NBA Draft 2011: Brandon Knight and 4 Guards Best at Getting to the Hoop
The Kentucky freshman is following the steps of John Wall and leaving for the NBA draft decorated in SEC honors. During the 2010 season, Knight averaged over 17.3 points per game shooting 42.3 percentage from the field en route to a SEC tournament championship.
With Knight finishing with 30 points in the Final Four, there was enough body of work for him to advance into the NBA draft.
Knight’s speed and quickness to get to goal will not be an issue—it's his toughness. Knight has a habit of playing soft rather than trying to draw contact in the lane.
Knight needs to improve his courage to slash the lane and get to the free-throw line will be a threat not only with his great mid-range shot, but his in-the-paint scores as well.
Getting to the hoop and slashing the lane is a must for an offense to create foul situations for teams in the NBA. This short slideshow will show four potential NBA players who have a great ability to create space and drive to the basket.
Kemba Walker
1 of 3
In the first two years of his UConn campaign, Walker showed a habit of dishing the ball quickly to his teammates for offensive production diminishing his numbers.
But during the 2010-2011 season, Walker became the heart of the UConn team showing great courage during the NCAA tournament leading to a national championship.
In 2010, Walker averaged 23.5 points on 42 percent shootingone of the best percentages in the Big East.
Arguably one of the fastest players in college basketball, Walker possesses terrific quickness and ball-handling ability to give defenses fits. But his control is an issue as he has been caught many times trying to do too much by forcing shots that were not there.
With his speed being highly effective, look for Walker to obtain a lot of assists in the NBA drawing attention to defenders in the paint.
Kyrie Irving
2 of 3
The native Australian was one of the most highly regarded recruits in the country. In 2010, he signed his letter of intent with the Duke Blue Devils to become the next ACC star, but it didn’t turn out that way.
Coming back from a severe toe injury, Irving entered the NCAA tournament hoping to help the Blue Devils win another national championship. Those dreams didn’t pan out as the Blue Devils lost 93-77 in the Sweet 16 to Arizona.
Not possessing the speed as Kemba Walker, Irving is a great finisher once he gets in the paint. With the unique ability to use his left hand, Irving can create his own space once defenders close down defensively in the lane.
Shelvin Mack
3 of 3
The Lexington, Kentucky native made a name for himself on the national stage leading the Butler Bulldogs to multiple championship appearances the past two seasons averaging 16 ppg.
Mack is an explosive point guard who has an easy ability to shoot off the dribble with a variety of shots in the lane. His ability to show solid awareness gives him the option of obtaining many assists by drawing defenders.
If he learns to drive with both hands, it will be a deadly combination of strength and speed against long athletic defenders.
When Mack gets drafted, he will become Butler's first NBA player in more than 50 years.
With the NBA Draft approaching, NBA Mock Draft season is here. Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated mock drafts, along with the latest NBA Draft news, analysis, rumors and predictions.
