NBA Mock Draft: Predicting the Entire First Round
With college basketball's regular season starting to wind down in the next few weeks, it's about time to start talking about who will get drafted where. This college basketball season has been a parity of mediocre teams. But that does not mean there isn't quite a few players that could make some noise at the "next level". Here is a mock draft for the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ohio State Power Forward Jared Sullinger
1 of 30
Height: 6'9" Weight: 261 pounds
As much as I want to put Perry Jones of Baylor as No. 1, it's just too hard to see Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert not selecting another "Ohioan."
Strengths:
The big fella, at 6'9" and weighing in at 261 pounds, really knows how to use his gigantic lower body to get him great position on the block.
He is a strong player with a good basketball IQ. Its no surprise how dominant he is on the boards—9.9 rebounds per game this season—showing his toughness, something big men seem to lack these days.
Weakness:
Their are a few things about Sullinger that could make you ask some questions. Weighing 261 pounds is a bit heavy for his height, and he reminds me a tad of DeMarcus Cousins from Kentucky last season. They both dominate but have been known to have conditioning issues.
He is also a bit undersized for his position.
For those of you that remember, though, Charles Barkley was 6'6" and one of the best rebounders the NBA has ever seen.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: UNC Small Forward Harrison Barnes
2 of 30
Height: 6'8" Weight: 215 pounds
Barnes has struggled his freshman year at times. This could also be due to the fact the Heels point guard play has been very inconsistent, until late. He is a 6'7" small forward who could add some muscle at 212 pounds.
Strengths:
He is a long and athletic player from the wing—he has a 6'11" wingspan. The young gun can do just about everything and score from anywhere, thanks to his great athleticism.
When you watch him play he is very smooth and rarely lets negative plays affect his mentality.
Great mid-range game, he is averaging 40 percent on the season inside the arc.
He is known to be humble with a high basketball IQ.
Weakness:
Very streaky from beyond the arc.
That could be because he needs to add some strength to his frame.
3. Sacramento Kings: Kentucky Center Enes Kanter
3 of 30
Height: 6'11" Weight: 261 pounds
With the DeMarcus Cousins pick looking like a disaster at the moment, the Kings could use plenty of help inside.
The 18-year-old from Turkey—he was born in Switzerland— is what some draft experts are calling a very skilled center.
At 6'11" he is very physical and aggressive at 261 pounds.
He hasn't been allowed to play this year due to NCAA rules not allowing anyone to play if they have played professional basketball—he played professionally two years ago in Turkey.
Strengths:
Very tough and skilled player who doesn't shy away from contact.
Has the mentality of a scorer. At times he is a little too crafty around the basket.
Ability to shoot out to the three-point line if needed.
Weakness:
Not the most explosive center, he has more of finesse game around the basket.
Could add some pounds and get a little stronger.
4. Toronto Raptors: Duke Point Guard Kyrie Irving
4 of 30
Height: 6'2" Weight: 172
Irving was off to a great start through his first eight collegiate games–53 percent field-goal percentage and shot 45 percent beyond the arc.
Strengths:
The definition of a pure point guard.
Athlete with tremendous quickness.
Does a fantastic job penetrating the lane and getting to the rim.
Great jump shooter.
Excellent defender.
Weakness:
Has possessions with too many dribbles leading to turnovers.
His quickness is sometimes too quick to guard, allowing him to have an open jumper. Not always the best thing for a point guard.
5. Washington Wizards: Baylor Small Forward Perry Jones
5 of 30
Height: 6'11" Weight: 235 pounds
The "freshie" is having an excellent first year. At 6'11" Jones is very effective for being just a measly 235 pounds. The Wizards have really lacked any presence inside the paint for quite some time and Jones could be a great pick.
Strengths:
A freak at the forward position who can really do it all.
Amazing size, length and athleticism.
Can jump through the roof.
Runs the floor like a deer.
Ability to score from anywhere on the floor.
Above average rebounder and shot blocker.
Weankess:
Has moments when he seems to disappear on the floor.
Needs to be more aggressive for his talent.
