2011 NBA Draft: Power Ranking the 10 Best Big Men Available
If there's one thing that you can't teach in the NBA, it's size.
A team can never have too much size. The two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are always noted for having a definite advantage in one area of the basketball game: in the size department.
Although this particular class has been criticized for its weakness as a whole, there are some seriously talented big men who are about to change the face of the league.
With an influx of international talent and some budding ballers emerging from the collegiate ranks, let's take a look at the top 10 big men that will hit the prime time in 2011.
10. Jonas Valanciunas, C Lithuania
1 of 10
Height: 6'11
Weight: 240
DOB: 05-06-92
Valanciunas is an intriguing prospect given his incredible length, but standing almost seven feet tall and tipping the scales at under 250 lbs is going to get him eaten up inside at the NBA ranks.
As big as he is, he possesses an even larger wingspan, making him very difficult to cover near the basket. His long arms allow him to shoot even over the tallest of defenders, which is a definite plus given his lack of strength.
He's hard working and should continue to improve, but results certainly won't be immediate.
9. Trey Thompkins, PF Georgia
2 of 10
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 247
DOB: 05-20-90
One of the elder statesman of the draft at age 21 (wow), Thompkins has an NBA-ready offensive game.
On the defensive side, he's still a work in progress and his peripheral contributions like steals and blocks may be forever limited due to his limited athleticism. That doesn't mean that he can't improve in those areas, but it's going to take a few seasons for him to properly hone his game to where it needs to be.
He has a high basketball IQ and doesn't get rattled easily, both of which should benefit him in a big way as he continues to grow and prepare for life at the next level.
8. Perry Jones, SF/PF Baylor
3 of 10
Height: 6'11
Weight: 235
DOB: 09-24-91
Jones isn't exactly your traditional big; he might stand 6'11, but this kid is one talented wing player.
And that's exactly the reason he's not higher on this list of bigs.
Armed with a 7'2 wingspan, Jones is a highlight reel waiting to explode. His perimeter skills are unbelievable and his athleticism is phenomenal. Quite frankly, he could be Blake Griffin Lite come the start of next season.
Sometimes he can be a bit of a ball hog, but that's natural to expect considering he's always been the best player on his team. He'll have to learn to share the rock at the next level if he wants to see consistent playing time, but he should land on a team that will be forced to give him a ton of burn no matter what.
7. Jan Vesely, SF/PF Czech Republic
4 of 10
Height: 6'11
Weight: 230
DOB: 04-24-90
Another international import in the first three slides? Fran Fraschilla has to be smiling somewhere.
He has extraordinary length given the fact that he plays mostly small forward, and is an above average defender at the position. However, he's not a great defender, but he plays with a lot of emotion which definitely aids his play on that end.
Offensively, there's no doubting that he's raw. But what big man prospect isn't a little rough around the edges? Vesely can develop into a more consistent shooter with the proper coaching, but it's unlikely he'll ever be the team's leading scorer anyway.
6. Marcus Morris, SF/PF Kansas
5 of 10
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 218
DOB: 09-2-89
An incredibly productive player on a very large scale, Morris has really taken to the spotlight this season.
He has a sound mid-range game, and he's a definite scorer when left one-on-one against the opposing defender. Although he is of good size, at just 218 lbs, it leaves something to be left desired when the matchups get more physical at the next level.
He's a little on the older side given his grade (junior), and he doesn't stand out on the defensive end either. He has the potential to be really good if his work ethic matches his natural talent.
But that's a big if.
5. Kawhi Leonard, SF San Diego State
6 of 10
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 225
DOB: 06-29-91
Although he stands at just 6'7", Leonard is capable of playing both the three and four spots at the next level without question.
He'll need to add some more weight to bang down low to make up for his lack of height, but he's fundamentally sound with his footwork which will help him in the initial stages. He also has great energy, which rubs off on his teammates and brings some really nice intangibles to the table.
Leonard won't be able to take over a game offensively since he doesn't really do any one thing in a convincing fashion, but he does enough of the little things to make up for that.
4. Donatas Motiejunas, PF Lithuania
7 of 10
Height: 7'0"
Weight: 224
DOB: 09-20-90
This one is all about potential.
Motiejunas has already shown that he's got plenty of skill, but this prospect has perhaps the highest ceiling of any international talent since Milwaukee drafted Dirk Nowitzki.
And he knows it. Motiejunas' work ethic has already been called into question several times and if he's ever going to fulfill the lofty expectations that so many hold for him, he'll need to find the extra gear that he hasn't been able to thus far.
Sound on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball while still developing, this kid is going to make some team very happy sooner rather than later.
3. Enes Kanter, PF/C Turkey
8 of 10
Height: 6'11
Weight: 261
DOB: 05-20-92
Kanter is the most hyped prospect in Kentucky history that never actually played a game for the team.
The Turkish product was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA after receiving more than $33,000 in improper benefits while playing for the club Fenerbahce two seasons ago.
But that doesn't change just how talented he is. This kid should be ready to go from day one with both solid size and strength. Additionally, his offensive game is smooth and he looks to be able to score with relative ease.
He's dominated European competition, but there are legitimate health concerns regarding his balky knees.
And we all know how that can be. Just ask Greg Oden.
2. Jared Sullinger, PF Ohio State
9 of 10
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 286
DOB: 03-04-92
Sullinger is an absolute tank in the low post and everywhere else on the court.
A throwback style of player that is an absolute banger down low, he's very physical and uses that to wear down opposing defenders at his will. He's also a solid rebounder who has no trouble attacking with strong aggression, and that type of drive will certainly attract him to almost every team that holds a top three pick.
The one drawback is that he is not the athletic specimen that some of his draft mates are, and he doesn't exactly explode off of the floor. He will have a tough time getting his shot up above some bigger defenders, but he'll adjust as he gets more experience.
He could stand to tone up a little bit, but he uses his weight to his advantage, so it's not really an area of concern.
1. Derrick Williams, SF Arizona
10 of 10
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 241
DOB: 05-25-91
It's all about mastering the basics. With sound footwork and excellent fundamentals, Williams has really established himself on a new level.
He is very aware on the offensive side, which acts as the largest asset to his game. Williams is also capable of moving without the ball, which is a skill that will allow him to take the next step at the professional rank.
Although he's undersized for the position and lacks the ideal size that would make him a typical power forward, there's no doubt he'll add strength when he begins his NBA career and shouldn't have much problem fitting in. If that's his biggest problem, he'll be just fine.
He may never develop into a full-blown superstar, but perennial all-star certainly isn't out of the question.
