NBA Draft 2011: 4 Players the New York Knicks Should Be Looking at

It's that time of the year again when teams can be transformed into championship contenders or remain the same.

In this slideshow, I'm going to break down the New York Knicks' potential selections in the 2011 NBA Draft. Hopefully they can pick up another sleeper like the unexpected Landry Fields.

Hope you all enjoy, and feel free to comment accordingly.

Kenneth Faried

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MARCH 17: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Morehead State Eagles looks on during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 17, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The bottom line is the Knicks need defense, rebounding and a center. 

Kenneth Faried provides defense, rebounding and is a power forward/center. He averaged 17.5 PPG and a whopping 14.5 rebounds in his senior year at Morehead State. He also doesn't need to score to dominate the game (although the 17.5 PPG may be deceiving); Faried can block shots and rebound to still dominate the game.

If you're a huge basketball fan like I am, you may remember seeing Faried block the potential game-winning shot to send his 13th-seeded Eagles to the Sweet 16; a perfect example of dominating without scoring. 

The Knicks can't go wrong choosing him because rebounding, which he specializes in, is one aspect of the game that translates to the NBA easily. 

Faried is exactly what the Knicks need in order for them to take one step further in the playoffs and eventually winning a title. The chances of the New York getting him are high since he is projected to be chosen later on. 

If the Knicks could get this guy, it would be a huge steal, and he would make an immediate impact on the franchise. 

NBA Comparison: Ben Wallace, Dennis Rodman 

Chris Singleton

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 25: Chris Singleton #31 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts during the southwest regional of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams at the Alamodome on March 25, 2011 in San Antonio, Tex

Chris Singleton is another guy who doesn't need to score to dominate, which means all the more shots for Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. This guy is all about defense, which is, again, what the Knicks are in dire need of. 

Singleton was known for his tenacious perimeter defense throughout his college career, earning him the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2011. At 6'9" and 225 pounds, he is also able to guard basically every position. 

Another steal of the draft. 

NBA Comparison: Shane Battier, Tony Allen 

JaJuan Johnson

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 20: JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers rebounds against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams in the second half during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the United Center on March 20, 2011 in Chicago

JaJuan Johnson is an under-the-radar prospect in the draft. He has an NBA center's body at 6'11" and 220 pounds—in this year's draft, centers are not easy to come by either. 

Johnson is projected to be an early second-round pick, but since the Knicks are in need of a shot-blocking, rebounding center, he would fit in with the Knicks well.

We just might see New York select him in this year's draft. 

NBA Comparison: Hakim Warrick 

Keith Benson

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TULSA, OK - MARCH 18: Keith Benson #34 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies and Tristan Thompson #13 of the Texas Longhorns jump for the ball during the tip off of their game in the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on Ma

Benson is a superior defender and big man, averaging 3.1 blocks per game and 10.1 rebounds his final year in college. He is—yet again—another big man who rebounds and blocks shots. 

Despite the fact he is projected to be chosen much later, the Knicks need a player like him. Don't be surprised if New York pulls off a steal and gets Keith Benson in this year's draft. 

NBA Comparison: Tyson Chandler, Emeka Okafor 

Conclusion

The Knicks need big men, rebounding and defense—all of these players provide most of those things.

New York needs someone who can dominate the game without scoring, and these players are perfect fits for that. Expect the Knicks to pick one of these four players, and if they do, hopefully they will make an immediate impact on the team.