2011 NBA Mock Draft: Is Duke's Kyrie Irving the Clear-Cut No. 1 Prospect?
The NBA playoffs are nearly here. That means that while 16 teams are preparing to fight for the NBA's crown, 14 more will be entering the offseason early, and preparing for June's draft.
Duke's Kyrie Irving is the best player available in the eyes of many. The freshman sensation was spectacular in his first and likely last season in college basketball.
Meanwhile, UConn's Kemba Walker showed how a deep tourney run can boost draft stock while Brigham Young's Jimmer Fredette showed how an early exit can deflate it.
Join B/R as we travel through the entire first round of June's 2011 draft and determine the next generation of NBA talent.
No. 1) Minnesota Timberwolves: Kyrie Irving (Duke)
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The Timberwolves are sitting on 17 wins with just a week left in the regular season, ugh. The bottom line is that Luke Ridnour and Jonny Flynn just aren't getting it done at point guard, and Ricky Rubio is still a no show.
Kyrie Irving is a rare talent that can step in immediately. Irving's short-lived postseason with Duke did little to hamper his stock, as he more than lived up to the hype in the few games he played in 2010-2011.
No. 2) Cleveland Cavaliers: Derrick Williams (Arizona)
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Williams introduced himself to the nation during March's annual madness. Arizona made a surprising run to the Elite Eight and came within a missed three of the Final Four. Along the way, Derrick Williams became a household name.
Williams is an athletic freak of nature who could instantly bring some intensity to the Cavaliers. If Irving is on the board Cleveland has to take the point guard, but Williams is a worthy No. 2.
No. 3) Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes (North Carolina)
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Washington needs a scorer alongside John Wall. North Carolina's Harrison Barnes is the best they can do at No. 3. Barnes averaged over 15 PPG as a freshman, and has the body size and athleticism to do it at the next level.
Barnes is a solid fit considering the Wizards don't exactly have a bona fide starter at small forward at this point.
No. 4) Toronto Raptors: Kemba Walker (Connecticut)
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National Champion Kemba Walker might have played his way to a top five selection in this year's draft. Walker lead the Huskies to 11 consecutive wins to finish the 2010-2011 season, including two championship game wins in the Big East and NCAA.
Jose Calderon has been a very stable hand at point guard for Toronto for years now, but the Raptors need a change. Walker is an instant energizer for a tired franchise.
No. 5) Sacramento Kings: Perry Jones (Baylor)
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Baylor's unique freshman Perry Jones puts the "v" in versatility. Jones is a 6'11" power forward who can handle like the Lakers' Lamar Odom.
Jones looked very raw at times for Baylor this past season, but it would be hard for the Kings to pass on him if he's still available at No. 5.
No. 6) Utah Jazz (From New Jersey): Brandon Knight (Kentucky)
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Utah has completely fallen from grace after trading franchise point guard Deron Williams last February. Devin Harris is a capable scorer for the Jazz, but he lacks the necessary qualities of a superstar.
Knight boosted his stock with Kentucky's Final Four run and hit some big late-game shots that will make him a top 10 selection.
No. 7) Detroit Pistons: Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania)
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A 6'10" power forward out of Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas has both NBA size and athleticism that the struggling Pistons could use.
Detroit needs help just about everywhere, but Valanciunas, arguably the best international player available, could be a huge pick up at No. 7.
No. 8) Cleveland Cavaliers (From Los Angeles Clippers): Enes Kanter (Turkey)
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The best center prospect in the draft is Enes Kanter from Turkey. Kanter was denied by the NCAA to play for Kentucky this past season, but it seems irrelevant since he is a lock for the draft's first round.
Kanter has a 7-foot wingspan and a 9-foot standing reach that could help Cleveland reach a winning season in 2011-2012.
No. 9) Milwaukee Bucks: Kawhi Leonard (San Diego State)
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Leonard's motor and raw athleticism will be enough to land him an NBA contract, and Milwaukee could definitely use his rebounding nose and strength inside.
Leonard ranked ninth in the nation in rebounding last season, pulling in 10.7 RPG in 2010-2011.
No. 10) Charlotte Bobcats: Terrence Jones (Kentucky)
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Terrence Jones was far from amazing during Kentucky's Final Four run. Jones never scored more than 12 points in any of the Wildcats five tourney games, but did rebound well, averaging over eight per game and collecting two double-doubles.
