2011 NBA Mock Draft: Has Kyrie Irving's Stock Fallen or Risen Since Injury?
Duke's Kyrie Irving has been out with a toe injury since last December but is still seen by many as the favorite to become the No. 1 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Irving is just one of many freshmen with tons of hype surrounding their names as the NCAA tournament heats up.
Ohio State's Jared Sullinger and North Carolina's Harrison Barnes are both arguably the best players on championship-caliber teams.
The 2011 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23 in Newark, N.J. Will it mark the day that changes the fortunes of an entire franchise? The day an NBA legend arrives? Find out.
Join B/R as we travel through the first round of our mock NBA Draft, starting with pick No. 30 and arriving at No. 1.
No. 30) San Antonio Spurs: Patric Young (Florida)
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Young is an extremely athletic center. The only concern is his lack of refinement on the offensive end. He presents quite an obstacle on the defensive end for opponents considering he is 6'9" with a 7'1" wingspan.
If the Gators can make a deep tournament run this March, Young could benefit greatly and find himself going in the late first round to a team like San Antonio.
No. 29) Chicago Bulls: Tobias Harris (Tennessee)
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A freshman small forward out of Tennessee, Harris is one of the nation's most talented players. Though Harris lacks some athleticism required to play the position at the next level, he can certainly improve in that category.
Chicago would be a great destination for a young player like Harris.
No. 28) Boston Celtics: Nolan Smith (Duke)
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A combo guard with plenty of experience at the college level, Nolan Smith is a safe pick for a team like Boston.
Smith can bring fire to the Celtics bench, as well as another role player for a team that relies on them. His numbers have improved every season since his freshman year, and he is without a doubt one of the most high-character guys in the draft.
No. 27) New Jersey Nets (From LAL): Josh Selby (Kansas)
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Selby, a point guard one-and-done with the Jayhawks, has very little of a résumé regarding college basketball but has the potential to be a great NBA player nonetheless.
The Nets have Deron Williams already; however, Selby can be molded behind the All-Star and even be used as a potential trading piece if the Nets want to build through free agency and trades rather than the 27th pick in the draft.
No. 26) Dallas Mavericks: Tyler Zeller (North Carolina)
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North Carolina's seven-foot center is likely a first-rounder given his upside and overall size. Zeller needs to bulk up if he is going to make a living as an NBA center, but for a team like Dallas, Zeller is a project player.
Zeller isn't a great rebounder, but with time and effort, he can become a solid bench player on a championship-caliber team.
No. 25) Chicago Bulls (From Toronto): Reggie Jackson (Boston College)
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A 6'3" point guard with a seven-foot wingspan—that's what has scouts going crazy over Boston College's Reggie Jackson.
Jackson would fit nicely in Chicago behind Derrick Rose, where he could come off the bench or even make an impact as a scoring threat playing off the ball.
Jackson's shooting has improved during his time with the Eagles, especially his numbers from downtown, where he shot 43 percent this season.
No. 24) Oklahoma City Thunder: Markieff Morris (Kansas)
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A junior power forward from Kansas with plenty of NBA size, Morris is ready for the next level and would be a solid teammate to Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City.
Morris would serve dutifully off the bench, snagging rebounds and making opponents work hard inside the paint. The biggest concern is his turnover struggles on the offensive end, where he still needs work.
No. 23) Phoenix Suns (From Orlando): Mason Plumlee (Duke)
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This pick is tricky. Phoenix acquired it from Orlando in the Jason Richardson trade back in December, but Houston can take it from Phoenix because of the Aaron Brooks trade last month.
Either way, Mason Plumlee, the better half of the two Plumlee brothers, goes late in the first round at No. 23 to Houston.
Plumlee's defensive effort and intensity set him apart from other prospects and overshadow his less than refined offensive game.
No. 22) Denver Nuggets: Marcus Morris (Kansas)
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Kansas' junior power forward Marcus Morris would be a great fit in Denver. Morris' versatility and size make him a certain first-round selection.
Morris' point production has increased by five PPG every season since his freshman year. Now that's development.
No. 21) Washington Wizards (From Atlanta): Jeff Taylor (Vanderbilt)
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A 6'7" swingman from Vanderbilt, Taylor could bring some experience and skill to the struggling Wizards. Taylor's PPG has increased every season at Vanderbilt, and he could be a steady NBA player for years to come.
