Who is the better overall player: Kawhi Leonard or Iman Shumpert?

[hawkfan]

Who is the better overall player: Kawhi Leonard or Iman Shumpert?

[iDunk]

Leonard's having the better season just cause he's starting for a top 3 team in the league while putting up solid numbers. But I think Shump will be a better player in the future.

[christian1923]

Shumpert :pimp:

[chips93]

shumpert is a little better right now, but i prefer leonard long term

i think they will both be elite defenders, but i think leonard will be a better offensive player, and clearly a much better rebounder.

both should have really nice careers as role players on quality teams

[fubu05]

Man I love what Shumpert has done so far, but I can't choose right now. Kawhi may not be as good defensively, but he's got this incredible knack for rebounding and offensively he looks like he could be very good shooter.

Both teams ended up with some GREAT pickups.

[ClutchOver9000]

inb4 Linzomourning

[linZoMourning]

listen. im a HUGE fan of defense so im not gonna come in here and bash shumpert. from what ive seen from him he is a great on ball defender and his really finding a knack for himself offensively. this is kawhi leonard we are talking about though guys... he has so much potential. he just doesnt miss deep in the paint. id love shumpert on this spurs team honestly. I do not trash defensive minded players. linzo misconception. I love team ball and defense. anything else is uncivilized(the knicks). honestly. shump is prob SUPER pissed his team runs 20 iso plays in a row. free shump!!!

[DuMa]

shump is getting overrated because he has more exposure being a knick. his shooting is still god-awful inconsistent. and i almost facepalm when i see him trying to create off the dribble in a halfcourt setting.

[christian1923]

shump is getting overrated because he has more exposure being a knick. his shooting is still god-awful inconsistent. and i almost facepalm when i see him trying to create off the dribble in a halfcourt setting.

Why? :biggums:

[GabeIsGone]

shumpert is a little better right now, but i prefer leonard long term

i think they will both be elite defenders, but i think leonard will be a better offensive player, and clearly a much better rebounder.

both should have really nice careers as role players on quality teams
Pretty much this.

Except I think both have futures as more than role players. Especially Leonard, with the physical tools that he has and potential.

People realize hes only like 20 right? I'm predicting a better shooting, and faster-developing Gerald Wallace.

[Godzuki]

i think Shumpert could be a star in like 2-3 years~

he just has to improve his J which isn't even that bad now, but he's got everything else to excel from what i've seen, especially his drive game. most players don't have good drive game and when they do the other stuff seems easier to improve upon, but driving is something you really can't. either you have it or you don't.

[Rnbizzle]

Leonard = Crash
Shump = Tony Allen lite

you make the decision. (I'll take Leonard.)

[TeamLAC]

21 Shump St.

[Rob123]

Is this serious?

I live in San Antonio so I get to watch Leonard every night and Shumpert almost every other night since the Knicks are constantly on national T.V.

Leonard is the clear cut choice here he's doing what he's doing against the likes of OKC, the Mavs, and the rest of the bottle necked west, not the crappy east.

[TMT]

Most people are likely to choose Shump since most people haven't seen Kawhi play. :oldlol:
Not saying Kawhi is better, but down the road I think he will be the more complete player.

[SCdac]

Most people are likely to choose Shump since most people haven't seen Kawhi play. :oldlol:
Not saying Kawhi is better, but down the road I think he will be the more complete player.

it goes both ways. I haven't seen many NYK games this season, from what I've seen Shumpert looks solid, but haven't really seen him enough to comment...

I noticed Leonard is handedly leading all rookies in STL/TO though, and has committed half as many fouls as Shumpert (69-Leonard / 143-Shumpert).

I agree Kawhi is a really complete player. He does it all - the closest player comparison I see is Shawn Marion. Even down to the pogo stick-like athleticism, and knowing where to be on the court.

In March, Leonard averaged:

28 mpg, 15 games (9 starts)

11 ppg (55%)
6.5 rpg (2 off)
1.1 apg
1.7 spg
1.1 three pg (43%)
89% FT

If you threw Kawhi on, say, the Suns right now he'd be arguably the second best player (it'd be between Gortat and him). Right now, he's behind the Spurs Big-3, was behind RJ, and has basically a role player status, but he could probably be a decent part of a team's core on shallower team.

[christian1923]

Leonard = Crash
Shump = Tony Allen lite

you make the decision. (I'll take Leonard.)

Tony on defense. shumpert can actually shoot and make plays.

[iTare]

bump

[imdaman99]

At the time I would have picked Shump. But now it's clearly Kawhi. Why bump this thread? :rolleyes: What point were you trying to prove? That 6-7 people can be wrong? It wasn't even all Knicks fans.

[iTare]

At the time I would have picked Shump. But now it's clearly Kawhi. Why bump this thread? :rolleyes: What point were you trying to prove? That 6-7 people can be wrong? It wasn't even all Knicks fans.
In no way shape or form was I taking a dig at Knicks fans, I am neutral on that. But I do find it interesting that Shumpert was seen as a player with a lot of potential and still hasn't lived up to it, he definitely still can though. On the other hand Kawhi has improved to the point where he became a FMVP. A lot of it has to do with the system of course.

[russwest0]

And to think that OKC was just one NY Knicks f*ck up away from trading their late first rounder (Josh Huestis) for Shumpert...

:lol

[imdaman99]

In no way shape or form was I taking a dig at Knicks fans, I am neutral on that. But I do find it interesting that Shumpert was seen as a player with a lot of potential and still hasn't lived up to it, he definitely still can though. On the other hand Kawhi has improved to the point where he became a FMVP. A lot of it has to do with the system of course.
Alright cool :cheers:

I still see Shump as being good enough to put up 18-5-4 on a championship caliber team. Is he a #1 option? Not on a contender. Is he a 2nd option on a contender? Yes, I think he could be...but only when you have a top 5 player who has good leadership ability and plays both ways as the #1 option. That guy is clearly not Melo.

That being said, I'd rather have Kawhi over Melo... imagine the defense that would be played :eek: