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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Chicago Bulls Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

Yes the Bulls just drafted a shooting guard two picks ago, but that position really needs help on the team. With Marshon Brooks they get a big time scorer, and here with Travis Leslie the Bulls get a high flying athletic defender that continues to improve. 

Leslie's draft status is in question because of a recent beef with Tony Allen. Leslie told reporter he was better than Allen, to which the Grizzlies guard said "who are you?". Leslie tried to play it off as if he said that he could be better than Allen if he continued to work hard. 

There's no denying that Leslie is a hard worker, but he needs to learn to keep his mouth shut, and his fingers quiet.

MUST READ: 2011 NBA Draft: 50 Best Prospects on the Big Board

Leslie wasn't allowed to use Twitter under Mark Fox, but now that he is on his own he is tweeting like crazy again, which may hurt him for this draft. You better believe scouts are following his tweets to see what kind of person he is. 

However, despite the negatives Leslie has cornered himself into, he is still a damn good basketball player. His jumper needs work, but it has steadily improved over the last couple of years. 

Leslie is a dunk machine and often referred to as a human highlight reel. He can jump out of the gym, as well as be a lock down defender. 

The shooting guard position is a big time need for the Bulls, and in this draft they will get two solid role players this later in the first round. Leslie will provide a nice change of pace while in the game because he is unlike any other player on the Bulls roster. 

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the San Antonio Spurs Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

This draft is very important to the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs are a very good team, and although it may seem they don't have any pressing needs, they do need to think about their future. 

With a few key players getting up their in age the Spurs must look to find eventual replacements. Tim Duncan doesn't have too much left in the tank, which is why I believe the Spurs will look to draft a power forward late in the first round. 

The Spurs could look to an international player here, but I think they're better off getting a college kid to come join the team now to learn from Duncan. 

MUST READ: 2011 NBA Draft: 50 Best Prospects on the Big Board

Justin Harper is 6'10" 225 pounds and can really shoot the ball. Harper isn't the same type of player that Duncan is, but he can definitely learn how to work the post from him. 

Harper will need to get stronger if he plans to become a starter in the league, but in time he can add the weight. He has great range from beyond the arc, as well as great quickness for his size. 

Often times Harper will settle for the jump shot, but he will soon learn what his role is in the NBA. He'll knock down the jumper when he has the open look, but there won't be any forcing shots while he is playing for the Spurs. 

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Chicago Bulls Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

It's no secret that Derrick Rose could use another scorer on the team. The No. 2 guard is the weak area on the Chicago Bulls roster, which means the Bulls will be looking to upgrade that position in this draft. 

With two first round picks so close to each other the Bulls could package a deal with a team if they really like a certain guy. I have a feeling Marshon Brooks is going to be that guy. He is a high flying scoring machine. All Brooks did at Providence was put up points. 

Rose needs some of the pressure taken off of him, and Brooks will help him with that. 

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It's possible that Brooks could be drafted earlier because of his ability to score easily. Shooting guard is a need spot for a few teams this year, and because this draft is a bit weak in that area Brooks could be a higher pick that most expect. 

Brooks is a special player. He has a knack for creating his own shot and making things look easy. Brooks is 6'5" 195 pounds. He averaged 24 points and seven rebounds last year. 

His best skills are his ability to penetrate to the basket, and get the rebound if he misses a shot. Following your shot is the basics of basketball that so many players never do. Brooks could shoot a littler better from beyond the arc, but he won't be asked to do that too often in Chicago. They need him to drive create and score to relieve Rose of constant double teams. 

2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the New Jersey Nets Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The New Jersey Nets only first round pick comes from the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nets traded away their lottery pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Deron Williams. They better hope he stays or else what a waste. 

The only way he is going to stay is if the Nets surround him with high profile talent. They won't be able to do that during this draft, which means free agency this year and next are very important to this franchise. 

The Nets are likely to use their one draft picks to acquire a solid shooter. 

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Nikola Mirotic is a 6'10" 226-pound power forward currently playing in Serbia. An international owner is likely to grab an international player.

Mirotic probably won't join the NBA right away because of contract issues with his Euro-league team, which is why I have him falling to the bottom of the first round. He has mid first round talent, but teams will pass on him because it could be awhile before he joins the NBA. 

Mirotic must add strength before he joins the NBA if he plans to dominate in the paint. He is a very good shooter with great basketball intelligent. Despite a large wingspan(seven foot one inch) he isn't that great of a rebounder. He'll definitely need to work on that skill. 

2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Dallas Mavericks Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The Dallas Mavericks are a very good team. A few key players are getting up there in age, but their bench is pretty well set. They will use the No. 26 pick in the draft to lock up a shooter for the future. 

It is possible they will draft a point guard here to eventually replace Jason Kidd, but I think they really believe in J.J. Barea. His success this post season is the reason the Mavericks can feel good about their future when it comes to the point guard position. 

The Mavericks will look to grab an international player here and wait for him to develop a little more before he joins the NBA. 

