NBA Draft 2011: What Kind of Draft Should Teams and Fans Expect?
The NBA Draft is a big deal, maybe not on the same level as the NFL Draft, but it is big. It’s a wonder that it isn’t as big as the NFL’s version, seeing as more young players make an immediate impact in the NBA .
So, each draft has a profile, an M.O. that tells general managers what they can generally expect from the prospects. If your team needs a big man or a point guard, is it likely you’ll be able to find what you need in said draft class.
Well, in 2011, here is an analysis and summary of the draft, by position and classification.
Star Potential:
In order of probability
PG-Kyrie Irving 6’2 – Duke
One of this draft’s surest things still has injury concerns. Coming off an injury-filled freshman year at Duke, Irving seems to be the favorite to help the Cavs succeed in their AJ (After James) years.
If he can put his injuries behind him, Irving is a true point guard with the ability to elevate the play of his teammates and control games with his passing and scoring, a la Chris Paul.
SF/PF-Derrick Williams 6’8 - Arizona
Williams is probably the surest bet in this year’s draft. He can score….period. The only concern is that he is a bit of a tweener. The downside comparison is a little similar to a less bulky Marcus Fizer.
PF/C-Enes Kanter 6’10 – Turkey
The best big man in the draft is very fundamentally sound. He puts me in the mind of a mixture of Tim Duncan and Rony Seikaly. Though he hasn’t shown the defensive prowess of Duncan yet, offensively his skill set is similar.
His strength and intensity reminds me of Seikaly. Whoever picks him will be hoping for more Timmy than Rony.
PG/SG-Brandon Knight 6’3 – Kentucky
Late bloomers at the point guard position make you a little nervous. When they come out after freshman year, it only adds to that nervousness. One factor that helps ease concerns is that John Calipari has had the Midas touch with point men he’s coached for one year on the collegiate level (Tyreke Evans & Derrick Rose).
Knight definitely has the ability and size to explode on the scene, but he had a rough start to his freshman year. He will likely need time to mature as a pro, but his upside could be the highest of all the point guards in the draft.
PG/SG-Kemba Walker 6’1 – UCONN
One of the draft’s best pure scorers, Kemba is a tweener. He will carry that label until he can prove he can handle point guard duties on the pro level.
Even at the point, he will always have a scorer’s mentality. He has proven he has the gumption to take and make big shots.
This is a quality that is extremely rare. Walker is as tough mentally as they come and given the opportunity he could flourish into a star in the league.
PG/SG-Alec Burks 6’5 – Colorado
I love Burks' athleticism and size. He has the ability to play either guard position, but the position where he can be special is the point.
At 6’5 with great athleticism, Burks could become an all-star. He reminds me of a bigger Rajon Rondo. If Burks can become a more consistent shooter, he will be one of the most versatile talents in this draft.
SG-Marshon Brooks 6’5 – Providence
In my opinion, Marshon Brooks is the best pure scorer in the draft. He is capable from the outside, has good one-on-one dribble-drive moves, finishes with contact and has ridiculously long arms.
Brooks averaged almost 25 points per game for Providence last year; that’s against Big East talent. He has wowed a few in his workouts and his stock has risen on plenty of draft boards.
He has gone from a late first round-early second round pick to a mid first round pick. I wouldn’t be surprised if he crept into the bottom half of the lottery on draft night.
SF/PF-Jan Vesely 6’10 – Czech Republic
The player in this draft with the best highlight reel available is definitely Vesely. This kid loves to dunk it, in traffic at that. He is a legit 6’10 with great athleticism and good ball handling, especially for his size.
However, he is not a good shooter; he is a terrible free throw shooter and his overall offensive repertoire needs variety. That said, there is no denying his combination of size and athleticism.
PG/SG-Jimmer Fredette 6’2 – BYU The draft’s best shooter can do just that…from just about anywhere. His athletic deficiencies are almost just as glaring as his shooting prowess.
He is a gym rat, so I don’t put it past him to improve his ball-handling. His shooting ability is so dynamic that he may be the rare one-dimensional player who can ride his gift to stardom.
Sleepers:
PF/C-Bismack Biyombo 6’9 – Congo
Think Dikembe Mutombo mixed with Theo Ratliff in the body of Ben Wallace. Biyombo may never be a scorer, but he has defensive instincts and physical traits that are off the charts.
He is under-sized as a center, which seems to be his natural position, but he has a great wing-span and is built like a tank. He may be the next defensive game-changer in the NBA.
PF/SF-Kenneth Faried 6’8 – Morehead State
The Dennis Rodman comparisons are understandable, but I’ll tell you this, Rodman never jumped like Faried. This kid has a flair to him and a motor that has him destined for a 10-year career in the NBA.
His personality isn’t nearly as enigmatic as “The Worm,"so hopefully he can add a bit of versatility to his already strong rebounding.
SF/PF-Kyle Singler 6’9 – Duke
It seems that Duke always has a player like Singler. Those guys have been hit (Christian Laettner) and miss (Danny Ferry) in the NBA. Singler is somewhere in the middle, he has a good mid-range game and decent range out to the three.
He has limited foot speed, so defending SF in the NBA will be an issue. If Singler can find a home as a scoring PF on a team with a strong rebounding and defensive frontline he could be of value.
