light on his opinions. IMHO, he needs at least one ring before he runs his mouth about such things...it's a wonder why he even haves a show before a championship.
A defensive-system that have athletic shotblockers defending the paint
is the only thing that can stop elite scoring players from scoing in the paint.
Other than that, one on one players are not going to stop elite scorers
from scoring from the peremeter.
u have to double Carmelo/ Lebron/ Kobe/ Wade
Watch a Celtics game, or a Miami game. PG/SG/SF will back away from
the paint coming off of a screen simply because they see that the defense
behind the pick and roll is solid. They know it won't end well if they drive at
that time. Against the Knicks that is almost never the case regardless of who
the "one on one" defenders is. When you play the Knicks, you know that if
you beat your man, you score or get an easy basket for a teammate. That
just isn't true for good defensive teams. Great defenders will get torched
regularly if Dantoni was their headcoach.
A defensive-system that have athletic shotblockers defending the paint
is the only thing that can stop elite scoring players from scoing in the paint.
Other than that, one on one players are not going to stop elite scorers
from scoring from the peremeter.
u have to double Carmelo/ Lebron/ Kobe/ Wade
Watch a Celtics game, or a Miami game. PG/SG/SF will back away from
the paint coming off of a screen simply because they see that the defense
behind the pick and roll is solid. They know it won't end well if they drive at
that time. Against the Knicks that is almost never the case regardless of who
the "one on one" defenders is. When you play the Knicks, you know that if
you beat your man, you score or get an easy basket for a teammate. That
just isn't true for good defensive teams. Great defenders will get torched
regularly if Dantoni was their headcoach.
Dead on, even though the Celtics couldn't "stop" Melo in the playoffs they certainly had a good plan to frustrate him, and definitely slowed him down with all the double teams they threw at him all game long.
Paul Pierce is frustrating enough as a defender with all his poking and flopping and then you have KG/Allen/Rondo doubling up and the rest of the Knicks not being able to score an open look.
Such a simple plan and it worked so well. The Knicks can't effectively double team anyone because they suck at help defense and if the double team is passed out of they will never catch up to the ball.
Shumpert
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