NBA Draft Lottery: 10 Bold Predictions for the Draft Lottery
On May 17, the world of the NBA will be focused on how a bunch of ping pong balls bounce. When one emerges from the machine, we'll finally know who has the No. 1 overall pick int he 2011 NBA draft.
In fact, we'll be a whole lot closer to having the full order of the NBA draft set out before us. The lottery though will be firmly set in stone, at least until the draft begins and teams start wheeling and dealing.
Being drafted in the lottery is an honor for any player, but only 14 get to have that honor every year.
Read on for 10 predictions about this year's lottery.
Kyrie Irving Goes No. 1
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The Duke point guard is simply the most talented player in the 2011 NBA draft class. Derrick Williams is a close second, but Arizona's small forward doesn't have the same kind of star power that Kyrie Irving possesses.
Whichever team wins the lottery should hedge their bests and forget about needs, drafting for talent instead.
Now there are a few exceptions to that rule of course. For example, if the Washington Wizards win the lottery, they should pass on Irving because they already have John Wall.
For a much more elaborate explanation of my view on this topic, read the following article: NBA Draft 2011: Why Kyrie Irving Should Be the No. 1 Overall Pick.
Four International Players Selected
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There were no international players selected in the lottery of the 2010 NBA draft. But this year, that goose egg will become a four for those keeping score.
Turkish center Enes Kanter will be the first of the four to be taken and he could go as high as the top three.
Next will be Lithuanian power forward Donatas Motiejunas and following him will be Czech forward Jan Vesely.
The final international player selected in the lottery should be Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas.
Jimmer Goes to Utah
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The Utah Jazz have two of the first 14 picks in the upcoming NBA draft and there will be an inordinate amount of pressure on that franchise to select in-state hero Jimmer Fredette with one of those two picks.
After all, Fredette played for the Brigham Young Cougars, a school located in Salt Lake City, Utah. There may not be a single person left in Utah that hasn't caught on to Jimmermania at this point.
The pressure plus the knowledge that he will be a big draw should make the Jazz succumb to the fans' collective wish and make Jimmer a member of the Jazz.
Alec Burks Is the Steal of the Lottery
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The Colorado Buffaloes shooting guard named Alec Burks is projected to go right around No. 10 in the upcoming draft, but he's going to make a whole bunch of teams regret passing up on him.
Burks is 6'6", but he can play either guard position proficiently so he'll undoubtedly have the size to play in the NBA. Additionally, Burks is long and athletic enough to impose his will on defenders at the next level.
This guy averaged 20.5 points, 2.9 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game during this past season and it wouldn't surprise me to see him put up similar numbers at the next level in a few years.
Tough to Trade Down
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Often times in the NBA draft, teams will realize that they don't like any of the players they could select with their pick. Or at least, they don't like any of the players they could select with their pick for the price associated with that pick. As a result, teams often trade down.
But this year, that strategy could be difficult to employ. The teams drafting later on are going to want to hold onto their picks in future drafts because of the general weakness of this draft.
Moreover, because of that weakness, it's going to be tough to find teams that are completely smitten with one prospect that is significantly higher up on the board than the players they have a shot at.
Twins Drafted for First Time Ever
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Dick and Tom Van Arsdale, Horace and Harvey Grant, Jason and Jarron Collins, Robin and Brook Lopez, Joey and Stephen Graham and Carl and Charles Thomas are the only six sets of twins to ever play in the NBA.
Soon you will be able to add to that exclusive list the pair of current Kansas Jayhawks: Marcus and Markieff Morris.
The Grants were both selected in the lottery, but Horace was picked in 1987 while Harvey was drafted in 1988. The Lopez's came close, but Robin was selected at No. 15 in 2008 while Brook went at No. 10. Each of the other four sets wasn't even close to having both members selected in the lottery.
This year, most mock drafts have both Marcus twins going in the top 14 picks, which would make them the first twins to ever be selected in the same NBA Draft lottery.
Bismack Biyombo Is Not Taken
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Bismack Biyombo is a freakishly athletic Congolese center with absolutely ridiculous size, especially his 7'7" wingspan. He's immediately going to be able to come into the NBA and have a huge impact on the defensive end of the court and he possesses the upside of a top-five pick.
But that said, Biyombo will not be selected in the lottery because there are two many red flags associated with his name.
First of all, Biyombo is the most offensively raw player in the NBA draft. He simply has no idea what he's doing on that end of the court compared to the rest of the NBA and would be too much of a liability to keep on the floor for extended periods of time.
His triple-double at the Nike Hoops Summit showed the potential, but he will not be able to do that on a night-in, night-out basis.
Secondly, there is a bit of controversy over Biyombo's age. He's listed at just 18 years old, but some people think that he is much older than that. I'm not really going to take a stance here because there isn't too much evidence for either said. But just know that the controversy exists.
Kemba Walker Is the Best Dressed
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I have no way to back this prediction up, but my gut tells me that it'll happen.
All NBA prospects love to show up to the draft sporting their finest threads so they can show them off when they walk across the stage, shake David Stern's hand and pose for pictures.
When I think about Kemba Walker, I think about his flair on the basketball court. Something tells me that his flair will carry over to his dress at the draft.
Expect this point guard to look pretty dapper when his name is called.
That Said, Walker Won't Get What He Wants
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The picture to the left shows Kemba Walker throwing out the first pitch at a New York Yankees game.
The Bronx native also sported a Yankees hat as he was seen talking to New York Major Michael Bloomberg, a conversation which he clearly enjoyed.
Walker has also publicly stated that he wants to play for the Knicks, or at least play in New York. The Connecticut Husky specifically said that "Carmelo Anthony has been my favorite player so wherever he goes, I go."
Unfortunately for Walker though, the New York Knicks will be picking 17th and there is no chance that he lasts that long.
There Will Be Way Too Much Talk About the Weak Class
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Is this draft class weaker than normal thanks to the decisions of Terrence Jones, Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes and Perry Jones to return for another year of basketball at the collegiate level?
Absolutely.
But that said, there will be way too much talk on draft day and during the lottery about how weak this class is.
Maybe it's the eternal optimist in me, but I'd prefer to hear about the ceilings of players on the day where we celebrate their potential.
