Per Gambo: Suns Prefer Iman Shumpert over Jimmer

[asuhoopsnut]

This must be coming from the Lance and Lon team. He is reporting that they want to have a defensive presence going forward. This would be such a huge reach. Right now, nbadraft.net in their latest mock draft has Shumpert as going #51 to Portland. Apparently, he was a workout wonder at the NBA Combine.
I hate when a team decides to draft a player based on a combine or one workout, instead of their body of work. Also, when looking for a defensive specialist, you don't reach for a guy that you could probably get in the second round. Gambo was also reporting that if they were to draft a Power Forward at #13, it would be the lesser of the Morris Twins (Markieff). Apparently, they are also considering deals so they could get both Shumpert and Morris. Does anyone like these two players for the Suns?

 

[Mainstreet]

I can see Shumpert as a later pick if the Suns can get one but certainly not at #13. I don't get excited about the Morris twins but I have not seen them play either. I guess Markief's game is near the basket.
I had heard talk on the radio last week that the Suns were high I believe on Markief Morris so it is not new.

In short, I am not excited about the possible picks.

 

[PhxGametime]

I would really Love Drafting Iman Shumpert and I'm coming around (after having talk with my dad) about Markieff Morris, but Morris could be an enforcer type with range on jumpshot (think Kurt Thomas).


Shumpert is super athletic at 6'5.5 222 - can play the 1-2-3 and is in top tier defensively. He's been shooting well in workouts supposedly too.


PTS 17.3 REB 5.9 AST 3.5 STL 2.7 FTM 4.5

 

[asuhoopsnut]

I would really Love Drafting Iman Shumpert and I'm coming around (after having talk with my dad) about Markieff Morris, but Morris could be an enforcer type with range on jumpshot (think Kurt Thomas).


Shumpert is super athletic at 6'5.5 222 - can play the 1-2-3 and is in top tier defensively. He's been shooting well in workouts supposedly too.


PTS 17.3 REB 5.9 AST 3.5 STL 2.7 FTM 4.5

My question should have been, would you chose Shumpert at #13? I wouldn't. If they got a later first round pick (lets say #29 from San Antonio, as rumored) or a second round pick, then I would consider it. I just think Shumpert at #13 (as Gambo is suggesting) is too big of a reach!

 

[Mainstreet]

My question should have been, would you chose Shumpert at #13? I wouldn't. If they got a later first round pick (lets say #29 from San Antonio, as rumored) or a second round pick, then I would consider it. I just think Shumpert at #13 (as Gambo is suggesting) is too big of a reach!

My answer is not at #13. The Suns scouting is not that good to take such a gamble.

On the plus side if the Suns drafted Markief Morris to play PF and Shumpert to play the 1-2, the Suns might fill three positions of need with two picks.

 

[PhxGametime]

Two of the top 6 defenders in the Draft. I'm listening to Gambo & Ash trying to learn more about the Robin Lopez for #11 and Ekpe Udoh Trade rumor but the D'Backs are being mentioned right now.


I have Shumpert at #20 but if you read the Chad Ford's of the world - Shumpert and Klay Thompson are the 2 risers.

 

[slinslin]

Lopez for #11 and Udoh? lol

Lopez isn't worth #11 and is not worth Udoh either.

 

[Mainstreet]

Lopez for #11 and Udoh? lol

Lopez isn't worth #11 and is not worth Udoh either.

There would have to be more pieces involved.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Whaaaaa?!?!?

Did slin just undervalue Lopez? Yikes! What the hell is going on here....?

 

[asuhoopsnut]

Now this from Chad Ford's Twitter:

"I'm stunned by meteoric rise of Iman Shumpert. He's getting looks as high as 13 to Suns. Knicks (17), Wolves (20) & Nuggets (22) in mix".

 

[Griffin]

That seems too high for a player who is still projected to be a late second-round pick on many mock drafts. He may very well have impressed some people, but he shouldn't climb into the lottery unless some team, such as the Suns, reaches way too high.

If the Suns really like him, they should acquire another pick or trade down and get something else in return. I think Shumpert is still very likely to be there at #23, the pick the Suns gave away to borrow Brooks. Biyombo at #13 and Shumpert at #23 would have been a pretty good draft, imo.

 

[az jam]

That seems too high for a player who is still projected to be a late second-round pick on many mock drafts. He may very well have impressed some people, but he shouldn't climb into the lottery unless some team, such as the Suns, reaches way too high.

If the Suns really like him, they should acquire another pick or trade down and get something else in return. I think Shumpert is still very likely to be there at #23, the pick the Suns gave away to borrow Brooks. Biyombo at #13 and Shumpert at #23 would have been a pretty good draft, imo.

I totally agree but the Sarver Suns do not value draft picks.