6. New Jersey Nets: Arizona Small Forward/Power Forward Derrick Williams
6 of 30
Height: 6'9" Weight: 241 pounds
Williams is an interesting kid. At 6'7" he is a "tweener" between both forward positions. His weight is what will most likely make most teams have to play him at small forward, as he weighs only 210 pounds.
Strengths:
Versatile forward that can play both positions.
Great basketball IQ.
Can play on the perimeter if need be, his range is best inside the three-point line.
Weakness:
The issue of him being a "tweener" could be an issue at the next level if he can't develop a solid game inside and out.
7. Detroit Pistons: Kansas Point Guard Josh Shelby
7 of 30
Height: 6'2" Weight: 183 pounds
Strengths:
Athletic guard who's constantly in attack mode.
With his weight at 188 pounds, he is very tough, with an NBA-ready body.
Can shoot the deep ball—43 percent on the year.
Great ability to get into the lane and can finish at will around the rim.
Plays hard the whole game, huge motor.
Very aggressive on defense, constantly in the ball-handlers' face.
Weakness:
At times he can be inconsistent shooting and sloppy with his ball handling.
8. Indiana Pacers: UCONN Point Guard Kemba Walker
8 of 30
Height: 6'0" Weight: 179 pounds
Walker is an interesting prospect who can shoot the ball very well inside the arc. His problem is his size limits him to point guard at 6'0" and 172 pounds.
Strengths:
He has excellent speed getting up and down the court, and he is also very quick laterally, allowing him to create space for an open jumper.
Extremely explosive and can get to the rim at will.
Great at penetrating the defense and finding an open man for an easy jumper.
Very good defender who is averaging two steals a game thus far this season.
Weakness:
His size is his biggest issue, as he lacks good size for the NBA.
Needs to work on his perimeter game.
Tends to think score first, pass second; all great point guards don't make up their mind before they make a move, they take what is given to them.
9. Los Angels Clippers: Kentucky Small Forward Terrence Jones
9 of 30
Height: 6'8" Weight: 244 pounds
The freshman is a freak of an athlete at 6'8" and uses his body well, weighing in at 244 pounds. He is a high-flyer.
Strengths:
Very versatile and an athletic wing player.
A wingspan of 7'2" allows him to guard just about any position.
Can play the one through four positions on the floor.
Great ball handler for his size and an excellent passer.
He has the ability to score at will from anywhere on the floor.
Negatives:
Needs to work on his form.
Really needs to work on his post game.
Gets lazy at times, shooting way too many three-pointers.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Texas Small Forward Jordan Hamilton
10 of 30
Height: 6'7" Weight: 226 pounds
The 6'7" sophomore is having an excellent year down in Austin for Rick Barnes. Averaging 19 points a game on 47 percent shooting from the field and seven rebounds. Could give the Bucks what they where hoping to get out of Michael Redd a few years back.
Strengths:
Great scorer and excellent shooter with deep range—41 percent beyond the arc this season.
Does a fantastic job at running the floor.
Good ball-handling skills.
Has shown improvements as a passer, increasing his assist count from last season.
Good rebounder who is not afraid to get his hands dirty.
The workhorse for a great Texas team.
Weakness:
Needs to get quicker laterally.
Has tendencies to be selfish at times, with some questionable shot selection.
11. Golden State Warriors: Duke Power Forward Mason Plumlee
11 of 30
Height: 6'10" Weight: 240 pounds
The 6'10" power forward isn't having a standout season scoring wise but he gets the job done when it comes to rebounding.
Strengths:
Very athletic big man who moves extremely well on the floor.
Can jump out of the gym.
The energizer for a solid Duke team.
Good midrange jump shooter who can put the ball on the floor when need-be.
Excellent rebounder and shot-blocker with long arms.
Weakness:
Must get stronger.
Could add some versatility to his low-post game.
12. Houston Rockets: Czech Republic Small Forward/Power Forward Jan Vesely
12 of 30
Height: 6'11" Weight: 230 pounds
Vesely is an interesting prospect since he is only 18 years old. He has great size at 6'11" and a decent weight at 230 pounds.
