2011 NBA Mock Draft: Final Look at How the NBA Draft Will Go
The 2011 NBA Draft is just a couple of hours away. What happened to all those trade rumors? Looks like nothing will go down until the final minutes, but some trades will definitely occur.
Here's my "last gasp" mock draft on what the first round is really going to look like tonight.
There are definitely some surprises, so take a look....
Picks No. 1 Through No. 5
1 of 61. Kyrie Irving, Duke (Cleveland Cavaliers): I still think Cleveland could shake things up with a Derrick Williams selection here. I was more inclined to lean that way a few weeks ago, but some poor workouts by Williams, plus that nonsense over which position he’d play, forced him into the No. 2. After “The Decision,” and thanks to having the No. 4 pick, the Cavaliers will go safety with the 17.5 points per game Irving, the most dynamic player in the draft.
2. Derrick Williams, Arizona (Minnesota Timberwolves): The ‘Wolves will have no choice but to select Williams with the No. 2. if Irving goes first. Derrick Williams is the best physical player in the draft and a better physical specimen than Irving. He’s got girth. He will help slowly improve the woeful ‘Wolves defense, pad some rebounds and his 19.5 points per game will add to an already not-so-bad offense.
3. Jimmer Fredette, BYU (Utah Jazz): The Jazz need a point guard, and he is the best available at No. 3. Sort of. I do not understand a Kanter pick here, though the web is running wild with it. Why when you already have Al Jefferson? That works. They should re-sign him. He’s already one of the best “centers” in the league. If the Jazz are going to go out on a limb here, they should go for Fredette. Then later, they can have their pick of numerous big men at No. 12 like Bismack Biyombo, Nicola Vucevic or Donatas Montiejunas. Fredette has the will, and Utah loves that.
4. Enes Kanter, Kentucky (Cleveland Cavaliers): Tough one. I feel more comfortable with Vesely, but it is six and half dozen at this point. The hype is deafening on Kanter. But he and Vesely are in the same boat and need mondo work on their game. Kanter reminds me of Andre the Giant. Add some seasoning to that, look out.
5. Brandon Knight, Kentucky (Toronto Raptors): With the Jazz taking Jimmer at No. 3, Brandon Knight is the no-brainer here for the Raptors. Jose Calderon is good and one of the finer ball handlers and dishers in the league, but Toronto needs more offensively. For the first few years, Knight would be perfect for them off the bench.
Picks No. 6 Through No. 10
2 of 66. Jan Vesely, Czech Rep. (Washington Wizards): The Wizards are psyched. They will get their big man, and Vesely is him. The proven 21-year-old is the most experienced European giant in the draft. Washington could really use a good center to complement Andray Blatche and John Wall.
7. Kawhi Leonard, San Diego St. (Sacramento Kings): With Jimmer Fredette and Brandon Knight off the board, Leonard is the one. Who else do they have? Omri Casspi? Leonard will help off the boards and maybe even help the Kings let Samuel Dalembert go later on.
8. Bismack Biyombo, Congo (Detroit Pistons): I am going to join the small crowd developing that says Biyombo lands in Detroit. Biyombo has been one of the biggest movers and most touted players in the draft yesterday. He would allow Detroit to move Charlie Villanueva and later Greg Monroe to center, or play center himself.
9. Klay Thompson, Wash. St. (Charlotte Bobcats): If the Bobcats needed a guard, they’d take Kemba Walker here. But they don’t. Klay Thompson is listed at guard, but can play small forward, especially in today’s league, which would work for the ‘Cats. He has some pedigree too—his dad Mychal Thompson was member of the champion showtime Lakers of the 1980’s (and the No. 1 pick).
10. Alec Burks, Colorado (Milwaukee Bucks): Burks has been the pick from Day One. The Bucks might have gone with Klay Thompson, but he’s gone. The worst offense in the league would welcome what Burks’ shooter has to offer.
Picks No. 11 Through No. 15
3 of 611. Tristan Thompson, Texas (Golden State Warriors): This is a match made in heaven. Am I wrong? The Warriors have no power forward to speak. Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, David Lee, Dorell Wright and Tristan Thompson. That’s not bad at all.
12. Marshon Brooks, Providence (Utah Jazz): Sounds crazy? Why not? Take Fredette and Brooks. Lock up the guards. You already have Al Jefferson. But if the Jazz go big here, they’ll have plenty to choose from (Montiejunas, Valanciunas, Vucevic). They can even take a look at a power forward like one of the Morris brothers.
