2011 NBA Mock Draft: Kyrie Irving, Each 1st-Round Pick and Their NBA Comparison
It is sometimes hard for an NBA fan to really judge draft talent. The casual fan does not know enough about the prospects.
They need the players to be described in a way they can understand, by comparing them to someone the fans already know.
These are the NBA comparisons to each first-round pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, Duke
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 180
NBA Comparison: Mike Conley
The comparison most people give Kyrie Irving is to Chris Paul. I believe that praise could be too high for the Duke point guard.
Mike Conley is a better representation of what kind of a player Irving is. He is good at just about everything, but he is not great.
Irving might have more potential than Conley, but don’t expect him to become an instant superstar like Paul. Irving still has a long way to go.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, Arizona
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Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 248
NBA Comparison: Michael Beasley
Michael Beasley and Derrick Williams were nearly identical players in college. Both played power forward for their schools and were extremely versatile.
Like Beasley, Williams is probably better suited at small forward in the NBA. However, I feel he will be better than Beasley.
Williams is a better outside shooter and he plays with a much higher basketball IQ.
3. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight, Kentucky
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 185
NBA Comparison: Larry Hughes
Larry Hughes was more of a shooting guard, which is exactly what I see Brandon Knight becoming.
Both players are combo guards who can score in bunches. They can beat you with the outside shot and with their ability to penetrate the lane.
Secondly, Hughes has made a career out of being a lock-down defender. Knight, too, is a major threat on the defensive end.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Enes Kanter, Turkey
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Position: Center
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 255
NBA Comparison: Al Horford
Enes Kanter resembles both Al Horford’s playing style and his measurable.
Like Horford, Kanter plays a physical game and can dominate the paint. Both guys are very skilled players.
The only noticeable difference between the two is that Horford is a slightly better athlete, and Kanter is a better perimeter shooter.
5. Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 230
NBA Comparison: Nenad Kristic
It is hard to compare Valanciunas to any NBA player. His game is unique and does not directly compare to anyone in the league that well.
Kristic is a similar player to Valanciunas because both guys can score in many different ways. They both have solid jumpers and are above-average athletes for their position.
However, Valanciunas is a much better rebounder.
6. Washington Wizards: Jan Vesely, Czech Republic
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 240
NBA Comparison: Hakim Warrick
Jan Vesely is a young forward who is known as a great athlete and for his highlight reel dunks.
He has a decent mid-range shot, but his offensive game is kind of one-dimensional right now.
I could see him thriving in a fast-break offense much like Warrick does in Phoenix. Unfortunately for Vesely, I cannot see him becoming anything but a role player in the NBA.
7. Sacramento Kings: Kemba Walker, Connecticut
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 172
NBA Comparison: Allen Iverson
I am seemingly one of the few believers in Kemba Walker. He is a very tough player who can score in just about any way he wants.
Walker could easily be the second coming of Allen Iverson.
Like Iverson, Walker has blazing speed and is not afraid of contact. That is complemented by his underrated outside shot and never-say-die attitude.
8. Detroit Pistons: Bismack Biyombo, Congo
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Position: Center
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 243
NBA Comparison: Serge Ibaka
Bismack Biyombo is the most relentless interior defender in the draft.
He can block shots like Serge Ibaka and is a pure athlete for his size like the Thunder’s big man.
If Biyombo wants to become a good NBA player, he will have to develop a decent jumper shot and some post moves like Ibaka has done, although Biyombo’s ceiling is even higher than Ibaka’s.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
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Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 225
NBA Comparison: Gerald Wallace
Gerald Wallace seems to be the only comparison that is given to Kawhi Leonard, but that is because it makes so much sense.
They two are almost identical players. Both are superiors athletes who make their biggest impacts defensively and on the boards.
If Leonard can continue to develop his offensive game and find a jump shot, he could be a very good player.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Alec Burks, Colorado
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Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 195
NBA Comparison: James Harden
Alec Burks is more athletic than James Harden, but their playing styles are very similar.
The two guards are at their best when they creating opportunities for themselves. Also, their biggest criticism is that they lack consistency with their perimeter jump shots.