Strengths:
Has good size that allows him to be an above average finisher at the rim.
He can run the floor very well, leading to quick and easy baskets around the hoop.
Solid shooting game that can extend out to the three-point line.
For his size at 6'11", he has decent ball handling skills for a big man.
Weakness:
Definitely needs to add some strength if he is going to be playing in the NBA.
Not so good with his back to the basket.
Most likely not able to come in and make an immediate impact.
13. Phoenix Suns: Kentucky Point Guad Brandon Knight
13 of 30
Height: 6'3" Weight: 185 pounds
The freshman standout is having an OK year for the Wildcats. His campaign started off better than what his performance has been as of late.
At 6'3" he has good size for the point guard position with long arms at 185 pounds.
Strengths:
Very quick and athletic guard who can score.
Can shoot very well—45-percent field goal percent and 40 percent beyond the arc this season.
His quickness allows him to get to the basket where he is an excellent finisher.
The motor in the kid is incredible, if you watch him play you will notice he doesn't take a play off.
Weakness:
Can fall into the category of a "hybrid guard."
Streaky from beyond the arc at times.
14. Memphis Grizzlies: BYU Point Guard Jimmer Fredette
14 of 30
Height: 6'2" Weight: 195 pounds
Strengths:
A complete point guard who can do everything.
Has a very high basketball IQ.
Tough and physical.
Can score from anywhere on the floor.
Has deep, deep range on his jumper.
Weakness:
He is quick, but their's a difference between quickness and explosion.
Get quicker laterally.
Undersized to play shooting guard in the league, needs to improve his distribution of the rock.
15. Charlotte Bobcats: Georgia Power Forward Trey Thompkins
15 of 30
Height: 6'10" Weight: 247 pounds
Strengths:
Versatile forward can play the small or the power position.
Nice jumper.
Above average around the rim and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty.
Good ball-handling for his size.
Good rebound and shot blocker.
Weakness:
Not a fantastic athlete.
Lacks explosion and quickness.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: UCLA Shooting Guard/Small Forward Tyler Honeycutt
16 of 30
Height: 6'8" Weight: 185 pounds
Strengths:
Very smart with a high basketball IQ.
Fantastic passer.
Good athlete.
Great size for the shooting guard position.
Weakness:
Doesn't have that "take over" mentality.
Creating his own shot and ball handling skills.
Needs to get stronger, has been known to be soft.
17. New York Knicks: Kansas Power Forward Marcus Morris
17 of 30
Height: 6'9" Weight: 218 pounds
Strength:
Great motor.
Versatile forward with a solid perimeter jumper.
Good rebounder.
Good handles with the ability to attack the basket from anywhere on the floor.
Weakness:
Size could be an issue for the power forward position.
Needs to be more explosive.
Get stronger.
18. Portland Trail Blazers: Lithuania Power Forward Donatas Motiejunas
18 of 30
Height: 7'0" Weight: 224 pounds
Strengths:
Athletic big man, who is an aggressive scorer, especially off the dribble.
Runs the floor very well.
Great passer.
Excellent frame.
Can use both hands around the basket with great footwork and quickness.
Good shooter from midrange.
Weakness:
Must get stronger.
Inexperienced.
Work on long-range jump shot.
Not as long as you would think.
19. Denver Nuggets: San Diego State Small Forward Kawhi Leonard
19 of 30
Height: 6'7" Weight: 225 pounds
Strengths:
Very lanky and explosive.
Strong frame with a high motor.
Excellent rebounder.
Becoming a better offensive player.
Weakness:
Work on lateral quickness.
Improve jump shot from the perimeter.
20. Utah Jazz: Duke Small Forward Kyle Singler
20 of 30
Height: 6'9" Weight: 237 pounds
Strengths:
Point-forward type of guy.
Excellent midrange shooter.
Good, but not great, jump shooter from the perimeter.
Solid passer.
High basketball IQ.
Good rebounder.
Long arms and good size for the small forward position.
Weakness:
Not a great athlete, he needs to work on his lateral quickness.
Get stronger.
