2011 NBA Draft Results: Player Comparisons for Each Pick in the First Round

The NBA Draft is about ready to begin in Newark, New Jersey.

In the first round, teams will be looking for immediate help or enormous potential.

This slideshow will take a LIVE look at each player selected, and what NBA player they could be compared to. Because it is being updated LIVE, this slideshow may look short at the beginning of the draft, but much more is to come as the first round charges on.

David Stern is ready. The Cleveland Cavaliers are ready. I am ready.

Here we go!

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The Cleveland Cavaliers Select Kyrie Irving

Player comparison: Chris Paul

Kyrie Irving will immediately run the show for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Like Chris Paul, Irving is a triple threat in the backcourt. He can drive to the rim, knock down a three, or find an open teammate for an easy bucket.

Irving is capable of becoming the best point guard in the league. He will help the Cavaliers become more fluid on offense, while also being a capable scorer.

From playing style, to hailing from the ACC, Irving and Paul are very similar specimens in the backcourt.

The Minnesota Timberwolves Select Derrick Williams

The comparison between Derrick Williams and Michael Beasley comes from their athleticism, and their dominance at the college level.

However, Williams may be better-rounded coming out of college. He can play inside or knock down threes. He is also a tenacious rebounder on both ends of the floor.

Beasley is the same athlete Williams is, but he lacks the range Williams possesses from the perimeter.

Williams also has a much higher motor, and figures to have his head on straighter than Beasley did when he entered the league.

Despite the difference in intangibles, Williams and Beasley are very similar in terms of skill sets on offense.

The Utah Jazz Select Enes Kanter

Player comparison: Al Horford

Enes Kanter is as NBA ready as any player in this year’s class.

He is a decent athlete. He works very hard on both ends of the floor, but he does lack dominance on the defensive end.

Like Al Horford, Kanter has a strong body and is willing to do the dirty work in the paint. Both are very good rebounders and both are capable scorers with their backs to the baskets.

Kanter and Horford also possess a similar face-up game.

Look for Kanter to make a similar impact as Horford his rookie season but eventually Kanter will progress past Horford on the offensive end.

The Cleveland Cavaliers Select Tristan Thompson

Player comparison: Tyrus Thomas

The first surprise of the night is in.

Tristan Thompson has all the tools to be a great presence in the paint.

Thompson can defend, like Tyrus Thomas, and he uses his long arms well to swat shots away. He also does a good job of bodying up and keeping his man from backing him in deep.

Offensively, Thompson has the skill needed and has a good game with his back to the basket. He does not possess much range but he understands how to score and can turn and shoot over either shoulder.

Thompson still lacks polish but he has the energy on defense and the upside on offense to be a solid NBA big man.

The Toronto Raptors Select Jonas Valanciunas

Player comparison: Andres Biedrins

Jonas Valanciunas is a true center who is yet to reach his full potential. So is Andres Biedrins.

Valanciunas may not have much range around the perimeter, but he is a quality finisher down low. He is especially productive when running the pick and roll.

He possesses great hands and is a great finisher around the rim because of his great touch.

Valanciunas is still a bit of a project but in a few years he should make a team very happy with his ability to score around the basket.

The Washington Wizards Select Jan Vesely

Player comparison: Andrei Kirilenko

Jan Vesely and Andrei Kirilenko are both great athletes. They both also lack polish on the offensive end.

Vesely is a great scorer in the open court, and can dunk the ball with authority. He does lack a great outside shot but he could eventually develop more scoring from the outside.

Due to his length, Vesely could be a defensive force like Kirilenko. He can block shots, and can also use his long arms to knock down passes.

Vesely is a raw player on offense, but the athleticism is there and worth taking a chance on.

The Charlotte Bobcats Select Bismack Biyombo

Player comparison: Hasheem Thabeet

Bismack Biyombo is a outstanding player on defense, and physically is ready to play right now. However, like Hasheem Thabeet, Biyombo has no offense at all.

