The 2011 NBA Draft will occur on June 23rd at 7:00 pm ET at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. It's where a basketball players dreams and aspirations are finally realized and confirmed. It's their introduction into the NBA.
**Update**
2011 NBA Draft First Round Picks
- Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyrie Irving
- Timberwolves - Derrick Williams
- Jazz Enes Kanter
- Cavaliers - Tristan Thompson
- Raptors - Jonas Valanciunas
- Wizards - Jan Vesely
- Kings - Bismack Biyombo
- Pistons - Brandon Knight
- Bobcats - Kemba Walker
- Bucks - Jimmer Fredette
- Warriors - Klay Thompson
- Jazz - Alec Buck
- Suns - Markieff Morris
- Rockets - Marcus Morris
- Pacers - Kawhi Leonard
- 76'ers - Nikola Vucevic
- Knicks - Iman Shumpert
- Wizards - Chris Singleton
- Bobcats - Tobias Harris
- Timberwovles - Donatas Motiejunas
- Trail Blazers - Nolan Smith
- Nuggets - Kenneth Faried
- Rockets - Nikola Mirotic
- Thunder - Reggie Jackson
- Celtics - Marshon Brooks
- Mavericks - Jordan Hamilton
- Nets - JaJuan Johnson
- Bulls - Norris Cole
- Spurs - Cory Joseph
- Bulls - Jimmy Butler
The NBA is a place that a can make a basketball player a household name, it can
secure their financial status for the rest of their lives, it's also a place
where dreams don't come true. The NBA Draft is the measuring stick of a
basketball player's playing ability according to the respective NBA teams.
Sometimes teams make the obvious correct first choice like Patrick Ewing, and sometimes teams completely miss the boat like selecting Michael Olowokandi.
There are other teams that are lucky to pick up a Manu Ginobli in the 2nd round
while other teams select Sam Bowie before Michael Jordan. Most of the time,
teams are fairly accurate in the first 5 to 10 picks but from then on, it can be a
hit or a miss.
I don't profess to know where every player will go without error. What I can do
is mention picks that seem evident and possible destinations for some highly
identifiable players. Let's take a closer look at this year's draft.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
Cleveland has two of the top four picks in the draft thanks to the NBA Draft Lottery and a trade. Things will get
complicated with them already having Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions at point
guard. Although Kyrie Irving only played 11 games for Duke, he's a young franchise
point guard that simply can't be bypassed.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves - Derrick Williams, SF, Arizona
It's either Irving or Williams here and Cleveland will most definitely take
Irving, Minnesota will choose the next best player available which is Derrick
Williams. With Michael Beasley and Anthony Randolph already filling similar
positions. The Wolves are also going for the best available player. Williams
averaged 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
3. Utah Jazz - Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
Devin Harris isn't a star point guard and at this pick the Jazz will be looking
for a quality player. The obvious need is at the point guard position due to
the trade of Deron Williams to the Nets. Knight is an active, efficient player
from a top level college.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Enes Kantner, F/C, Kentucky
Has the potential to be the best big man in the draft. Was invited back by the
Cavs after a strong workout with Tristan Thompson. Cleveland can use the size.
It's the best player scenario again, which is always open for trading
possibilities.
5. Toronto Raptors - Kemba Walker- PG- Connecticut
This is an emotional player with leadership skills. His team was underestimated
and they basically ran the table from the Big East Tournament to the National
Championship. Not a pure point guard but a good pick for a team in need. He does
lack size but makes up for it with heart.
6. Washington Wizards - Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State
It's a toss up between Leonard and Vesley.He fills a need at the forward
position. Not a great shooter but did manage to put up 15.4 points and 10.7 rebounds
per game. Solid defensive player. Washington could be his destination.
7. Sacramento Kings - Jan Vesley, SF, Czech Republic
Not a great offensive player but an athletic player with potential. The
combination of size and athleticism makes him an appealing prospect. Just one of the many international players expected to go in the first round.
Bodog has betting odds listed for the total of Intl. players to go in the first round. With the line total set at 7, this is just one of the many NBA betting options that books are offering for NBA bettors to get in on the action in the off season.
8. Detroit Pistons - Bismack Bioyombo- C, Congo
This player has Ben Wallace written all over him. He's a good shot blocker
that's not a scorer and is a scraper that will do the blue collar work.
9. Charlotte Bobcats - Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas
Has a polished offensive game at 17.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game that
Charlotte can desperately use. Looks like a solid NBA player
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Klay Thompson - SG, Washington State
Another toss up between Thompson and Alec Burks of Colorado. Both men are
highly skilled 20 plus per game scorers that can rebound at 6 foot 6. An great
shooter that would definitely fit in the Bucks squad. This is a pick where it
can go either way with Burks but I'm giving Thompson the nod in regards to his
toughness.
Other Possibilities
As I mentioned before, if Alec Burks doesn't get picked 10, he'll be snatched
up in the 11th spot by Golden State
Jimmer Fredette - It's pretty much common knowledge that Larry Bird would take
Jimmer with the 15th pick for Indiana if he was available. The Knicks have
mentioned that they would trade up for him. This is where we might have a
problem. I projected that Brandon Knight would be picked 3rd by Utah, which
would make it difficult for Utah to pickup their hometown hero Fredette at
number 12. I say Utah throws caution to the wind and picks Fredette.
If that didn't happen, expect Phoenix at 13 or Indiana at 15 to take this
scoring wiz. He won't be the player that he was in college but he'll still be a
good NBA player.
Knicks - Have needs at the center and guard positions. They can possibly make
some draft time moves. Other possibilities include Marshon Brooks and
Nikola Vucevic. Brooks is expected to go later than the Knicks number 17
position but he's a true scorer at 24.6 points and 7 rebounds per game. Vucevic
played for a good USC and would give New York size and the ability to score.
San Antonio - Nolan Smith of the Duke Blue Devils was credited as a top level
player and leader. He seems to be projected to go in the 2nd round. I think
that he would be a good fit for the Spurs in the 1st round at the 29th pick. He
fits the Spurs style of team ball, can score, and is a good citizen on and off
the court.
The San Antonio Spurs have just announced that they would be willing to trade Tony Parker for a higher draft pick, and the rumor is that they are negotiating this with the Sacramento Kings and the Toronto Raptors.
There's lot's of talent in this year's draft and one possible unexpected pick
by one team, can affect the picks of many other teams. Some notable players
include Markieff Morris, Chris Singleton, Donatas Motiejunas, Jordan Hamilton,
Kenneth Faried, Trey Thompkins, Reggie Jackson, Kyle Singler, and Tyler Honeycutt.
Some of these players could end up being NBA Stars and other players could be
bench warmers that play overseas within 1 year or more. Deciphering whose
better, Darko Milicic or Carmelo Anthony, Detroit made a monstrous mistake that
day, but that's the excitement that the NBA Draft brings.