NBA Draft 2011: Kyrie Irving and the 10 Best Ball-Handlers in the Draft

Point guards run today's NBA, and if you don't have a good one, don't expect to contend for a title.

Ball-handling is a very important tool to have as an NBA point guard, and the 2011 NBA draft is filled with them.

Along with these gifted point guards, there are some guys at other positions who can handle the rock and run an offense.

Here is a list of the 10 best ball-handlers in the draft.

10. Shelvin Mack

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Shelvin Mack #1 of the Butler Bulldogs handles the ball against Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April

Shelvin Mack played well at the point his entire career at Butler and can run an offense well.

Mack handled the ball for Butler and helped make their offense "go" which is an experience that will help him greatly in the NBA.

Mack is a projected second-round pick and would be a very nice pick up for a team there.

9. Charles Jenkins

Charles Jenkins was one of the most talented scorers in college basketball last season, and he would not have been able to do that without a sick crossover.

Jenkins is a score-first guard who needs the ball in his hands and has developed very good ball-handling skills.

If Jenkins ends up on the right team, he could be a very successful pro.

8. Nolan Smith

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils brings the ball up the court during the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro C

Nolan Smith is set up to have a very long NBA career. 

His success at Duke and his development into a very good player and ball-handler will help him enormously in the NBA, and he is primed to play for eight to 10 years as a rotation player.

Smith will be a great backup and maybe occasionally starting point guard who can run an offense and won't turn the ball over.

7. Derrick Williams

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats handles the ball against Mason Plumlee #5 and Seth Curry #30 of the Duke Blue Devils during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center

Derrick Williams isn't a point guard, but he is a very good ball-handler.

Williams is a top-two projected pick, and his ability to score though getting to the basket and shooting the ball is a deadly combination and is why he is such a good prospect.

Williams is a solid passer, and while he can play off the ball, he is also good with it in his hands.

6. Josh Selby

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 25: Josh Selby #32 of the Kansas Jayhawks looks on during the southwest regional of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament against the Richmond Spiders at the Alamodome on March 25, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas. Kansas defeated R

While Josh Selby is a very risky pick and is a guy who will need a ton of developmental time, his ball-handing skills are not in question.

Selby could turn into a solid NBA point guard with some work and has a good combination of passing ability and scoring ability.

5. Marshon Brooks

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PROVIDENCE, RI - DECEMBER 04: Marshon Brooks #2 of the Providence Friars runs the offense against the Rhode Island Rams at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on December 4, 2010 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Marshon Brooks could be the sleeper of the draft, and while his scoring ability has a lot to do with why he will be a great pick, don't underrate his ball-handling.

Brooks is a good passer and very good at breaking down defenders off the dribble.

Brooks will be a great pick up in the middle of the first round, where he is projected to be picked.

4. Jimmer Fredette

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 19: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young Cougars runs off of the court after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 19, 2011 in Denver, Colorado.

Most people know Jimmer Fredette as the great shooter he is, but if he is going to have a successful NBA career it will be as a point guard.

Jimmer can run an offense in the NBA and is a good passer along with a good dribbler. 

Jimmer will need to land in the right spot and on the right team to reach his ceiling, and hopefully he will.

3. Kemba Walker

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the basket Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anahe

Kemba Walker has a very unique scoring ability, and a lot of it has to do with his dribbling and ball-handling skills.

Kemba is a solid shooter, but the bread and butter of his scoring game is getting the basket after beating guys off the dribble.

Kemba's size may not transition well to the NBA, but his ball-handling skills will.

2. Brandon Knight

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Brandon Knight #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats moves the ball while taking on the Connecticut Huskies during the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at Reliant Stadium on April 2, 2011 in

One of the best point guard prospects, Brandon Knight is going to have to develop to become a great player but has the potential to be one.

Knight is a great scorer for a point guard, but his passing skills and ability to run an offense are underrated.

Knight can get to the basket as well as run the fast break, both things that relay on good ball-handling skills.

1. Kyrie Irving

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 18: Kyrie Irving #1 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball in the second half while taking on the Hampton Pirates during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 18, 2011 in C

I don't care that Kyrie Irving only played in a sample size of college games, he is still the best player in this draft and the best point guard.

Kyrie has some of the same qualities as Knight but is more NBA ready and a more polished passer and shooter.

Irving will be a very good No. 1 overall pick and will be a great building block for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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