The New York Knicks could have added another scorer in the 2011 NBA Draft, pleasing Mike D'Antoni. Or another big man, pleasing Amar'e Stoudemire. Or a defensive-minded point guard who might be the next Rajon Rondo or the next Orien Greene, pleasing a very small subset of crazy and possibly psychotic Knicks fans.
NBA Draft Grades 2011: New York Knicks Begin Rebellion With Iman Shumpert
In his final decision at the helm of the Knicks, Donnie Walsh played to those crazy and possibly psychotic Knicks fans.
Gained: Iman Shumpert.
Gave up: Nothing.
Synopsis: Iman Shumpert is, I have quickly learned, one of the most controversial men in America. As a Georgia Tech guard, I assumed he was awful. The world built Derrick Favors' case in 2010 partly based on the fact that Georgia Tech has awful guards. I assumed the world would not lie to me.
But hark! Shumpert is said to be a great defender -- that’s not just Paul Hewitt smoke and mirrors -- and a playmaker. He just can’t shoot. (Good thing the Knicks don’t ask their guards to take a ton of threes.) It sounds like Rondo, but we’ll understand if the New York crowds need to be convinced.
And if he’s not? That’s a nice kick in the pants from Walsh to the organization.
Grade: Uh ... C? OK, C.
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