2011 NBA Mock Draft: Will Kyrie Irving or Derrick Williams Go No. 1 to the Cavs?
The 2011 NBA draft is approaching us sooner than we think.
In just over a month from now, the best collegiate players will be selected onto what will become the next point of their respective careers.
For now, the biggest question heading into the draft has to do with the number one overall pick, a selection that is owned by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Should they pick Kyrie Irving of Duke or Derrick Williams of Arizona?
Read on, as I present to you my 2011 NBA mock draft.
Thanks for reading!
30. Chicago Bulls: Reggie Jackson
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Basketball's Reggie Jackson, not to be confused with "Mr. October," might be instead called "Mr. Passer" due to his excellent ability to find the open man.
He averaged 4.5 assists this season, not a telling number but perhaps a flawed statistic since collegiate players don't finish as well as the professionals.
Jackson improved his jump shot this last season as well, and it could be key to whether he gets selected in the first round.
Why He's a Good Fit:
His excellent passing abilities may be able to complement Derrick Rose's tremendous offense, and he could prove to be a viable bench option.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Kyle Singler
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Kyle Singler's draft stock may have fallen a little bit when he came back to try to repeat at Duke.
His 6'8" frame proves he has the size in the NBA to be a small or power forward.
His leadership was nearly unmatched at the collegiate level. This is something that can help him down the road in the professional ranks.
Why He's a Good Fit:
I'm not entirely sure where he can fit in with San Antonio, but the fact of the matter is that they need youth for their coming years.
Kyle Singler is youthful, yet experienced—the perfect combination.
28. Chicago Bulls: Marshon Brooks
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Marshon Brooks is one of the draft's biggest question marks.
He had an incredible season at Providence—one that saw him rank among the best in points per game. He didn't get any credit for such an awesome campaign, either. His skills might be able to transfer nicely into the professional ranks.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Could Brooks be the shooting guard the Bulls so long for?
Think about it: He's a premier scorer—a guy who can make any shot at every angle.
I honestly think he could someday be an upgrade over all those twos and become a new-and-improved version of Kyle Korver.
27. New Jersey Nets: Justin Harper
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Justin Harper has a solid perimeter game for a big, but ultimately, he needs to work on his inside game and his rebounding ability.
The 6'10" power forward's outside shooting will no doubt come in handy as a rookie, though, and it will factor into where he is selected in June's draft.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Harper will be a great fit in New Jersey, mainly because he excels in nearly every facet of the power forward game.
And who knows, if Kris Humphries is dealt and Dwight Howard is brought in, won't Superman need a mate in the frontcourt?
26. Dallas Mavericks: Nolan Smith
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Nolan Smith possesses some great qualities, like his leadership as well as his ability to knock down jumpers like dominoes.
Honestly, the biggest warning sign in choosing against him maybe has to do with the fact that he went to Duke.
Why He's a Good Fit:
The Mavericks, while still a solid team, are aging, and Smith can provide youth, as well as experience, to the table.
Outside Kyle Singler, perhaps no other player in the class has that same experience.
25. Boston Celtics: Darius Morris
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Darius Morris of Michigan burst out onto the draft scene with a solid sophomore season.
Standing 6'4" and weighing 190 pounds, Morris is likely to become a first-round pick because of his passing abilities and his rare combination of putting the ball through the hoop and protecting shots on the opposite side.
Why He's a Good Fit:
It's not like the Celtics need another point guard, but it's always nice to stock up for the future and have some viable insurance.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Davis Bertans
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The 18-year-old and baby-faced Latvian, Davis Bertans, can be something special in this league if he learns to improve defensively.
He has a tremendous offensive game, highlighted by his jump shot, but there's no way he will be a start without any effort on D.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Do the Oklahoma City Thunder actually need him? Probably not, so they will in turn take the best player available.
23. Houston Rockets: Josh Selby
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Josh Selby made a questionable call by entering this season's draft, but I think it'll work out for the best.
He's a skilled player who can mesh with the best, but at the same time, he's a mystery.
He had a decent freshman season, but do we really know all the aspects in his game yet and how he uses them?
