The 2010-2011 NBA season started off and finished with a bang, especially for the Heat. LeBron James began and ended the year with a loss. He went back to the place his Cavaliers career ended, only wearing a black jersey instead of a maroon one. Then, to make LeBron-haters even happier, Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks had enough to beat Miami for the title. Like the teams that made it into the NBA's second season, the non-playoff teams are looking for ways to improve as well, and their first step is the 2011 NBA Draft. Will we see a new Blake Griffin in this year's draft? What will be this season's big surprise? All of it begins tonight. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on the clock since May 17th, and they have the Clippers to thank for that. When LA traded Baron Davis for Mo Williams, they also traded away the pick that ended up being #1. Now with two Top 5 picks, the Cavs look to rebuild. What's going to happen tonight? Here's my Mock Draft Top 10.
*Note: this is what I think WILL happen, not what I think SHOULD happen.
#1: Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
Unless the Cavaliers make a pick out of right field here, it's going to be between Irving and Derrick Williams. Cleveland has almost nowhere to go but up, so anyone drafted this high should help. However, I think they have to take the point guard here. They've already got Antawn Jamison and JJ Hickson at power forward (and Anderson Varejao as a PF/C) so they won't need Williams as much, while Baron Davis is approaching the end of his career. Irving played just eight games due to injury in his only year with Mike Krzyzewski, but he proved he was the best player on the floor despite playing with a first-team preseason All-American and the guy who finished third in Player of the Year voting. He doesn't have the big body of some point guards, but he will get stronger over time and he was one of those players your always looking for on the court. Irving should be the pick here.
#2: Minnesota Timberwolves - Derrick Williams, F, Arizona
There's been talk about a possible trade here, and I would definitely not be surprised to see that happen. If it were, the pick might be different. However, even if Kyrie Irving was sitting on the board for the T'Wolves, I think they would possibly draft Williams anyway. Ricky Rubio just said he's going to play for them this year, and drafting another point guard would make him even angrier than he was when they drafted Jonny Flynn. Derrick Williams will be in a great maturing position: he'll learn to rebound from Kevin Love, and Michael Beasley can teach him how to score as a bigger forward. Would not be surprised at all if Kanter was the pick here, either.
If Williams is off the board: Enes Kanter
#3: Utah Jazz - Enes Kanter, C, Turkey/Kentucky
Another spot that will shape the draft, whether there's a trade or not. A shooting guard would be the ideal pick for Utah here, but unless they trade back, I don't think they'll draft one this high. It looked like this could have been Brandon Knight's spot, but with Mehmet Okur's age and injuries now becoming a factor, I think they'll go with Kanter here. The 19-year-old scored 34 points at the 2010 Nike Junior Hoops Summit, proving he's a big man who can get the ball in the basket. He'll be a big help for Devin Harris or whoever is Utah's point guard is for 2011.
If Kanter's is off the board: Derrick Williams
#4: Cleveland Cavaliers - Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania
If the Cavs address the point guard position at #1 (which seems very likely), they still have a few options to draft here, assuming they keep the pick. They probably will think it's too high to draft a shooting guard or small forward based on value, so it would most likely come down to one of the international centers. They've got solid power forward depth, and that's why I think they're going to take Valanciunas. He can be a true center at 6'11 and could be a great offensive target for Kyrie Irving, Baron Davis or whoever else is playing point guard in Cleveland next year.
If Valanciunas is off the board: Whoever's left out of Derrick Williams/Enes Kanter
#5: Toronto Raptors - Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
A lot of people have another international big man coming off the board at #5, but I don't think it makes too much sense. Andrea Bargnani is finally starting to show improvement, and they just drafted Ed Davis last year. That narrows the pick to a PG or SF with up-and-coming DeMar DeRozan, and I think they're going to take Knight. I think this is a tough pick for them and they need a good small forward, but Knight showed how prolific he really is in the NCAA tournament, and had all of the talent coming out of high school. I don't think they're going to pass on him.
If Knight is off the board: Kawhi Leonard
#6: Washington Wizards - Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic
Washington is pretty balance at each position, and that's why I think they'll look for a guy who has multiple advantages. Vesely has a great combo of size and length for a young player that can be a big advantage on both sides of the ball. The 6'11 forward can be a matchup nightmare for opposing players, especially small forwards. Vesely compares to a young Andre Kirelenko who is a good all-around player. He'll also make John Wall better because it will be another option for him to pass to. The Wizards could go in many directions, but I think they'll address the 3 spot with their first pick.
If Vesely is off the board: Kawhi Leonard
#7: Sacramento Kings - Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State
Sacramento could also go in a few directions here, but I think their biggest need is a small forward. They're a terrific rebounding team (fourth in the league), and Leonard is a beast on the defensive side of the floor. He is not the best shooter, but he is a versatile forward that Sacramento could use. They could go with Vesely if he's still around or take Kemba Walker and move Tyreke Evans to shooting guard, but I'm not so sure they'll pass on Leonard if his name hasn't been called yet.
If Leonard is off the board: Kemba Walker
#8: Detroit Pistons - Bismack Biyombo, PF/C, Congo
Defense wins championships. Ben Wallace, a 6'9" center, worked out perfectly for Detroit when he played for them (won four Defensive POY awards and an NBA Finals with the Pistons). Biyombo has had comparisons to Wallace, and that's what Detroit is hoping for as well. They drafted Greg Monroe last year, so I don't think a true power forward like Tristan Thompson would make sense here. However, if Biyombo's not there, they might do it (or if the pick is traded, Thompson might go here). Let's face it: Biyombo is a hit or miss on offense, but will definitely contribute on the other side of the ball. Defense won the Pistons the title in '04, and I think they want him to be the next defensive threat in the Motor City.
If Biyombo is off the board: Tristan Thompson
#9: Charlotte Bobcats - Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas
Charlotte has a lot of places to address here if they keep the pick, but I think they'll be looking for a big man. Thompson has all the tools to become a great NBA player (especially on defense), and he's a very athletic power forward. If Charlotte goes in this direction, Thompson will greatly benefit from having a point guard who played under the same college coach: DJ Augustin played in the same offense for Rick Barnes at Texas just three years ago. If there's a good small forward available, look for them to go in that direction as a possibility as well.
If Thompson is off the board: Marcus Morris
#10: Milwaukee Bucks - Klay Thompson, SG/SF, Washington State
I'm convinced that if the Bucks stay here (there is speculation they may trade it), then they will draft a shooting guard here. The question is, which one? This is a good spot for both Klay Thompson and Alec Burks. I even think the Bucks are still vacillating as we speak about which one to take. I'm going to go with Thompson because he has more flexibility to play the 3 than Burks. John Salmons, Michael Redd and Corey Maggette are all 31 years old, and why not draft a shooting guard now if they're in good position to get one? I think if one's gone, the other will go here, but I'm going with Thompson to Milwaukee.
If Thompson is off the board: Alec Burks
No comments:
Post a Comment