Biyombo has a ridiculous wing span and is intimidating down low with his physical play. In terms of skill though, saying Biyombo is raw would be an understatement.

He uses his body to clear out space down low, and dunk the ball home, but Biyombo cannot do much beyond that.

Defensively, Biyombo is ready to play right now, but unless he can cover his offensive woes up with his defense he will not play for long in the NBA.

The Detroit Pistons Select Brandon Knight

Player comparison: Chauncey Billups

Brandon Knight oozes upside, much the same way Chauncey Billups did when he entered the NBA.

Knight is a point guard, but he also possesses the skill and athleticism to score inside or outside.

Chauncey Billups proved himself to be a great leader with the Detroit Pistons during their championship seasons, and signs point to Knight being a leader as well. He led the Kentucky Wildcats deep into the NCAA Tournament despite a young team, and being only a freshman himself.

Knight should become a solid point guard at the next level, perhaps even better than solid. If he can continue to develop, he could become the next great John Calipari point guards.

The Charlotte Bobcats Select Kemba Walker

Player comparison: Derrick Rose

Kemba Walker may never be an NBA MVP, but he has a skill set similar to Derrick Rose.

Walker is very tough and very fast. He is a very aggressive slasher, and uses his quickness to blow by defenders.

Like Rose, Walker is not a great outside shooter, but he is good enough. He will keep defenders honest.

Walker proved in 2010, that he is a great leader and he knows what it takes to hit big shots at big times.

That mentality will transfer over to the next level, and Walker will be a great locker room presence. He should be a consistent player for years to come.

The Milwaukee Bucks Select Jimmer Fredette

Player comparison: Steve Kerr

The rights to Jimmer Fredette will sadly go to the Sacramento Kings.

Jimmer Fredette has frightening range from the perimeter.

He can knock down a three from anywhere and is not afraid to pull the trigger at any time.

However, Fredette is not a great athlete and is not great on the defensive end. He lacks foot speed and does not possess the superb athleticism needed to excel at the next level.

Fredette is an electric scorer, but beyond that he lacks the rest of the package.

He has the drive and the basketball IQ needed to progress and get better, but Fredette has a long way to go before he is ready to be anything more than a sharpshooter.

The Golden State Warriors Select Klay Thompson

Player comparison: Mike Miller

Klay Thompson, like Mike Miller, is a pure shooter with great scoring ability.

He is a good athlete, but Thompson will earn his money with the ball in his hands. He is a great shooter, and is able to create his own shot. He knows how to move to get open, and thrives when he is in catch and shoot situations.

Mike Miller is a valuable role player because of his outside shot, and Thompson could be at least that in his rookie season.

Look for Thompson to continue to work on his all-around game, and becoming better than Miller.

The Utah Jazz Select Alec Burks

Player comparison: Brandon Roy

Alec Burks is another player in this draft who knows how to score.

He thrives when driving to the rim, and uses his size to finish in traffic. He knows how to get by defenders, and is great at finishing at them rim with contact.

Burks plays with a chip on his shoulder. He has a lot of talent, but he needs to play a more controlled game.

If he can keep himself under control, look for Burks to put up solid numbers off the bench in his rookie season.

The Phoenix Suns Select Markieff Morris

Player comparison: Rasheed Wallace

Markieff Morris may be undersized, but his ability to stretch the floor with his shot makes him valuable.

He is a smart player, and and he is a very safe pick. He is a solid shot blocker on defense and is also a great rebounder.

Morris’ numbers continue to improve. He is athletic, and could be a stretch four much like Rasheed Wallace.

Morris will find his way on to the court early on. He will be a solid contributor in the NBA as a role player for a long time.

The Houston Rockets Select Marcus Morris

Player comparison: Al Harrington

Marcus Morris, like his brother, is a very safe pick.

He understands the game, and also has the ability to stretch the floor with his shot. Morris can play down low, and has the size to play the three or the four. Because of his faceup game, Morris could be very valuable as a small forward.