Why He's a Good Fit:
Houston will take a chance on him since they are in need of guys his size.
I think it'll work out and Selby could see minutes as soon as next season.
22. Denver Nuggets: Trey Thompkins
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Standing 6'10" and weighing in at 245 pounds, Trey Thompkins was an absolute animal for the Georgia Bulldogs this past season.
He's one of the better post players in the draft, and he's a guy that can hit jumpers as well as defend in the post.
Why He's a Good Fit:
The Nuggets certainly aren't getting any younger in the post. Incumbent power forwards Kenyon Martin, 33, and Al Harrington, 31, are definitely on the downside, and it might be nice to bring a young talent like Thompkins to join the mix.
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Markieff Morris
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The less (but still very) talented of the Morris twins, Markieff is a solid all-around player who can shoot from 15 feet and work it down low if he needs to.
The 21-year-old is very talented, as displayed by his three seasons as a Kansas Jayhawk under Bill Self.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Honestly, no post is a good fit for the Blazers right now. They have a future All-Star in LaMarcus Aldridge, an aging Marcus Camby and an injury-prone Greg Oden.
But, by way of default, Morris will be the best available, and there's no chance Portland passes up that kind of guy.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Chris Singleton
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Chris Singleton of Florida State was hands down the best college basketball player defensively in the nation this past season.
He's big (6'9", 225 pounds), he's athletic and he displays leadership in all assets of the game.
The only place his game lacks is offensively. He's not a great shooter, but he's definitely a hustler and he will work on his jump shot as his career progresses.
Why He's a Good Fit:
I can't tell how much of a bonus Singleton would be to the Timberwolves frontcourt. He provides everything that Michael Beasley, Kevin Love and Anthony Randolph can't do on the defensive end.
If he slips this far, there is no way the T'Wolves' don't make a pounce.
He is an absolutely perfect fit.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Tobias Harris
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Tobias Harris is as versatile as they come in this year's draft class.
At first glance, he seems like a very good fit for the Bobcats. He has size, that aforementioned versatility and the ability to penetrate like almost no other player in the class.
However, Tyrus Thomas is a similar player on Charlotte, so if the two are going to mesh together, they will need to work together.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Charlotte can use another athletic guy like Harris at the small forward position.
The Bobcats will be then loaded at the three, having a trio of worthy players in Harris, Thomas and Dante Cunningham.
18. Washington Wizards: Tyler Honeycutt
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You wouldn't expect a 6'8", 188-pound stick of a man to lead the Pacific-10 Conference in blocks per game, but that's precisely what Tyler Honeycutt did last season. He averaged a 2.1 clip over the course of the campaign.
He seems destined for a solid professional career, if and only if he can build upon his skinny frame. Twenty-five pounds should do the trick.
Why He's a Good Fit:
The Wizards are a little upset they didn't get luckier in the draft lottery, and if they don't trade with Minnesota, who holds the second pick, to get Derrick Williams then Honeycutt might as well pack his bags for our nation's capital.
He's going to be an exciting player to watch in the NBA.
17. New York Knicks: Kenneth Faried
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Kenneth Faried is a rebounding demon, and there is no way around it.
He averaged 15 rebounds per game this past season for mid-major Morehead State and lead them to a first-round upset in the NCAA Tournament.
He nearly even broke Tim Duncan's teenage-old record for most double-doubles in a collegiate career.
Why He's a Good Fit:
The New York Knicks are in need of a defense-orientated center. Unfortunately, the only guy that fits the bill entirely (Bismack Biyombo) has already been taken, so the Knickerbockers will naturally take Faried. He is a good defensive player that certainly rebounds extraordinarily, so he's as close as you can get.
Faried will be a good fit in the Big Apple, mainly because his rebounding will definitely help the frontcourt, namely Amar'e Stoudemire, who isn't exactly Wilt Chamberlain when it comes to crashing the boards.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Bismack Biyombo
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Bismack Biyombo is easily the biggest mystery of the 2011 draft class.
The 6'9", 240-pound power forward/center has turned many heads on his way to becoming a sure-fire first-round selection in this June's draft.
