2011 NBA Mock Draft: Boston Celtics Continue to Reload on the Fly
The Cleveland Cavaliers hold the first and fourth picks in the 2011 NBA Draft. Hopefully for the city of Cleveland, they make the right moves and get their franchise back on track.
Most drafts in any sport generally have a clear-cut number one player. The 2011 NBA Draft has two players: Derrick Williams and Kyrie Irving. Who will Cleveland end up taking?
No 1: Cleveland Cavaliers
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The Cavaliers will be looking to put a core together with the first and fourth picks. They will be safe with the overall number one pick and take the consensus.
Cavaliers selection - Kyrie Irving
He didn't play too much because of a foot injury at Duke, but when he did, he was a beast on the floor.
I might have done this draft differently if I was in the front office. I would have drafted Derrick Williams and hopefully grabbed a point guard with the fourth pick.
Drafting Irving is a safe move, though. He is more of a pure point guard that has the ability to score the basketball. He should be a good one for years to come.
No 2: Minnesota Timberwolves
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Derrick Williams is sitting on the board. The problem is that they have already Michael Beasley and Kevin Love at Williams' position.
Trading down is a good option for the Timberwolves.
Timberwolves selection - Derrick Williams
I think they will trade down before picking or pick him and trade him to another team later.
He jumped onto the map in the NCAA Tournament with his explosive effort against Duke. Williams provided 20-plus point scoring for the Wildcats throughout his two-year career at Arizona.
No 3: Utah Jazz
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Deron Williams was traded to the Nets earlier in the NBA season, and that left a glaring hole in their starting lineup.
Quality teams need quality point guards, and that is why I think the Jazz will select a point guard with the third pick in the draft.
Utah selection - Brandon Knight
There is no need to go big, because Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are filling the power forward and center positions.
He did turn out to be a volume shooter at Kentucky, but he did love to have the ball late when the game was on the line. That is an element that I want in any player.
Utah gave up 101 points per contest this year. Knight will be able to step in and help in that area because he is an excellent defender.
No 4: Cleveland Cavaliers
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I am not a huge fan of taking European players this early because the probability of having them turn out isn't as high as choosing college players. But, we have seen more and more Europeans succeed in the league, so that is why they will go to Turkey for their selection.
Cavaliers selection - Enes Kanter
Draft experts believe that he can score around the rim, is a fierce rebounder and is a great passer.
He isn't as athletic as you may want, but we have seen Zach Randolph tear up players with little athletic ability. It is all about craftiness, and Kanter has that.
No 5: Toronto Rapters
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The Rapters need help throughout their roster.
Rapters selection - Kemba Walker
They need to find a star in the top heavy Eastern Conference.
He played great in the biggest games while always coming through in the clutch. I understand he is 6'1", but he is so quick and athletic. I have no doubts about him being able to improve his outside shot as well.
He will be able to draw fans while providing a much needed guard presence.
No 6: Washington Wizards
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The Wizards need to get this pick right.
Wizards selection - Kawhi Leonard
Leonard isn't a great shooter from the perimeter but has changed a few things on his shot that may eventually benefit him. We will see how that comes by the start of next season.
He is a great rebounder with a 7-3 wingspan. He can also score from around the basket.
No 7: Sacramento Kings
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The Kings need a play-making star but since Kemba Walker will possibly be gone—at least in my draft he will be. Who will they go with?
Sacramento selection - Alec Burks
Burks led Colorado to a great season that eventually got snubbed by the NCAA for the tournament. He is 6'6" with a lot of athletic ability.
He lacks outside shooting, but that can be improved upon.
Burks has the potential to be an All-Star.
No 8: Detroit Pistons
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The Pistons have went from champions to absolute losers in a matter of a few years. I can't remember a team that has faded like this in awhile.
Pistons selection - Jan Vesely
Vesely needs to add strength to his frame but is solid all-around. He has a good perimeter game as well as being an overall good athlete.
I think he slips down the board a little because he hasn't been unbelievable for his club team in the Euroleague.
He averaged 10 points and four rebounds a game.
I can see the Pistons being a little hesistant about picking Hesely because of Darko Milicic, but that draft is over and Vesely could be a star.
No 9: Charlotte Bobcats
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The Bobcats need help on their front line, as well as a lot of positions.
Bobcats selection - Jonas Valanciunas
He is 6'10" with a 7'4" wingspan.
He is solid around the basket with a nice touch. He can protect the rim, which will collectively help the defense of the Bobcats.
