2011 NBA Draft Results: Grading the Philadelphia 76ers' Draft Picks

Did Philadelphia stand stall on the grading scale in the latest installment of the NBA Draft?  If this international image of David Stern, left, is any indication, then they did. 

There was definitely a global flavor to the 2011 draft.  Four of the first seven selections were players with international resumes.    

Former USC Trojan center, Nikola Vucevic, right, is listed at 6'11."  After the 76ers selected him at No. 16, I watched the draft thinking I'd give Philadelphia an A.  

They had another pick coming up at No. 50, so I waded through the other teams' picks to see what was really going on with my grading scale. 

I came across good, bad and mediocre drafts.  What follows are my observations—often in relation to the 76ers.  Journey with me to find out what grade the Sixers received from Professor Lake.  You know the routine...roll tape.

Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson, Jeremy Tyler and Mark Jackson...Oh, My

I thought Golden State had a good draft by pairing Klay Thompson, left, with Stephon Curry and bringing former California prep phenom, Jeremy Tyler, back to his home state.

Aiming to play like a shooting guard version of Tim Duncan, at 6'7," Thompson gives the Warriors a fundamentally taller version of Monta Ellis.  He and Curry are sons of former NBA players. 

Klay has Reggie Miller range on his three-point shot, and Mark Jackson—Golden State's new coach—while watching Thompson, could've had flashes of his former teammate (Miller) killing it in the Garden.

Thompson's game is as sweet as roses smell, and he appears anxious to hit the NBA  floor.  The subject of trade rumors all offseason, Ellis could be on his way out.

San Antonio Spurs: They Lose Tony Parker's Heir Apparent, Indiana Gets Better

George Hill was traded from San Antonio to Indiana for Kawhi Leonard and what seemed like the Mexican army as the deputy commissioner, Adam Silver, announced the trade.  It was actually two other players.

Drafted by Indiana probably for his defense, Leonard can rebound and score in the paint. 

At 6'7," he's a defender who could become as suffocating as Bruce Bowen for the Spurs.  He could be matched up against Kobe Bryant to see what happens.

Hill is a lightning quick and experienced combination guard who was the heir apparent to Tony Parker.  He makes the Pacers a very dangerous playoff team.

Phoenix Suns: Markieff Morris Could Help Phoenix Dust Some Ashes

The Suns get the taller of the Morris twins.  He could provide some problems for Tim Duncan and a lot of other places in the NBA.

Luckily, the Sixers face Phoenix only twice per season.  They pose several matchup problems for the 76ers.

A Philadelphia native, Morris was mentioned as a possible No. 16 selection by the 76ers.  Maybe in the future the Morris twins will be matched on the same team in Philly.

There's a tidbit for Sixers fans to hope for.

Washington Wizards: Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton and Shelvin Mack

The Wizards Dancers could have something to cheer about if Vasely can play the power forward position and rebound.  Imagining a frontline of JaVale McGee, Vasely and Andray Blatche has to give fans something to look forward to. 

When they scooped Chris Singleton—the last player left in the Green Room—it was like "whoa!"  I rated Singleton as one of the best forwards in the college ranks. 

At 6'9," he can defend multiple positions with the best of them and shoots it better than he gets credit.  Washington probably picked him to matchup with Thaddeus Young and LeBron James.  Can't wait to see those battles.

The Wizards had the overall best draft, and they could make the 2011-12 playoffs.

Detroit Pistons: Brandon Knight, Kyle Singler, Vernon Macklin

Brandon Knight is fresh off the rack in the assembly line of Jon Calipari point guards thriving in the NBA. 

After being roundly criticized since the Allen Iverson fiasco, Pistons general manager Joe Dumars could be back. 

Knight is a young extremely talented point guard and Detroit also drafted former Duke shooter Kyle Singler and a 6'10" athlete in former Florida Gators by way of the Georgetown Hoyas baller, Vernon Macklin. 

Houston Rockets: Marcus Morris Could Start Under Kevin McHale

He believes he can score like Carmelo Anthony and he sees his opportunity in Houston—a team needing a scoring small forward.  They have one, now. 

At 6'8," the younger of the Morris twins could step right in and start.  He was the Big 12 Player of the Year and can only improve the Rockets under new coach Kevin McHale. 

With Kevin Martin and Luis Scola, it'll be hard for Morris to show his Melo game.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson Have Broad Shoulders

Both Irving and Thompson were prep stars, but now they're in the NBA. 

They'll be under a lot of pressure to replace LeBron James, and I'll be watching to see how they do.  I don't think Cleveland did enough this draft to vaunt into playoff position, but Byron Scott could work magic.

The Cavs picked up two future draft picks in a trading No. 32 pick Justin Harper.  They could stockpile enough talent to eventually challenge the elite Eastern Conference teams.

Philly doesn't have any worries about them for the 2011-12 season, though.

Charlotte Bobcats: Kemba 'Slice' Walker Could Wind Up Being the Answer

The Bobcats got the guard who I believe can be the next Allen Iverson.

They also drafted a highly regarded shooting guard in Tobias Harris, but he ended up in Milwaukee and the Cats got Corey Magette and Bismack Biyombo.  OMG.  LOL.

I'm not sure what the Bobcats were thinking in trading Stephen Jackson, but dummying down to stockpile draft picks could be on their agenda.  The playoffs won't be on their list of things to do next season. 

Boston Celtics: JuJuan Johnson Has Incredible Game

Boston traded their pick, Marshon Brooks, to New Jersey for what the Celtics were dreaming of. 

Boston gets underrated JuJuan Johnson, who I believe could've been a lottery pick.  The Big Ten Player of the Year, he led the league in scoring and blocked shots.

Johnson could be the steal of the draft.  Considering the lack of depth in this year's draft, Danny Ainge was smart to get a future second round pick.

This draft could vaunt Boston back to the top of the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia 76ers: Nikola Vucevic and LaVoy Allen Could Impose Their Wills

Nikola Vucevic, right, was the tallest player at the NBA Combine, according to Jay Bilas.  Vucevic's listed wingspan is 7'5."  He contests interior shots and is quick enough to defend the pick-and-roll.

This is exactly what the 76ers needed.  I watched the draft pick and thought I'd give the 76ers an A. 

At 6'11," 260 pounds, he isn't another Spencer Hawes.  Vucevic has a mid-range jump shot and a plethora of post moves.  He also provides more beef on the blocks.

LaVoy Allen is Temple's all-time leading rebounder and a good shot blocker.  These two draft picks fulfill some of Philly's needs.  Now, they need to bring in Monta Ellis. 

My grade for the 76ers is a very solid A.