NBA Draft 2011: Kyrie Irving and the 10 Most Innovative Players
To be a success in today's NBA, young prospects are usually required to be able to do one thing very well that they can use to propel themselves in the league, once they get there.
This year's draft has players just like that and has prospects that will be able to help some NBA teams both right away, and in the future.
Here is a list of 10 innovative players in this years draft.
10. Alec Burks
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Alec Burks is projected to be drafted in the top 15 picks of this years draft and while he isn't totally NBA ready right now, he does have some skills that will be great once he develops into the NBA player most think he will be.
Burks' strength is athleticism and usually that trait can end up being very useful in the NBA, or pointless, depending on the player develops the rest of his game.
Burks needs to work on his outside shooting and add some muscle to his frame but he is one of the best athletes in the draft and with some development can become a good player for a team down the road.
Innovative Trait: Athleticism
9. Bismack Biyombo
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Bismack Biyombo is another player with great upside but with taking him has some risks.
Biyombo is young, but a freak athlete with the size and strength to protect the paint in the NBA today and someday down the road could be one of the best low-post defenders in the NBA.
Biyombo has a chance to be innovative on the defensive end someday in the league and with some development could be a huge part of a championship contender.
Innovative Trait: Protecting the paint and rim.
8. Chris Singleton
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Singleton isn't a very polished offensive player yet but his defense and size are both outstanding.
At 6'9" Singleton will be able to guard multiple positions and play excellent perimeter defense.
Singleton will be a great addition to whoever lands him.
Innovative Trait: Perimeter defense
7. Enes Kanter
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Enes Kanter is another promising prospect that had a good combine and should be taken near the top of the draft.
Kanter is a big-bodied, back-to-the-basket scorer and has great rebounding ability. We don't often see his style of play coming from Europe so it will be interesting to see how he plays when he hits the NBA floor.
If the Cavaliers end up with Kyrie Irving and Kanter, they will be in a very good place and have two pieces they can build around for the future.
Enes can score in the low-post and rebound and both are innovative traits that will help him be a great player someday in the NBA.
Innovative Trait: Low-post scoring
6. Brandon Knight
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Brandon Knight is a very interesting prospect.
He is a very safe pick, wherever he is drafted, and has great size for a guard and a high basketball I.Q.
Knight is going to play point guard in the NBA and will be a good defender at the position to go along with his very good jump shot, and solid three-point shot.
Knight's best trait his is size and while he isn't Deron Williams, he should be able to body up NBA guards once he puts on some more muscle.
Knight will be a good player wherever he ends up and should have long NBA career.
Innovative Trait: Good size for a point guard.
5. Kawhi Leonard
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Kawhi Leonard is one of my favorite prospects of this draft and his combination of length and athleticism should help propel him to a successful NBA career.
Kawhi has a 7'3" wingspan and extremely large hands, both traits of great perimeter defenders.
Once Leonard gets some experience playing in the pros I see him becoming one of the best defenders in the league and earning his way to multiple all defense team selections.
Innovative Trait: Perimeter Defense
4. Jimmer Fredette
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Of all the guys on this list, Jimmer's innovative trait is the most recognizable: His shooting ability.
Jimmer has unlimited range when shooting the ball and will be able to spread the floor for an NBA team like only the best shooters can.
His defense is a huge question mark and will be a problem for him in the NBA but his shooting ability will keep him in the league and help him to a successful career.
Jimmer needs to learn how to run the point in the NBA so he could pair some good passing with his unstoppable shooting.
Innovative Trait: Outside Shooting
3. Kemba Walker
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Kemba Walker isn't the typical size for a future NBA star, but with his scoring ability, he will have a chance to be one.
A lot of hype has surrounded Walker since winning the NCAA tournament and his draft stock is as high as it will ever be.
There are many questions surrounding Walker and how good he will be in the NBA: What position will he play? Will he be a defensive liability while on the court? But he passes the intangibles test and is a proven winner from his college days.
Kemba has weaknesses but his innovative ability to score isn't one.
His scoring ability will translate to the pros and whether he becomes an All-Star or a scoring spark off the bench, he will make an impact in the NBA next season.
Innovative Trait: Scoring ability
2. Kyrie Irving
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Kyrie Irving seems to be the unanimous No. 1 pick in this years draft and rightfully so.
Irving is a classic NBA point guard: good size, speed, great passer, and can knock down open jumpers.
Irving will be a great addition to an NBA team and will give them what all teams with any hope of winning need to have, a good point guard to run the show.
Irving will have to work on a few areas of his game but overall he is ready for the pros.
Innovative Trait: Point Guard play
1. Derrick Williams
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Derrick Williams has had the dreaded "tweener" label placed on him, but it doesn't seem to be affecting his draft status.
Williams is projected to go in the top two picks in the draft and while some see him as a "tweener," I see him as versatile.
The NBA is all about match ups and someday Williams could become a match up nightmare for NBA defenses.
He has the speed to get by bigger defenders and the size to post up smaller ones and can knock down the three point shot surprisingly well.
I see Williams being a very good player someday and maybe even a borderline all star.
His versatility should help him to a long, successful, NBA career.
Innovative Trait: Versatility
