NBA Draft 2011: Grading Each Pick of the Second Round

The 2011 NBA draft is officially a thing of the past, so it's now time to see which teams made good moves in the second round and which team's made the wrong moves in the second round.

With proven players such as David Lighty and Ben Hansbrough never hearing their names called and two unheard of players such as Chukwediebere Maduabum and Targuy Ngombo hearing their names called, the second round of the 2011 NBA draft had it's fair share of surprises.

What grade did the newest edition to your favorite NBA team end up with?   

1. Miami Heat: Bojan Bogdanovic

*Traded to New Jersey Nets

GRADE: C+

The small forward from Bosnia is a good perimeter scorer who averaged nearly 19 points last year in Europe, and he should be a versatile forward for the Net's in the coming years.

The problem with this pick is that Bogdanovic will not even suit up for the Nets next season unless his contract is bought out. 

New Jersey is trying to convince Derron Williams to re-sign, they need players to help them win now—not a year or two from now.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers: Justin Harper

*Traded to the Orlando Magic

GRADE: A

Justin Harper had the talent to be selected in the first round, so the Cavaliers made a good pick here on Harper.

The Cavaliers traded Harper to the Orlando Magic for two future second-round picks, so Cleveland can continue rebuilding their roster in future drafts.

Harper is a smooth shooting small forward who can create his own shot and should be a solid option for the Orlando Magic playing behind Hedo Turkoglu. 

3. Detroit Pistons: Kyle Singler

GRADE: B-

The Detroit Pistons grab one of the more popular names in the 2011 NBA draft in Duke's Kyle Singler. 

Singler is a proven winner and will help the rebuilding Pistons. To me though, Singler was not the best avaiable small forward on the board. UCLA's Tyler Honeycutt is the better overall player, and he has a much higher cieling then Kyle Singler does.

Singler is by no means a bad player, but Honeycutt would have provided more potential for the Pistons.  

4. Washington Wizards: Shelvin Mack

GRADE: A

The Washington Wizards came away with one of the best overall drafts, and Shelvin Mack was one reason why. The Wizards get a reliable backup point guard for John Wall while also adding a good locker-room guy.

Shelvin Mack had a standout, three-year career at Butler and helped lead them to back-to-back national title appearances.

Mack was the best point guard available here, and Washington jumped on him.

5. Sacramento Kings: Tyler Honeycutt

GRADE: A+

The Sacramento Kings get one of my few A+ rankings here with Tyler Honeycutt, and it's well deserved. 

Tyler Honeycutt was easily a first-round talent, but he slipped into the second much to the pleasure of the Sacramento Kings organization.

Honeycutt led the PAC-10 in blocks last year, but he thrives more on the offensive end where he boasts a nice jumper and ability to get to the rim. 

Honeycutt is only a sophomore and has potential to be one of the steals of the second round.

6. New Jersey Nets: Jordan Williams

GRADE: A

The New Jersey Nets were going after a center and Jordan Williams was by far the best one on the board at this point. 

Jordan Williams is a big bodied post player who will use his 255-pound frame to his advantage in the rebounding game and also when backing defenders down on the offensive end.

The Nets have a legitimate backup for Brook Lopez in Jordan Williams.

7. L.A. Clippers: Trey Thompkins

GRADE: B+

The Clippers have their starting power forward in Blake Griffin, they now have a big-time backup in Georgia's Trey Thompkins.

Thompkins averaged over 16 points per game last year for the Bulldog's while blocking 50 shots which were the most blocked shots recorded by a Bulldog player in over 15 years.

Clipper fans and NBA fans alike have to be excited about the sheer athleticism that the Clippers possess. 

8. Houston Rockets: Chandler Parsons

GRADE: B-

Chandler Parsons brings a unique style to the Houston Rockets. He is a 6'10'' forward who can score from the perimeter and also facilitate from the perimeter.

Parson's never seemed to fully develop during his four years with the Gators, so I'm not to sold on the upside for Chandler Parson's, but he gives the Rockets a different look.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Jeremy Tyler

*Traded to Golden State

GRADE: B

The Golden State Warriors take on a bit of a risk here with Jeremy Tyler. 

Tyler dropped out of High school his senior year to go play basketball overseas, though it's safe to say he failed to impress. 