No 10: Milwaukee Bucks
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Milwaukee missed the playoffs by two games. They are a player away from being in the postseason again.
Bucks selection - Tristan Thompson
Thompson was a part of one of the best defenses in the NCAA for Texas this year. He provided athleticism and rebounding, and his 7'2" wingspan provided great defense.
He provides more defensively than offensively in this point of his career but is capable of scoring in different ways.
No 11: Golden State Warriors
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The Warriors have a solid outside game with Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis, and they went after David Lee in free agency last season.
Now, they will be looking for another big man.
Warriors selection - Marcus Morris
Marcus is a better scorer than his brother Markieff.
He has a great inside/outside game that will fit well with the Warriors system.
He is a 6'9" power forward that likes to shoot from outside. He may have some trouble against some of the better power forwards in the league, but his maturity level from playing at Kansas for three years will do wonders for him in the league.
No 12: Utah Jazz
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The Jazz are getting ready to lose Andrei Kirilenko to free agency. He was often injured but was a good defender.
Jazz selection - Chris Singleton
Singleton comes from Florida State, and they know how to lock you down defensively. Their defense carried them deep into the NCAA Tournament, and Singleton was their best defender.
He is a streaky shooter but is capable of making shots. He will work on that aspect of his game and should be a valuable commodity for the Jazz.
No 13: Pheonix Suns
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Defense has been a major problem for the Suns in recent history. They need another scoring threat but also need somebody in the paint to control the rim.
Suns selection - Bismack Biyombo
I have him sliding down the board a little further than most. The reason I do is because we don't really know too much about him. But some teams may fall in love with his wingspan.
Defense is the one thing I know he is great at.
He is 6'9" 243 pounds and has a massive 7-7 wingspan.
He has little experience, so his ceiling could be very high.
No 14: Houston Rockets
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The Rockets have some solid players but still need to improve their offense.
Rockets selection - Jordan Hamilton
In his freshman year at Texas, Hamilton was the defintion of a "gunner." He would shoot at the most inopportune times.
His sophomore year was almost a total turnaround.
He is a 6'9" small forward that has deep range. His main downfall is his freshman year and parts of his sophomore year when he gunned it like no one else was on the floor.
No 15: Indiana Pacers
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When the Pacers selected Tyler Hansbrough with their first selection in the first round, many were a little surprised.
Larry Bird likes to draft great college players.
Pacers selection - Jimmer Fredette
Darren Collison is a legit point guard in the NBA, but Fredette could spell him some minutes in his first couple of years if need be.
He also could play shooting guard, even if he is 6'3". The bottom line is that Jimmer was a beast in college and deserves to at least be selected in the first round.
He can flat out play the game of basketball. His range is beyond belief, and he is also an underrated passer. He may not have incredible assists numbers, but I credit that to him shooting so much because he needed to for BYU.
No 16: Philadelphia 76ers
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This one may be an easy choice for the 76ers.
76ers selection - Markieff Morris
He is a Philly native. He is a big man, which is a need they must fill.
Morris is a great rebounder, has maturity and is a great defender.
He isn't as polished as his brother Marcus Morris, but does have some offensive skill.
No 17: New York Knicks
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The Knicks need a point guard for the future. Mike D'Antoni also loves guys who can score.
Knicks selection - Josh Selby
This may be one of the most hopeful picks in the draft. He didn't show much at Kansas but has an unbelievable upside.
He looked NBA ready with his body type in college. He may not be a "pure" point guard, but he should be able to contribute in his career.
This is a high risk/high reward selection.
No 18: Washington Wizards
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The Wizards need guard help because they will be losing Nick Young to free agency.
Wizards selection - Klay Thompson
Jimmer Fredette may have been the best shooter in college basketball, but Thompson wasn't far behind. He can shoot the lights out from long distance.
He is 6'7" and is considered a point guard. He isn't extremely athletic but can handle the rock with a high basketball IQ.
He played on the West Coast like Derrick Williams. The only difference is that Arizona made the tournament and Williams got a chance to showcase his talent.
No 19: Charlotte Bobcats
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The Bobcats need to add some guard depth.
Bobcats selection - Marshon Brooks
Brooks has a 7-1 wingspan and is 6'6".
He put up 24.6 points per game for Providence in his senior season.
He likes to attack the rim but has some range.
Brooks isn't the best three-point shooter but is capable of hitting from the perimeter.
No 20: Minnesota Timberwolves
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This selection may be affected by if or if not they decide to keep Derrick Williams.
