2011 NBA Mock Draft Part I
To view part 2 of the mock draft and picks 16-30 click here.
Let’s get started predicting the first 15 picks of the 2011 NBA draft.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers select Kyrie Irving-A good point guard is key in the NBA, and the Cavaliers will get their man in Irving. There is no surprise here.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves select Derrick Williams-While Williams jives a bit with MIchael Beasley who is already on the Timberwolves roster, they would be foolish to pass on the athletic forward. Beasley may get traded if Williams is selected. Their only other option would be Enes Kanter since they are now set at PG with Ricky Rubio coming to the states.
3. Utah Jazz select Brandon Knight-Having traded their great PG to the Nets, the Jazz replace Darren Williams with Knight here. Their other option would be Williams if the Timberwolves do not select him. Point guards are key in the NBA, and Knight is headed for a long career.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers select Enes Kanter-Since we now know that the Cavs will definitely hang on to both the 1st and 4th pick, we can say almost certainly that Kanter will be the selection here. Kyrie Irving will get a big man and a true center of the future in Kanter.
5. Toronto Raptors select Kemba Walker-Jan Vesely could be selected here by the Raptors, but they will most likely go with the player who played his college career in the toughest basketball conference in America, the Big East. Walker is a safer pick here than Vesely.
6. Washington Wizards select Jan Vesely-Vesely is selected here because he was still available after the Raptors took Walker at 5. Vesely will have a long NBA career, but Kawhi Leonard and Tristan Thompson could also come off the board at #6.
7. Sacramento Kings select Kawhi Leonard-The Kings need a lot of help at small forward, and Leonard can do it all. He can defend and rebound as well as score on the offensive end. Tyreke Evans will appreciate Leonard as a jack of all trades.
8. Detroit Pistons select Tristan Thompson-Something tells me that the Pistons may also select Bismack Biyombo here, but he is a reach and more of a project than Thompson. Thompson has more upside, but Biyombo could be a future Ben Wallace.
9. Charlotte Bobcats select Marcus Morris-Chad Ford has reported that the Bobcats want a veteran college player who can play right away. That play is Morris who saw many different situations while at Kansas. Morris will help with mid-range scoring and rebounding, but more needs will still remain for the Bobcats.
10. Milwaukee Bucks select Jonas Valanciunas-Valanciunas may go back to Europe for more time which would cause him to fall, but if the Bucks feel like they can sign him, then he is exactly what they are looking for. Talent wise, Valanciunas is a top 5 player in this draft.
11. Golden State Warriors select Chris Singleton-Singleton gives the Warriors size and defensive prowess to go along with Stefan Curry and Monta Ellis who are solely offensive threats. Singleton is versatile and athletic, so he can play in the Warriors fast paced offense.
12. Utah Jazz select Jimmer Fredette– I am predicting more with my heart than mind here. Fredette would love to stay in Utah, but the Jazz are also looking to fill other needs. Chris Singleton or Biyombo would be an option here if they are not already off the board.
13. Phoenix Suns select Bismack Biyombo-While the Suns would like to think that Robin Lopez will continue to improve, Lopez will never be a star in the NBA. Biyombo can develop in Phoenix and give the defenseless Suns a defensive presence. There is no way that Biyombo slips past here.
14. Houston Rockets select Klay Thompson-Thompson is selected here over Burks because Thompson can play the point guard position and knock down shots. Burks is more of a slasher and plays the same position as Kevin Martin, so Thompson would be a better pick based on need.
15. Indiana Pacers select Alec Burks-The Pacers need a shooting guard, and while Burks is more of slasher, but with Fredette and Thompson off the board, the Pacers are not left with many options. Jordan Hamilton or Marshon Brooks will get a look here, but selecting either at 15 would be a reach.
Don’t forget to check out part 2 of the draft (linked at top of article).
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