2011 NBA Mock Draft: Where Will Butler's Shelvin Mack Be Selected in Draft?
The list of college athletes declaring for the 2011 NBA draft is growing on a daily basis, despite a host of big names committed to returning to school for another year.
Kemba Walkerย announced yesterday morning that he was declaring for the draft. Perry Jones went the other direction and will return to Baylor for his sophomore year, despite being suspended for the first five games of the season.
The list of international players is growing as well. Bismack Biyombo of the Congo is the latest player to make a name for himself as minicamps for aspiring players are underway.
The last crop of players to consider in this yearโs draft are those who made names for themselves in the tournament. Butlerโs Shelvin Mack turned himself into a first-round pick with his performance.
VCUโs Jamie Skeen, Justin Harper of Richmond and Oaklandโs Keith Benson are also players who benefited from postseason national exposure, and all are top 40 picks.
This yearโs draft is shaping up to be a wide open one, with any number of players being ranked all over the draft board. Things could shift dramatically before June 23rd, but for now, here is one current mock draft to consider.
This following list includes players who have declared for the draft, and those who have not made their intentions known yet. The Draft order is based off of the NBA standings through April 11th.
No. 30, San Antonio Spurs: Jon Leuer, PF, Wisconsin
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Leave it to the Spurs to take a player who isnโt flashy or a head turner, but Jon Leuer is a great team player.ย
Heโs big, has a nice stroke and is as solid as anyone from the line. Heโs not a physical player, but thatโs what DeJuan Blair already gives the spurs inside.
No. 29, Chicago Bulls: Tobias Harris, SF, Tennessee
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It may not make sense on paper for the Bulls to go with a small forward, but Harris is the best player left on the board at this point.
The Bulls simply donโt need any help up front, so they can afford to take a flier on Harris. Heโs not ready for the NBA, but should prove serviceable down the road.
No. 28, Chicago Bulls (Miami): Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA
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This is why it wouldnโt make sense for Harris to be the No. 29 pick, but two good athletes are two good athletes.
Honeycutt is a decent player who should fit in on the Bulls roster. Heโs not going to be a star in the league, but can do a little bit of everything which will benefit him.
Heโs a player whose stock could slip in coming weeks, since not many teams need small forwards.
No. 27, Dallas Mavericks: Jeremy Tyler, C, International
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Tyler is the lone American international player in this yearโs draft. He is back in the states after playing in Japan this past season.
He averaged 9.9 PPG and 6.4 RPG for the year, but was a force late in the season, scoring in double figures over his last seven games (14.4 PPG).ย
No. 26, New Jersey Nets: JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue
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The Nets are a bit of a question mark in the upcoming draft. They need help everywhere, but should go big with Kris Humphries set to hit free agency.
Johnson would give the Nets an athletic big man who can help Brook Lopez on the glass, where the Nets will struggle without Humphries.ย
Regardless of the pick, donโt expect anything too exciting. A trade may work best for the team with two (potential) picks next year.
No. 25, Boston Celtics: Keith Benson, C, Oakland
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One of the few legit centers in the draft, Keith Bensonโs stock should improve enough for him to land in the first round.ย
The Celtics have a need for a young big man, and Benson fits that bill. He can score, rebound and block shots, the latter two being pressing issues for the Celtics.
Heโs not an imposing physical figure, which is why he is considered a top second-round pick, but the Celtics could reach to fill their needs in the middle with Benson.
No. 24, Oklahoma City Thunder: Jordan Williams, PF, Maryland
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Even after getting more physical with the addition of Kendrick Perkins, the Thunder should add more depth up front in this yearโs draft.
Williams is an imposing figure who can defend and finish around the hoop. His consistency throughout the regular season will be the difference maker between him going in Round 1 versus Round 2.
No. 23, Phoenix Suns (Orlando): Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas
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The other Morris twin could potentially get caught in a drift that pushes him down a few spots, because heโs not as exciting as some of the other players available.ย
It seems like the Suns are constantly in need of physicality, so Morris will fill that role. He a strong player and better inside and on the defensive end than his brother, which will benefit the Suns.ย
No. 22, Denver Nuggets: Shelvin Mack, PG, Butler
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Mack turned himself into a first-round pick with his epic performance in the NCAA tournament. He may have spent two seasons behind Gordon Haywood and Matt Howard, but Mack should excel in the NBA.
Heโs sized well, and the Nuggets can use another point guard, which will help Mack prove that his skills as a mid-major PG do translate into the NBA.
No. 21, Portland Trailblazers: Nolan Smith, PG, Duke
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Talk about the perfect pickโNolan Smith is just that for Portland.
A great basketball mind, Smith cold find himself starting for the Blazers if Andre Millerโs option is not picked up.
Smith is a solid ball handler and scorer, but because heโs a senior, his upside is โlimitedโ. The Blazers will take a guy who can step in and contribute right away though.
No. 20, Minnesota Timberwolves (Memphis): Chris Singleton, PF, FSU
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On paper, this will probably be a pick David Kahn is ridiculed for. Pundits will declare that better players were available, and Kahn should not have reached for Singleton.
I agree that Singleton will have trouble scoring points in the NBA, but he could turn out to become a very reliable defensive specialist.
And what do the Wolves need? D-FENCE!
No. 19, Charlotte Bobcats (New Orleans): Bismack Biyombo, PF, International
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Owner of the best name in the draft, the Congoโs Bismack Biyombo is a name that has popped up on draft boards after his performance at the Nike Hoops Summit.
This is a guy whose stock may shoot up in the coming weeks due to his triple-double (including 10 blocks) and 7โ7โ wingspan. Keep an eye on him.
No. 18, Washington Wizards (Atlanta): Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
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Taylor makes sense for the Wizards at No. 18, and he should be a back-of-the-rotation type player in his rookie year.
The Wizards have depth up front and in the back, so a pick who can play on the wing is why Taylor goes here.
He may have disappeared during the NCAA tournament, but Taylor played incredibly well during the stretch run of the regular season.
No. 17, New York Knicks: Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State
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I think Knick fans will finally be happy with a pick. Does it really even matter though? It will be traded away in a year anyway.
For the time being, enter Kenneth Faried. Faried was the darling of the NCAA tournament as his Morehead State Eagles took out Big East champ Louisville.ย
Heโs a bit overrated though. Faried had difficulty scoring in the tournament, despite rebounding well, and this should translate into a Reggie Evans type career.
But, when you do something really well there will always be a market for your services.
No. 16, Philadelphia 76ers: Jordan Hamilton, SG, Texas
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Hamilton is still thought of to be potentially headed back to Texas, but for now heโs a nice addition to the Sixers at pick No. 16.
His position conflicts with Evan Turner, but if/when Andre Iguodala is traded there will be room for both guys.
Hamilton was one of the most consistent scorers in any of the major conferences last year. So much so, that he only scored in single-digits once (nine points).
No. 15, Indiana Pacers: Jonas Valanciunas, PF, International
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Valanciunas is the first true international player to go as we count down our picks.
Heโs a stereotypical Euro player. Heโs Big, has a good shot, but is a bad rebounder. Two out of three isnโt bad, so someone will take Valanciunas.ย
No. 14, Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
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Jones will either be a star in the NBA or a complete bustโnowhere in between.
He doesnโt currently do enough to ahead of any of the forwards above him, but does have the potential to develop into a great player.
He definitely has the confidence to be that great player.
No. 13, Phoenix Suns: Trey Thompkins, PF, Georgia
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The Suns will continue to try and become more physical and Thompkins fits that bill.
Thompkins can post-up, and because of his size, heโll be able to do it in the NBA.
He may not be a tremendous athlete, or have the shooting touch synonymous with Phoenix basketball, but heโll be the right choice for the Suns.
No. 12, Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette, SG, BYU
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Do the Jazz need Jimmer Fredette? Not really, but heโd be a valuable player for a team thatโs rebuilding.ย
Heโd put butts in the seat and give the Jazz a shooter off of the bench ala what Kyle Korver used to be.
No. 11, Golden State Warriors: Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State
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Iโve been riding high on Leonard as a high-level NBA prospect for awhile now, and I donโt see it slowing down.
Golden State is the perfect destination for Leonard. This is another team that needs to become more physical, and the best rebounding small forward in the nation would be a great choice.
Leonard also makes good decisions on the court. In Golden State, all you need to be is good in order to thrive in their system, so another reason Leonard fits in.
No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks: Donatas Motiejunas, PF, International
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Chalk Motiejunas up as the guy I donโt know anything about in this draft. Iโve heard casual comparisons to Pau Gasol and Nenad Krstic.ย
Thatโs like saying โthe car Iโm going to give you is either a new Mercedes or a 1997 Kia.โ
Draftexpress.com says he can score at will, but canโt defend. If true, he seems like the right fit for the Bucks, who can defend, but not score.
No. 9, Charlotte Bobcats: Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas
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Marcus Morris should be a solid NBA player who will fit right in with the Bobcats.ย
Morris can play inside and out, which the Bobcats will surely appreciate. Charlotte would benefit from a big man who can draw out defenders, precisely what Morris can do.
Yes, Marcus is the one in the background. ย It's a joke.
No. 8, Cleveland Cavaliers (Clippers): Enes Kanter, PF, International
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Kanter is a skilled big man, and he will eventually be an impact player if he winds up on the Cavaliers. Cleveland has the luxury of two top-10 picks, so Kanter would aid their other selection quite nicely.
Heโs a strong offensive rebounder, can drive and has soft hands around the rim. A year off from basketball may hurt Kanterโs stock, but heโll get up to speed eventually.
No. 7, Detroit Pistons: Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
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Knight would be a smart pick for the Pistons. The team has had so much instability this year that a point guard of Knightโs caliber would at tie up the loose ends on the court.
Heโs smart, young, can pass, score and has shown leadership while taking Kentucky to the Final Four.
No. 6, Utah Jazz (New Jersey): Kemba Walker, PG, UConn
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Another reason the Jazz will take Jimmer Fredette is because of all the press they will generate when they take him and Kemba Walker six picks from one another.
While Kembaโs size is a detractor, guards are much more capable of generating offense in the NBA these days than a generation or two ago.ย
He can create his own shot, and the Jazz donโt need any front court assistance, so Walker is headed across the country to Mormon country.
No. 5, Sacramento Kings: Alec Burks, SG, Colorado
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I love Burks. Heโd pair up so nicely with Tyreke Evans in Sacramento (or Anaheim).ย
Burks is a great finisher and shooter. Plus at 6โ6โ, heโs a tall true shooting guard, and that will cause problems for defenders.ย
Toss in his ability to grab rebounds, and you have a Rookie of the Year candidate.ย
No. 4, Washington Wizards: Jan Vesely, SF, International
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Vesely is the energy guy that will help Washington come back from obscurity. Heโs not a leader, but I get the impression heโs a guy who can make his teammates better.ย
If you take JaVale McGee and add in Vesely, you allow John Wall to run the Wizards offense at break-necks speeds. Washington has talent, they just need the right pieces in place.ย
Vesleyโs jump to the NBA will take some time, but he looks like the top Euro in the draft.
No. 3, Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
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Barnes is still mum on whether he will come out of UNC or return for his sophomore season, but if he does declare, he will make Toronto very happy.
Barnes is a great scorer. He may have struggled early in the season, but anyone who watched the ACC tournament and beyond, knows that he was a top-3 recruit for a reason, and will be a top-3 draft pick.
Toronto is desperate for excitement and Barnes can provide it.
No. 2, Cleveland Cavaliers: Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona
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Not a bad consolation prize for the Cavs.
On the flip side, settling for Cleveland isnโt a bad thing for Williams. Heโs powerful enough to play the four and graceful enough to pop out to the three.
Heโs not a rare breed of player, but Derrick Williams is a very good player. He has the size and confidence to make an immediate impact next season in the NBA.
No. 1, Minnesota Timberwolves: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
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Since Minnesota has no need for Derrick Williams (Love and Beasley), Kyrie Irving will be their man.
Irving may not have played much last year, because he injured his foot, but heโs the right player to be taken No. 1. Minnesota has yet to strike it rich in the point guard department.
Kyrie can score, but isnโt selfish. He may need some seasoning at the beginning of the year, but has the potential to take over the starting duties by mid-season.
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