2011 Lottery Teams, Who You Can Expect to See Picking in The Top 5.
2011 Lottery Teams
Every year there is that handful of teams that you know for sure won’t make the playoffs. Sometimes, depending on who is in the upcoming draft, fans say they want their team to lose, to get a good pick. A few of the teams on this list could surprise us in a year or two. Some of the teams on this list have been here, and for awhile now. One of the newer teams to this list is the Detroit Pistons, some have been here since I can remember (Wolves).
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have been famous for questionably using their picks the last few years, this next year, maybe they will learn. It is not that they have not taken good players, because they have, but they took four guards in the 2009 Draft. A player who the Wolves should be hoping to get is Harrison Barnes. Harrison is probably going to be the 1st overall pick. With Jonny Flynn, Wesley Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Michael Beasley, and Kevin Love, the Wolves could look at making the playoffs. With Luke Ridnour, Corey Brewer, and Lazar Hayward coming off the bench, that makes the team even better. The Wolves haven't had a playoff season since 2004. Maybe the 2011-2012 season will be a playoff season. They could also potentially be like the Thunder, get stacked up on young players and have a breakout season in a year or two.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings have had good drafts the last few years, drafting Tyreke Evans, the 2010 Rookie of the Year. This last draft took a great player in DeMarcus Cousins. I think the Kings should move Evans to the small forward position and look at getting Kyrie Irving in the 2011 Draft. There lineup is unknown at this point since they have not signed Dalembert or Landry. They could look at having a shot at a 7th or 8th seed. Irving is the type of shooter they need, a huge spot was missing when they traded Kevin Martin. The Kings don't have much of a bench, so looking at a playoff spot would be difficult.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers had the #1 overall pick last year and took Blake Griffin who got injured. I think the Clippers need a good 6th man who can play shooting guard and small forward. They have an established starting lineup in Davis, Gordon, Butler, Griffin, and Kaman. They also have Randy Foye, DeAndre Jordan, and Craig Smith coming off the bench. A player I think the Clippers could draft is Terrence Jones, he is 6'8 and very athletic. That is the type of player they need, who could be a perfect 6th man, or start over Butler. I don't see the Clippers making the playoffs any time soon.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have had pretty good drafts the last few years. This last draft they took Greg Monroe, Greg is going to be a great player in the NBA. The Pistons need a player like Brandon Knight, a 6’4 guard, who I think could play point guard and shooting guard. He is a fast, athletic, good scorer, that’s what the Pistons need. The Pistons used to be among the elite teams in the NBA but haven’t even made the playoffs the past few seasons. Adding Knight to Stuckey, Hamilton, Villanueva, Monroe, and Prince, this could be an 8th seeded team in the East. Not to mention the Pistons already have a sharpshooter in Ben Gordon. Even if they didn’t start Knight he could still be an amazing 6th man. If the Pistons take a good guard in the 1st round and another decent player in the 2nd round, they could bounce back, and be good.
New Jersey Nets
The Nets have had good drafts the last few years. They drafted Derrick Favors this year and Terrence Williams this last year. Terrence Williams could be in contention for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. The Nets were hoping to have the #1 overall pick, to take John Wall, the Nets were also hoping LeBron would sign with them, both didn’t work out as they planned. The Nets need an athletic small forward, someone like Terrence Jones. Jones reminds me of Jeff Green, because I think Jones could be an undersized power forward like Green is. If they Nets did take Jones their starters would be, Harris, Williams, Jones, Favors, and Lopez. That is a pretty good lineup, but I don’t think it would be enough to get the Nets to the playoffs. They didn’t have a good offseason, didn’t sign any big players, and also didn't get John Wall like they wanted. A good 2012 Draft and maybe they’re ready to make a push for the playoffs.
By Zach Herring
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