Reaction to the Iman Shumpert Selection

The New York Knicks selected Iman Shumpert out of Georgia Tech with the 17th pick of the NBA draft last month, a decision that has gotten mixed reviews.  I feel I can pretty much project this guy as Michael Jordan II and not get proven wrong seeing as how the NBA is never going to play another game again, but doomsday lockout scenarios are far too depressing to talk about on a holiday weekend.

Apparently, Shumpert is a ridiculous athlete, a top-of-the-list run/jump draftee with length.  Any and every team can use a player like that.  If a long perimeter athlete develops enough brains to play smart team ball, he can usually find a way to be a championship role player.  He can also be one of the many talented flameouts who have graced the modern era of the NBA.

Iman Shumpert with David Stern on draft night.

Shumpert is going to be a lead guard in the NBA, not a pure point.  He wasn't a pure point in college, and because of his size and the fact that it's difficult to transition into an NBA point guard once you're in the NBA, I think he'll be a wing with handles that can play point occasionally.  With his athletic tools, he should be a solid defender, especially in terms of closing out on three-point shooters, something the Knicks could greatly use right now.

The Knicks need size and a young pure point guard who can grow with Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.  Chauncey Billups is one of the best point guards of his generation, but he is declining.  I feel like the Knicks are either extremely confident they can lure Chris Paul or Deron Williams to N.Y., or they think Toney Douglas brings what they need already.

Shumpert is a solid pick overall.  He doesn't fill N.Y.'s most pressing needs, but he shores up some weaknesses the Knicks had and makes them more athletic.  The board at 17 was bare of any sure pick that could address the major team needs, and it would have been counterproductive to try to fit a square peg in a round hole just for the sake of showing the public that they understand what needs to be done.  It was a better decision to shore up a secondary weakness of wing depth and perimeter closeout ability.  And absolute best case scenario, he turns into an explosive peripheral scorer.   

Or maybe Michael Jordan...