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Davis Bertans is an 18-year-old small forward from Lativa. He still has a few years of development left, but Dallas is OK with waiting for this great shooter. Bertans is already being compared to Dirk Nowitzki. 

He doesn't have the strength of Nowitzki yet, but right now he can shoot with the best of them. At 6'10" 210-pounds Bertans needs to bulk up, but that isn't a huge worry since he is only 18. 

It's a project for Dallas that could be a bust, or it could pay off really well. Bertans has the potential to be a solid player for the Mavericks in the future. 

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Boston Celtics Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The Boston Celtics need to add youth to their roster. They have talent on their team that will take them far, but those guys are all aging. Adding fresh young legs to the team will work really well for the Celtics. 

I have the Boston Celtics drafting Jordan Williams of Maryland because it just makes sense. Williams is 6'10" 260-pound center will fit in very well with the way Boston plays basketball. 

Boston got rid of Kendrick Perkins, and it's obvious they need help in the post down low. 

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Williams could be a potential sleeper here. His offensive skills aren't as good as some players, otherwise he would be a lottery pick. However, Williams is a big physical post player that is just what the Celtics need. 

Williams averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game at Maryland. The center can step in off the bench for the Celtics and give them great defense. There is no way Boston lets him walk away if he's still on the board here. 

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Oklahoma City Thunder Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The Thunder only have one small forward on their roster. Granted it just so happens to be the NBA's two time scoring title champ Kevin Durant, the Thunder could use another forward on the bench. 

Oklahoma City traded away Jeff Green for Kendrick Perkins this season. Now that Durant is the only small forward on the team I believe they will use the 24th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft on a small forward. 

The best one available for them this last in the first round will be Tyler Honeycutt of UCLA. 

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Honeycutt didn't have very impressive numbers this past season, but there's no denying his a skilled forward. The 6'8" 188-pound forward must bulk up in the NBA, but more times than not the skinny kids joining the NBA put on at least 10 pounds of strength. 

Most athletes that leave Ben Howland's system early tend to do really well. Honeycutt is needs to develop a better shot on the perimeter, as well as creating his own shot, but he can learn a lot from Durant. 

Honeycutt will join a Thunder team ready for a championship and give them great play off the bench. He crashes the boards well for his position, and will learn his role in Oklahoma City. 

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Houston Rockets Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The Houston Rockets need help all over. The have two picks in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, and even though there's a possibility of a trade I think Houston will keep both picks. 

Wither their first pick I have the Rockets taking a big time rebounding power forward in Kenneth Faried. Here with their second pick they will draft a point guard to hopefully give them a spark. 

Josh Selby was limited at Kansas because of injuries and a suspension, but he has lottery type talent. 

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The Rockets don't have an elite point guard on their roster, and by drafting Selby they'll hope he can transform into one. His style of play is similar to Derrick Rose in the sense he loves to penetrate to the hoop.

Selby can hit the jump shot and drive to the basket. He creates his own shots and sets up his players with easy shots as well.

The Rockets need to get better at every position, but the point guard is the most crucial position on the court. Selby has loads of talent, but not a lot of it was seen this past year. That could potentially push him out of the first round, but pre-draft workouts should increase his draft status.   

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Denver Nuggets Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

You would think that after trading away a super star player a franchise would be struggling to find ways to win. This wasn't the case for the Denver Nuggets after trading Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks. 

Denver acquired great talent for Anthony, which allowed them to still make the playoffs. Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari are going to be doing good things in Denver for a long time, but they still need help if they expect to get out of the first round of the playoffs.

It's clear that the Nuggets need another big body down low to help score and defend. Enter Trey Thompkins. 

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Thompkins draft stock dropped a little because he checked into the the combine as the fattest player there. I'm not talking about the heaviest, because at 6'10" 240 pounds there are other players with at least 20 pounds on him. 

However, Thompkins checked in at 15.5 percent body fat, which was by far the most of any prospect. That doesn't take away from his skills on the court, but it does worry scouts. Because of that his status as a first rounder is in question. 

Thompkins reminds me of Rasheed Wallace without the hot head. He can post up with anyone, as well as hit the big jump shot. His versatility is just what the Nuggets could use. He is a big time rebounder, and a solid defender. 

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Portland Trail Blazers Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The Portland Trail Blazers don't have as many needs as other teams do, but that doesn't mean the draft should be overlooked. Draft picks are always important, and late in the first round like this you want to make the most of your picks. 

The Trail Blazers would be wise to select Reggie Jackson, point guard of Boston College. Some scouts consider Jackson a big-time sleeper in this draft. If he does well in pre-draft workouts his draft stock could rise considering the teams that need point guards. 

MUST READ: 2011 NBA Draft: 50 Best Prospects on the Big Board

Jackson is 6'3", 208 pounds with excellent speed. He averaged 18 points and four assists this past season for Boston College. Jackson has a seven foot wingspan, which absolutely blows the mind of some NBA scouts. 

He is a very athletic guard with a never quit attitude. Jackson will be a great pick for the Trailblazers. Andre Miller is 35, so finding his replacement is key for this draft. 

