NBA Draft 2011: Tristan Thompson and the 10 Best Shot-Blockers in the Draft

Tristan Thompson or Bismack Biyombo—who do you think will be a better shot-blocker in the NBA?

You’ve probably heard of one of these players, but perhaps not the other. So who’s better?

The 2011 NBA Draft is Thursday, and being the best shot-blocker can move a player up in the draft, which would earn him as much as $1 million more onto his rookie contract.

With that said, let's count down the top 10 best-shot blockers in the 2011 NBA Draft.

10. Willie Reed

Willie Reed has some issues above the shoulders.

Suspended all of last year for academic reasons, Reed also found himself involved in a sexual assault case.

Even though he is an explosive athlete and can jump out of the gym, Reed has character issues most teams will not want to deal with.

Athletically and talent-wise, Reed could be one of the best players in this draft. But because of the controversies following him, he could easily go undrafted.

9. Nikola Mirotic

Nikola Mirotic is a 6'10" small forward.

That’s right—6'10" small forward.

He can shoot from behind the three-point line, he's an excellent passer and has a high basketball IQ.

Mirotic is not very strong and because of his lack of physicality, he does not get enough rebounds—think of a very stereotypical European player.

The biggest reason he is rated so low in the upcoming draft is because of his contract issues with his home club of Real Madrid. Much like Ricky Rubio, Mirotic may not be able to play in the NBA for several years. If a team is to draft Mirotic, they need to be prepared to wait a few years before getting him.

The Timberwolves are currently playing this game with Rubio. We will have to wait to see if it was worth it for Minnesota to wait, then possibly wait to see if Mirotic is worth the wait as well.

8. Jonas Valanciunas

Jonas Valanciunas is a talented and lengthy center from Lithuania.

At 7'0" with a 9'3" reach, Jonas can redirect shots coming into the lane; the only shot guards will be able to try against him will be floaters.

Floaters are one of the toughest shots to make, and with a 9'3" reach to shoot over, it will be extremely difficult for any player to get the ball over Valanciunas.

7. And 6. Markieff and Marcus Morris

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TULSA, OK - MARCH 18: D.J. Irving #13 of the Boston University Terriers goes up for a shot against Marcus Morris #22 and Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on Marc

Being identical twins, Markieff and Marcus Morris have very similar skills.

Both are great players down low. At Kansas, the Morris twins protected the lane for the Jayhawks.

Both have a tremendous knack for timing their jump to redirect shots away from the rim. Whether it be by blocking those shots or just causing the shooter to miss, the ability these two players have will be valuable for any team that drafts them.

5. Tyler Honeycutt

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TAMPA, FL - MARCH 19: Tyler Honeycutt #23 of the UCLA Bruins blocks a shot attempt by Chandler Parsons #25 of the Florida Gators during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at St. Pete Times Forum on March 19, 2011 in Tampa, Flori

The past few guards coming out of UCLA—including Jrue Holiday and Russell Westbrook—were thought to not be successful in the backcourt for a NBA team.

This slideshow includes the best shot-blockers though, and Honeycutt certainly deserves to be included.

At 6'8", Honeycutt is a freak of nature when it comes to blocking shots. When the opposing team gets a fast break, they will need to make sure Honeycutt is not sprinting back on defense because he could easily block their shots.

4. Chris Singleton

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ATLANTA - MARCH 14: Chris Singleton #31 of the Florida State Seminoles fouls Tyler Hansbrough #50 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the semifinals of the 2009 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament on March 14, 2009 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia.

Chris Singleton is the overall best defensive player in the draft, and shot-blocking is part of being a great defender. Since this slideshow ranks only shot-blocking, Singleton is only No. 4, but if it was overall best defensive player, he’d be No. 1.

Even though you won’t think of Dikembe Mutombo when Singleton is blocking shots, Singleton still disrupts shots enough to make it difficult for the opposing player to score.

3. Kenneth Faried

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 19: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Morehead State Eagles goes up to contest the shot of Cedrick Lindsay #2 of the Richmond Spiders during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 19, 2011 in Denv

Kenneth Faried is an absolute monster when it comes to blocking shots.

Faried is a guy who perhaps in his mind was disrespected going into college and landed at Morehead State. He has since never stopped working to become a better player.

Hard work is what makes the good players great players. Even if Faried does not start off his NBA career well, I am sure his work ethic—much like Joakim Noah's—will make him a great player in this league. 

2. Tristan Thompson

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TULSA, OK - MARCH 20: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats goes up for a shot against Tristan Thompson #13 of the Texas Longhorns during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 20, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklaho

Tristan Thompson is a phenomenal shot-blocker.

If a team like the Chicago Bulls has a star player who lives on driving into the lane, Thompson will make them rethink that game plan.

Any team he joins will add a player who could change opposing teams' whole game plans. He has the innate ability to time when to jump and block a shot.

Any other year Thompson would be the best blocker in the draft, but not this year...

1. Bismack Biyombo

Bismack Biyombo is a once-in-a-lifetime player.

He is 6'9" with a 9'3" reach; earlier we talked about how Jonas Valanciunas was a great quality at 7'0" with a 9'3" reach, but Biyombo has the same reach with only a 6'9" frame.

The guy is very long.

He also has the athletic ability of a 6'6" guy, but the length of a center. A player will think they have an easy shot, then out of nowhere Biyombo will show up and toss the shot off the court.

He has to be the best prospect shot-blocker since Dikembe Mutombo. If Biyombo can be half as good as him, then Biyombo will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.