NBA Draft 2011: Golden State Warriors 10 Best Draft Options
The Golden State Warriors have fired coach Keith Smart, a symbol that they are determined to change the team's direction, hopefully pointing them to the playoffs.
To get there, the Warriors have to develop an effective half-court game.
They need to add some rebounding, some perimeter defense and, most importantly, a reliable low-post presence on offense.
The 2011 NBA Draft is not the strongest draft in recent memory, but there is a variety of forwards and centers to choose from, and even some talented, more experienced, more polished guards.
The draft is a great opportunity for the Warriors to show fans what the plan is for the coming years, and bring in some new blood to match the new coach's philosophy.
They just need to choose correctly. Here are 10 possibilities.
Kawhi Leonard
1 of 10
Kawhi Leonard would be a step in the right direction for the Golden State Warriors, even though he is not a low-post player.
Leonard is long and lean, he works hard and competes on defense.
The Warriors love to score the basketball, which they do very well, but when it comes to preventing the other guys from doing the same, they're not so great, giving up an average of 105 points per game.
Last year's rookie, Ekpe Udoh, when he played, showed some potential as a shot blocker.
Leonard would provide the same length, strength and athleticism, only on the perimeter.
The Warriors need a guy like that in a conference dominated by the likes of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Dirk Nowitzki.
Kenneth Faried
2 of 10
Kenneth Faried, forward from Morehead State, is one of the best rebounders available in the 2011 NBA Draft.
He averaged almost 15 boards a game at Morehead State.
He would provide the Warriors with size and toughness under the basket.
Faried could easily be the team's leading rebounder his rookie year. David Lee averages just under 10 per game, Andris Biedrins pulls in about seven, and Udoh pulls in an embarrassing three rebounds per game.
What Faried really can be, though, is a young man who can come in and immediately know his role.
If the Warriors want to change their identity, they need the long-term, packed-lunch type of workers like Kenneth Faried.
Jordan Williams
3 of 10
Jordan Williams averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game at Maryland.
At 6'10" and 260 pounds, Williams has an NBA body. Right now it may be a bit doughier then most pro basketball players, but if Glen Davis can slim down, there is hope for Williams.
Williams improved in leaps and bounds between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Maryland.
He is a big man with scoring ability. He has good footwork and knows how to operate around the basket.
As far as body and athleticism go, such things can be improved.
Williams has the instinct and skill set to develop into a dangerous low-post scorer.
Jordan Hamilton
4 of 10
If the Warriors do morph into more of a half-court basketball team, a player like Jordan Hamilton could be just what they need.
At 6'7", 220 pounds, Hamilton has the size of an NBA small forward, with a great sense for sniffing out the basketball for rebounds.
Hamilton is athletic. He has a solid handle and he is not afraid to attack the rim.
What he really offers the Warriors, though, is a superb jump shot.
Playing in the half court, Monta Ellis will see a lot of pressure coming off of high screens. That's an opportunity for Hamilton to step into an open three-pointer.
Already his mechanics are fantastic. He will only get better.
Jimmer Fredette
5 of 10
Many of you may call this prediction nonsense because the Warriors, of course, are already a team full of guards; not only guards, but guards who play just like Jimmer Fredette.
Perhaps. But most people who bash Fredette's NBA potential have not seen him play, and may expect too much out of rookie point guards.
Fredette's first-year duty will be advancing the ball past half court, initiating an offense, hitting open jump shots and, if at all possible, getting to the free-throw line, once or twice a game. He can do that in the NBA.
Maybe even while texting.
The Warriors are weak at the point guard position. Acie Law provides a pulse and that's a good enough reason to play him over Jeremy Lin.
Fredette would allow Curry to take breaks, or get injured, and not lose much talent at the point.
Fredette is a rare talent. Whoever gets him will be pleased with the choice.
Guarantee.
Chris Singleton
6 of 10
Great athlete and a great defender.
Chris Singleton of Florida State could give the Warriors that kind of hybrid forward who can guard almost everybody on the court.
At 6'9" 225 pounds, Singleton has the size to battle down low against other bigs, and he showed at Florida State that he is a terrific shot blocker.
But he also has the speed and agility to defend along the perimeter.
The Morris Twins
7 of 10
Markieff and Marcus Morris count as one player, because you get almost the same thing from each player.
Their body types are almost the same, around 6'10", 230 pounds (Markieff may be a bit taller), both long and athletic.
Marcus scored more while the brothers were at Kansas, and he seems to be more well-rounded offensively.
But either Morris will provide the Warriors with a long body down low and the attitude and swagger of winners.
Either one wold be good for Golden State.
Trey Thompkins
8 of 10
Trey Thompkins, of Georgia, averaged over 16 points and seven rebounds.
He is a big body, at 6'10", 245 pounds.
Thompkins is built like David Lee, but may be better suited to the offensive side of the court.
He is not afraid to step out and shoot the three. He loves to face up in the post, even beat defenders with the dribble.
Right now Lee has a lot of pressure, being the Warriors go-to post scorer and best defender.
Thompkins could add some scoring down low, and allow Lee to focus on what he does best–rebounding.
Terrrence Jones
9 of 10
The left hander from Kentucky, Terrence Jones is the latest forward who is as comfortable using the dribble as he is using the drop step.
If the Warriors continue to be a score first, ask-questions-later kind of team, even without the Don Nelson protegee Keith Smart at the reigns, a multi–talented forward like Jones would fit nicely.
Jones has tremendous handle for his size. Though his jump shot is not automatic, he never second guesses himself.
One may be worried that he could be another Brandon Wright, but Wright did not have the perimeter game that Jones has.
We will just have to wait and see if he really goes pro.
Nolan Smith
10 of 10
Corey Maggette was the last Duke player for the Golden State Warriors, and it was a disaster.
Nolan Smith, however, will play point guard, so hopefully he will not need to shoot as much as Maggette did.
Smith is a solid point guard and he has been coached by some of the best at both the high school and college levels.
Though Duke players do not usually find tremendous success in the NBA, the Warriors are so weak at point, as mentioned earlier, Smith would be a welcomed addition.
Maybe not with the 11th pick, though.