PG/SG-Shelvin Mack 6’3 – Butler
Shelvin Mack is a true combo guard, he really reminds me of Rodney Stuckey. He is more scorer than distributor, but I love his experience and competitiveness. He is a tough and capable scorer, custom made to be a valuable scoring reserve.
PG/SG-Norris Cole 6’1 – Cleveland State
You have probably never heard the name, but understand this, this kid can score. He is only 6’1, which is the reason you haven’t heard of him, but he may have an opportunity as a Jason Terry-type of scorer.
Players like him just have to find a team that can properly use their talents. As you can see, players like this can be a part of championship runs.
SG-Xavier Silas 6’3 – Northern Illinois
Xavier Silas is a shooter, he has a smooth easy stroke and he has a high basketball IQ. Silas is a hard worker, that despite his height, he is solidly built at 200 pounds.
Silas could be a nice scorer off the bench as he has a great understanding of the game. He recently worked out for the Boston Celtics, completing Danny Ainge’s legendary endurance test in record time.
SF-Jimmy Butler 6’7 – Marquette
Jimmy Butler is a coaches’ dream. He is a stat stuffing, do-it-all swingman who is extremely unselfish. Best of all, Butler just loves the game.
He is a less athletic Scottie Pippen type, as he can contribute to his teams success in so many ways. He is a good rebounder at the SF spot, good defender, with room for improvement as a scorer and offensive threat.
His attitude will allow him a look and his basketball IQ will likely land him a spot in the rotation, if he’s drafted by a young team.
SF/SG-DeAndre Liggins 6’6 – Kentucky
Liggins is another very versatile swingman. He is sturdily built and unselfish, he also needs to add some work to his offensive supply.
He is a tremendous specimen, but he must be sure to add the offense as not to fall into the mold of David Noel or Julian Wright, whom he resembles in game and physical makeup.
PG/SG-Iman Shumpert 6’5 – Georgia Tech
Shumpert is one of the most physically gifted of all the players in this draft. He can play the PG or SG, like Alec Burks, but he has the potential to be a much better scorer. He rebounds well and has the potential to be a good defender with his size and quickness.
Shumpert has received a label in regards to poor work ethic and practice habits. He has tons of talent and on talent alone he should be a lottery pick, but he has regressed in production since his freshman year at Georgia Tech.
Hopefully, he is the type of player that blossoms on the NBA level.
Boom or Bust:
PG/SG-Jimmer Fredette-BYU
SF/PF-Jan Vesely-Czech Republic
PG/SG-Kemba Walker-UCONN
PF/C-Bismack Biyombo-Congo
PF/SF-Kenneth Faried-Morehead State
Second Round Gems:
PG/SG-Norris Cole-Cleveland State
SF-Jimmy Walker-Marquette
PG/SG-Iman Shumpert-Georgia Tech
SG-David Lighty 6’6 -Ohio State
Lighty was a part of that great Ohio St. recruiting class with Greg Oden. It seems like a decade ago, but Lighty is now a seasoned college veteran.
He is a consistent outside shooter, with good size, he isn’t a phenomenal athlete, but he is solid in nearly every area. Lighty fits with a veteran team looking to add depth without sacrificing too much experience and savvy.
SF/SG-DeAndre Liggins-Kentucky
SG/PG-Reggie Jackson 6’3 -Boston College
Jackson is a dynamite athlete, he can explode off the dribble and finish at the rim. He has sick hops and a huge wing span. He is only 6’3 so he has great size for the point, but is a little small for the SG spot.
Couple this with slow developing form to his jump shot and a shoot first mentality and Jackson is an intriguing tweener prospect. Still, his upside is exciting.
Undrafted Free Agent Keepers
SG-Xavier Silas 6’3-Northern Illinois
SG-John Diebler 6’6 -Ohio St.
Make no mistake about it, Diebler is not a good athlete, but what he can do is fill it up from the outside. The only shooter in the draft on his level is Fredette. What may keep Diebler from being drafted is his defensive deficiencies.
That said, if a strong defensive club needs a dependable, hard nosed young shooter, Diebler will make an NBA team as a free agent.
PG-Jacob Pullen 6’0 -Kansas State
Pullen is definitely a stretch on the NBA level. He is only 6’0, and he has only decent athleticism. The one thing he does have is NBA range and accuracy from deep. Pullen has also shown the ability to perform in the clutch. While his future may be overseas, he is worth a free-agent invite and workout.
PG-Kalin Lucas 6’0 – Michigan State
Lucas was a bigger name two years ago when he and the Spartans were performing well in the NCAA tournament. He was injured for the postseason run this past season, but scouts know he is a pure point guard, with decent quickness.
He needs to work on his outside stroke but he has a tough mental makeup and high basketball IQ. Lucas is another prospect worth a free agent look.
SG/SF-Gilbert Brown 6’6-Pittsburgh
Brown is a stocky, athletic wing player. He has improved his shooting and overall scoring acumen since he arrived in college. Brown is a four-year collegiate athlete with the ability to contribute as a role player in the NBA.
PF-Jamie Skeen 6’8-VCU
Skeen is an undersized scoring PF. He has had series of knee injuries in his collegiate career that have impacted him athletically. This may prevent him from being drafted, but his nice shooting touch and effective post play could land him on a team.
In Conclusion:
This draft is not star heavy. This years’ crop will aid teams who are looking to add depth and contributors to established core.
The second rounders and late first rounders could prove to be a steal, but this isn’t the type of draft that multiple lottery teams will find their its cornerstones.
