NBA Draft 2011: Power Ranking Kemba, Jimmer, Kyrie and All Point Guard Prospects
The 2011 NBA draft boasts a plethora of very skilled and possibly elite point guards.
There are the big names like Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight and Jimmer Fredette, but the draft is actually pretty deep in quality players that might not boast such big names.
That being said, the stars are stars for a reason, and that is because they are excellent at what they do.
Just don’t let the glitz and glamor fool you; there are tons of point guards to choose from in this draft.
Here’s a power ranking of the top point guard prospects in the 2011 NBA draft:
15. Malcolm Delaney: Virginia Tech
1 of 15
Malcolm Delaney falls into the unfortunate category of a tweener.
He is not big enough to be an NBA shooting guard, and he might not possess all the attributes that a team is looking for in a point guard.
He has a natural ability to score the ball, but his skills as a facilitator are not where they should be for a point guard.
He makes too many bad decisions under pressure and tends to force shots.
Delaney is going to have to be a project to be successful in the NBA, and will probably end up as a combo guard.
14. Kevin Anderson: Richmond
2 of 15
There is nothing underwhelming about Kevin Anderson’s game.
Unfortunately there is also nothing overwhelming.
Anderson is a typical score first college point guard, and he might have a hard time transitioning that into the NBA level.
He has a pretty good mid-range jump shot that can be very effective at times.
He has average court vision though, and doesn’t have the speed or quickness to make up for it.
13. Corey Fisher: Villanova
3 of 15
Fisher is a prototypical stocky point guard. He has great confidence in his abilities and it shows with his play on the court.
He uses the combination of his big frame and quickness to get to the basket with ease. He is great at making contact and finishing "and-one" opportunities.
Fisher is not the guy you want shooting the ball though, and he apparently has shown a lack of patience when it comes to dealing with teammates.
Defensively his lack of quickness will hinder him against quicker point guards.
12. Shelvin Mack: Butler
4 of 15
Shelvin Mack is a score first type of point guard, and will look to facilitate his own offense, but with good reason.
He can create his own shot, and has no problem in one-on-one situations. He has a variety of offensive moves that allows him to shake defenders, and possesses excellent strength for a point guard.
He has exceptionally long range, but can also be effective near the basket.
The problem that you will run into with Mack is that if you are drafting him to be a pure point guard that is not what you will get.
He would be more suited as a combo guard because of his scoring abilities, but he has the capability to run the offense when called upon.
11.Talor Battle: Penn State
5 of 15
Battle is a point guard with a scorer’s mentality, and he forces defenders to stay close on him with a great shot from long range and a quick release.
He is small for an NBA point guard, so he will have to rely on his shooting ability to be successful as a professional.
The problem with Battle is that he doesn’t have elite speed or quickness and it tends to hinder the other parts of his game.
He tends to get beat off the dribble on defense, and offensively his lack of size and quickness can cause him to make bad decisions when forced into pressure.
A team might consider taking a chance on him in the late rounds because of his ability to shoot the ball.
10. Jacob Pullen: Kansas State
6 of 15
Pullen is most effective as a spot up shooter, so he might be better suited as a two guard, but unfortunately at only six feet tall he is going to have an issue with bigger guards.
He has shown that he has the natural instincts to run the point though, and he has a knack for finding the open man in fast break situations.
Pullen’s greatest asset as an NBA point guard would be at the defensive end. He has quick hands as an on the ball defender and would be good for a steal or two a game.
9. Demetri McCamey: Illinois
7 of 15
McCamey is a big point guard that can use his size and speed to his advantage, and he actually trimmed up through college which has made him an effective scorer as well.
McCamey excels at taking his man to the basket, and shows great speed and quickness when changing directions and creating space for himself.
He has a good pull up jumper and is incredibly accurate from beyond the three-point arc.
He is a young player with plenty of upside and potential, and would be a steal any time after the first round.
8. Maalik Wayns: Villanova
8 of 15
Wayns is the most efficient when he is running the open floor.
He has incredible quickness with the ball, and knows how to get open without it. He is also proficient when shooting off the dribble, which is incredibly valuable for a point guard.
He might be the best defensive point guard in this draft being that he uses his quickness to his advantage, and can really pressure the opponent into turnovers.
