Ex-Knicks forward lays out reasons why star duo Karl Anthony-Towns and Jalen Brunson are not scary enough: "I don't love that"
Just before the start of training camp, the New York Knicks made another big splash by trading for Karl-Anthony Towns. While one former player is excited about the team's new star pairing, he admitted that he has some doubts.
On Wednesday morning, Iman Shumpert joined ESPN's 'First Take' to discuss a variety of topics. Among the things brought up was New York's latest blockbuster trade. Shumpert admitted that he likes the idea of Jalen Brunson and KAT as a duo, but thinks it might not be enough come the postseason.
"I love them on paper," Shumpert said. "I love the KAT-Brunson, I love that on paper, that's awesome. I don't love that at the end of the game in the playoffs. It's not scary enough. There's got to be some player that can go off by themself."
Shumpert, who spent the first three years of his career with the Knicks, has a strong understanding of what it takes to win in the postseason. Back in 2016, he was part of the Cleveland Cavaliers team that made a historic comeback against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
The journeyman forward isn't far removed from playing in the league, last suiting up for the Brooklyn Nets in 2021. He is confident in his former team to succeed but has been one of the first people to come out and pump the brakes on the hype.
NBA analyst thinks New York Knicks has best starting lineup on paper
Trading for Karl-Anthony Towns is just one of many moves the New York Knicks have made to push themselves into the title hunt. Earlier this summer, they made another blockbuster move with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Mikal Bridges.
Following these two moves, New York has a lineup loaded with star talent and versatile wing play. While on 'NBA Today' earlier this week, ESPN's Bobby Marks went as far as to say that they have the league's best starting five on paper.
"I would even go on record right now saying that this New York team, their starting five, is the best starting five in the NBA on paper," Marks said. "Now they certainly have to go out and play."
This is certainly a bold remark from Marks, especially considering that the Boston Celtics were able to retain their starting unit after winning a championship. That said, the Knicks do have a case on paper right now.
For starters, Brunson is fresh off a breakout season that put him in the conversation for the NBA's best point guard. As for KAT, he was just the No. 2 option on a team that made the conference finals. To top it off, Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart are three versatile two-way wings.
Overall, the Knicks are built to succeed in the modern NBA. By the end of the regular season, they very well could be the best starting unit in the league.