2011 NBA Draft Preview: Should the Cleveland Cavaliers Draft Jared Sullinger?
If the NBA season ended today, the Cleveland Cavaliers would have the worst record in the league, and therefore the best chance at the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Jared Sullinger is the Ohio-born, Ohio State Buckeye star and National Player of the Year candidate.
Seems like a match even eHarmony couldn't dream up, right?
Sullinger exhibits many skills that the Cavaliers desperately need. He's a wide body down low, someone you can throw the ball to inside and let go to work.
No, Ryan Hollins hasn't exactly filled that role thus far.
The Cavs are 24th in the league in rebounding—another one of Sullinger's strengths at nearly 10 a game. He's also proven to be an efficient scorer, as his 17 points per game on 55 percent shooting would indicate.
With all of these positives, plus the hometown tie-in, why wouldn't they draft him?
Well, a couple reasons.
Position-wise, at 6'9" and 280 pounds, Jared would translate best to a power forward in the NBA—something the Cavs are already stocked in with J.J. Hickson, Antawn Jamison and the emergence of Samardo Samuels.
Moving Sullinger to center is an option, but he would encounter many match-up problems with the taller, more athletic centers in the league.
It's possible Jared's not entirely done growing, and a seven-foot Sully would be a very attractive option.
Remember, the Cavaliers and many others passed on DeJuan Blair in the 2009 draft because of his 6'7'' frame despite being a post player, and now he starts at center for the league-leading San Antonio Spurs.
There's also the issue of athleticism.
Since the NBA is a superstar-driven league, a team with a top-three pick needs to hit on a franchise player, someone who can develop into a team leader and perennial All-Star.
While Sullinger seems like he's destined to be a solid pro in the Elton Bran/Kevin Love mold, passing on a potential superstar like a Kyrie Irving or Perry Jones could continue to set the franchise back while jump-starting a rival one.
Most mock drafts have Sullinger going at No. 3—if he even decides to go pro this year at all. In a draft full of unknowns and potential, Jared appears to be the safest pick of the bunch.
If I'm running the Cavaliers and end up getting the first overall pick, I'd still take Duke's Kyrie Irving, but would still feel good about taking Sullinger if the pick falls to second or third overall.
