2011 NBA Draft Round 1 Recap; Analysizing the Picks in Round One
This years draft features players who have great basketball IQ's, players who can shoot, players who can rebound, players who can play defense, and much more. But only one team can possess a player, and only a few teams make picks that pay off.
Here, we will predict what picks will pay off and what picks will not. Will college stars like Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette star in the NBA? Will international players such as Enes Kanter and Bismack Biyombo succeed in America? Let's find out.
Pick that will pay off most: Kemba Walker to Charlotte
Walker dominated college basketball and led Connecticut to a championship, and he is ready to star with the Bobcats as well. Kemba is athletic, he can shoot, he can drive, and he can play defense. Every team that picked before the Bobcats will regret not picking the dynamic Walker, who has the tools to change the NBA and bring basketball back to Charlotte.
Pick that will not pay off: Kyrie Irving to the Cavaliers
Everyone knew Cleveland was going to pick Kyrie Irving, with hopes that his high basketball IQ would carry the team and bring them back from a tough year. Irving does have the tools to lead a team, but he doesn't have the athleticism, and he can't put up a good amount of points consistently. Scouts do see him as ready for the NBA, but I think he'll be out of the NBA after a couple years.
Team with the best draft: Charlotte Bobcats
The 'Cats took college star Kemba Walker and Congo star Bismack Biymobo. Biyombo is a 6-11 center who can rebound and block shots, and Walker is an athletic player who can play the 1 and the 2. Both players should be ready for the NBA (yes, Biyombo is ready), and they will help the Bobcats make it to the playoffs.
Most Surprising Pick: Iman Shumpert to the Knicks
As Knicks faithful booed the pick of Iman Shumpert, the Knicks organization celebrated the arrival of Shumpert. While we might have expected New York to select a big man, they need someone who can stop Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, and the Big Three of Miami. Shumpert's superb is something the Knicks need, but no one expected Shumpert to land in the Big Apple.
Trades:
Players from Jimmer Fredette to Stephen Jackson were dealt in draft day trades. Fredette, who put up 52 points in one college game, was taken tenth by the Bucks, and traded to the Kings. Congo star Bismack Biyombo was drafted by Sacramento and traded to Michael Jordan's franchise, while Charlotte gave up Stephen Jackson to Milwaukee. Explosive Nuggets guard Raymond Felton was traded to Portland, while Portland gave up Rudy Fernandez to Dallas. Andre Miller was also dealt from Portland to Denver. Timberwolves point guard Jonny Flynn was dealt to Houston, Spurs guard George Hill was shipped to Indiana for Kawhi Leonard of San Diego State, who is a beast down low.
Best Fit: Derrick Williams to Minnesota
Williams is a beast down low. He can rebound, shoot, block shots, light up a crowd, and when he takes the court with Kevin Love, you'd better watch out. With the addition of Ricky Rubio, who can find Williams and Love down low, the Timberwolves might just make the playoffs. Williams, the Pac-10 MVP, was huge down the stretch during the NCAA Tournament, and if he connects with Kevin Love and makes plays down the stretch, Minnesota will be a different team.
Final Draft Analysis: Top scorers like Jimmer Fredette (Kings), top rebounders like Kenneth Faried (Nuggets), top passers like Brandon Knight (Pistons), and top shot-blockers and clutch players like Derrick Williams (Timberwolves) have taken over this draft, and in a few years, a couple of these guys will be taking over these teams. Each team is satisfied right now, but when the teams look back at the draft in a few years, only a few will be satisfied.
Draft Lottery Picks
1. Cavaliers-Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
2. Timberwolves-Derrick Williams, Arizona
3. Jazz-Enes Kanter, PF, Turkey
4. Cavaliers-Tristian Thompson, Texas
5. Raptors-Jonas Valuncias
6. Wizards-Jan Vesely, SF
7. Bobcats-Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo
8. Pistons-Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
9. Bobcats-Kemba Walker, PG/SG, Connecticut
10. Kings-Jimmer Fredette, SG, BYU
11. Warriors-Klay Thompson, Washington State
12. Jazz-Alec Burks, Colorado
13. Suns-Markieff Morris, Kansas
14. Rockets-Marcus Morris, Kansas
Here, we will predict what picks will pay off and what picks will not. Will college stars like Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette star in the NBA? Will international players such as Enes Kanter and Bismack Biyombo succeed in America? Let's find out.