Jones is one of the draft's best small forward prospects and has a ridiculous wingspan that separates him from other players at his position.
No. 11) Golden State Warriors: Jordan Hamilton (Texas)
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A 6'7" scorer from the University of Texas, Jordan Hamilton improved dramatically in his sophomore season with the Longhorns, increasing his point, assist and rebounding numbers along with his free throw, 3-point and overall field goal percentages.
Hamilton could be an excellent fit in Golden State's up-tempo style of offensive.
No. 12) Utah Jazz: Jan Vesely (Czech Republic)
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Another athletic power forward out of Europe, Jan Vesely has top 10 potential. Vesely is very quick and versatile at 6'11" and already has experience as a professional player.
The Jazz have a history of going after international talent, and they could use a finesse player inside.
No. 13) Phoenix Suns: Jimmer Fredette (Brigham Young)
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How does a back court of Steve Nash and Jimmer Fredette sound? Well to be honest it sounds like a defensive liability, but still something worth watching.
If Fredette is still on the board at No. 13, the Suns have to bite. Fredette's game is very similar to that of Golden State's Stephen Curry, a player Phoenix coveted a couple seasons ago.
Phoenix is on the decline after the departure of Amar'e Stoudemire last offseason and needs something—anything—to keep fans interested.
No. 14) Houston Rockets: Kenneth Faried (Morehead State)
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The nation's leading rebounder in 2010-2011, Morehead State's Kenneth Faried brings an unmatched scent for the ball to the game. Faried averaged 14.5 RPG last season and led the Eagles to a first round upset over the Louisville Cardinals in the NCAA tourney.
Faried has averaged a double-double the past three seasons at Morehead State while shooting over 55 percent in the process. His difficulties at the free throw line are concerning, however.
No. 15) Indiana Pacers: Alec Burks (Colorado)
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Alec Burks, Colorado's sophomore shooting guard, has NBA size and skill that makes him the best two-guard prospect available in June's draft.
The 19-year-old is 6'6" and can score with the best of them. Burks averaged 20.5 PPG during his sophomore season at Colorado and shot 47 percent from the field.
No. 16) Philadelphia 76ers: Jeff Taylor (Vanderbilt)
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Vanderbilt junior Jeff Taylor has maxed out his potential in college basketball. Taylor was a defensive specialist with the Commodores and averaged roughly 13 PPG and 5 RPG in three seasons.
Taylor could provide some solid defense for the 76ers who already have a premier scorer at the two/three spot in Andre Iguodala.
No. 17) New York Knicks: Donatas Motiejunas (Lithuania)
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Donatas Motiejunas is the perfect forward for Mike D'Antoni to play next to Amar'e Stoudemire. Motiejunas is an athletic 7-foot power forward out of Lithuania.
Motiejunas is an excellent passer who can also run the floor, a great pick up for the Knicks who already have enough scorers to carry the load.
No. 18) Minnesota Timberwolves (From Utah from Memphis): Marcus Morris (Kansas)
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Kevin Love 2.0? Perhaps. Marcus Morris can score in a variety of ways and even take defenders off of the dribble. Morris averaged over 17 PPG last season with the Jayhawks.
The only thing holding Morris back is his athleticism. Morris lacks the explosion to survive in the league on talent alone. However, the same can be said about Minnesota's Kevin Love.
No. 19) Washington Wizards: Patric Young (Florida)
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Florida's freshman Patric Young is only 19 but has the body of a Greek god. Young's 6'9" height is overlooked because of his 7'1" wingspan and nearly 9-foot standing reach.
Young is a raw talent, but a talent nonetheless. His athleticism and body build give him a chance to succeed at the next level, and if Washington wants to get younger this pick makes a lot of sense.
No. 20) Portland Trail Blazers: Nikola Mirotic (Serbia)
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A 6'10" small forward out of Europe, Nikola Mirotic is a match-up nightmare. Mirotic has all the things you want in an international player. He is a solid shooter, can put the ball on the floor and pass with precision.
His body needs to fill out still but he is only 20 years old. Mirotic should go in the first round but it's yet to be determined if he is a lottery pick.