Morris is a decent rebounder despite being undersized, but he has solid enough hands to make up for some of his size deficiency.

He may never be a superstar but Morris could be a solid role player. He will be a leader, and a player you can count on.

The Indiana Pacers Select Kawhi Leonard

Player comparison: Gerald Wallace

Kawhi Leonard is good at several parts of the game, but he is not great at any one thing.

Leonard is a good defensive player, and has a nose for the ball on the glass.

On offense, Leonard is strong enough to overpower guards, and to quick to be guarded by most forwards. He is not a great shooter by any means, and that sometimes allows players to back off of him to shut down the lane.

Leonard is a solid player who will work hard and contribute off the bench early. He could wind up being an underrated player in the NBA. Just like Gerald Wallace.

The Phiiladelphia 76ers Select Nikola Vucevic

Player comparison: Mehmet Okur

Nikola Vucevic is one of the better shooting big man in this year’s class.

He uses his size well in pick and roll situation, and is great in catch and shoot situations. On top of that, Vucevic is capable of scoring with his back to the basket because of his length.

He needs to get stronger and is not the best athlete but Vucevic could excel in a half-court offense. Like Okur, he is a great stand still shooter who will make you pay for leaving him unguarded. He continues to extend his range, and could develop into a three-point threat in the NBA.

Vucevic needs some work, but he could definitely get there.

The New York Knicks Select Iman Shumpert

Player comparison: Randy Foye

Iman Shumpert's strength is his defense. He is a great athlete who uses his length and his strength to defend multiple positions.

Shumpert is a capable scorer, but he needs to work on his perimeter game, but once again, his athleticism allows him to excel in the open court.

Look for Shumpert to continue to get better, and provide some excitement in the transition offense.

It is no secret the Knicks need defense badly. Shumpert provides just that.

The Washington Wizards Select Chris Singleton

Player comparison: James Posey

In terms of defense, Chris Singleton is the most NBA ready player in this draft.

He can be a lockdown presence on the ball, just like James Posey.

Singleton has good size, but is also quick enough to stick in front of smaller defenders.

On offense, Singleton is still developing but he does show the ability to improve his game.

He is a good athlete, and really understands how to play defense.

Posey was very important to the Boston Celtics when they hung another banner. Singleton could be the like Posey, a glue guy.

The Charlotte Bobcats Select Tobias Harris

Player comparison: Shane Battier

Shane Battier is a leader, a defender, and an average scorer.

Tobias Harris is in tune with those skills, with even more scoring and versatility.

Harris has a long and lanky frame he can use to step away and knock down a jumper. He can also use his size to back a defender down into the paint.

He needs to gain some bulk, but Harris brings a good attitude and should be able to bulk up when needed.

Harris may be a little worse on defense and a little better on offense than Battier, but in terms of body type and mentality they are very similar.

The Minnesota Timberwolves Select Donatas Motiejunas

Player comparison: Pau Gasol

Donatas Motiejunas is still very raw, but he has the game of Pau Gasol.

He is a solid player with his back to the basket, and has great touch around the rim. He is also a good rebounder because of his great hands.

His best asset however, is his perimeter shot. He is a great outside shooter, and he is not afraid to let it fly.

Also like Gasol, Motiejunas is a great passer and will help create movement through the paint with his ability to find his teammates.

Motiejunas’ time is not here yet. He is a player who needs some work, but in a few years he should be a solid NBA big man.

The Portland Trail Blazers Select Nolan Smith

Player comparison: Mario Chalmers

Nolan Smith is an experienced and smart player. He is not the greatest athlete, but he can shoot well enough to make up for it. Smith understands his limits very well and plays within himself.

On defense, Smith is a nuisance and is relentless with his pressure.

Leadership is important, and Smith has the type of attitude to settle into the locker room right away.

Smith will never wow anyone, but he will make big shots. He will be a consistent player and will play for a long time.

The Denver Nuggets Select Kenneth Faried

Player comparison: Udonis Haslem

The best rebounder in this draft is Kenneth Faried. In 2010, he broke Tim Duncan’s all time leading rebounding record for college basketball.

