NBA Draft 2011: Enes Kanter and the 10 Top Post Players in the Draft
This year's NBA draft features a number of different big men, all capable of bringing a variety of skills to their respective teams, but some NBA scouts are questioning whether or not there is a true center among the field of top prospects and future superstars.
Despite the lack of post-up centers in this year's draft, there is still a strong field of candidates who are capable of holding their own in the post and could, with a few years of experience under their belts, develop into some of the league's top players.
With that in mind, here is a list of 10 of the top post players in the 2011 NBA draft.
10) Markieff Morris
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Markieff Morris has always been considered the lesser talented of the Morris brothers, but he does have at least two advantages over Marcus entering the next chapter of their careers: his height and his strength.
Markieff is a good rebounder and a strong shot blocker and is also a threat to put up a ton of points down low. While at Kansas, Markieff averaged 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, something that proves he is ready to make an immediate impact upon being drafted.
9) Kenneth Faried
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Kenneth Faried has been dubbed the best rebounder in NCAA Division I by scouts and fans alike because of the incredible numbers he posted while playing at Morehead State University.
Ever since Faried's sophomore season at Morehead, he has averaged 13 rebounds per game and has developed into a solid defender down low. He demonstrated his quickness down low as well, averaging 1.9 steals per game.
Faried has developed a jump hook to complement his interior game, and he will be an asset to whoever selects him in the upcoming draft.
8) Marcus Morris
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Although Marcus Morris is smaller than his brother Markieff, he has worked hard to prove that he is one of the top defensive players in this year's draft class.
In his time at Kansas, Marcus proved he has good anticipation down low with solid instincts to support his anticipation, and he showed he can play with a lot of intensity. Although he is not known for his shot-blocking ability, his scrappy style of play will continue to be effective for the foreseeable future.
Marcus is also impressive from beyond the arc and one of the best ball-handlers in this year's class as well.
7) Tobias Harris
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Tennessee's Tobias Harris may only be 19 years old, but he has proven that he is a threat to opposing teams because of his ability to adjust and play at many different areas on the floor, something that is hard to teach all aspiring players.
Harris has shown he is a skilled player under the rim, as well as a good rebounder thanks in part to a high leap, which will likely improve as he ages and continues to train on a professional level. His long arms and ability to sink the floater will also come in handy for the team that selects him in the approaching NBA draft.
6) Donatas Motiejunas
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Lithuania's Donatas Motiejunas has drawn comparison Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, an impressive comparison despite Motiejunas' lack of size and poor body language.
Despite the questions surrounding his attitude on the court, Motiejunas, listed at 7'0", has a scorer's mindset and is an aggressive scorer down low. He has shown scouts he has an effective jump hook, which he uses to complement his fadeaway jump shot and inside scoring ability.
5) Bismack Biyombo
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Bismack Biyombo is already one of the most talked-about big men in this year's draft because of his 7'7" wingspan and 9'3" reach, numbers that would even impressive future Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal.
Biyombo has also demonstrated that he is a force on the defensive end with excellent shot-blocking and rebounding skills. Even though Biyombo's offensive skills are still developing, whoever selects him in the upcoming draft will be able to utilize his enormous size and likely develop him into a strong all-around player.
4) Nikola Vucevic
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USC's Nikola Vucevic is one of the most well-rounded players in this year's draft, proving that he knows how to use his size and strength to his advantage.
Vucevic is a good scorer as well, averaging 17 points per game alongside 10 rebounds while playing for the Trojans. He was an integral part of many of the team's big upsets last season, and he has proven he is an NBA-ready player with a strong post game and rebounding ability.
3) Tristan Thompson
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Texas' Tristan Thompson has a 7'2" wingspan and became one of the NCAA's best offensive rebounders in his season with the Longhorns.
In addition to his strong rebounding skills and defense instincts, Thompson is also an intimidating presence in the post and one of the leading shot blockers in this year's draft class. Offensively, he moves the ball well and has shown he has a strong mid-range jump shot, something that also helps him stand out among this year's prospects.
2) Jonas Valanciunas
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Although he is only 19 years old, Jonas Valanciunas has shown NBA teams and scouts alike that he knows how to use his tremendous wingspan and large hands to his benefit, which is why he has landed near the top of this list.
Valanciunas is an elite finisher down low but has yet to show that he has a reliable jumper, which makes him one of this year's possible bust picks for teams interested in selecting him in the upcoming draft.
Regardless of his lack of offensive talent, Valanciunas' size can be used to his team's advantage to corral rebounds and block shots in the post until his shooting game develops.
1) Enes Kanter
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Enes Kanter is hands down one of the top picks in this year's NBA draft. He has good size and basketball IQ, and he is also one of the more skilled players in the post among the rest of the field.
Kanter is extremely tough down low and is not afraid of contact. He has demonstrated that he knows how to use his size down low and is also capable of knocking down shots from the high post. He is a good ball-handler and passer and also an effective shot blocker, which is why many NBA analysts have Kanter being selected in the top five of this year's draft.
Although Kanter was ruled ineligible at Kentucky last season, he has shown that he is capable of being a superstar just a few years down the road and is a steal for whichever team selects him.
For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.