I give the Warriors a "B" with this pick (from Charlotte) because of the potential Tyler has. He's a 6'11'', 260-pound power forward who is only 20 years old. 

The Warrior already have David Lee to play the four position, so they can take on a bit of a risk/reward project in Jeremy Tyler.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Jon Leuer

GRADE: B-

The Milwaukee Bucks selected Jon Leuer with their second-round pick, and they get a highly effective power forward on the offensive end who should lineup nicely alongside Andrew Bogut. 

Leuer averaged over 18 points per game last year for the Wisconsin Badgers, and he has an impressive offensive game for a 6'11'' power forward. Leuer is only 225 pounds though, so he will have his work cut out against the bigger NBA forwards and will have to work even harder on the boards.

11. L.A. Lakers: Darius Morris

GRADE: A+

The Lakers are desperate for youth at the Point Guard position, and I think they get one of the top sleepers in the second round with Darius Morris.

Morris has great size at 6'5'' and with averages of 15 points and seven assists in 2010, the ability is there for Morris to one day start for the Lakers.

Once again, the Lakers front office did their homework, and I think they have their point guard of the future in Darius Morris.

12. Indiana Pacers: Davis Bertans

*Traded to the San Antonio Spurs

GRADE: C-

At only 18 years of age, Davis Bertans will stay in Europe for a few years before we even see him in the NBA. 

I realize the Spurs are one of the best team's at identifying and finding overseas's talent, but the Spurs need help now. San Antonio is not getting any younger, and the Spurs need some young legs in their lineup now, not three to four years from now.

13. Chicago Bulls: Malcolm Lee

GRADE: A

Malcolm Lee gives the Chicago Bulls some much needed depth at the shooting guard position, so this was the right pick for the Bulls.

Malcolm Lee averaged over 13 points per game last year for the UCLA Bruins. Lee is a developing shooter and at 6'6'' has great size to defend opposing players, something Lee must work at to get playing time with the defensive minded Chicago Bulls.

14. Golden State Warriors: Charles Jenkins

GRADE: A

This pick seems to solidify the fact that Monta Ellis is on his way out of the Golden State organization. 

Charles Jenkins averaged over 22 points per game last year for Hofstra, and at 6'3'', 220 pounds, he's a physical player that has good bulk and ability to use his power to get to the rim, while also demonstrating a smooth release from the perimeter.

The Mark Jackson officially begun with the pick of Charles Jenkins, and I think Jackson's first move as head coach of the Warriors was the right one.

15. New Orleans Hornets: Josh Harrellson

*Traded to the New York Knicks

GRADE: D-

I'm not exactly sure what the New York Knick's were trying to accomplish in either round of the draft and acquiring Josh Harrellson from the Hornets proves my point.

I see little to no upside in Harrellson, and his seven points and eight rebound averages from last year don't bode well for the Center.

Harrellson was a senior and seniors need to show more production throughout their college careers to even get drafted. I understand the Knick's need depth in the paint, but Harrellson is not the answer. 

16. L.A. Lakers: Andrew Goudelock

GRADE: A

The Lakers snag another playmaker here with Andrew Goudelock. The senior from Charleston University averaged nearly 24 points per game last year, including a 31-point game against Tennessee and 27-point game against Maryland.

L.A. has themselves a pure scorer who should be an instant form of offense off the bench in 2011.

17. L.A. Clippers: Travis Leslie

GRADE: A

Travis Leslie is by far the most athletic player in this years draft class, and he is also a very good defender—something the Clippers always seem to be in need of.

Leslie will be sure to energize fans whenever he is in the game with his dunking ability alone. If he can continue to improve his outside shot he could be a solid role player for years to come. 

18. Atlanta Hawks: Keith Benson

Grade: A

The Hawks need help in the frontcourt, so Keith Benson is a great fit for them.

Benson was statistically the most productive center in college basketball last year, with averages of 18 points,10 boards and nearly four blocks per game.

Despite going to a smaller University (Oakland), Benson put up big time numbers in prime time games: 22 points and 16 boards against West Virginia and 26 points with 10 boards against Tennessee.

19. Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Selby

GRADE: A+

The Memphis Grizzlies get easily the best value pick in the second round here with Kansas's Josh Selby.