Why He's a Good Fit
Bismack would be an absolutely perfect selection for the Philadelphia 76ers, but there's much speculation as to whether he will actually fall this low into the first round.
He is an incredible defensive force in the paint, and since they already have three scorers in Andre Iguodala, Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday, it turns out to be a phenomenal selection.
15. Indiana Pacers: Jordan Hamilton
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The Indiana Pacers have made it know that they are desperately seeking the rights of a proven or young shooting guard.
Jordan Hamilton of Texas has a tremendous upside—a guy whose jump shot and athleticism are nearly unmatched by anyone in this year's class.
Why He's a Good Fit:
The Pacers are a young team in need of a long-term shooting guard.
Jordan Hamilton is a young shooting guard. It's as simple as that.
14. Houston Rockets: Marcus Morris
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The first half of the Morris twins duo, Marcus is an extremely versatile player who is easily ready to make the jump to the pros.
He's got a great (not to mention pretty, too) jump shot, he has tremendous abilities to spread the floor and he's got decent post skills for a guy his size.
Why He's a Good Fit:
The Houston Rockets are extremely thin at the small forward position, where really no one outside Chase Budinger is even decent at what they do.
The 6'9", 218-pound Morris will be a solid fit in Houston, where there will be no problems.
13. Phoenix Suns: Donatas Motiejunas
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Upset that Jimmer Fredette has already been taken, the Phoenix Suns make a good selection nonetheless.
Donatas Motiejunas of Lithuania is a one-of-a-kind center.
He has tremendous footwork, great passing skills and an exemplary all-around game.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Quick! Name the last time the Suns actually had a nifty center—and not just a big body who stumbles around. It's hard to do.
Donatas Motiejunas, if selected by the team, could be that guy that breaks the streak.
His skills would be much appreciated in Arizona, where he can join the roster and contribute just days later.
12. Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette
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College basketball's best player this past season, Jimmer Fredette, is assured a lottery pick now that he has showcased his skills for all to see.
He has a sky-high basketball IQ, as well as the best shooting skills out of anyone in this year's class.
His love for the game is nearly unmatched, and his seemingly only weakness is the fact that he doesn't give a great effort defensively, but that's something that can easily be changed in the professional ranks. Kevin Durant is a streaming example of this.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Jimmer would be a solid fit in Salt Lake City for a few reasons.
For one, he'd be playing in the state of Utah, a place that already has fallen in love with him and his game.
Secondly, he has the ability to reach great heights in this league, something that people will sometimes doubt. You can't ignore the facts, though, and he has the potential to be an All-Star.
Last off, it would be perhaps the best destination to begin an illustrious career, seeing as the Jazz are in need of a point guard and Jimmer fits the bill. He complements incumbent starter Devin Harris very well.
11. Golden State Warriors: Kawhi Leonard
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Kawhi Leonard has the potential to be an absolute stud someday in the league.
He is a guy who gives great effort on both sides of the floor and has many upsides to his versatile game.
He is a rare blend of a hybrid forward that has terrific length and speed to shake off his opponents.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Leonard is much more dimensional than current Warriors starting forward Dorrell Wright.
Wright is merely a shooting presence; Leonard sports an all-around game.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Klay Thompson
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The Milwaukee Bucks will finally ditch decade-long mainstay Michael Redd, who has only played 61 games in the past three seasons, in favor of the more youthful Klay Thompson, a budding star out of Washington State.
Surprised to see Klay this high? Don't be—he's a solid all-around shooting guard whose collegiate skills can be easily transferred into the professional ranks.
Why He's a Good Fit:
One of the best perimeter players available in the draft, Thompson is a good fit in Milwaukee, where depth at the two will be needed once Redd skips town.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Brandon Knight
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Brandon Knight is one of the most skilled players in this year's draft class.
He's got great vision for passing the basketball, and he can spot up and shoot anytime he needs to.
Why He's a Good Fit:
The Charlotte Bobcats were a hot topic for free agency about a month ago. It was at that point that both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard had made public comments about heading to North Carolina to play for Michael Jordan's team.
If the team wants to acquire Chris Paul, they may need to give up a star of their own and an intriguing prospect. Enter the latter in Knight.
