Directions: Just add 50 pounds of muscle and stir vigorously

Michael Cooper, all 6'5 170 pounds of him, made eight straight All-Defensive teams between 1981 and 1988.

Only three people played on all five Showtime championship teams: Magic, Kareem, and Michael Cooper.

The Lakers' sixth man was one of the best defensive players of the 1980s, as the Lakers deployed Coop in the same manner the Knicks deploy Shumpert. Coop's defensive assignment was usually the other team's best shooter at the 2 or 3. Shump gets the same assignment. No minor task when the dudes name is Derrick Rose.

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Cooper averaged 8.9 points, 4.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.

Shumpert averages 9.8 points, 2.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 0.2 blocks per game

Did I mention that Shumpert is only a rookie?

A popular player among Lakers fans, home crowds were known to chant, "Coooooooop" whenever he controlled the ball, and the Lakers sometimes ran an alley-oop play for him that was dubbed the "Coop-a-loop."

The least the Knicks game ops people could do is drop some Digital Underground for Shump's nasty putback slams.

Larry Bird said that Cooper was the best defender he faced.

Need another perfect omen?

Cooper also wore number 21

I would be happy as a pig in **** if this turned out accurate. He's got a lot of potential, especially on the defensive side.

IrishKnickFan wrote:if his offensive game gets better then the sky is the limit

If Shump's offensive game gets better he is another dude named Michael and I'm not talking Jackson.

Iman played on bad wheels for a chunk of the season. The knee braces were ugly. Once his legs healed and his ego was reminded there were four other dudes on offense, he has been a joy to watch.

Rumor has it that Mike Woodson proposed.

holfresh wrote:Coop didn't mind throwing it down a time or two, either...More of a three point specialist when you need it but I see where you are going Earl!!!

holfresh - while Lakers fans were euphoric over Magic, Kareem and Worthy, it was Cooper who did the dirty work. He always drew the short straw on defending backcourts (and a few forwards) and never wavered in his effort. The high socks were a nice accent to his tenacious thwarting of attempted throwdowns.

Cooper, at 170 pounds, did not carry an ounce of fat. Shumpert could easily model for classic Greek statues.

Should Shump develop more accuracy in his jump shot it will be a beautiful thing.

CrushAlot wrote:JVG called him one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Shump gets into guys space and starts yelling in their face. It doesn't matter who he is covering. That is kind of like GP but I think Shump is more intense in his play on defense. I believe it was JVG that said he thinks Shump allows guys to get by him so that he can steal the ball.

He has a wingspan of 6'8 and has Capt. Chandler anchoring the middle. Makes sense to gamble a little.

shump is the kind of guy who can play a prominent role on a championship team.

i think his offensive game is already more versatile than cooper's was. i think shump can be more of what sprewell was when he first came into the league - spree was all defense and all nba a few times before "the choke"

ChuckBuck wrote:Alvin Robertson was a straight Thief! If Shumps pans out to any of these great defenders, it would be incredible.

ChuckBuck - nice call on Alvin Robertson. You are indeed Jedi.

The Mike Woodson Scouting Report

“You can’t guard (Rose) one on one. I think Rose is probably the best point guard in our league, without a doubt. He’s a true pro on and off the floor. I like everything about him. But it’s hard to guard that young man one on one. You just can’t do it.

Report Card

“And I thought our rook did a fantastic job. But he needed support and help. We got that, in terms of building a wall and [Rose] seeing bodies, and then trying to scramble out to the shooters.”

Humility

“Well, you know it’s going to be tough with him. He’s got free rein to really do whatever. He’s a great player, makes great decisions. I was just trying to keep him uncomfortable. Anytime I got beat, my guys were there to help me. We just got it done.” - Iman Shumpert

jrodmc - it boggles the brain when you consider that Shump outweights Michael Cooper by fidee pounds. 50.

Coops over-the-calf joints probably were intended to conceal his bird-thin legs.

Like Mike Tyson, when Shump hits you, you stay down.

Ask DRose about that touch foul on the drive down the middle.

Ouch.