2011 NBA Mock Draft: Complete 1st-Round Mock, Knicks Reel in Jimmer Fredette?
Jimmer Fredette was the best payer in college basketball this past season and he may be the most underrated player in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Many predict that the 6'2" guard from upstate New York with the dead eye jump shot will land in Madison Square Garden, playing for the New York Knicks.
Don't bet on it.
Even though people are doubting Fredette's ability to play in the NBA, his unique scoring ability is too valuable to fall to the 17th pick.
Though this draft class has been called weak, there are many players, Fredette included, who could develop into surprise superstars within the next fie years.
Here is a prediction of the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft.
Cleveland Cavaliers
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Kyrie Irving will be the number one pick in the 2011 NBA Draft over Derek Williams for two reasons.
The first, he is a once in a great while kind of franchise player who plays with the ball on a string. Irving's handle is tremendous, and he has the ability to get around multiple defenders with a wide variety of counter moves.
His jump shot is good and, considering his mechanics, will only get better.
Irving is next in what seems to be a line of stupendous American point guards, which started in 2005 with the selections of Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Raymond Felton all selected one after another and has continued with the likes of Rajon Rondo, Mike Conley Jr., Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans and John Wall.
And the second reason is, the Cavaliers need a point guard, badly.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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Derrick Williams will have to be taken second overall because he is simply the best player available.
Ricky Rubio is on his way to becoming the worst draft pick of all time because he seems dead set against having to move to Minnesota, so the Timberwolves have to make up for the lost draft pick.
Williams is a versatile big man who can play multiple spots, perfect for a team that has a few weapons between the three and the five position.
But still, Michael Beasley is unpredictable, and Darko Milicic can not contribute enough to get a team in the playoffs.
Williams will allow the Timberwolves some room to fool with the lineup while providing some help on the offensive end for Kevin Love.
Utah Jazz
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The Utah Jazz need a wing player, and Kawhi Leonard's stock continues to rise.
With his combination of size and athletic ability, Leonard has the potential to be a lock down defender in the NBA.
New head coach Tyrone Corbin was an assistant to Jerry Sloan for years and will certainly bring Sloan's tough defense philosophy to his first season as head coach.
Furthermore, looking at Corbin's playing career, one could find some similarities between him and Kawhi Leonard.
Both are about the same size, played the same position and are tough defenders.
Leonard could be a good way for the rookie head coach to start his career.
Cleveland Cavaliers
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With their second pick in the first five of the 2011 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers will have a chance to select a big man.
Enes Kanter, who was at the University of Kentucky but couldn't play due to eligibility issues, is the intriguing mystery of this years draft and seems to be high on most teams draft boards.
The 6'11" power forward could provide a low post scoring option to round out the lineup for the Cavaliers.
Toronto Raptors
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Brandon Knight is like a hybrid of two former Kentucky Wildcat guards, with the length and handle of Rajon Rondo and the shooting ability of Tony Delk.
The Toronto Raptors are a weak team at point guard, especially after losing Jarrett Jack.
As of now, Knight is more of a score first point guard, so he will have to learn to play the point in the NBA, but he has the tools to really shine at that spot.
His handle is good, he has the ability to defend and he has the competitive nature to lead a team.
Washington Wizards
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The Washington Wizards can use help at just about every position, so they may do well be selecting the best player available.
Chances are that may be one of the many international players, such as Jan Vesely of the Czech Republic.
Vesely is almost seven feet tall and plays like a poor man's Dirk Nowitzki.
He is a combination four who feels more comfortable on the wing shooting jump shots. His shot looks good, and he can move well with the ball for a big man.
Sacramento Kings
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Jonas Valanciunas is a seven footer from Lithuania with a solid body and a good jump shot who could fill the void at the five for the Sacramento Kings.
Valanciunas can move well, which will be good playing with the young Kings.
But more importantly, he can offer a scoring option on the low block or a team dominated by perimeter players.
Detroit Pistons
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The Detroit Pistons need somebody who can score the basketball, and, given the recent melt down of the relationship with Richard Hamilton, they may also need him to be a shooting guard as well.
Alec Burks, the 6'6" two guard from the University of Colorado, meets both requirements.
Burks averaged over 20 points per game for the Buffaloes.
