2011 NBA Draft Grades: 5 Teams That Became Playoff Contenders After Draft Night
Can you believe that the 2011 NBA draft has already come and gone?
It seems like just yesterday we were tirelessly running through mock drafts, checking scouting reports and following all the latest rumors and shakeup regarding the draft.
The 2011 NBA draft was one of the most interesting in recent memory though, and I think that there were a few teams that may have kick started their hopes of being a playoff contender with their draft picks.
Here’s a look at five teams that became playoff contenders after draft night.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
1 of 5Let me tell ya folks, I really like the way the Timberwolves are building up there in Minnesota.
Unfortunately, they are in the Western Conference, which means it will be very tough for them to make the playoffs, but I think they have built a core that has an outside chance of making a run.
The problem is that they have quite a logjam in their frontcourt, so they are going to have to start moving some of those big men around.
The combination of Kevin Love and Derrick Williams is going to be tremendous looking into the future though, so if they can somehow lock up a point guard than I think they will be on the right track.
4. Charlotte Bobcats
2 of 5The Bobcats addressed two essential needs right off the bat in the draft.
Taking Bismack Biyombo No. 7 overall is going to work out well for the Bobcats. He is an athletic freak and is extremely intelligent. I think in time, his offense will catch up to his defense, and he could be great.
Kemba Walker at No. 9 though is an absolute steal, and I think he may be the guy who puts this team over the edge and into the Eastern Conference Playoffs next season.
3. Sacramento Kings
3 of 5The Sacramento Kings just went from a near dead organization to one of the most entertaining teams in the league. At least there is the prospect for that.
For all the hype and negative press that Jimmer Fredette has received in the past few months, I think it will eventually even out, and we will see a very good player up in Sac-town.
Don’t forget that he was the best player in the whole NCAA in 2010, and he is easily the most explosive player in the draft.
Fredette alone will sell tickets, but when you put him together with Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins, and I think we have a very young version of a potential offensively driven “big three.”
2. New Jersey Nets
4 of 5The Nets did some good groundwork on their plan to keep Deron Williams around, so I think making a strong push for the playoffs is possible next season.
At No. 25 New Jersey got a player that some people considered to have lottery talent in Marshon Brooks.
He was arguably one of the best scorers in the draft, and I think he will come in and instantly contribute at shooting guard. Of course, having Deron Williams run the show for him is going to help tremendously as well.
1. Detroit Pistons
5 of 5The Detroit Pistons really helped their chances for making the playoffs this year, and they did it all in the 2011 NBA draft.
First off all, the fact that Brandon Knight fell to them at No. 8 overall is near miraculous, but all the credit in the world has to go to Joe Dumars for actually having the guts to draft him even though he didn’t fill any of the team’s needs.
Knight alone has the potential to turn this franchise around, but the big question has to be whether or not he can tap that potential.
Singler at No. 33 is a very interesting pick because I think he could go either way, but my gut is telling me that he is going to be a solid role player.
I think if the Pistons can couple this great draft with a few trades to get rid of the logjam in the backcourt than I can see them making the playoffs.
Follow Andrew on Twitter: @AKonSports
