NBA Draft 2011: Jeremy Tyler and 5 Biggest Boom or Bust Prospects
The 2011 NBA Draft is quickly approaching and everyone is rushing to get their latest mock draft out each and every day.
As we carefully analyze each and every prospect to see where they would make a great fit to begin their NBA careers, we are always thinking in the back of our minds if we are under- or overrating certain players. We can often get wrapped up in statistics, highlights, high profile names and measurements, but we are constantly asking ourselves if this player can truly succeed in the Association.
It is rare to see a draft as successful as the 2003 draft. We see a ton of busts each and every year and look back and wonder how they were ever drafted so high—especially when gems fall to the late-first round or even second round.
This year, Jeremy Tyler is quickly moving up draft boards in recent weeks.
He is one of the top boom or bust prospects, but which others join him?
5. Nolan Smith, Duke G
1 of 5"Class: Senior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 187 lbs
2010 Stats: 34.0 min, 20.6 pts, 4.5 reb, 5.1 ast, 3.2 to, 1.2 stl, .1 blk
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Nolan Smith was the driving force behind the Duke Blue Devils in 2010 as Kyrie Irving missed plenty of time due to injury. He displayed excellent playmaking ability as he created for himself and was a willing passer. He has a solid shot and is also willing to drive to the hoop.
Nolan does not excel in any one category, though, and some project him as more of a shooting guard while I believe he would be better suited for the point position with his ability to handle and pass the rock.
Many are torn on his potential in the Association. Some believe he has starting capabilities, while others believe he is a perennial backup. At times, he reminds me of Chris Duhon, which is never the comparison players want to hear as he rarely ever makes an impact.
Smith will need to work hard to hone his skills to make an impact in the game. I believe he could be a great backup point guard, especially for a team like Chicago.
As we saw at Duke though, this is a player who can take over a game. He has great composure and vision on the court, which should transition to the NBA.
He could truly go either way in the pros.
4. Jordan Williams, Maryland C
2 of 5"Class: Senior
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 247 lbs
2010 Stats: 32.5 min, 16.9 pts, 11.8 reb, .6 ast, 1.6 to, .7 stl, 1.4 blk
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Jordan Williams is one of the better centers in the draft as he was a rebounding monster in college.
He has a big body and is willing to bang in the paint with his toughness—but that was in college. In the NBA, he won’t be nearly as big or strong when battling the other centers and power forwards in the paint.
Unfortunately, he is another one of those big bodies who sometimes thinks things will come easier than they will. He has work ethic concerns, which is causing his draft stock to drop dramatically. Once deemed a sure late-first round selection, he is dropping in nearly every mock draft to the second round.
He is also dropping because he did not measure as well at the combine as most thought. He was shorter and weighed less than initially thought. He will need to hit the weight room, increase the intensity and head to a veteran team to truly succeed in the league.
3. Jeremy Tyler, Japan PF
3 of 5"Class: N/A
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 263 lbs
2010 Stats: N/A
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Jeremy Tyler is rising up draft boards quickly over the past two weeks.
Some have major concerns about Tyler after he decided to play in Israel instead of high school and then head to Tokyo, Japan to play there.
His decision does not concern me one bit, as I believe it would take a ton of maturity to head overseas to play ball at such a young age.
This is a big, athletic player who has a post game and can shoot the rock from mid-range.
My major concern is the fact that he wasn’t as dominating as he should have been in Japan given his size and skill set. It makes me wonder if his game is truly ready for the Association. Although I like the move to play overseas, see Brandon Jennings, he may have been better suited honing his skills in school.
2. Bismack Biyombo, Congo PF
4 of 5"Class: N/A
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 243 lbs
2010 Stats: N/A
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Bismack has skyrocketed up draft boards due to his supreme athleticism, leaping ability, defensive prowess and rebounding skills.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka has certainly paved the road for Biyombo to come to the Association and succeed. His game translates perfectly to the league and would be an asset for all 30 teams in the game.
Unfortunately, not every player can succeed in the NBA on athleticism alone. Some players have difficulty transitioning to the league and the States coming from overseas. There is always a chance international players can flame out as we see each year and one would have to wonder if Ibaka was the chosen one and Biyombo will bust.
1. Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young G
5 of 5"Class: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 196 lbs
2010 Stats: 35.8 min, 28.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 4.3 ast, 3.5 to, 1.3 stl
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Jimmer has to be atop the biggest boom or bust list. We often see players of his ilk dominate the college game with unlimited range, toughness, competitive streak and determination to attack the hole.
Yet the NBA is a completely different beast than the collegiate game, one that Jimmer may have extreme difficulty adapting to. He will square off against far superior athletes and perimeter defenders, which means he definitely won’t score at the remarkable clip he and his fans are accustomed to.
If he lands on an up-tempo team like the Suns, Warriors or Knicks, he can find a ton of success as he will be left wide open. Yet if he heads to Utah or Indiana, he could very well flame out as he will demand even more attention in a slowed down offense.
