NBA Draft 2011: Kemba Walker and 10 Prospects the Denver Nuggets Should Avoid

The Denver Nuggets front office is in full swing: late nights watching film, talking with players, watching their practices and literally dissecting every piece of information known about every available prospect.

The draft is a mere three days away, and the butterflies in prospect's stomachs are fluttering like no other. Coaches, general managers and NBA players are all waiting to see who falls to them at their respective draft picks. Some hoping they are a player away from getting over their respective humps, others looking for some depth in a rebuilding process. 

However, in this draft it is not always about looking for the person you need, but rather the player you do not need. For the Nuggets their are 10 prospects they should stay away from in this year's draft. 

Bismack Biyombo: Congo

The 18-year-old international center from the Congo is someone the Nuggets will want to avoid. With the thought of Nene and Kenyon Martin possibly on their way out, the Nuggets need some big men, but this is not the route to go. 

Biyombo is an international project who is going to take a couple years to develop, before he is able to make a big splash in the league. He is a big, strong defensive presence at 6'9", but this kid's offensive game is no where near ready for the next level or for an offensive juggernaut like the Nuggets. This isn't the right fit.

Marshon Brooks: Providence

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PROVIDENCE, RI - DECEMBER 04: Marshon Brooks #2 of the Providence Friars drives for a shot attempt against the Rhode Island Rams at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on December 4, 2010 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Marshon Brooks would normally be a good selection here, but the more I thought about it, the more I saw J.R. Smith (who may be on the way out). Brooks is a tremendous athlete, but he takes quite a bit of unnecessary shots. This causes the offense to get into a rut and allows the defense to put a run together.

J.R. Smith was really good at that. He is a streaky shooter who can get too selfish at times. These are some of the same tendencies we see in Brooks. If we are willing to let Smith go, then there is no reason to draft a clone, to some degree. 

Donatas Motiejunas: Lithuania

Donatas Motiejunas, say that name 10 times fast. The 7'0" Lithuanian could be a tremendous talent to come out of this draft, but that won't be right away.

A somewhat thin power forward, he is going to have to put on some weight to play at the next level. And everything I read about him says he knows how good he is. Just ask him. A diva coming out of Europe does not bode well for the Nuggets. George Karl is not a fan of one-man-shows; he loves team ball. 

He has even admitted that he is happy (to basically rephrase what every Denver fan thinks he is thinking) that Melo is no longer a Nugget and that the team is a better "team."

Motiejunas may be a special talent, but not in the Mile High City.

Kemba Walker: UConn

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after a play against the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houst

A surefire talent, who will definitely have success in this league, is point guard Kemba Walker. Now even though I do not think the Nuggets will be anywhere near grabbing him, they have said they want to move up in the draft. 

Kemba Walker is someone who would not be able to find a home in Denver. With Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton, Walker would in all honesty never play. He reminds me a lot of Lawson, and Karl would love this kid, but he wouldn't get the minutes he deserves if we were to trade up for him. 

Alec Burks: Colorado

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 09: Alec Burks #10 of the Colorado Buffaloes controls the ball against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first round of the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Mis

Alec Burks is going to be a solid contributor in the NBA in a couple years, but can he fit in with George Karl and the Nuggets? I do not see it happening. Here is why.

Burks lacks the strength to drive and get in the paint. Now he can get that in the future, but the Nuggets are going to have to go to another area of need in this year's draft. They need someone who can contribute immediately. Even though Karl may be tempted to grab Burks' talents off the board, they are going big in this year's draft.

Jimmer Fredette: BYU

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 24: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young Cougars reacts during their 74 to 83 loss to the Florida Gators in the Southeast regional of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at New Orleans Arena on March 24, 2011 in New Orle

Jimmer Fredette, one of the most talked about collegiate athletes last season, will be making his way to the NBA. Fredette was one of the best talents in the nation last year, but many are skeptical if he can translate those skills to the NBA.

As a pure point guard, he was one of the best, if not the best, shooters in college basketball.  But as good as he was on offense, he was terrible on defense. He is a shoot-first, pass-second player. And again, even though Karl may want to trade up and pull the trigger, it would be best to stay away from Fredette. 

Darius Morris: Michigan

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Darius Morris #4 of the Michigan Wolverines moves the ball while taking on the Duke Blue Devils during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2011 in Charlotte, North

Another point guard the Nuggets will not choose, for the same reasons Walker, Fredette and even Burks will not be picked. However, pending how the picks fall to the Nuggets, and if they are unsuccessful at trading up for who they want, then they may be stuck on who they get. 

At 6'5" he has great size for a point guard, and he can easily be put at the 2 spot. But his lack of athletic ability is a cause for concern, especially for a Nuggets team that thrives on athletes and pushing the ball up and down the court.

Iman Shumpert: Georgia Tech

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 10: Iman Shumpert #1 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets dribbles down the court during the second half of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first round of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Co

There are a few players the Nuggets do not want, even though they seem like the real deal. Iman Shumpert out of Georgia Tech is a tremendous athlete with great quickness and speed, but unfortunately, he is a terrible shooter.

For a team that needs to be scoring 90-100 points per game, the Nuggets will be hard pressed to draft a player with such terrible shot selection. He also has a bit of an attitude that at the NBA level is rarely tolerated.

Greg Smith: Fresno State

At 6'9" 250 lbs, Greg Smith is a player with a lot of strength and a lot of size and sounds like a good pick in the second round . Sounds like what the Nuggets need with their free-agent woes about to come up. However, their is a reason he is projected in the second round.

He is a very raw player, and as only a sophomore, he probably should have stayed in college another year. The Nuggets do not need a pet project like Smith, and Karl will know better, I hope.

Davis Bertans: Latvia

The 6'10", 19-year-old small forward out of Latvia, Davis Bertans, is another pet project that may seem very enticing to George Karl and co. At a position of need, this is a very exciting player. 

It is tough to groom a young European player who will need at least four/five years before he can be a major contributor in the Denver Nuggets system.

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