Both Harden and Burks were dominant scorers in college, but are more suited to be second or third options in the NBA.
11. Golden State Warriors: Tristan Thompson, Texas
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 225
NBA Comparison: Taj Gibson
I feel Tristan Thompson is one of the more overrated players in the 2011 draft. He, like Taj Gibson, will probably never be more than a good bench player in the NBA.
Both players are athletic forwards that do most of their work as rebounders. Likewise, both have solid offensive games, but not elite.
Thompson needs to develop a perimeter game if he wants to become a star in the NBA.
12. Utah Jazz: Chris Singleton, Florida State
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Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 226
NBA Comparison: Shawn Marion
A good defensive-minded small forward is hard to come by. Chris Singleton is exactly that and should not fall too far in the draft.
He is a great athlete that can make an impact on the glass and in a fast-break offense. I see him turning into a very similar player to Shawn Marion.
Like Marion, Singleton cannot create his own shot, but can be an effective offensive player if someone sets him up.
13. Phoenix Suns: Jordan Hamilton, Texas
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Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 220
NBA Comparison: Jason Richardson
As a Suns fan, I pray that Phoenix takes a chance on Jordan Hamilton. He has the potential to be the big-time scorer the Suns desperately need.
I compare him to J-Rich because he runs the floor so well and because he loves to toss up three-pointers.
Richardson and Hamilton are two guys with the potential to be great scorers, but mental issues often get in the way.
14. Houston Rockets: Marcus Morris, Kansas
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 235
NBA Comparison: Al Harrington
Al Harrington is an underrated NBA players. He has posted solid numbers throughout his career.
I feel Marcus Morris is a similar player and will be under-appreciated much like Harrington. They both possess solid outside shots and have prototypical size.
However, I feel Morris is a better all-around player. He plays with more physicality and is a tougher rebounder.
15. Indiana Pacers: Jimmer Fredette, BYU
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195
NBA Comparison: Eddie House
When you think of Jimmer Fredette, you think of a great scorer who plays no defense. His size is nothing to be desired nor is his athleticism, be he was absolutely dominant in college.
Nearly the exact same description can be given to Eddie House.
Jimmer will probably be a solid bench player, but his superstar days are far behind him.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 225
NBA Comparison: Dennis Rodman
Kenneth Faried was one of the most dominant rebounders in college basketball history, so why not compare him to one of the most dominant rebounders in NBA history?
The two are nearly identical in size and their playing styles are exactly the same.
Faried is a relentless rebounder and a great defender, but he has a minimal offensive game. The best case scenario for Faried’s career is that he becomes the next Rodman.
Hopefully just on the court, though.
17. New York Knicks: Markieff Morris, Kansas
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Position: Center
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 245
NBA Comparison: Channing Frye
Markieff Morris is a big player who rebounds well and plays solid defense. Unfortunately, he is rather under-developed offensively.
However, over the past few seasons, Morris has become a solid three-point shooter.
I see Morris being a tougher version of Channing Frye. If he can improve his interior offensive game, he could be a 15-points-and-10-rebounds-a-night type player.
18. Washington Wizards: Klay Thompson, Washington State
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Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 202
NBA Comparison: Allen Houston
For the most part, I am trying to make most of these comparisons to current NBA players, but Allen Houston is exactly like Klay Thompson.
Both shooting guards are deadly from beyond the arch. They have a knack for scoring a lot of points and are about the same size.
Thompson does play better defense than Houston did, but is not quite as good of an athlete.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Reggie Jackson, Boston College
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 208
NBA Comparison: Devin Harris
This Reggie Jackson is not a home-run hitting outfield; he is one of the better point guards in the draft.
He plays very similar to Devin Harris in that they are criticized for similar reasons. Both are big scoring point guards known to get a little selfish at times.
However, like Harris, if Jackson learns to be a better distributor, he has big-time potential.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Marshon Brooks, Providence
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Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 190
NBA Comparison: Jamal Crawford
Like Jamal Crawford, Marshon Brooks is about as pure of a scorer as they come.
