2011 NBA Mock Draft: Full 1st Round—Is This the Worst Draft Class in History?

I used to love watching The Price is Right growing up. In fact, it was usually the highlight of my sick days from school. Aside from Bob Barker (and the models of course), my favorite part of the show was always the showcase showdown.

Most of the time the showcases had some pretty great stuff (trips, boats and of course a neeeeeeeew car), but every once in a while the marquee gift in someone’s showcase was a complete bedroom set, or his and her ski equipment.

Not that those are terrible, but they aren’t exactly making anyone jump up and down in hysterics. Inevitably, the person with the lame showcase would win and as the credits rolled and they walked over to look at their new merchandise, you could almost see the disappointment on their face.

I won! But what the hell am I going to do with this stuff?

That’s the feeling I imagine Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers are feeling right now. Sure, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams and Enes Kanter might be solid NBA players, but does anyone think that there is a can’t-miss All-Star in this class?

I don’t either.

I mean you know it’s bad when the consensus first overall pick (Kyrie Irving) might never crack the top-10 best point guards in the NBA. I keep thinking about him as a poor man’s Chris Paul.

Not exactly someone to build a franchise around.

A lot of people think the 2000 draft class was the worst ever (Stromile Swift, Darius Miles, DeMarr Johnson, Chris Mihm, Mateen Cleaves and Jason Collier were all lottery picks).

I think 2011 will be worse. At least 2000 had Kenyon Martin, who was a “can’t miss” of sorts and has had a solid NBA career. I look at this draft and can’t find a single bankable star.

Everyone in this class is a project in some respect. Maybe some of them will turn into a star down the road (think Serge Ibaka). But for every Ibaka, there are 10 Stromile Swifts.

But that’s what you get with the NBA draft. It’s feast or famine.

Without further ado, here is my contribution to the mock draft locust storm. If your team finds itself picking early this year, set your expectations low.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers—Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke

2. Minnesota Timberwolves—Derrick Williams, SF, Arizona

3. Utah Jazz—Enes Kanter, PF, Turkey

4. Cleveland Cavaliers—Jonas Valanciunas, PF/C, Lithuania

5. Toronto Raptors—Jan Vesely, PF, Czech Republic

6. Washinton Wizards—Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo

7. Sacramento Kings—Kemba Walker, PG, UConn

8. Detroit Pistons—Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky

9. Charlotte Bobcats—Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas

10. Milwaukee Bucks—Alec Burks, SG, Colorado

11. Golden State Warriors—Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas

12. Utah Jazz—Chris Singleton, SF, Florida St.

13. Phoenix Suns—Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego St.

14. Houston Rockets—Donatas Motiejunas, PF/C, Lithuania

15. Indiana Pacers—Jimmer Fredette, SG, BYU

16. Philadelphia 76ers—Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas

17. New York Knicks—Josh Selby, PG, Kansas

18. Washington Wizards—Klay Thompson, SG, Washington St.

19. Charlotte Bobcats—Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead St.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves—Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas

21. Portland Trailblazers—Nolan Smith, PG, Duke

22. Denver Nuggets—Tobias Harris, PF, Tennessee

23. Houston Rockets—Reggie Jackson, PG, Boston College

24. Oklahoma City Thunder—Nikola Mirotic, SF/PF, Serbia

25. Boston Celtics—Justin Harper, PF, Richmond

26. Dallas Mavericks—Marshon Brooks, SG, Providence

27. New Jersey Nets—Davis Bertens, SF, Latvia

28. Chicago Bulls—Tyler Honeycutt, SG/SF, UCLA

29. San Antonio Spurs—Jordan Williams, PF/C, Maryland

30. Chicago Bulls—Trey Thompkins, PF, Georgia

Let the disagreement begin.

Matt Krummel is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. To stay up to date on all of his B/R writing, become his fan. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter: @InspectorKrum.