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NBA Draft 2011 Results: 5 Best Second-Round Picks

Adam WellsJun 24, 2011

The 2011 NBA draft is over, and it's time to hand out some grades. Even though we won't be handing out grades in the traditional sense, we will be looking at the teams that found some potential diamonds in the rough.

Let's be honest: In any NBA draft the chances of getting an All-Star-caliber player outside of the top 10 picks are slim. In fact, since 2005 only three players taken outside of the top 10 have made an All-Star team (David Lee, Danny Granger, Rajon Rondo).

When you get to the second round, the odds of finding someone who is even a starter in the league decrease dramatically. There are some notable exceptions, with guys like Monta Ellis and Landry Fields emerging from the second-round abyss to become good players.

So who are those potential diamonds this year?

Here are the five best players taken in the second round who have a legitimate chance to become really good NBA players.

1. Shelvin Mack to Washington at No. 34

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I know that the Wizards have John Wall, but I am not saying that Mack will be starting right away. In fact, I think that his best role in the league will be as a backup point guard who can provide valuable minutes off the bench.

However, he is a very hard worker, and his shooting is underrated. He can shoot a good percentage from beyond the arc. He is a smaller guy, but he isn't afraid to drive to the hoop against bigger defenders. He has decent skills as a ball-handler and passer, though he could stand to get better at both.

He showed during his time at Butler that he has great leadership skills, which you like to see from a point guard. He won't get overwhelmed in the NBA, no matter what the situation might be.

In two or three years, Mack could be a legitimate starting point guard in this league.

2. Justin Harper to Orlando at No. 32

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ESPN's Chad Ford says that scouts have said that Justin Harper reminds them of Rashard Lewis, which is pretty good praise.

Harper is 6'9" and can shoot the ball from the outside. Any tall player that can shoot will likely find a job as a starter in the NBA at some point.

He has to develop his other skills if he wants to crack some team's starting five. He doesn't have the ability to create his own shot, nor does he use his size to drive to the basket. He was content as a jump shooter in college, but that will have to change in the NBA.

His shot is so good, though, that you can see why Orlando fell in love with him enough to move into this spot and grab him.

3. Davis Bertans to San Antonio at No. 42

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I will admit that I tend to give San Antonio the benefit of the doubt whenever it takes a foreign-born player in the second round because we have seen it have so much success in the past.

That said, it's not like Davis Bertans is chopped liver. He was a borderline first-round pick, so to grab him in the middle of the second round represents really good value. He has a great shot and the ability to be a good passer in the NBA.

Bertans is only 18 years old, so he will likely stay in Europe for at least a year before he comes to the United States. It would not be a shock in any way to see him crack the Spurs' starting five in 2013-14.

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4. Josh Selby to Memphis at No. 49

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I know that the name "Josh Selby" sends Kansas Jayhawk fans into a frenzy because of how unbelievably mediocre he was during his freshman season, but that raw potential everyone was talking about as he entered college last year is still there.

It may be that he is just one those guys that looks good in an empty gym surrounded by talent evaluators, but he is still young enough that it's hard to completely dismiss the way that he works out.

He plays solid defense, though it's not spectacular. He needs to improve his shot if he wants to make it in the NBA because he isn't going to be a point guard, or at least he shouldn't be.

I would like to see him add some bulk and switch to 2-guard. That way he doesn't have to control the offense, and he can have someone else set him up for open looks instead of having to create them himself.

5. Kyle Singler to Detroit at No. 33

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Kyle Singler might be the most disliked player in this draft class just because he was at Duke for so long, and everyone has to hate Duke for some reason.

It doesn't mean that he isn't a solid NBA prospect with a chance to be something more with the right coaching and development.

He is a very good passer and defender. He is going to grind opponents down with his toughness. He can grab rebounds. He needs to add some bulk to his small frame, but the right exercise program can fix that really quick.

He is not an athletic guy but makes up for that with his drive and determination. He could play the 2 or 3 in the NBA and hold his own against better competition if he gets more muscular.


For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for NBA draft results and NBA draft grades.

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