7. Tyshawn Taylor: Kansas
9 of 15
Tyshawn Taylor has the experience of running the point for one of the best programs in the country, and the confidence that he displays with the basketball in his hands is unmatched.
He is the consummate floor general and will be a big assist man in the NBA.
Taylor has a knack for finding the open man and can do so in just about every phase of the offense. He has a simple offensive game himself, and his greatest strength is that he is a good finisher at the rim.
He lacks a confident shot from the perimeter though, and that will be something that he needs to improve on.
Defensively he is as good as they come at the point guard position. He displays good footwork and fundamentals, and can stay in front of his man.
6. Kalin Lucas: Michigan State
10 of 15
Kalin’s senior year at Michigan State is going to put a damper on his draft stock, but that doesn’t mean that the potential he displayed during his college career has gone anywhere.
He has been coached by one of the best in the game, and he really shows his composure and overall basketball knowledge when it comes down to clutch situations.
Lucas’s greatest strength is displayed when running the fast break. He has exceptional quickness to get down the court before a defender, and uses his strength and upper body to consistently finish at the rim.
He is a great free-throw shooter as well, which is an underrated quality in a college point guard.
Lucas needs to continue to work on his half-court game though, and try to develop a stronger first step when trying to attack the basket instead of relying on the fast break.
5. Nolan Smith: Duke
11 of 15
Smith made a great decision by choosing to play one more year after Duke’s Championship run, and he will reap the benefits of that decision on draft day.
Smith really stepped up this season for Duke.
He showed that he can be a team leader, and facilitate a team on the floor.
What is most impressive about Smith, though, is his ability to score. He can take you to the basket, shoot it from the wing, pull up for a floater or shoot it from range.
He knows the game of basketball well, and has four years at one of the most prolific college basketball programs to back it up.
The only aspect of his game that is lacking is his overall athleticism, but he more than makes up for it with his basketball IQ and big time experience.
Smith could instantly be a starter on a NBA team looking for a point guard.
4. Jimmer Fredette: Brigham Young
12 of 15
Jimmer Fredette is easily the most prolific scorer in college hoops, so he will undoubtedly warrant a ton of interest from NBA scouts.
His shooting ability and range is off the charts, and what makes him even more special is that he can score in a multitude of ways.
Fredette is not the type of scorer that needs to spot up. He can do it off the dribble, with his feet set or on the run. Honestly, he can put the ball through the hoop in just about any way that you could imagine.
As a passer he shows great vision and patience, and is the most effective with the drive and dish.
The thing that will hinder Fredette as a point guard is his lack of athleticism and quickness. He is going to be slower than most point guards in the NBA, and will have to find a way to compensate for his lack of athleticism.
3. Kyrie Irving: Duke
13 of 15
Irving is a “true” point guard in the sense that he has an incredible feel for the game of basketball.
He has all the traits that you are looking for in a NBA point guard, and he seems to be bouncing back from injury which is a testament to his durability.
He can get looks for his teammates with his great vision, and can also get his own with a powerful burst of speed off the dribble.
He shoots the ball with impeccable form, and just needs to gain a little bit more consistency beyond the arc to be a complete player at the NBA level.
In time he could be a franchise player.
2. Brandon Knight: Kentucky
14 of 15
At 6’3’’ and 185 pounds Knight is big for a point guard, but it doesn’t hinder his speed or quickness, and he is easily one of the fastest point guards in the NCAA.
His combination of size and speed make him an incredibly dangerous threat to score the ball, and he knows how to use his strength to his advantage against smaller defenders.
He is very good in the open court and running the fast break. His size allows him to finish strong at the hoop, but he can also take a defender head on in the half-court game.
The biggest concern with Knight is his consistency. Sometimes he can be a bit streaky as a shooter, but time in the gym practicing his shot will make up for that at the NBA level.
1. Kemba Walker: Connecticut
15 of 15
In my opinion Walker is the best point guard in this draft, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go in the top five.
His greatest strength is his quickness and speed. He can make a play in the half court or on the fast break, and uses his quickness to get around defenders easily off the dribble.
He has shown that he has the mindset to make clutch shots, but I don’t doubt his ability to be a facilitator for his teammates.
He strikes me as a player that will score in droves for you. When he gets in the “zone” it might be impossible to get him out of it, and that alone is worth having him on your team.
He does need to improve his overall decision making, but that will come with time and experience in the NBA