Timberwolves selection - Donatas Motiejunas
He is 7'0". He can score around the rim and has a nice midrange game.
He can be bullied around on the court, so gaining some muscle will be in the works for him.
No 21: Portland Trail Blazers
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The Trail Blazers are close to being a legit contender for the Western Conference. They remain the only team to take the Dallas Mavericks to six games in this postseason.
Trail Blazers selection - Kenneth Faried
When I think of Faried, I think of two moments: His alley-oop dunk and his game-ending block in the NCAA Tournament.
He averaged 17.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game in his senior season.
He was the best statistical rebounder in the country this season.
He doesn't have the greatest size for a power forward, at 6'8", but has athletic ability that is worthy of the 21st selection.
No 22: Denver Nuggets
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The Nuggets need to add pieces to an already deep team.
Nuggets selection - Tobias Harris
Harris fits with the Nuggets because he is unselfish. He averaged 17.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in his freshman year at Tennessee.
He is only 6'8", so his size as a power foward could be a problem. Harris is capable of shooting from the perimeter but is known for having skill in several areas.
No 23: Houston Rockets
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Houston is looking to get back into the postseason in the loaded Western Conference.
Rockets selection - Reggie Jackson
He is 6'3" but has a seven foot wingspan.
He can score, rebound and collect assists at a nice clip.
Athleticism and shooting abilty, as well as length, will allow Jackson to be able to help the Rockets right away.
No 24: Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Thunder received Kendrick Perkins from the Celtics when the two traded some players during the year.
I still believe that Perkins doesn't give the Thunder an inside presense that they need to win the NBA Championship.
Thunder selection - Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic played at USC and averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds a game. He has a 7-5 wingspan.
He would bring another dimension to the Thunder. He has range to about the three point line. He may be less of a defender than Perkins, but he is a much better offensive threat.
No 25: Boston Celtics
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Vucevic is who the Celtics want. But if he isn't available at the 25th selection, they must go a different route.
Celtics selection - Davis Bertans
He is from Latvia and is 6'10". He will need to get much stronger if he wants to have a succesful career in the NBA.
Some people speculate that Bertans reminds people of Dirk Nowitzki with his abilty to shoot the basketball.
Kevin Garnett isn't getting any younger, so Bertans could fill his spot in the offense. Nobody will be able to fill KG's defense and leadership, but Bertans is a quality offensive player with a lot of upside.
No 26: Dallas Mavericks
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Jason Kidd is on the tail end of his career. JJ Barea is a great second option coming off the bench.
Mavericks selection - Nolan Smith
This may be a reach at number 26, but Smith played on one of the best teams in the country throughout his career. He won a national championship last season.
He is a combo guard that is a winner. He can create like a point guard but can score like a shooting guard.
He isn't the greatest outside shooter but can penetrate and score if his shot isn't there.
Also, Smith will get at you defensively.
Smith scored 21 points, five rebounds and five assists per game in his senior season at Duke.
No 27: New Jersey Nets
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The Nets picked up Deron Williams from Utah, and ownership wants to be a winner as soon as possible.
Nets selection - Justin Harper
Harper is 6'9" and can shoot from outside. He averaged 18 points at Richmond.
He tends to just want to be a jump shooter. He will need to add on his physique and be able to drive the basketball.
No 28: Chicago Bulls
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The Bulls are just a couple of pieces away from potentially going to the NBA Finals.
Bulls selection - Tyler Honeycutt
He can shoot from the perimeter and is a very smart basketball player.
Honeycutt is a team player, and that will fit well with the Bulls.
His athleticism is vastly underrated.
No 29: San Antonio Spurs
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The aging Spurs got eliminated by the eighth seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
They need more explosive scorers.
Spurs selection - Charles Jenkins
Jenkins played at Hofstra and averaged 23 points per game.
He is from Queens, New York, so you know he will be a tough, physical competitor that will love to attack the rim.
I believe he could be a spark plug off the bench next season if the Spurs want to give it one more chance at a championship.
No 30: Chicago Bulls
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The Bulls just got bounced by the Miami Heat in five games.
They are in search of a second star, and although it might not come late in the first round, there are guys available that they can take a chance on.
Bulls Selection: Travis Leslie - Georgia
Leslie is an extremely athletic two-guard that put on shows in Athens. He was a highlight reel in the making.
He will need to improve on his shooting consistency.
His athletic ability is worth the risk at the 30th selection.
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