Burks is a good athlete who can finish on the break and gets great lift on his jump shot, a jump shot which shows a ton of potential.
Think Tracy McGrady before Tracy McGrady joined the Pistons.
Charlotte Bobcats
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The Charlotte Bobcats could use a boost at both forward positions, to add depth to the four and give the ageing Stephen Jackson a break at the three.
Marcus Morris, the 6'8" forward from the University of Kansas, has the versatility to contribute at both positions.
He is long and solid, with the body and the nose for the ball to play the four.
His jump shot has showed steady improvement while at Kansas, where he led the team in scoring.
Morris could fit as a utility forward for the Bobcats.
Milwaukee Bucks
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Klay Thompson has big time talent and could be a pleasant surprise for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Thompson's got range on his jump shot as well as an ability to score from a variety of angles.
At 6'6", with solid handle, Thompson can play the three, where the Bucks could use a hand with Carlos Delfino's contract running out.
Thompson is not a great athlete, but he knows how to use his body to get the shot he wants.
He is similar to Joe Alexander, but better.
Golden State Warriors
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Chris Singleton from Florida State is a raw offensive talent, to say the least.
Fortunately, the last thing the Golden State Warriors need is another person who can score the basketball.
What they need is perimeter defense, and Singleton can provide that.
Though he played mostly in the post while at Florida State, defensively, he can guard multiple positions.
Singleton's length on the perimeter will be a good compliment to Ekpe Udoh guarding the paint.
Utah Jazz
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With the 12th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz will select Jimmer Fredette of Bringham Young University, satisfying the expectations people have had for months now.
What more can be said about the National Player of the Year?
His talent is rare, and his focus and approach to the game will ensure him a spot in the rotation.
Jimmer Fredette will have a stellar NBA career.
Phoenix Suns
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It's been said that the Phoenix Suns may abandon ship and try to start over with a youth movement to get the team back to where it was just a few years ago.
If so, 20-year-old and seven foot tall Donatas Motiejunas of Lithuania could be a great place to start.
He has a great jump shot and can score both inside and out.
Plus, with his long frame, he has a lot of room to build and develop a solid body to match his skill.
Motiejunas could be the Suns' key to a brighter future.
Houston Rockets
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With the potential loss of Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets will need to replace the scoring he provided and the size he provided on defense.
But one step at a time. They will have a chance to rebuild their defense with Bismack Biyombo, the 6'9" forward from the Congo.
Biyombo is apparently a shot blocking specialist with a huge wingspan.
His shot blocking and his raw athletic ability around the rim could be a good addition for a team hurting on the interior.
Indiana Pacers
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Kemba Walker could fit in nicely with the Indiana Pacers, a team that had the number one seeded Chicago Bulls on the ropes in the first round of the playoffs.
What the Pacers needed was solid defense on the perimeter.
Kemba Walker will have to make a name for himself guarding opposing point guards, which he will be able to do.
His ability to get to the rim and hit step back jump shots is an added bonus.
Walker could come into Indiana and even take Darren Collison's starting spot.
Philadelphia 76ers
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Tristan Thompson was a stand out freshman at the University of Texas last season, where he averaged about 13 points and eight rebounds.
At about 6'9", Thompson has a solid body to provide size and strength underneath for the young 76ers team that is guard heavy.
Thompson also has some skills scoring on the low block, where he utilizes his left hand.
New York Knicks
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Kenneth Faried will be a better fit for the New York Knicks than Jimmer Fredette.
With Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire on the same court, there are not enough shots to go around anyway, and if you're not letting Fredette shoot, you are wasting his talent.
Faried doesn't need to shoot. In fact, he'd rather not shoot. He'd rather clean up the messes left by the superstars, and of course, play defense.
Faried will be a superstar rebounder in the NBA and a tough defender on the block.
He will be able to fit well with the Knicks because he is low maintenance, but highly effective.
Washington Wizards
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Tobias Harris is a 6'8" forward with quick feet and a knack for getting to the basket.
Playing for the Washington Wizards, Harris could find his way into the rotation, as the Wizards have many small forwards in their lineup, but nobody who stands out.
Harris' combination of size and skill makes him a threat going to the hoop.
Charlotte Bobcats
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Where one Morris goes the other is sure to follow.
