NBA Draft 2011: Can Alec Burks Become the Next Clyde Drexler?

Alec Burks is a very unique talent.

Standing at 6'6", he has the size to play shooting guard, but had a game more fit for a point guard.

His game reminds me a lot of Hall of Fame shooting guard, Clyde Drexler.

It's surprising that he isn't compared to Clyde more often than not.

As many people know, Drexler was the high-flying shooting guard of the Portland Trail Blazers, who at one point in his career contended with Michael Jordan for the title of the league's best shooting guard.

He was an athlete, ready to put any defender on a poster. He had good ball handling, but was a streaky shooter. He also had good size and length.

That description is exactly how scouts describe Alec Burks.

In only a couple months, at max, Burks' jump shot has come a long way. With guidance from former NBA Finals MVP, Chauncey Billups, he has added consistency to his shot, and improved his mechanics.

It showed a lot at the NBA draft combine, where he impressed many doubters.

He is a good defender as well, using quickness, length, size and athleticism to his advantage.

Burks is most dangerous when he is making plays off the ball to free himself for easy cuts to the rim. He also excels with the ball in his hands, using his amazing ball handling skills to get easy shots at the rim.

Sound familiar?

Drexler was doing that decades ago.

The question is: Can Alec Burks become the next Clyde Drexler?

Well, really it depends on the situation he lands in.

Drexler was the first option on his team in Portland, but he had many skilled players, including Hall of Famer Terry Porter, to relieve some of the scoring stress.

Drexler also played in a very uptempo offense, the complete opposite of the current Trail Blazer offense.

If Burks can land on a team like Phoenix or Golden State, he can shine.

Phoenix is desperate for a consistent scorer, and Golden State is looking to trade Monta Ellis.

Playing along side Stephen Curry would be very beneficial to Burks. Curry has as sweet of a stroke as you will find in the NBA, and he can play off ball next to the high-flying Burks.

Who knows, Curry could even help Burks with his jump shot.

Burks playing hard-nosed defense will also help the Warriors, so its a win-win situation.

And the answer to the question in the title, yes, Alec Burks can become the next Clyde Drexler, but it is going to take a lot of hard work and determination, because it isn't easy to become a top-five shooting guard of all-time.