2011 NBA Draft Lottery: Minnesota Wins No. 2 Pick, 5 Reasons to Take Kemba

Just now, the 2011 NBA draft lottery revealed the order of the first 14 picks in the upcoming draft.  The Cleveland Cavaliers won the first overall pick while the Minnesota Timberwolves won the second, despite being the favorites to win the highly touted No. 1 pick.

Some mock drafts had Duke point guard Kyrie Irving and Arizona forward Derrick Williams being the first two picks.  Given how the Timberwolves already have a reliable big man in Kevin Love, they should still go with the point guard route despite probably losing out on the Irving sweepstakes.

One good point guard who could be a great fit in Minnesota is Connecticut's Kemba Walker.  The 6'1" point man led the Huskies to a national championship this season, and Minnesota would be an ideal location for him to continue his winning streak.

Here are five reasons that T-Wolves' GM David Kahn should gamble on Walker.

No. 5: He Is a Major Upgrade over Luke Ridnour

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 1: Luke Ridnour #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against the Miami Heat during the first half of a basketball game at Target Center on April 1, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Heat defeated the Timberwolves 11

It's no secret that Minnesota's biggest need is at point guard.  Luke Ridnour was decent last season with averages of 11.8 points and 5.4 assists per game, but he is not the electrifying leader of the offense that the Timberwolves need.  On top of that, he is not a leader.

Walker would bring a fresh face and fresher approach to the offense in Minnesota.  He would look to take advantage of scoring opportunities as well as create them.  Long story short, the team's offense would be more than just "get the ball to K-Love."

Ridnour is under contract for three more years, and in all honesty, he's better suited as a shooter off the bench than as a starter.  Perhaps if Minnesota drafts Walker, he could serve as a mentor who helps the young point guard adjust to the professional level.

No. 4: They Already Have Kevin Love, the First Half of the Puzzle

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 05: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on March 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this P

Most analysts and experts believe that if Kyrie Irving is picked first overall, Derrick Williams will follow him.  Given how the Timberwolves already have a big man, picking Williams would be the wrong decision.  They already have a reliable forward in Kevin Love.

I come from the Rick Adelman school of coaching, so I believe that the best offense is one that has a hot shooting guard and an equally effective shooting forward/center.  Just imagine how good the Timberwolves could be with a one-two punch of Walker and Love.  Potentially, that's a pairing that could average 40 points per game or more.

No. 3: He Is an Amazing Shooter and Great All Around Player

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the basket against Matt Howard #54 and Shelvin Mack #1 of the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Rel

Don't let the scrawny 6'1", 172-pound body fool you.  Kemba Walker is one of the more physical players and better shooters in the draft pool.  He also plays pretty good defense.

In his junior season, he averaged 23.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and even 1.9 steals per game.  Whether he's crashing the boards for a rebound, driving to the basket for a layup or pulling off an ankle-breaking move to nail a three-pointer, Walker has the ability to become one of the best all-around players in the NBA.

If his college skills translate to the NBA well, Minnesota could easily receive the grand prize of the 2011 NBA draft.

No. 2: He Is Already an Established Leader

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates towards the end of the game against the Butler Bulldogs to win the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on Apr

I'm going to be honest.  When it came time to fill out a bracket for this year's NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, I didn't have UConn winning it all.  I didn't even have them in the Final Four.

Yet, Walker put the team on his back throughout the tournament and even led the Huskies past a tough Arizona team and an even tougher Kentucky Wildcats squad.  In the championship game against Butler, he had 16 points and nine assists.  For the entire tournament, he averaged 23.5 points per game.

Simply put, Walker has no problem shouldering most of the load when the game is on the line.  With Kevin Love helping him in Minnesota, that team has the potential to become dangerous.

No. 1: He Knows How to Win

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies holds the trophy as he and his team celebrate after defeating the Butler Bulldogs to win the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament by a score

Without Kemba Walker, Connecticut wouldn't have won this year's tournament.  Heck, they probably wouldn't have made the Final Four.  Still, Walker and his heart of a champion lifted the team up and had the team believing from the start of the Big East Tournament that they could win it all.

As I have said many times before, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in need of two things: a pick-me-up and a great leader.  In drafting Walker, the team would receive both.  UConn wasn't the favorite to win the tournament at all in the beginning, and look what happened.

With Walker inspiring the team, the Timberwolves just might make the playoffs again if they take him with the second overall pick.