2011 NBA Draft Grades: Was Nikola Vucevic the Right Choice for 76ers at No. 16?

With the 16th overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft on Thursday, the Philadelphia 76ers drafted USC center Nikola Vucevic, a player who rose significantly since the end of the college basketball season.

Given Vucevic was selected before Texas forward Jordan Hamilton-who would have been a nice successor to Andre Iguodala- I think I heard 76ers fans crying out in anguish all the way across the country in Philly.

Also, given Hamilton was a better talent than Vucevic, it appeared the 76ers were headed for disaster with the selection, as history has suggested reaching for need over talent generally ends up horribly for NBA teams.

But not only was grabbing Vucevic the right move for the 76ers on draft day, Hamilton and Vucevic may not be far apart in regards to talent, either.

I think there's no question Hamilton has more talent, as one of the most explosive scorers in college basketball last season, but Chad Ford of ESPN, in reference to what NBA teams thought, had Hamilton and Vucevic both ranked in the same tier in his tier system.

The tier system, which has been gradually implemented throughout the years, works like this: prospects are grouped into tiers based on talent, then teams look at their needs in these tiers. If, say, the 76ers want a center, but there are players available that are much more talented, it keeps the 76ers from reaching for that center.

But Vucevic was in the same tier as Hamilton this year.

On top of that, how many true centers (i.e. with NBA size) do you see succeed in the NBA?

They are tremendously hard to find, maybe more than any other type of player.

Vucevic not only has NBA size at 7'0", 260 pounds, there's a reason he soared into the first round after his junior campaign with the Trojans: people began to take notice.

Vucevic averaged 17.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks last season. He also had some very impressive workouts before the draft.

He has soft touch around the rim, a nice face-up game, is a solid rebounder and he shot nearly 35 percent from three-point range last season. What more do you want?

Ford gave the 76ers a "C" grade for their selection of Vucevic, yet he noted, "Vucevic is huge and skilled. I doubt he'll become a star, but he's going to be solid on both ends of the floor."

No one expects Vucevic to be a star, but if he becomes a solid starting center in the NBA, that's a victory for the 76ers, not only because it fills a need, but because they have one of those rare true centers who has succeeded in the league.

Those 76ers fans who I heard cry out in shock should reserve judgment for now; I think Vucevic is going to surprise them.