NBA Draft 2011: Nolan Smith and the 5 Most Overlooked Players in the Draft
There are very solid, talented players like Nolan Smith who are going unnoticed heading into the 2011 NBA Draft.
As much of a talent drought as there appears to be in the draft this year, there are plenty of players who will be steady contributors in the NBA after they are drafted.
Going a step further, there are players in the draft capable of serving an important role in the NBA who are being overlooked. Players like Nolan Smith who led their team's to NCAA championships have gone under the radar because they are not as athletically impressive, or physically imposing as other prospects.
If an NBA organization is willing to look beyond physical and athletic potential and instead make a pick based on a player's basketball skill set, they will get players who will provide instant production.
A lot has been made of Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams and Enes Kanter, but here are the five most overlooked prospects available in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Keith Benson, Center, Oakland University
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Keith Benson, the center from Oakland University, has been the most overlooked center available in the NBA Draft.
Negatives: The biggest strike against Benson is his strength, or lack of it. He has good height for an NBA Center at 6'11", but the concern is derived from his weight. With such a big frame, teams are concerned that because he only weighs 217 pounds he will get pushed around down low.
Positives: Benson can put on weight. He can get stronger. Those are problems that can be addressed and things that Benson can somewhat easily change. What is more difficult to teach is what Benson already possesses, basketball skills.
Keith Benson has the ability to finish around the rim with both hands effectively. He has a great touch on his shot from mid-range and utilizes the backboard as well as any player in the draft. He is a great rebounder and has shown that he can effectively use his size to gain favorable post position.
Most importantly, Benson is coachable and has been continually improving.
Benson is projected to be a mid second-round pick, but has first round basketball skills.
Malcolm Thomas, Power Forward, San Diego State University
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San Diego State power forward Malcolm Thomas is another solid player being overlooked in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Negatives: The biggest question mark surrounding Thomas is his size. He is small for an NBA Power Forward, standing only six feet eight inches tall.
In addition to his height, NBA scouts also think Thomas could afford to add a few more lb's to his 223 pound frame to give him some extra strength.
Positives: If you look past his height, Malcolm Thomas has so much to offer. With a 7'2" wingspan, he was able to establish himself as a defensive presence in the lane during his time with the Aztecs, blocking an average of two shots per game.
He is a very quick athlete, who runs the floor well and won't be a liability on the fast break. Thomas is a great passer for a big man and he will help any NBA team he joins rebound better.
There are questions as to weather or not Thomas will be drafted, but if he is taken in the NBA draft, he will provide surprising value to the team that selects him.
Jimmy Butler, Small Forward, Marquette University
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As a small forward for Marquette University, Jimmy Butler was the best player on his team and one of the most talented players in the loaded Big East.
Negatives: Athleticism. Butler has been criticized because of his lack of athletic ability. He won't be the type of player who will have game stopping dunks or ankle-breaking crossovers.
He is about the size of an NBA Shooting Guard, but is smaller than the average small forward, which is his natural position.
Positives: Jimmy Butler gets the most out of what he has been given. Although not a world class athlete, Butler does all the little things right. He is a good defender, solid rebounder, effective passer, and he understands the game.
Butler has enough athleticism to be an effective role player in the NBA and with one of the best work ethics in the draft, he will only get better.
Malcolm Lee, Shooting Guard, UCLA
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Malcolm Lee, the shooting guard from UCLA, is another solid prospect who is being knocked for his physical attributes.
Negatives: At 6'5" Malcolm Lee has a "tweener" body. He has excellent size for a point guard, but is much smaller than the average NBA Shooting Guard, which is Lee's position.
Why not play point guard? Although possessing good size in this position, NBA teams don't feel Lee has the ball handling and decision making ability to run an NBA offense.
Positives: Lee is constantly improving. In one year he addressed the biggest weakness in his game by becoming a much smoother shooter. After knee surgery, he was able to bounce back and maintain quickness and agility, which show his work ethic and long term durability.
He plays very well in the pick and roll and is and improving as an off the dribble shooter. Probably Lee's greatest strength is his ability to play in transition. He runs the floor very well and has the ability to finish creatively around the rim with both hands.
Lee may seem like a risky pick, but he's actually a safe bet to be an ever improving role player in the NBA.
Nolan Smith, Point Guard, Duke University
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If you look at Nolan Smith's body of work at Duke University you might expect him to be a high first round pick. However, heading into the NBA Draft, Smith has been flying under the radar as one of the most overlooked players available.
Negatives: Smith lacks the athleticism of most starting point guards in the NBA. He doesn't have the explosiveness or quickness of a Derrick Rose or John Wall, which limits his ability to excel in one on one offensive situations.
Positives: All the Intangibles. As seen in the 2009 college basketball season when Smith led the Blue Devils to an NCAA Championship, he is a winner.
We know is capable of leading a team at the point guard position, made evident by the way Smith stepped in for Kyrie Irving in 2010. Not to mention, Smith has a high basketball IQ- something that every player who plays under Mike Krzyzewski seems to have.
Beyond the intangibles, Smith will give a team good outside shooting, solid defense, and sound fundamental play.
Nolan Smith is overlooked, but not overrated. He would fit in nicely as a system player for plenty of teams picking in the first round of the NBA Draft.