Selby was the No. 3 ranked recruit in the nation coming into his freshman year at Kansas, and although he had a disappointing year, the potential is there.

With the Memphis Grizzlies already having Mike Conley and Greivis Vasquez, they can afford to let Selby develop in the organization for a couple of years.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: Lavoy Allen

GRADE: C+

Temple's Lavoy Allen is nothing to be to excited about for the 76ers, though he does add some size to their frontcourt, and with Elton Brand not getting any younger, they will need another forward. 

Allen never averaged more then 11 points per game during his four-year career at Temple but solid rebounder and defender. 

21. Portland Trail-Blazers: Jon Diebler

GRADE: A

Some people are down on this pick and I'm not sure why. 

No, Diebler is not the most Athletic guy in the draft by any means, but he is however the best three-point shooter in the draft—even better then Jimmer Fredette, actually a full five percent better overall three-point shooter then Jimmer.

If you look at Portland's roster, there really aren't many holes if any. One thing they do lack is a three-point specialist, and that is precisely with Diebler is. 

When you shoot over 50 percent from the three-point line, you have a spot on an NBA team. Blazers fans will be happy with the addition of Diebler.

22. Detroit Pistons: Vernon Macklin

GRADE: C

Vernon Macklin is a hard working, physical power forward that averaged over 11 points and five rebounds during his senior campaign with the Florida Gators last year.

Macklin is a hustle/rebounding type of player and not much more, but with a late pick in the second round, you know what your getting with Macklin. 

23. Orlando Magic: DeAndre Liggins

GRADE: D-

The Magic needed a perimeter defender with this pick, and they got one—just not the right one.

David Lighty was on the board here and was the better overall prospect in nearly every statistical category. 

Liggins is a solid defender, but with the Magic being a three-point shooting team, I would rather have the player that percentage wise shoots better at every spot on the court that is also just as good a defender. 

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Milan Macvan

GRADE: F

Sorry Cleveland fans, but when your team has a need at nearly every position, you can't afford to waste any pick on a player that may never even wear the wine and gold.

Their were other productive players on the board, such as Purdue's E'Twaun Moore, who could provide more near future help. 

25. Boston Celtics: E'Twaun Moore

GRADE: B+

E'Twaun Moore averaged over 18 points per game last year for the Purdue Boilermakers, and I think this is a good value pick for the Celtics.

Boston needs some young legs at nearly every position, and I think Moore can provide a spark off the bench as a shooting guard. 

26. L.A. Lakers: Chukwudiebere Maduabum

*Traded to Denver Nuggets

GRADE: C+

Who? That was most likely the word out of nearly every viewers mouth when the Lakers selected Chukwudiebere Maduabum.

The pick has since been traded to the Denver Nuggets for a future second-round pick, but Maduabum is a 6'9'' power forward from Nigeria who, once he arrives in the US, should be a defensive force. 

27. Dallas Mavericks: Targuy Ngombo

Grade: C

Though not much has been reported about Ngombo, he is a 6'6'' small forward from Congolese-Qatari.

If the Dallas Mavericks are giving the 21-year-old a shot, they must see some upside in him.

28: L.A. Lakers: Ater Majok

GRADE: D-

Ater Majok appears as a long shot to make the Lakers roster. Majok played for Connecticut during the 2009-2010 season where he averaged only 2.3 points and 1.6 blocks per game.

The Lakers mush see something in Ater Majok that I'm missing. With Ron Artest appearing to be at the end of his career, a lock-down defender such as David Lighty from Ohio State would have fit the bill here.

29: San Antonio Spurs: Adam Hanga

GRADE: C+

Adam Hanga has good size for a shooting guard at 6'7'' and has exceptional athleticism for a European player. With the second to last pick in the draft, the Spurs can used this one as a gamble pick that I think will pay off. 

This could end up being one of those San Antonio late-round picks we end up hearing about a few years down the road, once again though, the Spurs need youth now. 

30. Sacramento Kings: Isiah Thomas

GRADE: A-

For the last pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the Sacramento Kings made the most of it. 

Isaiah Thomas declared after three years with the Washington Huskies, where he averaged over 16 points and six assists during his junior year. 

Isiah dropped most likely because he only stands 5'9'', but I think the Kings knew what they were doing with this pick, and Thomas should find himself a roster spot in the coming season.