Both are very solid athletes that can handle the ball. They can score in many different ways.
Crawford might be a better shooter than Brooks, but Brooks is better at penetrating.
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Darius Morris, Michigan
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 190
NBA Comparison: Andre Miller
Darius Morris is similar to Andre Miller because he is a good all-around point guard, but he is not particularly great at any one thing.
Morris plays very good defense and he is a strong leader on the floor. He will be a solid point guard for many years.
It is likely that Morris will never be a star player, similar to Miller.
22. Denver Nuggets: Nikola Mirotic, Serbia
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Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 226
NBA Comparison: Hedo Turkoglu
Nikola Mirotic is another over-sized small forward from overseas. Like Hedo Turkoglu, he is like a guard stuck in a power forward’s body.
His jump shot is excellent and he is a great passer.
Mirotic has potential to be a star, just like Hedo had. However, he must get stronger and become more of an inside threat if he wants to get there.
23. Houston Rockets: Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
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Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 188
NBA Comparison: Josh Childress
A tall, but thin forward with great athleticism and an under-developed offensive game describes Josh Childress and Tyler Honeycutt exactly.
In the NBA, Honeycutt will be a defensive specialist who can provide some rebounding off the bench.
Like Childress, his inconsistent offensive game will probably prevent him from being a starter. Although, he will definitely be a contributor.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kyle Singler, Duke
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Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 230
NBA Comparison: James Jones
Kyle Singler enjoyed great success in college, but will never have the same success in the NBA. He will enjoy a similar career to that of James Jones.
Neither players are elite athletes and both play solid defense. The two forwards’ offensive games will depend greatly on their abilities to hit the outside shot.
This pick might be a bit of a stretch, but don’t be stunned to see Singler’s name get him into the first round.
25. Boston Celtics: Jordan Williams, Maryland
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Position: Center
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 260
NBA Comparison: Carlos Boozer
The comparison of Jordan Williams to Carlos Boozer is a very loose one.
It is highly unlikely Williams will be anywhere near the player that Boozer is, but their playing styles are similar. Both players are solid rebounders with good touch close to the rim.
Williams is tough and strong. He will be a valuable piece for whichever team gives him shot.
26. Dallas Mavericks: Tobias Harris, Tennessee
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 226
NBA Comparison: Boris Diaw
Tobias Harris is one of the most overrated players in the draft. I don’t see how he becomes a highly effective player in the NBA.
His game resembles that of Boris Diaw. Both players can do just about anything on the court, but neither is tough enough to be a true power forward.
27. New Jersey Nets: Justin Harper, Richmond
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 225
NBA Comparison: Jeff Green
Justin Harper plays a very similar game to that of Jeff Green.
Both players are good shooters and are more athletic than most power forwards. However, they are also both a bit soft and get shoved around inside.
If Harper can learn to work inside a little better and become a better rebounder, he has a lot of potential.
I just see too many holes in his game for him to really become great.
28. Chicago Bulls: Travis Leslie, Georgia
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Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 205
NBA Comparison: Shannon Brown
Once Travis Leslie enters the league next season, he could rival Brown as one of the best leapers in the NBA.
Both guards can flat out jump. Also, neither is a very reliable shooter.
Leslie has been compared to Tony Allen by others, but he did not agree with the comparison. Hopefully he appreciates this one a little more.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Lucas Noguiera, Brazil
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Position: Center
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 218
NBA Comparison: Tyson Chandler
Lucas Noguiera is the weaker version of Tyson Chandler. Both are excellent shot blockers and can dominate the boards.
The knock on both players is their lack of offensive games. Like Chandler, Noguiera relies solely on the dunk to score points.
30. Chicago Bulls: Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
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Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 220
NBA Comparison: Ben Gordon
I expect the Bulls to draft Charles Jenkins because of his resemblance to Ben Gordon. The two are the same size and the exact same type of player.
Charles Jenkins is arguably the best scorer in the draft. He has been dominant at Hofstra the past four seasons.
With his jump shot, penetrating ability and motor, the Bulls would be crazy to pass on this Ben Gordon impersonator.
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