WBN Official 2011 NBA Mock Draft
By Editorial Staff
1. Cleveland Cavaliers — Needs: PG/SG/PF
Kyrie Irving PG 6’3 (Fresh) – Duke
It is a good thing that the Cavs have 2 top five picks, because they really need it. From the feeling around Cleveland the Cavs they really like Irving, and they will get their point guard here with Kyrie Irving
2. Minnesota Timberwolves — Needs: C
Jonas Valanciunas C 7’0 (19yrs) – Lithuania
To be honest I have not seen any film or have not read anything on Valanciunas, but Milicic is their center. Jonas is the best center available. T’wolves will fill their post presences need here with this pick
3. Utah Jazz — Needs: SG/PF
Derek Williams PF 6’8 (Soph)
What the Jazz really need here is a Shooting Guard, unfortunately this draft is not SG heavy. Also, the Jazz would be silly not to take Williams here and fill another need
4. Cleveland Cavaliers — Needs: SG/PF
Enes Kanter C/PF 6’11 (Fresh) – Kentucky
The Cavs use their second pick on Enes Kanter because they are in need of good post players. Kanter has been impressing NBA scouts, coaches and GM’s and is the ultimate reason why Kanter falls no further.
5. Toronto Raptors — Needs: PG/SF
Brandon Knight PG 6’3 (Fresh) – Kentucky
Bayless would make a great back-up to Brandon Knight. Bayless will not be a good starter. Brandon Knight is the best Point Guard available at this point and if the Raptors needed something more than a point guard I am not sure what it would be. Personally I think that Knight is better than Irving, he is a better shooter, better basketball IQ, better character and went to a better college, but the Cavs have already made up their mind with Irving and is the reason why Knight is still here for Toronto.
6. Washington Wizards — Needs: SF
Tristan Thompson PF/SF 6’9 (Fresh) – Texas
Coming into this past college basketball Tristan Thompson wasn’t expected to go this high in the draft, but the freshman really improved and impressed everyone. On top all the things that Thompson has done, the Wizards really need SF here and Thompson can be used as such
7. Sacramento Kings — Needs: PG/SF/PF
Kawhi Leonard SF 6’7 (Soph) – San Diego State
Personally to me I had not heard much about Kawhi Leonard, but he really raised to the top of the talent list and forced people to keep an eye on him for his play. The Kings really need a PG to run the offense better, but at this point Leonard is a better choice than Kemba Walker.
8. Detroit Pistons — Needs: SG/SF/PF/C/PG
Kemba Walker PG 5’11 (Jr) – UConn
The Pistons are my favorite team but it’s not because of their drafting abilities. It is pretty much pick your poison with Detroit. You name it they need it. What they need more than anything is a shooting guard. Ben Gordan did not play up to the price the Pistons are giving him and Richard Hamilton wants out of A-Town, but again this draft is not shooting guard heavy so they should turn their attention to a post player next. BUT, with the Pistons recent draft history they will shy away from a smart pick and that’s why they take Kemba Walker and not Biyombo
9. Charlotte Bobcats — Needs: C/SF
Bismack Biyombo C 6’9 (18yrs) – Congo
The Bobcats are fortunate that the Pistons took Kemba, because they too need a Big, and Biyombo will be a very good choice for the Bobcats and should fit in perfectly with MJ’s squad.
10. Milwuakee Bucks — Needs: SG/SF/PF
Jan Vesely SF 6’11 (21 yrs)
As with most of the international players, you can’t be too sure how good they really are. Mostly because you just don’t even hear about them. Vesley, however has tremendous size for his positions and also has tremendous upside. Bucks get a good one here.
11. Golden Sate Warriors — Needs: C
Klay Thompson SF 6’7 (Jr) – Washington State
Warriors basic necessity is a center, but Klay Thompson is going to be hard not to take at pick #11
12. Utah Jazz — Needs: SG
Alec Burks SG 6’6 (Soph) – Colorado
WOW, do the Jazz ever need a shooting guard! SG is and should be the only concern for Utah this early. So they take Alec Burks from Colorado who just so happens to be the best shooting guard in the intire graft
13. Pheonix Suns — Needs: SG/PG/SF
Marcus Morris PF 6’10 (Jr) – Kansas
Steve Nash is getting old (34yrs), but the Suns can afford to draft a position other than PG because Nash will be there next year. The Suns will turn to their PF need and I hate to say it but Marcus Morris is a good college player and would make a good NBA player as well
14. Houston Rockets — Needs: C
Chris Singleton SF 6’9 (Jr) – Florida State
Houston can’t keep putting their faith in having a healthy Yao Ming, it’s just no gonna happen. They need to draft a center. Though they need a center, Chris Singleton is too good to pass up here. And because they have another draft pick 9 slots away they can afford to do that
15. Indiana Pacers — Needs: SG/SF
Jordan Hamilton SF 6’9 (Soph) – Texas
Some may argue that Jordan Hamilton is better t
han Singleton. I happen to disagree. He takes too many bad shots and does not pass to open players in last second situations. Nonetheless Hamilton is still a fine prospect do not get me wrong
16. Philadelphia 76ers — Needs: SF/PF/C
Markieff Morris PF 6’10 (Jr) – Kansas
Markieff is the lesser talent of the 2 Morris twins, but still is a good player, and doesn’t have tremendous potential but enough that the 76ers will take a chance on him