But selecting Markieff Morris with their second first round pick could be more beneficial for the Bobcats beyond keeping Marcus grounded.
The Morris twins are similar players and body and skill.
Having both of them on the same team covers almost all three front court positions for the Bobcats, where they can use more man power.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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Considering the amount of hype surrounding Josh Selby when he arrived on campus at Kansas, one could argue that his freshman season was a disappointment.
Selby only scored about seven points in just a handful of games, but he is still a projected first round pick.
The Timberwolves may have a chance to grab Kyrie Irving with the second pick, but if they miss that chance, Selby could be a steal for the point guard spot in the later first round.
Portland Trailblazers
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Andre Miller is 35 years old, and though he can still ball with the best, he won't be able to do it forever.
Darius Morris of the University of Michigan could be a solid fill in.
He is a big point guard who can attack the basket with both hands.
He was a big time scorer for the Wolverines, but he distributed the ball as well, dishing almost seven assists per game.
Denver Nuggets
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Trey Thompkins could develop into a special player in the NBA.
He has good feet and shows the ability to move with the ball from around 17 feet and in.
He can also score on the block too.
Playing with Nene Hilario on the opposite block, who is an expert at finishing off passes out of double teams and off dribble drives, will help Thompkins avoid double teams so he can really play to his potential.
Houston Rockets
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Tyler Honeycutt is a 6'8" forward with tremendous athletic ability and a nice looking shooting stroke.
He could be a solid addition to the Houston Rockets because of his length and versatility.
He will be able to play and score from either forward position.
All he needs is to add a bit of weight to his long frame so he doesn't get his shot knocked off track by more physical defenders.
Oklahoma City Thunder
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Jordan Hamilton is a terrific jump shooter.
Playing behind Kevin Durant, the Thunder will not ask Hamilton to be a superstar, just provide solid minutes while Durant catches his breath.
He is more than capable of knocking down a few threes a game, and that's all he'll need to do.
Boston Celtics
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The Celtics need to find a replacement for the size and toughness that they lost in the Kendrick Perkins trade to Oklahoma City.
JaJuan Johnson from Purdue is 6'10" with a long frame that will be able to add a few pounds of muscle.
Johnson averaged 20 points and 8.6 rebounds for Purdue.
Dallas Mavericks
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With Caron Butler coming back from a bad injury and Peja Stojakovic's contract coming to an end, the Dallas Mavericks could use some new blood at the small forward position.
Chandler Parsons of the University of Florida is like Larry Bird's stepson or distant relative.
He is 6'10" with a point guard's ability to see the floor and dish the basketball His jump shot is streaky but effective, and while at Florida, he was known to hit the clutch shot or two.
What makes him fit so well with the Mavericks is his ability to play multiple spots and contribute.
New Jersey Nets
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Marshon Brooks is a big time scorer who can get the ball in the hoop in all kinds of ways.
He has an NBA body and a defined position on a teams roster as a two guard.
The New Jersey Nets could use an off guard who can create his own shot, as Anthony Marrow is mostly a spot up jump shooter to compliment Deron Williams.
Plus, if Deron Williams decides he wants out of the Garden State, then the Nets will need somebody to fill in as a point producer.
Chicago Bulls
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The only things that kept the Chicago Bulls out of the NBA Finals this year were a few stops on defense.
More importantly, a few stops against two of the game's greats, LebBon James and Dwyane Wade.
Kyle Singler won't be a lock down defender against those two, but his intelligence and size on the defensive end could help the Bulls pull a few extra possessions out of each game.
At 6'8", 230 pounds, Singler will be able to get a few rebounds, and has a knack, like most Blue Devils, for taking charges could be a nice addition.
San Antonio Spurs
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The San Antonio Spurs have a gift for drafting the guys nobody would expect to do much in the pros and developing them into fantastic role players.
Justin Harper has the tools of a pro. He is a long 6'9" forward with a versatile skill set.
But playing with the Richmond Spiders, a real system kind of team, will make the transition to Greg Popovich and the Spurs very easy.
Chicago Bulls
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Shelvin Mack proved his worth as a team leader at the point guard spot after bringing the Butler Bulldogs to two strait NCAA Championship games.
He is a tough guard with a good jump shot.
With the Bulls, he should be able to give Derrick Rose a break and provide solid shooting off the bench.
