NBA Draft 2011: Grading the Top 25 Guards
Kyrie Irving sits atop the 2011 NBA draft class of guards.
He is expected to be selected No. 1 overall by Cavaliers as they try to move forward post-LeBron James. Pair him with the fourth overall pick, and that’s not a bad prize for everything that happened this past year.
There are a few other names that have star potential, as well as guys who may become a fixture in the NBA for many years to come.
Here are the top 25 guards in the year's draft and how they measure up.
1. Kyrie Irving, Duke
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Irving sets the curve with an A+.
If this was an actual classroom he would have gotten a 93 percent or so, (just like some college courses, this will be on a curve and in this year's draft there won't be that one person who sets the curve at a 100. I don't miss that guy at all) but that's still good enough for the top billing.
Not as explosive as the previous point guards to be selected with the top pick, but he might have a better basketball mind and can do everything well. Plus, it's not like he isn't a phenomenal athlete is his own right.
I'm sure we all would have liked to see more of him this past college season, but I think we saw enough to put him at the head of the class. Plus he's only 19 and has played 11 games since High School, from what we've seen from him this kid has a bright future ahead of him.
Grade A+
2. Brandon Knight, Kentucky
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Knight seemed a bit inconsistent at times during the season, but when the tournament time rolled around (Well, except for one game, but they did fine anyway), he came to play. That's something that NBA teams should notice.
He's terrific defender with explosive speed who can finish at the rim. He doesn't have a consistent jumper right now, but how many good or even great point guards did after only after one year of college?
Might take him a bit, but he should be the starting point guard for whomever drafts him for years to come.
Grade A
3. Kemba Walker, UConn
3 of 25
Kemba Walker is arguably the top-rated offensive player in the draft. If he were 6-6, he would be going No. 1 no problem. The problem, however, is that he is 6'1" at best.
There is nothing that he can't do on the floor except find a position right now.
He is a two guard and the transition for most to point guard is too much of a gamble for NBA teams, but all it takes is for one team drafting early enough to like him.
I think the Raptors would be a great fit and I don't think they should let him slip by them.
Do they really need another European player?
Overall A
4. Klay Thompson, Washington State
4 of 25
Although I am a big fan of Klay Thompson, this is where we start the movement towards the back of the classroom.
He is a great shooter, has a high basketball IQ, and is a very skilled basketball player, he also has NBA bloodlines, father Mychal Thompson is a former No. 1 NBA draft pick.
Was suspended for drugs towards the end of his final season, but that hasn't really come up lately, as he is quickly moving up the draft boards. Quite a difference from the way the NFL goes about the draft process, huh?
If he can keep up with the speed of the NBA game, he should be just fine. Any team would be lucky to land Thompson and it's looking like he won't last past the 11th pick to the Golden State Warriors.
Grade B+
5. Alec Burks, Colorado
5 of 25
Alec Burks can handle the rock, get to the rim and finish, he can create his own shot, which is huge in the NBA fixture. The problem is getting that shot to go in right now.
At only 19 years of age, if he can get those shots to drop as well as continue to attack the rim, he is going to make some team very happy rather quickly.
Both he and Thompson look like can be key members of any NBA rotation, but as the next two guys projected to be selected after the big three, both players couldn't even lead their teams to the NCAA tournament, (although Colorado probably should have made it) has to leave a little concern for teams.
Grade B
6. Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young
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I’m not sure what I am more excited about. The actual draft or for when it’s over and most of the Jimmer talk will be over with. Jimmer going to the right team is crucial to his success and we will finally learn which team that will be shortly.
My guess is the Sacramento Kings, who need to generate fan fare select him.
If you were a Kings fan or just an NBA fan for that matter, would you be more likely to pay for a ticket to see Jimmer or Tristan Thompson?
With everything that is going on with the Maloofs right now, gambling on Jimmer with the seventh pick will probably seem like a $5 blackjack bet to them, so why not take a shot at him?
Grade B
7. Marshon Brooks, Providence
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Brooks is the most intriguing prospect to me. He improved his scoring average in each season, was the top scorer in the top conference and has an NBA-ready game.
Plus, he is a fourth-year senior who is likely to go into the top half of the draft, how often do we see that?
His knock was that he didn’t get his teammates involved, but playing on a team that went 15-17 and 4-14 in conference play, did he really want to get his teammates involved?
Grade B
8. Reggie Jackson, Boston College
8 of 25
Claiming an injury, Reggie Jackson has canceled all workouts, and refused to interview with teams, as it looks like some team has promised to draft him. I mean, why else would he cancel interviews?
It could be a smart move if the mystery team is picking at the end of the first round, he is big(ger), athletic, and quick point guard who will create open shots for everyone else. He can also score himself, not too bad if that team is taking him late in the first round.
Grade B-
9. Josh Selby, Kansas
9 of 25
Josh Selby was one of the hottest names coming out of high school last year, but having to miss the first half of the season, he never really caught on to the whole college game and wound up having a sub-par college career.
For a guy who could have been a lottery pick coming straight out of high school, he could be a steal for a team drafting in the latter part of the draft.
