On a team with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith, it's easy to overlook Iman Shumpert. OK, maybe easy isn't the right term given his impeccably maintained rising flat top, but let's just say no one would blame you for focusing on his more accomplished, more well-known teammates.
Take, for instance, last night's 103-95 victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Boston Celtics to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. Shumpert was mostly innocuous, playing just 20 minutes and putting up four points, one rebound, one assist, one steal and one block. Meanwhile, Kevin Love had 23 and 9, five total Cavs scored in double digits, and LeBron put up a 31 and 11 double-double and also did this:
Of course, basketball heads know Shumpert's value. He's a tremendous perimeter defender and a guy who can hit a shot when called upon.
But perhaps his even greater skill is in rhyming. We all know there are many athletes, particularly NBA athletes, who attempt alternate careers in music, and most of them are terrible. Shumpert, on the other hand, is actually a pretty accomplished rapper.
So with the Cavs prepping for and now currently in the midst of the 2015 NBA Playoffs, Shumpert dropped a track called "The Offs," in which he name drops every Cleveland Cavalier, including head coach David Blatt.
Admittedly, this is not one of Shump's stronger efforts, but he gets points for creativity and team camaraderie. Every team needs a player like Iman Shumpert, both for his defensive skills and team morale. Plus, you never know, maybe he'll get Kevin Love to rap with him sometime.