Faried is a relentless rebounder. He has a nose for the ball and hunts every ball down.

On defense, Faried has the same attitude. He is somewhat undersized but he plays with a lot of energy and wreaks havoc.

He is somewhat limited offensively, but gets a lot of put-backs because of his rebounding ability.

Faried will never be a star, but he could be a great energy guy off the bench.

The Houston Rockets Select Nikola Mirotic

Player comparison: Luis Scola

Nikola Mirotic would have been taken in the lottery if he were going to be coming to the NBA next season.

Mirotic can score inside and out, but he will not be in the NBA for another four years.

Mirotic has the whole package. He has a solid all-around game and he plays tough around the hoop.

Pay attention to him in 2015.

The Oklahoma City Thunder Select Reggie Jackson

Player comparison: George Hill

Reggie Jackson knows how to score the basketball. He stands 6'3'' but his long arms give him an advantage over smaller guards.

He can shoot from the outside, and he can also hurt you slashing to the hoop.

Jackson uses his length well on defense. He deflects a fair amount of passes and is a threat on the glass.

The Thunder already have a young nucleus for many years. Jackson could provide depth in the backcourt right away. The same way George Hill has for the San Antonio Spurs, before being traded tonight.

The Boston Celtics Select Marshon Brooks

Player comparison: Nick Young

Everyone compares Marshon Brooks to Kobe Bryant. Brooks is a great scorer, but I wouldn’t go that far.

Brooks can score over you, around you, or under you. He is an electric player with the ball in his hands, and really understands how to get to the basket.

Nick Young is another player who also understands how to score. Both their weaknesses are similar, lack of energy on defense.

If Brooks can polish his overall game and learn to focus on the defensive end, he could be one of the best players in this year’s draft class.

The Dallas Mavericks Select Jordan Hamilton

Player comparison-Steven Jackson

Jordan Hamilton is possibly the most underrated scorer in the NBA Draft.

He can shoot from the outside, and he can also take defenders to the basket using his height.

Defensively, Hamilton is long and athletic. He uses his long arms to deflect passes and also interfere with opposing players shots.

Hamilton is a pure scorer and could eventually develop some of the grit that Steven Jackson brings, their versatility if very similar.

The New Jersey Nets Select Jajuan Johnson

Player comparison: LaMarcus Aldridge

Jajuan Johnson's rights belong to the Boston Celtics.

Johnson is an underrated player. He has a great faceup game, and can step away from the basket. He may not be able to shoot three's consistently, but he has a great midrange game.

His defensive game is also above average. He won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.

Johnson could be a solid contributor in a few years.

The Chicago Bulls Select Norris Cole

Player comparison: Chauncey Stuckey

Norris Cole is a name more people will know in a few seasons work.

Cole has a lot more skill than his small school status would suggest.

He can score inside and outside, he knows how to find his teammates, and he is also an aggressive rebounder.

Cole could surprise people and have an early impact. If not this year, we will hear from Cole sometime down the road.

The San Antonio Spurs Select Cory Joseph

Player comparison: Mike Conley Jr.

The Spurs found a leader in Cory Joseph. He, like Mike Conley Jr., proved he could lead a collegiate team a high level.

Joseph is an unselfish player who does the little things well. He needs to be more assertive on offense. He can be a streaky shooter, but is at his best attacking the rim.

He will need to be worked into the rotation slowly, but with the departure of George Hill, he could see minutes early.

The Chicago Bulls Select Jimmy Butler

Player comparison: Luol Deng

Jimmy Butler is the best story in this year's draft. From being homeless at the age of 13, Butler has now been drafted in the NBA.

Butler is a versatile player who does a lot of things well. He shoots the ball better and continues to improve from the perimeter. He is a good ball handler and can drive to the rim. He has good size and can finish with contact.

Defensively, he is fast enough to defend the three but a little small to guard the four.

Butler could be an underrated player from this draft.