Grade B-
10. Darius Morris, Michigan
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Darius Morris is a 6-5 point guard who can defend, has a high basketball IQ, and can really distribute the ball, but he is only being projected to go in the mid-20s.
Why? Because have we ever seen so many good point guards in the NBA at one time? Five years ago, he would have been a hotter commodity, but like everything else, timing is everything and point guards seem to be falling off trees these days.
Has the talent to be a starting point guard in the NBA, wherever that may be.
Grade B-
11. Malcolm Lee, UCLA
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Malcolm Lee is another player without a position; he can handle the rock, defend and run the floor.
Any team should love having a 6-6 guard that can handle the ball, but without having a true position and for teams wanting to make him a point guard, averaging only two assists last year can’t be all that attractive to teams.
I would take a gamble on this kid; seeing him play, I think he can translate his game to the NBA and as always, all it takes is one team to like him and he may find himself in the first round and a guaranteed contract.
Grade C+
12. Norris Cole, Cleveland State
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Norris Cole was great against not-so-great competition last year.
Nowadays, teams discussing drafting a 22-year-old talk about them like they are drafting a 30-year-old; being a fourth-year player might actually cost him a few spots, but he could be a solid backup in this league.
Grade C+
13. Shelvin Mack, Butler
13 of 25
If I'm a playoff team and Shelvin Mack is there at the end of the first round, I'm taking him.
When it was time to step up, he did it, college players who helped lead their teams to two consecutive finals appearance aren't exactly walking around everywhere.
His so-so regular stats can be misleading, but did J.J. Barea's regular season stats wow anyone? When the playoffs started you could say he was one of the best players in the post season and ended up being a key member of a championship squad. I think Mack can have that same kind of impact as long as a playoff team drafts him.
Grade C+
14. Nolan Smith, Duke
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Smith has probably peaked and that's not necessarily a bad thing. He will be able to come off of the bench and play both guard positions.
A heady player who, if he flames out, won't be because he didn't work hard. If nothing else he can come in and be one of those guys everyone hates to play against, whose only job is to harass his opponent's top perimeter player for ten minutes a game.
Grade C+
15. Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
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Charles Jenkins is yet another small shooting guard.
He can really score the basketball and is a tough, relentless player. However, like quite a few players in this draft he is a man without a position. Coming from the Colonial Athletic Association won't help his draft stock any, but he is tough player with a big time motor, those guys tend to stick around on an NBA roster for while at least.
Grade C
16. Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech
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Iman Shumpert can defend; despite playing just three seasons only three people had more steals than him in Georgia Tech history.
It's his offense that has him projected in the late first early second round.
Being a 6'6" point guard who can defend and has an NBA body, scouts must think he has same the offensive ability as Anthony Weiner's ability to be faithful.
If that guy had any other last name he would probably already be forgotten, but now he is a poster child for infidelity.
Grade C
17. Travis Leslie, Georgia
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Leslie is a big time athlete who can defend multiple positions on the floor. He can jump out of the gym and is probably the best rebounder on this list.
However, his offensive is limited at best.
Grade C-
18. E'Twaun Moore, Purdue
18 of 25
Moore is a well-rounded player, but at 6-4 192 and having played four years in college you have to wonder if he is going to be strong enough to play at this level. Especially because he isn't the best athlete in this class by any means.
Grade C-
19. Isaiah Thomas, Washington
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Thomas is a tough little guy who is lighting quick, can penetrate.
He hot some big shots this past year and again after watching J.J. Barea this postseason maybe some team will take a chance on this guy now.
Grade D+
20. Scotty Hopson, Tennessee
20 of 25
Hopson can shoot, has an NBA body and looks the part of an NBA player. However, he is a poor defender isn't the best ball handler.
During his college career he never averaged more than one assist or three rebounds in any one season. Those numbers give you the feeling that he will be averaging 18 points a game in the D-League for many years
Grade D+
21. Cory Joseph, Texas
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Had Joseph gone back to school, he wouldn’t have returned as the teams starting point guard. Hard to believe that NBA teams are going to be fighting over this guy. He could be a role player, but that would likely be a very small role.
Grade D
22. Jon Diebler, Ohio State
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Jon Diebler can flat out shoot the basketball.
So why not take a chance on this guy at the end of the draft. If I'm filling out a 15-man roster and can have his ability to shoot at the end of the bench I'm happy.
I would put him in the game, give him two or three shots and if he's knocking them down keep him in and he's not, that's it for the day. Can't hurt to have a guy like that or your team.
Grade D
23. Jacob Pullen, Kansas State
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Pullen will probably be one of the best players on his team in Europe for many years, but I think he deserves a shot at making an NBA roster.
He had a very nice college career and he plays hard, but again he is a man without a position.
Grade D
24. Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame
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Was the best player on a team that won the best conference and not to mention was the big east player of the year. A guy like that should find his way on a NBA roster, that has Indiana Pacers written all over it.
Grade D-
25. Andrew Goudelock, College of Charleston
25 of 25
Goudleock can score the ball, but playing against the competition he did, how many of the rest of these guards could have done the same thing?
Grade D-
For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, B/R's Big Board of Recruits, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.