He might not be a Bobcat for long, but he's worth the selection for now.
8. Detroit Pistons: Tristan Thompson
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Here's a guy who is decent at just about everything he does.
Tristan Thompson of Texas can shoot, play great defense, steal the ball and run like a madman.
Why He's a Good Fit:
After controversy and disappointment defined the Pistons' unfulfilled 2010-11 season, they will be looking for a good pick in June, and they won't be holding back as this draft could mean the most of any team to them.
Thompson will be worth the eighth pick overall; he's a really solid player who would fit in great with the good side of the Pistons crowd.
7. Sacramento Kings: Jan Vesely
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Jan Vesely is a very skilled player who can become a very successful European in this league.
He is fairly athletic for his size, and he can do good things when given the basketball down low.
Why He's a Good Fit:
The Kings will find favor in this, the top Czech prospect in the 2011 draft.
He would fit in nicely with the club, and at 6'11", he would give Sacramento some much-needed size.
6. Washington Wizards: Alec Burks
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Watch out, future opponents of the Wizards.
Maybe I'm a little high on Burks, but I truly believe he's a star in the making. He's a solid offensive player, from his shooting to his incredible, spot-on finesse.
His basketball IQ and his love for the game will push him over the threshold, and he will soon become a household name for NBA fans.
Why He's a Good Fit:
If Jordan Crawford continues to develop, Crawford-Burks would become an awesome combo at the two guard. No one would be able to stop them!
Burks, my surprise pick for future star in the draft, will fit in snuggly with the Wizards' high-flying offense.
5. Toronto Raptors: Kemba Walker
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Here's a guy who seems destined to have an efficient career in the NBA.
Kemba Walker has a great point guard game, one that translates well into the professional ranks.
The one thing he needs to improve upon is his decision-making, but we all know that he is a great player after seeing him lead the Connecticut Huskies to the 2011 national championship.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Walker is a crisp fit for the Toronto Raptors, where he would most likely immediately replace Jose Calderon as the quarterback.
He could be a 13-point, seven-assist guy as soon as next season.
Actually, I'm going to predict that right now.
Since there are no great centers still available at the fifth pick, the Raps will undoubtedly go for Kemba.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jonas Valanciunas
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Standing 6'11" and weighing in at 240 pounds, Jonas Valanciunas is going to be a decent center in this league if his full potential is ever displayed.
He has great potential and defensive skills, and he is surprisingly quick for a big.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Now that Terrence Jones is out of the draft, Valanciunas is the next best option for the Cavs, especially if a few of the post players currently in Cleveland skip town.
3. Utah Jazz: Derrick Williams
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Derrick Williams is easily the most talked about player in the draft not named Kyrie Irving.
He is as NBA-ready and athletic as any player in the class and will be the absolute best forward to be taken in this season's draft.
Why He's a Good Fit:
After the T'Wolves pass up Williams with the second pick overall, there is no chance that the Jazz will follow suit.
He's simply too good a player to pass up.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Enes Kanter
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Enes Kanter is without a doubt the best center in this year's draft class.
His potential is through the roof, he has great post skills, and he has the skills necessary to compete at the next level.
Though he never played a game in Kentucky, it should not affect his status at all.
Why He's a Good Fit:
I've seen so many experts have the Wolves take Derrick Williams here, but the fact of the matter is that it would be a downright stupid pick. The team already has a carbon copy of him in Michael Beasley.
Kanter, on the other hand, is just the center the team is looking for. It will in turn send Darko Milicic to the bench, a place where he belongs.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving
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Step aside, Baron Davis. There's a new sheriff in town, and his name is Kyrie Irving.
Irving should easily be the No. 2 pick in a relatively weak draft class.
That's not to knock on Irving. He is easily the most skilled player in the league, a guy whose ceiling can't even be explained until we see him dominate in the NBA.
He was a great all-around player in college (even though he missed half his only season) and will no doubt be the same in the pros.
Why He's a Good Fit:
Do I even need to explain this?
He is no question the best player in the draft, and therefore, the Cavs will select him.