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Minnesota Timberwolves Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

Another team with two picks in the first round, the Timberwolves are likely to move around during the first round, or trade a player they just picked. Minnesota loves to wheel and deal during the draft, and I wouldn't be surprised if this pick is traded one way or another. 

With their first pick I have the Timberwolves drafting Kyrie Irving. Since they found their point guard at No. 2, here at No. 20 they will add depth for the low post. Irving gives them a player that is going to score often, which means drafting a shooting guard here isn't the best of ideas. He will be the Timberwolves Derrick Rose. 

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The Timberwolves drafted a forward last year, but extra depth never hurts. Tobias Harris of Tennessee can give the Timberwolves great play in decent minutes off the bench.

Harris is a 6'8 226-pound small forward that has great basketball instincts. He knows the ins and outs of the game, and will be able to contribute right away for Minnesota.

He certainly benefits from other prospects returning to school, and who knows, if some teams skip over international players for college kids, Harris could be one of those college kids taken.  

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Charlotte Bobcats Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The Charlotte Bobcats have two picks in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. If they feel strongly about one player in particular they may jump up to get him. 

This is a possibility, but the Bobcats are trying to rebuild their franchise, which is why I think they'll keep both picks. They are very focused on their future, and proof of that was made clear when they traded away arguably their best player in Gerald Wallace. 

The Bobcats will look to find Wallace's replacement here and draft Jordan Hamilton of Texas. 

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With their lottery pick I have the Bobcats drafting an international power forward. It will be a few years before 19 year old Jonas Valanciunas joins the NBA, which means the Bobcats need to draft a player here that can contribute right away. 

Hamilton still has much to learn, but he can make the team and be a solid role player for the Bobcats during his rookie reason.

Hamilton is a 6'7" 220 pound small forward with solid range. He can score from anywhere on the floor, and the Bobcats will love that. Charlotte needs help putting points on the board, and Hamilton can do that. 

Hamilton's shot selection is questionable at times, but he will quickly learn his role in the NBA.   

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Washington Wizards Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The Washington Wizards second pick of the first round is just as important as their first. This is a team trying to rebuild and find the missing pieces of the playoff caliber roster. With their first pick I have the Wizards selecting Kawhi Leonard of San Diego State. 

With a legit small forward now on the roster the Wizards need to work on filling the sixth man role, or extra depth on the low post. It might be a bit risky to take a big man here, especially when the Wizards can draft an excellent shooter. 

Klay Thompson of Washington State was one of the best shooters in the country this past season, and the Wizards will welcome him to their roster with open arms.

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Thompson has the ability to hit shots from all over the floor. The 6'6" 203 pound guard can play the two guard role because of his size and shooting ability. With John Wall, Jordan Crawford, JaVale McGee, Leonard, and now Thompson, the future looks very bring in Washington. 

Thompson isn't likely to start, but he will bring a great burst of energy when coming off the bench. Nick Young is a free agent, and it is doubtful he will remain a Wizard. Therefore, drafting a shooter here is very crucial. 

The Wizards have a bright future ahead of them, but only if they play their cards right and make smart picks in the 2011 NBA Draft. 

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the New York Knicks Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The New York Knicks cannot overlook this draft. Yes, it's a weak draft class, but that doesn't mean that can't find good role players here in the middle of the first round. 

The Knicks will of course be focusing on free agency. They're going to want to surround their big time stars with other super stars in hopes of soon winning a championship. 

However, if they lose sight of the draft it will hurt their future. The Knicks have a chance to land a vital role player for the coming years here, and if they don't draft smart it could hurt them in their quest for a championship. 

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Whenever Amar'e Stoudemire is resting on the bench the Knicks suffer dearly. They need to add another big man to provide this team with extra depth. Enter Markieff Morris. 

Markieff is the twin brother of Marcus Morris who I have going to the Phoenix Suns. Markieff is the better defender of the two. His offensive game needs work, but it has vastly improved over the years. 

The 6'10" 245 pound forward has the potential to play the center position as well. He can learn from Stoudemire on how to improve his post game and be an affective big man. Morris will give the Knicks great energy off the bench, as well as big time defender, something the Knicks lack. 

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will the Philadelphia 76ers Select in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The Philadelphia 76ers will be using this draft to prepare for the future. Andre Iguodala isn't likely to be around much longer, so I expect the 76ers to attempt to draft his replacement. It's a bit of a reach on the score happy small forwards, but Chris Singleton fits just right here in the middle of the first round. 

Singleton won't score a ton of points for the 76ers, but he will crash the boards and create more opportunities for Philadelphia. Singleton is a dominant defensive player that the 76ers would love to have. At 6'9" 225 pounds he has room to get stronger and possibly play the power forward position. 

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He will definitely need to bulk up some because he will be asked to guard some of the bigger hoop stars. Defense is his strong suit as he averages three blocks per game. 

He did suffer an injury while at Florida State, which means scouts and GM's will make sure he is 100% ready before drafting him. 

Singleton will provide the 76ers will another big body down low, which is good considering Elton Brand is aging, and who knows how long Iguodala will remain a 76er.