Pick that will pay off most: Kemba Walker to Charlotte
Walker dominated college basketball and led Connecticut to a championship, and he is ready to star with the Bobcats as well. Kemba is athletic, he can shoot, he can drive, and he can play defense. Every team that picked before the Bobcats will regret not picking the dynamic Walker, who has the tools to change the NBA and bring basketball back to Charlotte.
Pick that will not pay off: Kyrie Irving to the Cavaliers
Everyone knew Cleveland was going to pick Kyrie Irving, with hopes that his high basketball IQ would carry the team and bring them back from a tough year. Irving does have the tools to lead a team, but he doesn't have the athleticism, and he can't put up a good amount of points consistently. Scouts do see him as ready for the NBA, but I think he'll be out of the NBA after a couple years.
Team with the best draft: Charlotte Bobcats
The 'Cats took college star Kemba Walker and Congo star Bismack Biymobo. Biyombo is a 6-11 center who can rebound and block shots, and Walker is an athletic player who can play the 1 and the 2. Both players should be ready for the NBA (yes, Biyombo is ready), and they will help the Bobcats make it to the playoffs.
Most Surprising Pick: Iman Shumpert to the Knicks
As Knicks faithful booed the pick of Iman Shumpert, the Knicks organization celebrated the arrival of Shumpert. While we might have expected New York to select a big man, they need someone who can stop Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, and the Big Three of Miami. Shumpert's superb is something the Knicks need, but no one expected Shumpert to land in the Big Apple.
Trades:
Players from Jimmer Fredette to Stephen Jackson were dealt in draft day trades. Fredette, who put up 52 points in one college game, was taken tenth by the Bucks, and traded to the Kings. Congo star Bismack Biyombo was drafted by Sacramento and traded to Michael Jordan's franchise, while Charlotte gave up Stephen Jackson to Milwaukee. Explosive Nuggets guard Raymond Felton was traded to Portland, while Portland gave up Rudy Fernandez to Dallas. Andre Miller was also dealt from Portland to Denver. Timberwolves point guard Jonny Flynn was dealt to Houston, Spurs guard George Hill was shipped to Indiana for Kawhi Leonard of San Diego State, who is a beast down low.
Best Fit: Derrick Williams to Minnesota
Williams is a beast down low. He can rebound, shoot, block shots, light up a crowd, and when he takes the court with Kevin Love, you'd better watch out. With the addition of Ricky Rubio, who can find Williams and Love down low, the Timberwolves might just make the playoffs. Williams, the Pac-10 MVP, was huge down the stretch during the NCAA Tournament, and if he connects with Kevin Love and makes plays down the stretch, Minnesota will be a different team.
Final Draft Analysis: Top scorers like Jimmer Fredette (Kings), top rebounders like Kenneth Faried (Nuggets), top passers like Brandon Knight (Pistons), and top shot-blockers and clutch players like Derrick Williams (Timberwolves) have taken over this draft, and in a few years, a couple of these guys will be taking over these teams. Each team is satisfied right now, but when the teams look back at the draft in a few years, only a few will be satisfied.
Draft Lottery Picks
1. Cavaliers-Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
2. Timberwolves-Derrick Williams, Arizona
3. Jazz-Enes Kanter, PF, Turkey
4. Cavaliers-Tristian Thompson, Texas
5. Raptors-Jonas Valuncias
6. Wizards-Jan Vesely, SF
7. Bobcats-Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo
8. Pistons-Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
9. Bobcats-Kemba Walker, PG/SG, Connecticut
10. Kings-Jimmer Fredette, SG, BYU
11. Warriors-Klay Thompson, Washington State
12. Jazz-Alec Burks, Colorado
13. Suns-Markieff Morris, Kansas
14. Rockets-Marcus Morris, Kansas
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