NBA Draft 2011: Kyrie Irving and Others Who May Contend for Rookie of the Year
After tonight’s Butler versus UConn matchup for the NCAA title is decided, the final step in the college basketball season will be complete. From there, it’s onto the NBA draft for a handful of lucky athletes.
This year’s draft isn’t deep on superstars, but it’s one that offers a great deal of parity among the top picks. It’s anybody’s guess as to who will win the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
The presumed top picks are still undecided if they are coming out, but we should know within the next week or two of their decisions. Please note that I’ve removed Harrison Barnes from the list, though he has not officially specified his intentions to return to UNC.
The NBA Rookie of the Year hasn’t been awarded to anyone drafted outside of the top 10 since Mark Jackson in 1987, so here are the current top 10 players in approximate order of where they could go.
Kemba Walker, UConn
1 of 10
Walker can contend for Rookie of the Year honors because he’ll be given the opportunity to score in the NBA. He is undersized, but as Golden State’s Stephen Curry has recently shown us, this shouldn’t detract any team from taking a chance on Walker.
The only thing that would work against Walker is that he is seen as a late-round lottery pick, so playing for a better team would limit his ability to get on the floor to score his points.
Marcus Morris, Kansas
2 of 10
Marcus Morris’ size and versatility makes him an intriguing player in this year’s draft. Not many guys have the complete package of scoring, size, defense and experience, but Morris has all of those qualities.
He should be a solid NBA player and could have an immediate impact if he goes to a team that lacks depth in the frontcourt.
Jan Vesely, Czech Republic
3 of 10
Vesely is one of two or three International players who will go in the lottery. A polished 6’11” small forward, Vesely will create matchup issues for teams lacking size at the three position.
He still needs to work on his game from an offensive standpoint, but if he continues to reach the goals he’s set for himself, you’re looking at an Andrei Kirilenko-type player with more upside.
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Brandon Knight, Kentucky
4 of 10
Brandon Knight is the guy who may have improved his draft stock more than anyone else who participated in this year’s NCAA tournament.
Knight can be described as Rajon Rondo with a jump shot and should be among the growing trend of NBA teams turning control over to younger point guards.
Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
5 of 10
Leonard is a supremely talented rebounding small forward and should be able to seamlessly transition to the NBA because of his size and toughness. He’s a guy that will earn his playing time.
But like Kemba Walker, Leonard may have trouble putting up gaudy numbers since he’ll be a top 10 pick, but he’ll wind up playing for a Golden State or Milwaukee, which need team players, not stat guys.
Perry Jones, Baylor
6 of 10
Jones has been quiet on his decision to declare or not, but when he does, he’ll be a high draft pick.
I’ve expressed my opinion that I do not believe he is ready for the NBA, but if Jones is drafted by a team like Toronto, who needs a big man, there is a chance Jones could shine.
Fans rave about him as a bigger Tracy McGrady, but T-Mac took a few years before he became to a superstar, so don’t expect if out of Jones. But you never know.
Alec Burks, Colorado
7 of 10
I may not be sold on Perry Jones, but I am on Alec Burks. Burks should be able to step onto the court with his new team and produce right away.
Not many shooting guards take as many shots as Burks has, and hit 49.4 percent over their college careers. He’s not a lock from downtown, but is a great finisher around the rim, which adds to his value when you add in his 83 percent free-throw shooting last season (7.9 attempts/game).
Enes Kanter, Turkey
8 of 10
Kanter is a tough player to get a handle on when determining whether or not he can compete for the NBA ROY honor. He may not have played at all this season, but was on the Kentucky Wildcats practice court, training with his Final Four teammates.
He’ll most likely wind up as a team’s center and should be a handful because of his skills, but the year off may make his ramp up time longer than some of the other bigs in the draft.
Kyrie Irving, Duke
9 of 10
Irving is a talented player who should be in the hunt for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, even if he doesn’t get off to a hot start. The only reason for a slow start would be a lack of games from last season and a unique foot injury that kept him out most of the season at Duke.
Still, when it comes together for Irving, you’re looking at an unselfish player capable of scoring in bunches and taking over a game if need be.
Derrick Williams, Arizona
10 of 10
I lied, I’m already putting Williams down as the NBA ROY. He’s a man amongst boys and will be a force in the pros. Whoever is lucky enough to draft Williams will receive a Blake Griffin equivalent with a better shot.
Williams does it all on both ends of the floor and will be the top pick. He’s one of the few guarantees in the 2011 NBA draft.
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