NBA Draft 2011: DeAndre Liggins and 5 Players the Orlando Magic Should Avoid
With the 2011 NBA Draft on the horizon, the Orlando Magic don't have all that much to work with on draft night (second round 52nd overall), but there are some players general manager Otis Smith should avoid taking, like DeAndre Liggins with their one and only pick.
The Orlando Magic are seemingly in crisis mode trying to figure out how to retain Dwight Howard, making the draft buzz in Orlando all but non-existent. Fans have to remember, though, it's not unheard of to find a player in the second round that can help contribute during their rookie season.
That being said, these five players are not going to be any second round gems.
5. Cam Long
1 of 5
Cam Long possesses good skills on the offensive end, but he's undersized to play the two position, and he doens't show the ability to be a pure point guard at the next level.
If Cam Long was a better passer who showed better court vision, he could be a more valuable asset in the NBA, but he doesn't, and the last thing the Magic need is another point guard who isn't a good passer.
The Magic already have J.J. Redick to play the guard position, and I don't see any one glaring area in Cam Long's game that makes him an edge over Redick.
4. Iman Shumpert: G, Georgia Tech
2 of 5
Iman Shumpert is a combo guard type player; the only problem is he's not very good at playing either point guard or shooting guard.
Shumpert's shot selection is about as bad it could possibly be. Despite only shooting 27 percent from behind the three point line, he still chose to shoot over five threes per game.
His jump shooting is nearly as poor as his three-point shooting, making him a bad fit for the Orlando Magic, a team that live on outside shooting.
3.Julyan Stone: G, Utep
3 of 5
The Magic could use some help at the point guard position, with Jameer Nelson being injury prone and Chris Duhon having a terrible year, so developing a young point guard could be a route the Magic elect to go.
Julyan Stone is a big point guard at 6''6, but he rarely uses his big size to his advantage against smaller defenders he faces night in and night out.
Stone averaged over 36 minutes of action per game during his senior season, but could only manage a scoring average of 8.6 points per game. His three point shot is virtually non-existant (25 percent), and his shooting in general is far below the level it needs to be at to thrive in the NBA.
If the Magic do elect to go the point guard route, Julyan Stone is not their man.
2. Greg Smith: PF/C Fresno State
4 of 5
Greg Smith physically appears to have an NBA ready body at 6''9 253 pounds , but his post game is not at all where it needs to be to succeed down low in the NBA.
Smith is another terrible free throw shooter (50 percent), and with his physical style of play, getting to the free throw line will be his best chance at scoring in the NBA.
The Magic do need a backup center for Dwight Howard, though Greg Smith is not the answer.
1. DeAndre Liggins: G, Kentucky
5 of 5
DeAndre Liggins' career high during his three years at Kentucky was just 19 points.
Liggins has never averaged more than 8.6 points per game; in fact, he averaged just 3.8 points per game his freshman year and a lonely 4.2 points per game his sophomore year.
Liggins is a terrible free throw shooter for a shooting guard (64 percent), and his offensive game is inconsistent to say the least.
The Magic are in need of an offensive scoring threat at the two position; DeAndre Liggins is not their man.
.jpg?w=600 "Surprise Team Picks No. 1 👀")
