2011 NBA Draft Results: Grading the New York Knicks' Draft Picks

With the 17th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select…Iman Shumpert from Georgia Tech University.

Between a smattering of boos and a halfhearted reaction from celebrity super-fan Spike Lee, the surplus of spectators supporting the Knicks inside the Prudential Center weren’t too thrilled.

Maybe the absence of enthusiasm was partly due to cult figure Jimmer Fredette and lights-out shooter Klay Thompson already having been taken. Or, the pick may have stung a bit more considering Nikola Vucevic, regarded as the second-best center in the draft, went to the Philadelphia 76ers at selection No. 16.

Whatever the case, Donnie Walsh followed through on what are likely his last two executive decisions as a member of the Knicks. Unsurprisingly, a single first-round pick was insufficient, so Walsh reached into owner James Dolan’s bottomless pockets and grabbed a wad of money to throw at the New Orleans Hornets for the rights to the 45th pick, Kentucky center Josh Harrellson.

In the multipurpose Shumpert, New York adds some much-needed depth at point guard and shooting guard. Similarly, Harrellson provides the Knicks with an alternative to Ronny Turiaf as well as size that was missing at the center position.

Without further ado, here are the grades for each player chosen.

Iman Shumpert
Grade: B+

Settling on Shumpert, Walsh snubbed his nose at guys like Kenneth Faried, Marshon Brooks and Carmelo Anthony’s preference, Josh Selby. Perhaps the writing was on the wall 15 days ago when Shumpert outshined Chris Singleton and Charles Jenkins and dispelled any rumors that he’s a below-average shooter during their Knicks pre-draft workout.

New York solves two potential problems with the addition of the combo-guard:

1. Given Chauncey Billups’ recent health issues and that he’ll be 35 at the onset of next season, Shumpert brings experience running a team, having been the starting point guard during each of his three seasons at Georgia Tech. All signs had pointed to the acquisition of a veteran point guard during the offseason, but Shumpert now may be the only insurance policy Billups requires.

2. Without a lot of options, Toney Douglas served as jack of all trades in the Knicks backcourt last season. While not his forte, Douglas was capable of relieving Billups at point guard, and he also replaced Landry Fields at shooting guard—the spot he is most comfortable.

Douglas is coming off right shoulder surgery and is questionable to return by opening night. As a right-handed shooter, it remains to be seen how the operation will affect him offensively too. If it is warranted, Shumpert can assume Douglas’ role as he recovers.

ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas describes Shumpert as a guard devoid of a point guard’s mentality, meaning he’s probably not New York’s long-term solution to replace Billups.

Owning a 40-inch vertical, Shumpert’s strength lies in his athleticism and defense, and at 6’5” he can stop a 1 or 2 guard. He’s not your traditional shooting guard who can strike from long range with consistency, but he’s exceptional in transition and can stop on a dime for a pull-up jumper or take it all the way to the rack.

Many experts didn’t predict Shumpert would be gone before the second round, and this may be due to a lack of maturity. Hopefully he grows up quickly in the big city and comes to practice with a newfound sense of dedication.

Not every expert agrees with Walsh’s decision to select Shumpert, but if his performance junior year is any indication of his ability, Walsh could soon be saying, “I told you so.” Shumpert is one of four players in ACC history to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

Already possessing the offensive firepower, the Knicks aimed to improve upon defense and rebounding through the draft. Shumpert excels in both areas. Since he won’t play behind forwards Carmelo Anthony or Amar’e Stoudemire, Shumpert will be able to display these assets with more regularity than if he was stuck behind a superstar on the depth chart.

Josh Harrellson
Grade: C

Even Harrellson was a little shocked when his name was called as the third quarter of the draft came to a close. He was optimistic he’d be picked, but he had resorted to the fact he might have to try out for a team during training camp instead.

With a shortage of overall talent in this year’s draft pool, gifted centers were difficult to come by. Only Jonas Valanciunas was a lottery pick at No. 5.

Barely missing out on Vucevic, one of Walsh’s favorites, the Knicks found an effective big man paralleling Vucevic in size (6’10”, 275 lbs.)—but not quite ability—and offered the Hornets cash considerations for Harrellson.

Since Turiaf is the only New York center under contract through 2011-12, and Jerome Jordan, last year’s second-round pick, has yet to be guaranteed a roster spot, Harrellson could fill some of that void.

Harrellson is far from your prototypical post-up center, but he can face and shoot, is a tireless offensive rebounder and attacks the basket with two hands. At Kentucky, he also demonstrated he makes wise decisions with the ball and rarely turns it over.

He even can make the occasional three, but Harrellson must develop a mid-range game if he intends to be a scorer at the pro ranks.

Despite using his massive body to his advantage down low and always exerting maximum effort to physically wear down his opponents, defense is Harrellson’s weakness. Even though Harrellson has a large frame, he hasn’t been blessed with the length or foot speed of many of the NBA’s starting centers.

If Harrellson wants to be taken seriously and expects to see any playing time as a rookie, working on his conditioning is imperative. In the event the Knicks sign a center through free agency or trade, Harrellson could even become expendable.

Outspoken college announcer Dick Vitale believes Walsh made a huge blunder when he allowed Providence shooting guard Marshon Brooks to slip through the cracks to the eventual 25th pick. Vitale claims Brooks would’ve “lit up the Garden.”

While Donnie Walsh likely isn’t second-guessing himself, this draft was definitely a gamble. Until the season arrives and the new roster is assembled, we cannot determine the level of expectation to be placed upon these draftees. Whether they will live up to it is a different story altogether.