13. Marcus Morris, Kansas (Phoenix Suns): With Marcus Morris falling here, Phoenix goes for it. He scores well and is the best forward left. Phoenix needs help on defense, but won’t look for it with their first pick.
14. Nicola Vucevic, USC (Houston Rockets): It’s no secret the Rockets want a big man to bandage their Yao Ming wound. Here he is. Houston needs a lot more than that, though, but this is a good, and cheap, way to get back to square one. Vucevic is a great defender and rebounder. Wouldn’t it be interesting if he became better than Yao (or at least played longer)?
15. Kemba Walker, UConn (Indiana Pacers): Walker falls into the Pacers hands. More a factor of teams filling their needs ahead of No. 15 than anything else. Indiana will not let Walker slip by.
Picks No. 16 Through No 20
4 of 616. Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania (Philadelphia 76ers): The Sixers need a big man, and Jonas is the one, unless they pull a trade. A Lamar Odom package might still be available from the L.A. Lakers that would change the Sixers plans.
17. Chris Singleton, Florida State (New York Knicks): Things have come full circle. Chris Singleton was the first name bandied about when draft talk truly started in New York. And here we are. He’s kind of perfect for New York, and I like him better than a Vucevic pick (moot by No. 17 anyway). He will provide some much needed defense.
18. Markieff Morris, Kansas (Washington Wizards): Now we’re talking Washington basketball. Morris is the perfect addition, along with Jan Vesely from earlier. The twosome will, in a short time, improve the Wizards’ D.
19. Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech (Charlotte Bobcats): One of the hottest up and coming names in the draft , Iman Shumpert goes to Charlotte. There are some better, more established players left, like Jordan Hamilton and maybe Kenneth Faried, but the ‘Cats already went with forward Klay Thompson early.
20. Jordan Hamilton, Texas (Minnesota Timberwolves): Jordan Hamilton is a nice shooter for sure and tallies points (18.6 PPG—which is very strong at No. 20). If the ‘Wolves walk away with Hamilton and Derrick Williams AND a new coach, well, three cheers.
Picks No. 21 Through No. 25
5 of 621. Kenneth Faried, Morehead St. (Portland Trailblazers): How Faried has fallen. But the Blazers have been talking about him for a while. He’s ready to go too, behind Aldridge.
22. Tobias Harris, Tennessee (Denver Nuggets): This is a tough one. Despite the Carmelo Anthony trade, the Nuggets don’t need any more offense. Donatas Montiejunas might work here, but Harris is just right off the bench.
23. Kyle Singler, Duke (Houston Rockets): This is the play here. The Rockets already got their big man in Vucevic. They can add a little more size with Kyle Singler, who is an above average scorer too. The Rockets can use some help at small forward, and Singler could probably spell Luis Scola.
24. Donatas Montiejunas, Lithuania (Oklahoma City Thunder): I think the Thunder have to make the Westbrook situation work. Forget about a guard here. The Thunder go with a twin towers approach (Serge Ibaka) that helps them dominate the West.
25. JuJuan Johnson, Purdue (Boston Celtics): This makes too much sense to me. The Celtics have been looking all over to trade up for a big man. If they can’t, Johnson’s the answer. Rajon Rondo is a little fragile, though, and the Celts might look at Josh Selby here too, or Reggie Jackson. But I doubt the latter.
Picks No. 26 Through No. 30
6 of 626. Justin Harper, Richmond (Dallas Mavericks): Things start getting really weak down towards the end of the first round. He’ll be good off the bench.
27. Chandler Parsons, Florida (New Jersey Nets): With Brook Lopez doing well, the Nets pass on Nikola Mirotic and Davis Bertrans and go with Chandler Parsons who is a deft ball-handler.
28. Josh Selby, Kansas (Chicago Bulls): Selby would be perfect to spell Derrick Rose. He also brings an equivalent speed to the table.
29. Davis Bertans, Latvia (San Antonio Spurs): San Antonio is looking ahead and looking for someone who could eventually “replace” Tim Duncan. Bertrans fits the bill.
30. Jeremy Tyler, USA (Chicago Bulls): Kurt Thomas can’t play until he’s 100. Tyler will be able to contribute right away behind Joakim Noah.
For picks 31-60 and another version of the draft, click HERE.
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