2011 NBA Draft Power Rankings: Kyrie Irving and the Top Point Guards
This year's draft may look like a weak one to some, but it is filled with talent.
Join us as we power rank the top five players from each position in this year's NBA Draft.
First off is the point guard. To some, it is the most important position. You need someone who can run a team, make passes, score and play some defense too.
Here are the top floor generals in the 2011 NBA Draft.
5. Nolan Smith
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Smith is a high-IQ point guard.
He is just a comfortable shooting from outside as he is taking it to the rack.
Nolan Smith is most dangerous on the drive, as he uses his high IQ to find teammates, or finish with either hand. He knows when to take it hard, or when to float it up in the air.
He is an above-average defender, with athleticism being his main weakness. He uses length and his height to defend other point guards.
He is also a winner, being part of the Duke program that won it all last year, and is looking to do the same this year.
He is maybe the most NBA-ready point guard of this bunch, with four years of college experience in the book.
4. Kemba Walker
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Kemba Walker is the second best scoring guard in the nation (we'll get to number one soon, but I think it's pretty obvious who that is at this point).
He possesses a quick and lethal jump shot, which he has extended the range on to beyond the three-point line.
He is at his best when he's taking the ball to the rim, and taking advantage of his amazing speed and agility.
His passing is a bit underrated, as he can find the open man when he needs to and will give up the rock for a better shot when needed to.
His main weakness is poor decision-making and his size. He sometimes chucks up bad shots, and he is only 6'1", which won't help a lot in the NBA.
Even with those key weaknesses, I can almost assure he will have a successful NBA career.
3. Brandon Knight
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Knight is a complete guard.
He has the athleticism and the shot to make noise in the NBA.
He also possesses maybe the deadliest one-on-one games in the entire nation, being able to take almost anyone off the dribble.
He finishes amazingly at the rim, and can pull up for a mid-range shot almost at will, having amazing body control.
He is also a lockdown defender, being able to shut down his man and force turnovers.
Only thing keeping Knight from the top two is his rocky start to his college career, and the performance of the next two point guards.
2. Jimmer Fredette
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Jimmer is the best scorer in the entire nation, let alone the best scoring guard in the nation.
He has exploded onto the scene with a streak of 40-point-plus games, and he doesn't look like he'll be stopping any time soon.
He has the deadliest jumper in the nation as well.
His main weakness is his athleticism, which is a concern for the NBA level, and his inability to create a shot for himself. Still, take his scoring mentality and couple it with his sweet stroke, and there isn't much you should worry about.
Take this from me, when Jimmer catches fire, no human being on this planet can stop him.
1. Kyrie Irving
5 of 5All those highlights you see on the left came from eight games with the Bluedevils this year.
Yes, Kyrie Irving is that good.
He is compared to Chris Paul, and for good reason.
He possesses the sweetest handles in the nation, and is one of the best passers, as well. He can shoot the three, or he can free himself up for open looks inside the line.
He is amazing going towards the basket, where his IQ helps him finish over anyone.
There's a reason he has scouts drooling, even if he has only played eight games this year.
Irving probably won't go outside of the top three come July, and whichever team picks him is in for a lot of success.
He is the nation's best point guard.
