Iman Shumpert's ’do is doing the most

By Jill Hudson @ESPNStyleWriter

June 16, 2016

The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers have showcased plenty of on-court greatness in this year’s NBA finals.

But Iman Shumpert, the Cavs’ defensive swingman and occasional rapper, is the player to watch for his continuing parade of hair drama and barbershop realness. Shumpert is already well-known to basketball fans for his throwback high-top fade, which is sometimes picked out into a tall and fluffy Afro or twisted into a futuristic crown of spiky swirls.

Then, Game 2 changed everything.

That’s when Shumpert arrived at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, sporting a texturized S-Curl situation, which hung heavy over his sweaty brow as the Cavaliers fell to Golden State in a crushing 110-77 defeat.

https://vine.co/v/iYEdIOYFgtP

By the time Game 3 came around, Shumpert had gone full SoulCycle-in-the-Hamptons and tied his hair up into a practical top knot. But that didn’t keep him from getting dragged a bit on Twitter.

Shumpert's hair = flashbacks of being 11yrs old & my pops yanking me off the court for showing up to a game with my hair a mess. #NBAFinals

— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) June 9, 2016

But we’ve spoken to some barbers who think folks need to let him live! He’s young, he’s rich and he’s taking chances.

One thing’s for sure: Shumpert’s hair is never boring. We’ve collected all of the styles for your viewing pleasure. Here’s to hoping his man bun brings good karma Thursday night as the Cavs try to tie the series and force a Game 7.

This gallery was created by Brent Lewis.

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"Iman has worn that high-top fade for a while now. As a barber, I take issue over the quality of his fade. I was cutting hair in ‘88 and ’89 when we were doing 20 or 30 cuts like that every day. I want to see him go to a barber that will make him look as good as I know he could." -Kamal Nuru, owner of Levels Barbershop, which has locations in Harlem, Brooklyn and Orange County, New York.

"Iman has worn that high-top fade for a while now. As a barber, I take issue over the quality of his fade. I was cutting hair in ‘88 and ’89 when we were doing 20 or 30 cuts like that every day. I want to see him go to a barber that will make him look as good as I know he could." -Kamal Nuru, owner of Levels Barbershop, which has locations in Harlem, Brooklyn and Orange County, New York.
"This look is very modern, actually. He’s being a little more expressive with his hair, which isn’t typical with black pro athletes." -Johnny Wright, celebrity hair guru and First Lady Michelle Obama's hair stylist.

"This look is very modern, actually. He’s being a little more expressive with his hair, which isn’t typical with black pro athletes." -Johnny Wright, celebrity hair guru and First Lady Michelle Obama's hair stylist.
"Me being a barber, I can see that he texturized it. I think the only reason it’s tied up is to keep it from flying around and flopping in his face after the texturizing." -Kamal Nuru

"Me being a barber, I can see that he texturized it. I think the only reason it’s tied up is to keep it from flying around and flopping in his face after the texturizing." -Kamal Nuru
"I never really judge players' hair too harshly during the playoffs and finals. Iman is playing ball, he’s sweating or he’s changed clothes, or whatever. Everyone gets a pass from me because the most important thing is to keep your mind on the game." -Kamal Nuru

"I never really judge players' hair too harshly during the playoffs and finals. Iman is playing ball, he’s sweating or he’s changed clothes, or whatever. Everyone gets a pass from me because the most important thing is to keep your mind on the game." -Kamal Nuru
"He's 25, he's talented and wealthy, and he doesn't have to play by anyone’s rules. This look isn't cookie cutter, and he's doing his thing. It's not like he works in a bank or a law office. If anything, he should go higher (with the hair)." -Johnny Wright

"He's 25, he's talented and wealthy, and he doesn't have to play by anyone’s rules. This look isn't cookie cutter, and he's doing his thing. It's not like he works in a bank or a law office. If anything, he should go higher (with the hair)." -Johnny Wright
"There's a lot more expressiveness with players beards, the way their cuts are being shaped and the overall look being more adventurous. Men are using their hair to be more expressive. There's been a real evolution in barbering." -Johnny Wright

"There's a lot more expressiveness with players beards, the way their cuts are being shaped and the overall look being more adventurous. Men are using their hair to be more expressive. There's been a real evolution in barbering." -Johnny Wright
"Social media has created a space where cowardly, judgmental people won’t say these things to your face. If Iman Shumpert were in front of these people, they’d be kissing his a** and asking to take a picture with him." -Johnny Wright

"Social media has created a space where cowardly, judgmental people won’t say these things to your face. If Iman Shumpert were in front of these people, they’d be kissing his a** and asking to take a picture with him." -Johnny Wright
"There's a lot more expressiveness with players beards, the way their cuts are being shaped and the overall look being more adventurous. Men are using their hair to be more expressive. There's been a real evolution in barbering." -Johnny Wright

"There's a lot more expressiveness with players beards, the way their cuts are being shaped and the overall look being more adventurous. Men are using their hair to be more expressive. There's been a real evolution in barbering." -Johnny Wright