Iman Shumpert is standing by his LaMelo Ball take, and he’s putting the pressure squarely on Anthony Edwards.
After Ball debuted for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 116-97 preseason win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Shumpert doubled down on the idea that Edwards is the kind of star who can unlock the best version of Ball. On the Shump Street podcast, he tied that argument back to an earlier comparison to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“LaMelo [Ball], please prove me right because just a little bit ago I said, ‘Why can't you be SGA?' and everybody looked at me like I was dumb,” Shumpert said.
Ahrii Shumpert pushed back on the idea that Ball simply needed a teammate of Edwards’ caliber to reach the level of the two-time MVP, Gilgeous-Alexander. But Iman Shumpert didn’t budge.
Iman Shumpert: "LaMelo [Ball] please prove me right because just a little bit ago I said 'Why can't you be SGA?' and everybody looked at me like I was dumb."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 7, 2026
Ahrii Shumpert: "I don't know if he gonna be SGA."
Shump: "That's because SGA ain't never had Anthony Edwards with him.…
“That's because SGA ain't never had Anthony Edwards with him,” Shumpert said. “Pressure's on Anthony Edwards.
You have 2 years. After next year, if they are not in the Western Conference Finals and moving to the championship, if they are not, people are gonna start questioning him, because they're gonna be like, you got what you wanted.
Anytime you get what you want, where you beg for a point guard or somebody assumes the position, anytime that stuff happens, you have to show up in advance.”
Edwards sounded ready for the partnership, and he led the Timberwolves with 14 points, four rebounds, and two blocks. Ball chipped in 11 points, three assists, and one steal. Both players were done after the first half of Monday’s win.
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