2011 NBA Mock Draft: Value over Need
It is that wonderful time of year when bloggers, fans, and critics can all become general managers for their respective teams. However, for some reason the real general managers never listen to the fans on who they want to select and create a championship team.
This is one of my favorite times of the year because it sparks so much debate and intrigue. Should the Cavaliers take him or him? At this point no one can be wrong because it is their decision and they get to choose who they would like to be drafted.
Unfortunately this is one of the thinnest and weakest NBA Drafts of recent memory which causes anger and frustration to fans, whose teams were less than stellar this past year. With that being said, this draft class causes general managers to rethink they way they draft and select players.
In this year's draft, general managers will have to pick value over need for the simple fact that the draft is so thin if they do not get the best players available, the pick for need will be worthless.
It is tough to find a solid starter/All Star player outside of the top ten, but we will try and find them today. With that being said I have taken the responsibility to become the general manager for the entire first round and pick the first thirty picks.
Let the debate, comments, and disagreements begin.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers- PG Kyrie Irving
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With the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select: Kyrie Irving, point guard out of Duke University.
I think it is very clear and very understood that the best player in the draft is Irving. I also think it is very clear that the Cavs need anything and everything. Yes, they do have Baron Davis, but the 11 year veteran does not have much going on anymore since he won't be throwing alley oops to Blake Griffin.
Irving is a savvy, soon to be All Star in this league, maybe not right away, but he will be quite a talent and one of the few bright spots this year.
I think with his ball skills he has and the quick change of direction, he will be a much needed shining light for the city of Cleveland. He will be able to put up points and get to the basket on a nightly basis, but he is going to have to put in some serious work to be mentioned with some of the top point guards in the league.
A sure fired starter for the city of Cleveland they are very happy with this pick, but they are even more excited for their next pick coming in a short bit.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves- SF Derrick Williams
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Someone is excited to be a part of the Timberwolves (see picture) and he should be. Wait. I know what you are saying, who would be excited to go to Minnesota? Two words. Kevin Love. Love is a beast on the boards and a great player to start building something around.
A lot of talk at this pick is Brandon Knight, but the last thing the T-wolves need is another point guard. Williams is a big shooting forward, that in leading up to the draft has been called a tweener between a small forward and a power forward. Whatever he is, with him, Johnny Flynn and Love, the Wolves have a nice basis for a youthful team.
I think Derrick Williams will be Rookie of the Year when everything is said and done (presuming that their is an NBA season). Yes, I did just make a bold statement. He has the shooting ability and he can get to the hoop when he wants to.
He will have some growing pains on the way their, but when Kevin Love is picking up the garbage it makes everything okay.
3. Utah Jazz- PG Brandon Knight
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Once the Jazz shipped away Deron Williams to New Jersey they received Devin Harris. After letting him play in the system for a while, they are going to need some help at that position. The Kentucky star Brandon Knight is a perfect pick here for the Jazz as they try and get younger.
He is a terrific young scorer, but he has had some issues with his court vision and decision making. Harris and Knight together with AK 47 (Andrei Kirilenko) and Paul Millsap inside, the Jazz have a good core group for a nice launching pad.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers- C Enes Kanter
4 of 30Even though Cleveland had the first overall, they will try and trade down, but I do not think they will be willing to give up the necessary value. With this pick the Cavs get big in the Turkish center Enes Kanter.
Standing at 6-11 the 19-year-old, is a big intimidating presence that in time could be a very important piece to Cleveland's puzzle. He was named, in 2009, the FIBA 2009 Europe Under-18 Championship most valuable player. He averaged over 18 points per game and just over 16 rebounds.
The youth movement in Cleveland has started with Irving and Kanter, but it will be a number of years before they are able to put Cleveland on their backs.
5. Toronto Raptors- C Jonas Valanciunas
5 of 30The Toronto Raptors follow suit and go big with the Lithuanian center/power forward Jonas Valanciunas. Born in 1992, the young kid is an imposing defensive force who has great ability getting up and down the floor.
He is able to shoot the mid range jumper, but like all of these draft picks will be a project. He is smart, but he tends to get into a lot of foul trouble early. With the Raptors he will be an immediate stater, and a nice big guy who can clean up the garbage with a sub-par team.
6. Washington Wizards- SF Kawhi Leonard
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Kawhi Leonard helped lead the San Diego State Aztecs to the sweet sixteen only to come up short to eventual National Championship winner UConn. This pick would be a tremendous addition to John Wall and company.
He has tremendous upside and is an agile athlete who has great court vision. When he and Wall get on the same page they can become a dynamic duo and give the Wizards faithful something to cheer about.
7. Sacramento Kings- SG Kemba Walker
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This is a steal for the Kings. I saw Kemba Walker play in Anaheim and he was lights out, this kid is a tremendous athlete can hit any shot on the floor and has a very high basketball IQ. If you combine that with Tyreke Evans then you have a pair of play-makers that will be tough to guard.
The National Champion himself literally put UConn on his back five straight nights and won all five games. He single handedly put UConn back on top and now he will help lead the Kings back for a playoff push.
