Player Spotlight: My Shumps

Last year, one of my favorite under the radar draft picks, Iman Shumpert, showed everyone exactly what kind of game that he is capable of playing.  Hes fast, tough, big, and can score when he is given the ball.  He really picked up his game when the struggling Knicks needed him to.

This year, however, is the first time I am starting to worry about Shumperts spot on the Knicks.  As a combo guard, he will competing for time at point with Raymond Felton as well as Jason Kidd, and at the shooting guard spot, many minutes are going to J.R. Smith and Ronnie Brewer.  The Knicks have so many back court players that this second years role on the team might be starting to become watered down.  As an all around player, it would be disappointing to see Shumpert fall into a role guy spot just because of all the competition at the spots.

     I personally think that Iman Shumpert is more of an all around player than both Smith and Brewer, and I am saying this despite my crazy love for the ever streaky J.R..  Iman is a good defender, especially for being so young, and has sky high potential, but he is going to need minutes and some more experience to be a great player.  

     And as far as I am concerned, this should be the time for the Knicks to do it.  Lets face it, the Knicks aren't exactly a playoff team. They are still heavy offense, low on defense, and their bench will all be on the bench sharing hits of oxygen from a tank of air with a Gatorade logo on the side.  So why not throw Shumpert in now and develop him? J.R. Smith performs best coming off the bench and providing spark and fast points anyway, and I have always thought Brewer was overrated.  

     There are a lot of factors that could change and affect what happens on this team, but one thing will always stay the same: I'm rooting for you Shumpie.