His defense and athleticism are high on teams' lists, and he could go anywhere from the mid to late first round.
No. 20) Charlotte Bobcats (From Portland): Donatas Motiejunas (Lithuania)
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A 20-year-old seven-footer out of Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas brings athleticism and floor-running capabilities to go with his huge frame.
Portland could use a healthy big man, or, more importantly, one that can stay healthy.
No. 19) Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Knight (Kentucky)
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A point guard with fantastic size and skill, Kentucky's Brandon Knight is definitely a one-and-done player in college basketball. Knight's 6'4" frame would be welcomed in Portland as a change of pace behind current floor general Andre Miller.
Knight averaged more than 17 PPG and over four APG with the Wildcats this season and could easily see similar numbers at the next level given his size and matchup advantage.
No. 18) Memphis Grizzlies: Tristan Thompson (Texas)
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Tristan Thompson, a 6'8" freshman power forward at Texas, has a wingspan and a game that belong in the NBA.
Thompson is a lock for the first round, and Memphis could take a chance on him at No. 18. The Grizzlies' pick is likely headed to Houston after last month's Shane Battier trade that sent the former Blue Devil to Memphis.
No. 17) New York Knicks: Alec Burks (Colorado)
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Colorado's sophomore scoring machine would be right at home with the star-studded New York Knicks. Burks averaged more than 20 PPG this season with the Buffaloes.
At 6'6", Burks has ideal NBA height for a 2 guard and could present all sorts of problems for the opposition. Don't be shocked if Burks goes much higher than this, considering he is arguably the best shooting guard prospect in the draft.
No. 16) Philadelphia 76ers: Thomas Robinson (Kansas)
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Robinson is a very talented and athletic big man on a phenomenal college basketball team. Though he lacks the total game many scouts are looking for, Robinson can be molded, considering he is only a sophomore.
At 6'9", 230 pounds, Robinson can match up with nearly any NBA power forward and likely hold his own. A strong tournament appearance from Robinson and the Jayhawks, and who knows how far No. 0's stock can rise?
No. 15) Indiana Pacers: Kenneth Faried (Morehead State)
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The 6'8" senior for Morehead State is an undersized power forward by NBA standards but is certainly strong enough to be an elite rebounder at the next level.
Faried has averaged a double-double the last three seasons with Morehead State and averaged more than 17 PPG and over 14 RPG this year.
Faried's size and rebounding ability spark comparisons to Dennis Rodman and make him a wanted man in this year's draft.
No. 14) Utah Jazz: Jan Vesely (Czech Republic)
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An athletic 6'11" forward from the Czech Republic, Jan Vesely has lottery potential. Utah has a solidified frontcourt already and could work with Vesely as a project player.
Vesely has above-average athleticism for a player his size and could present a difficult matchup for Jazz opponents in the future.
No. 13) Houston Rockets: Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania)
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Jonas Valanciunas is a 6'10" power forward from Lithuania and a big man that the Houston Rockets would likely love to have.
With the loss of Yao Ming to the franchise, Houston has struggled inside, relying heavily on the 6'6" Chuck Hayes and other short-term solutions.
Valanciunas is one of the draft's best power forward prospects and might even go sooner based on teams' needs.
No. 12) Phoenix Suns: Kemba Walker (Connecticut)
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The Phoenix Suns have long been searching for a point guard who can mimic the play of Steve Nash.
UConn's Kemba Walker is coming off a Big East tournament run that suggests he will shine in the NBA. That is not to say that Walker will or can replace the Phoenix point guard, but he could be the next great floor general to call the desert home.
The New York, New York native is as tough as they come and could easily be a franchise player.
No. 11) Golden State Warriors: Kawhi Leonard (San Diego State)
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San Diego State's insanely gifted sophomore forward Kawhi Leonard has averaged a double-double this season with the Aztecs.
Leonard's athletic and tough rebound-first mentality would be a great pickup for a team like Golden State.
Leonard should go in the lottery and could boost his stock even more with a much-expected deep tournament run (the Aztecs are a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament).
No. 10) Charlotte Bobcats: Enes Kanter (Turkey)
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A 18-year-old center from Turkey, Kanter perhaps can be compared to New Jersey's Brook Lopez. Kanter has great size at 6'10", 255 pounds.
Kanter is arguably the best center prospect in the draft and could definitely go higher than No. 10. However, every draft watches a player slip.
