NBA Draft 2011 Results: 9 Teams That Improved in First Round

With the first round just finishing, it is time to analyze which teams improved the most in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. Even though this was one of the weaker overall classes in recent years, there are a few teams that dramatically improved their overall team through the draft.

Big names like Jimmer Fredette, Kyrie Erving and Kemba Walker came off the board. These players will be among the next generation of stars that will try to immediately impact each of the teams they were selected by.

Let's see which teams improved with their first round selection(s).

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers made two excellent selections in Kyrie Irving at No. 1 and Tristan Thompson at No. 4. 

Cavs now have their franchise point guard to build around. Kyrie Irving will start as a score first point guard and should develop into a better passer as he matures. He brings a much needed scoring threat from the backcourt.

Tristan Thompson will create a very strong, athletic front court for the Cavs with Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson.

Minnesota Timberwolves

With the selection of Derrick Williams at pick No. 2, the Timberwolves have an excellent backcourt that can play together for a decade.

Kevin Love and Derrick Williams will create huge problems for most teams down low. Derrick will bring excellent athleticism and will be a big time scorer to complement the curent Timberwolves players.

Sacramento Kings

With the 10th overall pick Jimmer Fredette was chosen by the Milwaukee Bucks, who traded his rights to the Sacramento Kings. He should compete right away to be the starting point guard.

He joins a very talented, but inexperienced Kings team. They have built a great young nucleus of Jimmer Fredette, Tyreke Evans, and DeMarcus Cousins. 

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs continued their domination of the NBA Draft process by trading for Kawhi Leonard at No. 15 and choosing Cory Joseph at No. 29. 

The Spurs got an very good value on Leonard outside of the lottery. He will fit perfectly into their team mentality of defense first and is a surprisingly good athlete.

Cory Joseph will come in and try to learn the offense from Tony Parker. He is still very young and can spend a few years backing up Parker before he needs to play significant minutes.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons got great value in Brandon Knight at pick No. 8. He will learn the offense from a great young player in Rodney Stuckey.

Brandon Knight will look to follow in the footsteps of former Callipari Freshman PGs in John Wall and Derrick Rose. He provides great athleticism and has the chance to develop into a very good player in a few years.

Charlotte Bobcats

Bobcats traded for a high upside forward in Bismack Biyombo at No. 7 and picked up a great scoring guard in Kemba Walker at No. 9.

Bismack Biyombo is a raw player, but provides amazing athleticism to a Bobcats backcourt that could use an upgrade. He should be an immediate defensive boost for the Bobcats.

Kemba Walker will provide a great scoring guard. He was a college superstar, that could score at will. He will get major playing time early and will be counted on for a good chunk of scoring.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz had two lottery picks where they chose Enes Kanter with the third overall pick and then chose Alec Burks with the 12th pick.

Enes Kanter is a great big man that can score from all over the floor. He will form a good backcourt for the Jazz with Okur and Favors. Will be counted on to provide points to a struggling offensive team.

Alec Burks comes the the Jazz with the ability to score points and will provide great athleticism. He is still very young and can be a boost off the bench for the Jazz early on in his career.

Denver Nuggets

With the 22nd pick overall, the Denver Nuggets took F Kenneth Faried. He is a hard working big man, that is a rebound machine. He will be compared to Paul Millsap, but has better athleticism.

A really quality pick in the back end of the first round, that can really be a steal of the draft. He will grab rebounds, play defense and has the chance to develop an offensive game.

Toronto Raptors

With the No. 5 pick overall, many think the Raptors chose the next great international player in Jonas Valanciunas. He will form an outstanding backcourt with Andrea Bargnani that will have many years to grow and develop.

Jonas is very athletic for a seven-footer and is known for his dunking skills in Europe. He provides the good inside game to complement Bargnani's outside game.