2011 NBA Mock Draft: Which Collegiate Superstar Will Have the Best NBA Career?

Gabe ZaldivarJun 23, 2011

Breaking Down the Careers of the Best in the 2011 NBA Mock Draft

The 2011 NBA draft is finally here. On Thursday night, thirty NBA teams will put hope ahead of all things, and select prospects that may one day make a name for themselves at the next level.

There is one question that nobody can answer for certainty, except myself. Which of these player will stick in the NBA?

That answer has many colors on the spectrum. This draft does not blow you away with players that will one day be hall of famers. There may not be an All-Star in this lot.

That does not mean that we do not have some future great players that will have a long tenure in the Association.

Let's break down the board and see who will still be playing quality, productive minutes in ten years.

5. Jimmer Fredette

1 of 6

Much has been made about how overrated Jimmer Fredette is as a player. I don't entirely disagree. You can count me as one that has written how Fredette will never be a star in the NBA.

This draft is not about stars though. The recent rise in Jimmer's stock has me thinking that NBA teams have dismissed the notion that the kid is a complete liability on defense.

That is real his only blemish. If he can stand his own, you can expect him to get regular minutes as a borderline starter, or a guy that is first of the bench.

Please do not think this guy is Adam Morrison. He has a much more well-rounded offensive game, one that a team will surely find a use for in due time.

He may never be a household name, but he will be a guy that you make a note to take on your fantasy team in five years.

4. Jonas Valanciunas

2 of 6

The is indeed a special draft. There is more than one player that may get selected, only to meander in Europe for the next year or two.

Valanciunas' Lithuanian contract may not allow him to make his debut in the states until next year. Word is the Cavaliers have no problem with that.

The wait is the most important part for Valanciunas. He could stand a few more months to bulk up and face the talent overseas.

When he does come to the NBA, most have his ceiling reaching as high as a future Pau Gasol. I would temper my expectations and say that he has a fine touch near the basket, and imposes his will with a very long wingspan.

3. Derrick Williams

3 of 6

The consensus pick for the number two overall selection is actual my favorite for rookie of the year honors.

The Timberwolves have long since toyed with the notion of trading Williams. His future is tied to which ever franchise nabs him in a deal.

This guy is fun to watch though. He commanded the Wildcats deep tourney run with his energetic, and wholly confident play.

Williams commits himself on both ends of the court. You are getting a guy that can beat you with his jumper, or slash to the rim and finish with authority.

You always want a player that will commit himself to getting better each and every season in some new way. That guy is Williams for me.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report1w

With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Celtics' fourth-quarter comeback falls short in Game 7 loss to 76ers

Bleacher Report1w

DENVER NUGGETS VS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS, NBA

Bleacher Report1w

2. Kyrie Irving

4 of 6

There is no denying the talent of Kyrie Irving. The kid is as well-rouned as they come. The telling moment will be a few months after he is forced to command a lackluster Cavaliers team.

Cleveland may have two top-five picks in the draft, but they will still be terrible next season. There is no way of knowing how many minutes Irving will get in the rotation, but expectations will be high from Cleveland fans wanting the second coming of "you know who."

Irving is a well-balanced guard that is equally good scoring as he is finding the open man. The Cavaliers also get a guard that isn't afraid to play defense.

My fear is that the pressure and atmosphere posed by Cleveland may be too great too early for this prospect. It will be some time before he has anyone of note on the squad to help him out.

Yet, I still have him slotted for a long successful career.

1. Enes Kanter

5 of 6

I am the first person to lob grenades at NBA teams that overvalue big men. It seems every draft sees a team reach for a center they hope will be their answer to clogging the middle.

Enes Kanter is different. He is big, strong and durable. Kanter has years of NBA games in his stout legs. What I really like is where he is rumored to go.

The Utah Jazz are a perfect fit for the Turkish giant. He has all the skills that you find in European players. He has a soft touch at the rim and good outside shot.

What I really love is his physicality. While Dirk Nowitzki showed that a European can lead a team to victory, Kanter will show that an overseas prospect can bang in the middle like Bill Laimbeer.

That confidence and rough play will pay dividends for years to come.

Mock Draft: How the 2011 NBA Draft Will Shake out

6 of 6

Now we come down to the actual draft. This is how I have tonight ironing out for the first round. This may be a shallow draft, but there is still a lot of talent to be had.

The most exciting players to watch ahead of Thursday night are Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette. They are all over the place as to where they might land. What may happen is a decision that must be made by Utah between the two.

There will be plenty of drama to be had in tonight's draft.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams

3. Utah Jazz: Brandon Knight

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Enes Kanter

5. Toronto Raptors: Bismack Biyombo

6. Washington Wizards: Kawhi Leonard

7. Sacramento Kings: Jan Vesely

8. Detroit Pistons: Kemba Walker

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Alec Burks

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Klay Thompson

11. Golden State Warriors: Jonas Valanciunas