The city of Sacramento gets a second chance with a professional franchise, Kemba Walker, whether he knows it or not, will be what helps keep them there for years to come.
8. Detroit Pistons- PF Jan Vesely
8 of 30In some circles he is known as the dunking ninja. This kid is an animal when he gets to the hoop, his post game is coming along but it needs to get better. He is a work in progress, but with a team like Detroit (a team in progress) then he will fit in perfectly.
He has great ability to run up and down the court, but he is going to have to get more consistent down the stretch if he wants to be a key play-maker in Detroit.
9. Charlotte Bobcats- PF Bismack Biyombo
9 of 30Michael Jordan is the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball, and he knows talent when he sees it. Biyombo is an animal and a very suitable replacement for Gerald Wallace. The Congo native may not have the size of a center, but he is listed as a power forward.
He is going to have to work on his medium range if he is going to compete at the next level but his athletic ability is a key component for this 6-9 21 year old forward.
10. Milwaukee Bucks- SG Alec Burks
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One of the top shooting guards in his respective conference, Alec Burks was a spark plug for the Buffaloes in late game situations. Burks was able to use his speed and quickness down the court to drive to the hoop and get key buckets when they counted.
The best player left on the board is a scoring guru, but he will need to be more consistent in the medium to long range of the court. The Bucks definitely need some help on the wing and in scoring, so this seems a no brainer.
11. Golden State Warriors- PF Tristan Thompson
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Registering 10 double-doubles in the Big XII conference, Thompson had flashes of stardom, but inconsistency led to him dropping to the eleventh spot in the draft. The Warriors get great value here, but Thompson is going to have to prove that he can play not just the boards, but the offensive side of the court as well.
Known as one of the top big men in his conference, Thompson brings average size with an above average wingspan of just over seven feet. The Texas product will have to sharpen his skills to compete at the next level.
12. Utah Jazz- SF Chris Singleton
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A defensive minded player, it makes sense that the Jazz who will be losing some defensive players, go with a defensive guy. After taking Brandon Knight with the third overall pick, they realize they have scoring and now go for defense.
Singleton at 6-9, is a very strong and physically built shooting/small forward who many compare to that of a Rudy Gay. After choosing to stay in school another year, he had a habit of getting into foul trouble, but all of his numbers went up substantially. Another year in school proved good for Singleton as he was ready to sharpen his skills.
13. Phoenix Suns- PG Jimmer Fredette
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Fredette was one of the most exciting players in college basketball last year. An exciting scorer that finds a perfect fit in Phoenix where he can learn and play behind one of the best point guards in the game, Steve Nash.
Fredette knows how to put the ball in the hoop, but it is the rest of his game that could use work, this is where Nash comes in and helps him develop into, what I think, a very exceptional player.
14. Houston Rockets- SF Jordan Hamilton
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The small forward from Texas is added to a pretty physical starting lineup. Most likely coming off the bench next season for the Rockets, Hamilton brings great scoring ability to the team. He can score in a variety of ways, using his body or can pull up and shoot from just about anywhere.
Not always the best team guy, but he will learn to be a team guy when he is riding the bench for his first year or so.
15. Indiana Pacers- PF Marcus Morris
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The best player on the board is Marcus Morris, who the Pacers get great value at the number fifteen spot. Morris is a very versatile player, able to play multiple roles regardless of who comes in and out during the game. He has a fantastic fade-away jumper and a light touch with the ball when he gets to the rim.
He does not have great length nor does he have a great rebounding ability. He is not explosive, but he is athletic enough to maneuver through the lane.
16. Philadelphia 76ers- C Donatas Motiejunas
16 of 30Motiejunas is a seven footer out of Lithuania who can play the four or the five in the front court. This is amazing value for a seven footer as his potential is through the roof. His offensive game is very good, could be more consistent, but that will come with time.
Like a Pau Gasol, at times gets lazy and weak on the defensive side. Seems to be content with being just good. If this kid can get some solid coaching out of Doug Collins (which he will) than the sky is the limit.
17. New York Knicks- PF Markieff Morris
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Morris has a nice combination punch of size and strength, he can hit the perimeter jumpers, but it is his medium game that needs work. Not a true big man he has trouble posting up and is not very strong on the dribble.
A solid off the bench type of player he will have to learn to either hit the medium jumpers or post up and finish at the front of the rim.
18. Washington Wizards- SG Klay Thompson
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Standing at 6-7, Thompson is one of the best shooters in this draft class and he matches up well with smaller defenders at the shooting guard position. He has great hustle, drive, and determination which all bodes well moving forward.
19. Charlotte Bobcats- SF Tobias Harris
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Harris has great versatility at the height of 6-8, Harris is able to go coast to coast with the basketball. He will need to work on his post game for the NBA if he truly wants to be versatile. He has a very strong basketball IQ which will allow him to work on his game.
Not a contributor right away, he will be a solid guy coming off the bench, playing some eat me up minutes and playing solid defense.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves- SG Marshon Brooks
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With the pick of Derrick Williams, Brooks would be a terrific complement to Williams. He has mediocre quickness and speed, but it is his jump shot that has NBA scouts really looking at this kid from Providence.