17. New York Knicks — Needs: C/PG
Donatas Motiejunas 7’0 C (20yrs)
The Knicks could go either way with this pick. I have heard that they could take Josh Selby, but in the end I think that the Knicks will find Amire some help down low
18. Washington Wizards — Needs: SF/C
Nikola Vucevic C 7’0 (Jr) – Southern California
It’s already been 1 year and John Wall hasn’t taken Washington to the playoffs, so it’s time to draft a new point guard! Haha just kidding.The Wizards filled a much needed void with their first pick, so the next position they need to work on will be their center. Vucevic will be who the Wizards will take and who they hope will be a reliable player for them
19. Charlotte Bobcats — Needs: C/SF
Tobias Harris SF/PF 6’9 (Fresh) – Tennessee
Poor Tobias Harris chose Tennessee over Kentucky last year, but everyone makes mistakes. The Bobcats will not, however, make a mistake here when they Tobias Harris. Harris will one day be an all-star, mark my words
20. Minnesota Timberwolves — Needs: C
Lucas Nogueira C 6’11 (18yrs)
The T’Wolves are no stranger to taking two players at the same position in the 1st round. Nogueira will provide Valanciunas some competition. They will only make each other better
21. Portland Trail Blazers — Needs: PG
Josh Selby PG 6’2 (Fresh) – Kansas
What the Portland needs to do is draft Greg Oden some new legs, but since the NBA frowns upon taking peoples legs they will have to draft something else. Here is where the Trail Blazers get their point guard of the future. At all the other positions they have stellar players… except at point guard, and Selby can make Portland a dangerous team
22. Denver Nuggets — Needs: PF/C
Kenneth Faried PF/SF 6’7 (Sen) – Morehead State
As the latest undersized PF to come out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Kenneth Faried is great pick by the Nuggets. They could really use some good post players
23. Houston Rockets — Needs: C
JuJuan Johnson C 6’10 (Jr) – Purdue
Here is where things get a little dicey. JuJuan Johnson is just about as good as any center or PF in this draft. His only problem is that he has a frame kinda like Perry Stevenson, just not as bad. I think that Johnson is a fantastic player and I think thats What the Rockets ultimately think as well. Houston took Singleton earlier and they get their center at #23
24. Oklahoma City Thunder — Needs: C
Jeremy Tyler 6’11 (Fresh) – Former Louisville commit
Kendrick Perkin’s bewildered angry face intimidates no one. The Thunder outrageously young, and because of how young they are and the talent level they will be a unbelievable force (Better than the Heat) in about 2 years. But in order to get there they will need to draft themselves a center. Jeremy Tyler may not be the answer, because of his character issues but his talent level is not in question
25. Boston Celtics — Needs: SG
Marshon Brooks SG 6’5 (Sen) – Providence
The Celtics need to go into their pick with blinders on and not focus on anything other than the shooting guard spot. Ray Allen will more than likely retire after next year. Marshon Brooks might just be the best player available all together at this point. Luckily for Boston, Brooks is a SG. No brainer. Done. Book it.
26. Los Angeles Lakers — Needs: PG/C
Jimmer Fredette PG/SG 6’2 (Sen) – BYU
Why do I have “The Jimmer” dropping down this far? Well for starters, where is his speed? Where did he get to play against actuall quality
opponents? There is no doubting his shooting ability, and his range. The Lakers will draft Fredette because they have no other option. Fischer and Blake are not going help nor make the Lakers get any better
27. New Jersey Nets — Needs: SG/PF
Tyler Honeycutt SF 6’9 (Soph) – UCLA
Believe it or not the Nets team is not too shabby. But they could use an upgrade at PF. Honeycutt can and probably will be moved over to PF to help solidify the emptiness in talent that New Jersey has felt
28. Chicago Bulls — Needs: SG
Nolan Smith SG/PG 6’4 (Sen) – Duke
The chances of Kieth Bogans getting better every year now are the same chances of me reading ‘Twilight’, and that’s not even a chance, I don’t read books… nor do I like High School drama in the form of vampires, or any other from. Needless to say Bulls will look at taking a SG and that’s just what they will do with Nolan Smith
29. Dallas Mavericks — Needs: PG
Charles Jenkins PG/SG 6’3 (Sen) – Hofstra
Jason Kidd was alive when the Mayflower landed on Plymouth Rock. That means he is old. He will not be able to keep up with the younger fresher legs and has even said that he is alright with retiring after this year. No need for Dallas to take a chance… Charles Jenkins is their guy
30. Miami Heat — Needs: C
Josh Harrelson C 6’11 (Sen) – Kentucky
Alright everyone stop laughing. Jorts has proven himself a hard worker, determined and focused now more than ever. He is easily the best center still left and that’s exactly what Miami needs right is a hard nosed center who plays good D and comes up with offensive rebounds. Yes, I realize this may be a stretch, but it’s hardly even close to being out of the question
So, did you agree? Do you disagree? Have something to say about this Mock Draft? Leave a comment and tell what you think and your other views down below.
Follow me on twitter @bleedkyblue
Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans