NBA Draft 2011: 10 Potential Second-Round Targets for the Los Angeles Clippers
Although pre-NBA draft hubbub usually surrounds the lottery—this year the conversation is focused on the Kyrie Irving or Derrick Williams quandary and where Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker will go—there is a largely overlooked event called the second round that sometimes pays huge dividends.
While the majority of second-rounders wallow forever in D-League obscurity, some great players have been unearthed throughout the years, such as Manu Ginobili, Dennis Rodman, Monta Ellis, Gilbert Arenas and Carlos Boozer.
Certain general managers, like San Antonio’s R.C. Buford, have a penchant for identifying pro-level talent late in the draft. If the Los Angeles Clippers’ Neil Olshey could do the same, it would be a tremendous boon for the franchise.
Finding a star player is obviously unlikely, but snagging a solid role player would really help the Clips as they try to construct a playoff squad.
Los Angeles will have a pick early in the second round, and here are 10 guys it should consider.
Charles Jenkins
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Although the name Charles Jenkins might not mean much to the casual basketball fan, this kid's the real deal.
Playing in the Colonial Athletic Association, a conference that has produced two Final Four teams in the past five years (George Mason, VCU), the combo guard from Hofstra flat-out dominated.
Jenkins averaged 22.6 points, 4.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and only 2.2 turnovers per game, outstanding when you consider how often he handled the rock. Even more impressive were his shooting numbers; despite defenses keying on him, Jenkins shot 52 percent from the field, 82 percent from the free-throw line and 42 percent from deep.
At 6'3", 220 pounds, Jenkins possesses NBA-ready quickness and strength, and he could immediately become an offensive spark plug off the bench, a la Jamal Crawford. The Clippers signed Randy Foye to assume that role, but Foye isn't the answer.
Jenkins is currently projected to go early in the second round.
Norris Cole
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Another guard from a small school (Cleveland State), Norris Cole is not as physically gifted as Jenkins, even though his size (6'2", 185) isn't bad. His lack of elite speed and explosiveness is cause for concern among NBA scouts, who currently have Cole sitting in the middle of the second round.
However, the versatile point guard just gets it done. Last season he averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.2 steals. His destruction of Youngstown State—41 points, 20 rebounds, nine assists—created one of the most ridiculous stat lines in basketball history.
Cole is a playmaker with fluid ball-handling skills, and he knows how to play the game. He makes the right decisions on the floor, whether to set up teammates or score himself. Furthermore, everyone talks about his fantastic work ethic and leadership abilities.
Nole has all the makings of a capable backup point guard in the league, such as Steve Blake.
Marshon Brooks
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Providence's Marshon Brooks can put the ball in the bucket. Period. End of story.
He finished the season second in the NCAA in points per game, his 24.6 average trailing only the legendary Jimmer Fredette. Brooks can score in a variety of ways, and he indiscriminately lights up all opponents.
Brooks dropped 52 on Notre Dame, 43 on Georgetown and other big numbers on quality Big East foes.
So why is Brooks projected to be drafted in the second round?
He has decent size at 6'5", but he doesn't have incredible athleticism. Moreover, he averaged more turnovers than assists, isn't that consistent from the three-point line and doesn't always succeed on the defensive end.
Still, shotmaking ability is uncommon, so Brooks' sheer offensive talent should be enough to warrant a spot in the league and even some playing time.
JaJuan Johnson
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Despite winning Big Ten Player of the Year, averaging 20.5 points per game on 49 percent shooting to go along with 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, JaJuan Johnson remains a rather unheralded prospect.
There are worries that his slight frame—Johnson is 6'10" but only 215 pounds—won't be able to withstand the pounding sure to come in the post in the NBA. Purdue's repeated early exits from the NCAA tournament also have scouts questioning his toughness and ability to perform under pressure.
Still, Johnson produced at a high level against great competition throughout his career at Purdue. Skilled offensively, he can finish around the basket, put the ball on the floor or step out and hit the long jumper. He also runs well and is extremely long.
The Clippers need a backup for Blake Griffin, someone who can give them 10 effective minutes a night, and perhaps Johnson is that guy.
Bojan Bogdanovic
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Bojan Bogdanovic, a 6'7" swingman from Croatia, may not be a household name, but he has big-time NBA potential.
With a diverse offensive game and an almost seven-foot wingspan, Bogdanovic has recently blown up overseas. The 22-year-old is averaging 18 points per game in Euroleague games for Cibona VIP Zagreb, flashing a sweet jumper, a bevy of dribble moves and a recently developed knack for getting to the foul line.
He was also Croatia's second-leading scorer during last summer's FIBA World Championship, and he poured in 17 against Team USA.
That said, scouts are still unsure how well his game will translate to the NBA, as he is not the strongest or fastest prospect. Like many European players, he is perceived as soft, and his meager rebounding statistics support that notion.
Yet it might be worth taking a flyer on Bogdanovic, just in case he turns out to be a diamond in the rough.
Keith Benson
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Keith Benson is one of the more intriguing players in the draft. Various "experts" have listed him all over draft boards, from mid first round to mid second.
The 6'11", 230-pound center from Oakland has an NBA body and NBA skills, but he did not play against the best college competition.
Although he averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game, he struggled with consistency and efficiency against major opponents. He dominated Tennessee to the tune of 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, but a few days earlier he went just 2-of-9 against Illinois.
Benson had an enormous opportunity to impress in the NCAA tournament, when the Golden Grizzlies were matched up against the Texas Longhorns, and while he held his own, Tristan Thompson outplayed him.
Benson needs to work on his lower-body strength and refine his offensive capacities if he wants to make it in the league. However, he definitely has the tools to be successful.
Iman Shumpert
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Iman Shumpert, the junior from Georgia Tech who was a high school McDonald's All-American, is redolent of a young Shannon Brown.
He's an explosive leaper and all-around remarkable athlete who's a bit small for an NBA 2 guard and lacks sufficient point guard skills. He's also a disturbingly poor shooter, knocking down 41 percent of his field goal attempts and a frightening 28 percent of his threes.
On the other hand, Shumpert is a tremendous perimeter defender, as evidenced by his 2.7 steals per game, and he did average 17.3 points in the ACC.
Despite the glaring weaknesses, that next-level athleticism makes him an attractive second round option. If he works on his jumper like Brown did, then maybe he can become a game-changing bench player.
Shelvin Mack
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Shelvin Mack has been an essential part of one of the most improbable dynasties in college basketball history. His Butler Bulldogs made back-to-back NCAA championship games, unfortunately coming up short but leaving their indelible stamp on American sports.
Mack is a consummate winner who last year averaged 16 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. More importantly, he performed admirably in the spotlight and was never afraid of the big moment—traits that often translate to success at the next level.
While Mack is a tweener—not necessarily a point guard, yet not big enough for SG—he's got all sorts of offensive skills and works hard on D.
His pedigree bodes well, and the Clippers could do much worse than claiming a great teammate with first-rate intangibles and decent upside.
Darius Morris
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Darius Morris is an interesting prospect. The big guard from Michigan can play either the 1 or the 2, and while he doesn't have immense upside, he could be a valuable player for years.
Morris chose to enter the draft after a sophomore season in which he averaged 15 points, 6.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. At 6'4", he has great size for a point guard, while possessing the ability to also play shooting guard.
Morris is a smooth guard who relies on his steady ball-handling and superior strength to get to his spots and run a team, as he will not wow you with quickness or exciting moves.
Morris could be a useful member of a bench mob, coming in as a scorer or playmaker as needed.
Justin Harper
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Justin Harper, the 6'10", 225-pound forward from Richmond, is projected to be taken at the end of the first round. But he could possibly fall into the Clippers' hands, and if he does, they would be wise to select him.
Los Angeles desperately needs a knockdown shooter off the bench, a guy who can stretch the defense and cause matchup problems. Harper is that guy.
Coming out of relative nowhere, Harper was a beast for the Spiders this season. He averaged 18 points and seven rebounds, all while shooting 53 percent, including 45 percent from beyond the arc.
Harper's game could use some polish, especially on the defensive end, but he's a sleeper who could be a solid NBA player for years.
