Final NBA Mock Draft
As many of know the 2011 NBA Draft coverage will start today at 7:00 Eastern Time in Newark, New Jersey. It should somewhere around 7:30 Eastern Time.
As many of know the 2011 NBA Draft coverage will start today at 7:00 Eastern Time in Newark, New Jersey. It should somewhere around 7:30 Eastern Time.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving PG Duke As the draft draws near there is still some uncertainty what the pick is but I still believe Irving is the guy for the Cavs. Other than Derrick he is the only player in this draft that could develop into a superstar but in a weak draft no one's a given. He may be a little heavier than some scouts want and doesn't possess elite athleticism like Chris Paul but one could argue Deron Williams doesn't either.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves, Derrick Williams SF/PF Arizona Williams stock started to raise gradually in the beginning of the season and after his top notch performance against the mighty Duke Blue Devils his stock started to shoot up quicker than a Justin Verlander fastball. He possesses the ability to score in bunches and could be a potential star if Wolves new point guard, Ricky Rubio could find him some good looks.
3. Utah Jazz, Brandon Knight PG Kentucky After Deron Williams was traded to Mikhail Prokhorov's New Jersey Nets it was widely known around the league that if the Jazz could get another good starting point guard in free agency or the draft they'd jump on it. Knight has the ability to score when needed but is probably a better facilitator than his fellow point guards, Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette. He is just another one of Calipari's points guards to enter the NBA Draft.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers, Enes Kanter C Kentucky Kanter didn't play his freshman year at Kentucky after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA because he was considered a "pro" after he accepted money from his previous contracts with other International teams. Although he may be a slight bit rusty in game situations he still managed to play in the team's practices and learn the game from one of the best NCAA coaches in Jon Calipari. Even if only one of Irving and Kanter were to pan out the Cavs would be an up and coming team
5. Toronto Raptors, Kemba Walker PG UCONN Walker is a proven winner and would most likely step into the starting role for the Raptors due to an aging Calderon. Kemba is a special talent who can score at will in the NCAA but may lack the height to do that in the NBA. Although he was a polished college player my guess would be he would have to adjust to the NBA a little more than his peers because he's used to being "the man" wherever he plays (although I guess Jimmer is too). With Derozan already in hand and continuing to improve his game this could be the start of a bright future, without Chris Bosh.
6. Washington Wizards, Jan Vesely SF International After acquiring John Wall with the number one pick last year the Wizards are still in their rebuilding project. They still could stand to wait a little while longer than some of the other teams in the lottery teams because currently they lack a true star and are hoping Wall could be their man and Javale Mcgee to be a suitable #2 player. Enter Jan Vesely, a 6' 11" small forward with superb athletic skills. He may need a couple seasons for develop for he lacks an arsenal of weapons but could pan out to be a complement to John Wall.
7. Sacramento Kings, Jonas Valanciunas C International It is hard to pinpoint exactly where Valanciunas could go because he's a risky pick. He is still raw but could develop into a beast down low. He could be nearly unstoppable in a pick and roll game with Kings PG/SG Tyreke Evans. He may not be a great fit for a team with DeMarcus Cousins already at center but Cousins could slide over to the 4 when Valanciunas was ready to move into the starting line up.
8. Detroit Pistons, Kawhi Leonard SF San Diego State He may have never really played elite competition until the NCAA Tournament but after San Diego State became recognized as a force to be reckoned with Kawhi started to enter into many mock drafts. After being more televised and having a successful year Kawhi started to climb to a top ten pick. Kawhi is a coveted piece in this draft for multiple reasons. He has extremely large hands, a large wingspan, and a large will to win. He was generally thought of as a poor shooter but seems to be improving. He could turn out to be a real good player.
9. Charlotte Bobcats, Tristan Thompson PF Texas Thompson possesses elite rebounding skills but has a weak offensive game that could use development. His willingness to want to succeed could be vital to his offensive improvement. I would guess that down the road he might be able to develop an arsenal of moves in the low post but I doubt he ever develops a smooth jump shot. He could develop into a good player but I just don't think he'll ever develop into a star player or anything close to that.
3. Utah Jazz, Brandon Knight PG Kentucky After Deron Williams was traded to Mikhail Prokhorov's New Jersey Nets it was widely known around the league that if the Jazz could get another good starting point guard in free agency or the draft they'd jump on it. Knight has the ability to score when needed but is probably a better facilitator than his fellow point guards, Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette. He is just another one of Calipari's points guards to enter the NBA Draft.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers, Enes Kanter C Kentucky Kanter didn't play his freshman year at Kentucky after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA because he was considered a "pro" after he accepted money from his previous contracts with other International teams. Although he may be a slight bit rusty in game situations he still managed to play in the team's practices and learn the game from one of the best NCAA coaches in Jon Calipari. Even if only one of Irving and Kanter were to pan out the Cavs would be an up and coming team
5. Toronto Raptors, Kemba Walker PG UCONN Walker is a proven winner and would most likely step into the starting role for the Raptors due to an aging Calderon. Kemba is a special talent who can score at will in the NCAA but may lack the height to do that in the NBA. Although he was a polished college player my guess would be he would have to adjust to the NBA a little more than his peers because he's used to being "the man" wherever he plays (although I guess Jimmer is too). With Derozan already in hand and continuing to improve his game this could be the start of a bright future, without Chris Bosh.
6. Washington Wizards, Jan Vesely SF International After acquiring John Wall with the number one pick last year the Wizards are still in their rebuilding project. They still could stand to wait a little while longer than some of the other teams in the lottery teams because currently they lack a true star and are hoping Wall could be their man and Javale Mcgee to be a suitable #2 player. Enter Jan Vesely, a 6' 11" small forward with superb athletic skills. He may need a couple seasons for develop for he lacks an arsenal of weapons but could pan out to be a complement to John Wall.
7. Sacramento Kings, Jonas Valanciunas C International It is hard to pinpoint exactly where Valanciunas could go because he's a risky pick. He is still raw but could develop into a beast down low. He could be nearly unstoppable in a pick and roll game with Kings PG/SG Tyreke Evans. He may not be a great fit for a team with DeMarcus Cousins already at center but Cousins could slide over to the 4 when Valanciunas was ready to move into the starting line up.
8. Detroit Pistons, Kawhi Leonard SF San Diego State He may have never really played elite competition until the NCAA Tournament but after San Diego State became recognized as a force to be reckoned with Kawhi started to enter into many mock drafts. After being more televised and having a successful year Kawhi started to climb to a top ten pick. Kawhi is a coveted piece in this draft for multiple reasons. He has extremely large hands, a large wingspan, and a large will to win. He was generally thought of as a poor shooter but seems to be improving. He could turn out to be a real good player.
9. Charlotte Bobcats, Tristan Thompson PF Texas Thompson possesses elite rebounding skills but has a weak offensive game that could use development. His willingness to want to succeed could be vital to his offensive improvement. I would guess that down the road he might be able to develop an arsenal of moves in the low post but I doubt he ever develops a smooth jump shot. He could develop into a good player but I just don't think he'll ever develop into a star player or anything close to that.
10. Milwaukee Bucks, Klay Thompson SG Washington State Thompson is the son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson. He has above average size for his position at 6' 7" and could prove to be a solid piece to a Bucks team which was two wins away from a possible playoff appearance. Although he's been charged for possession of marijuana he doesn't seem to have many character issues. He will most likely be a useful spot up shooter in the NBA. With the lightning quick Brandon Jennings already here Thompson could get a plethora of open jump shots.