The Bobcats end the slide for Kanter, though, as they look for a long big man to build around, and we know Michael Jordan likes his big men (Kwame Brown, anyone?).
No. 9) Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones (Kentucky)
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Kentucky's talented freshman could improve his stock with another deep tournament run by the Wildcats.
Jones, a 6'8" small forward from Oregon, has an NBA body, including a ridiculous 7'3" wingspan. Jones is averaging more than 16 PPG and nearly nine RPG with the Wildcats this season.
Milwaukee could use Jones' services if it wants to get back to the postseason next year.
No. 8) Cleveland Cavaliers (From LAC): John Henson (North Carolina)
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A 6'10" sophomore forward with the Tar Heels, Henson is one of the most promising physical specimens in this year's draft.
Though he is somewhat undersized in terms of weight for the power forward position at the NBA level, Henson has the height and length to alter shots down low and run the floor with anyone.
The combination of Kyrie Irving and Henson (a Tobacco Road connection) would conclude a very successful first round for the Cavaliers.
No. 7) Detroit Pistons: Jordan Hamilton (Texas)
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The sophomore from Compton, California is one of college basketball's most gifted scorers. Hamilton is averaging more than 18 PPG and over seven RPG this season with the Longhorns.
The Pistons have experienced quite a fall from grace after the departure of Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups just a few seasons ago, and Hamilton could provide a spark no doubt.
Though there is already one scorer named Hamilton on the Pistons' roster, the one they call "Rip" is likely to be cut loose this offseason.
No. 6) Utah Jazz (From New Jersey): Jimmer Fredette (BYU)
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For many, Jimmer Fredette going in the top 10 would be seen as a shocker. For basketball fans, not so much.
Fredette has lit up college basketball this season and is a candidate for NCAA Player of the Year. The Utah Jazz lost perhaps their best offensive weapon when they traded Deron Williams last month; Fredette can put points up in a hurry from nearly anywhere on the floor.
Utah is a great fit for Fredette and exactly the type of team that would take a chance on him.
No. 5) Toronto Raptors: Derrick Williams (Arizona)
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A 19-year-old forward playing in the Pac-10, Williams has gone largely unnoticed by casual college basketball fans.
Williams has the size and athleticism to go in the top five of this summer's draft, considering he is 6'7" and just over 200 pounds.
In his sophomore season at Arizona, Williams is averaging more than 19 PPG and more than eight RPG. Don't be surprised if Williams goes early, especially with a strong tournament performance.
No. 4) Minnesota Timberwolves: Harrison Barnes (North Carolina)
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North Carolina's talented wing player struggled at times this season but still showed flashes that suggest he is more than ready for the big leagues.
Barnes, a 6'7" small forward, would bring some scoring potential to Minnesota, as well as some star power to play alongside the league's leading rebounder, Kevin Love.
No. 3) Washington Wizards: Jared Sullinger (Ohio State)
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Sullinger, who was named this season's Freshman of the Year in college basketball, has dominated opponents on the inside with his absurd skills and solid frame.
The Wizards would be wise to select Sullinger at No. 3, considering he shores up their front line and takes some of the pressure off center JaVale McGee.
At 6'9" and 260 pounds, Sullinger would team up with last year's No. 1 overall pick John Wall in DC, creating quite the tandem.
No. 2) Sacramento Kings: Perry Jones (Baylor)
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A 6'11" power forward with a wingspan from Oakland to San Francisco, Baylor's freshman sensation Perry Jones is likely a top five selection in this year's draft.
Jones, who can handle the basketball, looks like a young Lamar Odom at times, although he is still somewhat raw in talent and needs to bulk up for the NBA.
Sacramento would have a playoff-contending front line with Jones in the lineup and could possibly create more excitement with a move to Las Vegas or Los Angeles.
No. 1) Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving (Duke)
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Whether you need a point guard or not, Duke's Kyrie Irving is without a doubt the most talented player in this summer's draft.
For Cleveland, the decision to pull the trigger on Irving is perhaps a no-brainer. With Mo Williams gone to Los Angeles and virtually no future prospect at the position on its roster, Irving is the man.
Like Chris Paul, Irving has the potential to turn around a franchise and maybe excite a Cavaliers team that has lacked a superstar since the LeBron James debacle last offseason.
Patrick Clarke is a Featured Columnist for the Phoenix Suns and a student at Towson University.