He is not the greatest passer in the word, but Kurt Rambis will inform him who the shooter will be (i.e Derrick Williams). A player who will need to be groomed heavily if he wants to make it, has the shot just needs more coaching.
21. Portland Trailblazers- PF Kenneth Faried
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Faried is a high intensity guy who is phenomenal under the hoop, loves being in the post and is a great rebounder. However, not much respect is given to players coming out of school like Moorhead State, which is why he drops as low as he does.
He is undersized and under weight to play the number four in the NBA at 6'8, 225, he will have to gain some serious wait and use his athletic ability to snag rebounds at the next level.
22. Denver Nuggets- SF Kyle Singler
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This may be a bit of a stretch, but I feel this would be a solid fit for a Denver Nugget squad that is struggling to find purer scoring. George Karl would love to find himself with Kyle Singler at this pick, but he is at best an average player going into the NBA.
His average explosiveness and quickness is a cause for a concern, especially in a George Karl offense, but he can hit the perimeter shot as well as anyone coming out of college right now. A nice piece to the equation, Singler would fit in Denver for years to come.
23. Houston Rockets- PG Reggie Jackson
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After the Rockets selected a small forward they will look to a point guard with this pick, and Reggie Jackson will be a high value pick at number 23.
At 6-3 he has an incredible seven foot wingspan that allows him to play bigger than he is, which helps him on the defensive side of the court. He is going to have to become a major gym rat if he wants to become an NBA player, because his jump shot is pretty poor at this point. He will need to sit on the bench for a while to truly understand the game, but he could be a major player in three or four years.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder- SG Josh Shelby
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Shelby has quite a bit of talent, but he is not an experienced player. A very explosive, quick, agile, and fast player up and down the court he is a very fun player to watch. However he does not have the experience and time in a major conference.
Oklahoma City would be a fantastic place for him to fall under the watch of the Durantula and Brian Westbrook, who like to move it up and down the court, but he will have to sit for a year or two before he gets a chance to really make a difference for the Thunder.
25. Boston Celtics- PG Malcolm Lee
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Malcolm Lee is a bright, young talented player who has a tremendous basketball IQ. I sat down to talk with this young man and he couldn't be more of a competitor, he loves the game and that is a big deal. A lot of players love to play basketball, but many do not truly love the game. He does.
This is a perfect fit for all involved. Under Rajon Rondo, he can learn, understand, and get a feel for the game at a very high, championship level. He is very versatile, but will have to work on his jump shot in order to get some quality minutes. UCLA has a knack for making promising players in the NBA and I feel Lee will be another example of that.
26. Dallas Mavericks- SF Tyler Honeycutt
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Tyler Honeycutt was a phenomenal talent at UCLA, and he has a "sweet" name (hah I think I am funny). Honeycutt brings one of the most important things to the Mavericks, whether they win the championship or not—youth.
His court vision needs to get better, but he is very deceptive in the post position and he is decent at the pull jumper from medium range. He needs to get more consistent and become more aggressive and become a better decision maker in order to be productive in the NBA.
27. New Jersey Nets- SF Davis Bertans
27 of 30The 19-year-old Latvian is a tremendous shooter, one of the best in this draft class. His turn and shoot ability is bar none. However, he lacks the speed and quickness to fake the shot and drive to the rim. This causes defenders to crowd him and throw off the shot.
A question mark whether or not he will come to the U.S. and play in the NBA, he would be a definite project for the Nets, but would be able to get some equality minutes in regular season games.
28. Chicago Bulls- SG Charles Jenkins
28 of 30This kid is clutch, hitting a pair of overtime buzzer beaters last year, he knows how to win a game and put a team on his back. This pick is of tremendous value for the Chicago Bulls who came of just short to the Miami Heat in these 2011 NBA Playoffs.
He is a player who knows how to get to the rim and can pull up for the jumper, but the biggest knock against him is that he played at Hofstra University who is not a powerhouse and does not get much respect. He can have a productive career ahead of him, but he will have to ride the pine for a year or two.
29. San Antonio Spurs- PF Trey Thompkins
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The 6-10 Georgia Bulldog junior would be a tremendous pet project to replace Antonio McDyess who will be leaving and with an aging Tim Duncan, an inside presence would be of great value for the Spurs.
He is somewhat similar to Tim Duncan, maybe a bit more versatile, but he will not wow you with athletic ability or tremendous speed. He can however turn and hit a jump shot with best of them. Also, learning from the great Tim Duncan will surely not hurt the young post player and could prove to be a replacement for the big man.
30. Chicago Bulls- PF Nikola Vucevic
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At 6-10 Vucevic is a a dominant and very intimidating presence under the rim. Coming in as the tallest player and heaviest player in this year's rookie class he promises to be a solid contributor as a role player coming off the bench for the Bulls.
He increased in his shooting percentages as the season progressed, has a tremendous pull up and medium range shot, but he needs to work on his consistency and his defensive play. His touch brings optimism to Chicago, but again the consistency is a problem and he needs to become more aggressive.
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