 

[Gaddabout]

Shumpert does seem to compare favorably to Michael Finley, a player the Suns stole with the 21st pick in 1995. If they did that draft over again Finley would probably go 8 or 9, depending on how much you're in love with Theo Ratliff. That draft was much better than projected, by the way.

Shumpert's two inches shorter but has more athleticism. They're both about the same weight out of college and both are very physical defenders at the 2/3. They both have/had flawed jump shots, but Finley definitely got more production out of his in college. Finley was a really good passer but he had weak handles. Shumpert is decent all the way around. Incidentally, the two players grew up like 5 miles apart in Illinois.

 

[PhxGametime]

I remember being so excited when the Suns Drafted Michael Finley! I started paying attention to the NBA Draft in 1994 and watching the Goodwill Games (in whichever year) I fell for Finley's game and come Draft time wanted I Jerry Stackhouse or Finley. Suns got a big time steal in Finley that year. Iman Shumpert will need to improve his 3PT shooting percentage but is solid across the board.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I remember being so excited when the Suns Drafted Michael Finley! I started paying attention to the NBA Draft in 1994 and watching the Goodwill Games (in whichever year) I fell for Finley's game and come Draft time wanted I Jerry Stackhouse or Finley. Suns got a big time steal in Finley that year. Iman Shumpert will need to improve his 3PT shooting percentage but is solid across the board.

Yeah, his stock really dropped that year. IIRC, the prior year he was Big 10 Player of the Year (or in the running) and for some reason he fell off his senior season. I always liked Michael, maybe we'll get lucky on a similar player this year.

Steve

 

[PhxGametime]

Wesley Person was my Pick in the 1994 Draft, the year before Finley got Drafted and i'm guessing that's what got me so into the NBA Draft as a teenager, those first two years.


Suns have a lot of options this year: Kemba Walker, Bismack Biyombo, Tristan Thompson, Chris Singleton and Alec Burks; if they drop. Klay Thompson, Jordan Hamilton, Marshon Brooks, and Iman Shumpert; at the 2/3. Shumpert, Jimmer Fredette, and Josh Selby; at the 1. Markieff Morris, Jonas Valanciunas, JaJuan Johnson, and Kenneth Faried; at the 4.


The majority of these Prospects can play defense, with a few exceptions.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Finley declined some from the previous year and his stock dropped like a rock. It would today too. He sure turned out to have a decent career.

 

[Irish]

Shumpert did not get good reviews when he played with Favors and Lawal. I can certainly see the value of a top defender, but I'm not clear whey his shooting was so poor for the three 27.8% .

 

[Lefty]

I want the Suns to take Tristan Thompson.

 

[jlove]

From around the net, I'm picking up that the Suns want Tristan Thompson (outside of wanting to get Derrick Williams that is). They want to acquire another pick so that they can get him and a PG, presumably Shumpert via Gambo. If all they have come draft day is #13, they want (in this order) Thompson, Markieff, Shumpert, Jimmer.

That's all going off about 15 different websites that I've looked at today.

 

[AsUdUdE]

awesome... the suns like a guard who can't shoot (39% FG, 27% 3pt), his APG went down every year he played, and led his team to a 13-18 record this year...

can't wait

 

[Mainstreet]

awesome... the suns like a guard who can't shoot (39% FG, 27% 3pt), his APG went down every year he played, and led his team to a 13-18 record this year...

can't wait

I'm thinking if the Suns are seriously interested in Shumpert, he must have played Fredette well on defense and showed some PG skills. In any case I think he is a reach at #13.

 

[JCSunsfan]

awesome... the suns like a guard who can't shoot (39% FG, 27% 3pt), his APG went down every year he played, and led his team to a 13-18 record this year...

can't wait

Shumpert was projected middle of round two for a reason. He will be a bust. The Suns are making a science of drafting busts lately. Hopefully Babby has a little more gamesmanship than we have had in the past and he is just putting up a smoke screen.

75% chance I will be deeply disappointed on draft day.

 

[Mainstreet]

Why does Shumbert remind me of D.J. Strawberry? Wait, I think I remember.

 

[TBaslim]

Why does Shumbert remind me of D.J. Strawberry? Wait, I think I remember.

While I'm not sold on Shumpert going as high as 13 in the draft, he does have a few things over DJ that make a difference....like an addtional 20 pounds of muscle, 3 inches of wingspan, 8 inches of standing vert, 9 inchces of running vert. Oh, and solid jumpshot mechanics (although he needs a shooting coach).

The question with Shumpert is his brain, just like Earl The Pearl Clark. If he is bright and can be a learner and a hard worker, he has a real chance to make it in the league. He's young at 20.

If he's a dunce (God Bless good old Earl), it won't matter.