Charlotte Bobcats (From Portland Via New Orleans): Bismack Biyombo (Spain)
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Bismack Biyombo stands 6'9" tall, but that's nothing compared to his 7'7" wingspan and 9'3" standing reach. Biyombo's physical gifts make him a phenomenal defender and rebounder.
Biyombo has the ability to block shots most others can't, and is already acquiring some much-needed experience in Spain, considering he is only 18 years old.
No. 22) Denver Nuggets: Mason Plumlee (Duke)
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Plumlee has a tough decision. Remain in college and play for a national championship with his two brothers at Duke next season, or forgo the rest of his college career and head for the NBA.
Either way Plumlee's athleticism and motor will land him a job some day playing basketball. However, Plumlee's specialties do remind me of those of Chris "Birdman" Andersen.
No. 23) Houston Rockets (From Phoenix Suns): Tobias Harris (Tennessee)
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Tennessee's talented freshman Tobias Harris will apparently test the draft waters this offseason. The 18-year-old small forward is 6'8" and has virtually everything you want in a basketball player.
Harris is a much smarter player than he is an explosive player and that might hurt his chances of going in the first round.
No. 24) Oklahoma City Thunder: Trey Thompkins (Georgia)
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Thompkins has ideal size for an NBA power forward. He would be an excellent option for Oklahoma City coming off the bench to give Kendrick Perkins rest. Thompkins is a well-rounded offensive player that brings with him a major shot-blocking presence.
Thompkins was very consistent in his three seasons with the Bulldogs, averaging roughly 15 PPG and 8 RPG during that time.
No. 25) Dallas Mavericks: Chris Singleton (Florida State)
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Chris Singleton emerged this past season as one of the nation's best small forwards. Singleton has become a lock-down defender who can score in transition like no one else.
Over his 3-year career at Florida State, Singleton often struggled when settling for 3-point shots. Though he has range, if he sticks to being an athletic defense-first player he will have a long NBA career.
No. 26) Chicago Bulls (From Toronto Raptors Via Miami): JaJuan Johnson (Purdue)
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A polished power forward out of the Big Ten, Purdue's JaJuan Johnson brings a long and versatile body to the NBA. Johnson is arguably a perfect fit for the defensive-minded Chicago Bulls.
He will certainly have to bulk up after he's drafted though, he is 6'10" but only weighs around 225 pounds. Johnson averaged over 20 PPG with the Boilermakers last season however and proved that he can score in a variety of ways.
No. 27) Boston Celtics: Jeremy Lamb (Connecticut)
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A 6'5" shooting guard with a 7-foot wingspan, UConn's Jeremy Lamb would be a dime in Beantown. Lamb helped lead the Huskies to the national crown earlier this month and could easily pull a Carmelo Anthony on the Big East conference this offseason.
However he is a freshman and could use some more experience, and needs to bulk up if nothing else. Lamb didn't put up huge numbers in his first season at UConn but has all the necessary qualities of a first round selection.
No. 28) New Jersey (From Los Angeles Lakers): Markieff Morris (Kansas)
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Markieff is similar to his brother Marcus, but a little less talented offensively. Morris would be a lock to bring defense and rebounding to New Jersey, but his scoring skills would need time to develop.
He is improving his range however and has the athleticism around the rim to bother opponents. Morris a quality player at No. 28 for the Nets.
No. 29) Chicago Bulls: Reggie Jackson (Boston College)
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Boston College's point guard Reggie Jackson brings an insane 7-foot wingspan to the table. The junior improved his scoring output from 7 to 18 PPG in three seasons with the Eagles.
Jackson to Chicago would cap off a fantastic first round for the current Eastern Conference leaders. Not to mention Jackson would be a match up nightmare for opposing point guards while playing behind Derrick Rose.
No. 30) San Antonio Spurs: Nolan Smith (Duke)
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A high-character player out of Duke, Nolan Smith has plenty of college basketball experience, as well as big-game experience. Smith was superb in his junior and senior season with the Blue Devils, scoring over 18 PPG on average and facilitating nicely considering Duke lacked a true point guard at times.
A little improvement on his jump-shot and Smith's work ethic could take him far. He would be an excellent selection to end the first round for a 60+ win team in San Antonio.
Patrick Clarke is a Featured Columnist for the Phoenix Suns and a student at Towson University.