21. Atlanta Hawks: Illinois Point Guard Demetri McCamey
21 of 30
Height: 6'3" Weight: 203 pounds
Strengths:
Strong, physical guard who doesn't shy from contact.
Great range on his jumper, especially from beyond the arc.
Great court vision.
Weakness:
Selfish at times leading to bad shot selection.
Not your elite athlete at the point position.
Get quicker laterally.
22. Orlando Magic: NC State Small Forward/Power Forward CJ Leslie
22 of 30
Height: 6'9" Weight: 207 pounds
Strengths:
Excellent athlete with explosive leaping ability.
High flyer around the rim.
Runs the floor like a deer.
Excellent quickness and ball handling for his size.
Great shot blocker.
Weakness:
Has to get stronger.
Needs to work on his post game.
Not a great free throw shooter.
23. Oklahoma City Thunder: Colorado Point Guard/Shooting Guard Alec Burks
23 of 30
Height: 6'6" Weight: 191 pounds
Strengths:
Very long for a two guard.
Athlete with a knack for scoring.
Explosive jumper and he can finish anywhere around the basket.
Great slasher who doesn't shy from contact.
Weakness:
Must add strength to his frame.
Work on his jump shot from the perimeter.
24. New Orleans Hornets: Brazil Center Lucas Nogueira
24 of 30
Height: 7'0" Weight: 200 pounds
Strengths:
Very athletic big man who is a very aggressive rebounder.
Fantastic shot blocker.
Great motor for his size.
Weakness:
Must get stronger to excel at the center position in the NBA.
Has to work on his offensive game, very raw still.
25. Dallas Mavericks: Florida State Small Forward/Power Forward Chris Singleton
25 of 30
Height: 6'9" Weight: 225 pounds
Strengths:
Extremely long and athletic for his size.
Great finisher in the transition game, who can really get up and down the floor.
Solid midrange jumper, with the ability to shoot beyond the arc.
Good enforcer on defense and solid rebounder.
Weakness:
Needs to get comfortable scoring in the paint.
Streaky shooter at times, especially from deep range.
26. Los Angels Lakers: Texas Power Forward Tristan Thompson
26 of 30
Height: 6'9" Weight: 225 pounds
Strengths:
Very long and athletic forward with a huge wingspan at 7'2".
Fantastic motor.
Great shot blocker.
Good ball handling for a big man who is a versatile scorer.
Weakness:
Needs to develop more of a perimeter game.
Get stronger.
27. Chicago Bulls: Mississippi State Power Forward/Center Renardo Sidney
27 of 30
Height: 6'10" Weight: 275 pounds
Strengths:
Very skilled for someone his size, with excellent passing ability.
Decent shooter with NBA perimeter range.
Starting to develop a low-post game.
Weakness:
More comfortable facing the basket, likes to play on the perimeter too much.
Work on conditioning.
28. Miami Heat: Boston College Point Guard Reggie Jackson
28 of 30
Height: 6'3" Weight: 208 pounds
Strengths:
Freakishly long and athletic—he has a seven foot wing span.
Can jump out of the gym.
Good rebounder for his size.
Very quick first step with ability to blow by defender.
Great jump shooter who can shoot it from deep.
Weakness:
Since he is so lanky, he needs to get stronger.
Work on shot selection—know when to pass and when to shoot.
29. Boston Celtics: Purdue Power Forward JaJuan Johnson
29 of 30
Height: 6'10" Weight: 221 pounds
Strengths:
Great shot blocker.
Can jump out of the gym.
Athletic and long big man.
Runs the floor like a deer.
Weakness:
Must get stronger and work on his offensive game.
Seems to be lost at times on the floor.
30. San Antonio Spurs: Morehead St. Power Forward Kenneth Faried
30 of 30
Height: 6'8" Weight: 225 pounds
Strengths:
Excellent rebounder who leads the country in rebounds—14.3 per game.
Huge motor and runs the floor very well.
Can jump out of the gym.
Solid shot blocker.
Gigantic wingspan.
Work horse.
Weakness:
Has to add strength.
Very raw on the offensive end.
Size is questionable for the power forward position.
