Team needs have NOT been taken into account with this
2011NBA Mock Draft. We will begin to factor in team needs once the
NBA trade deadline has passed. Click on the players’ name for a complete scouting report and an
NBA comparison. Here is a list of outstanding trades for the 2011 NBA Draft. Check out a
2012 NBA Mock Draft and The Sports Bank’s
2011 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Cleveland- Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke, 6-1, Fr.
A tremendous play-maker, Irving is lightning fast with the basketball. He is also a talented scorer who has made an early impression with his maturity while running the show for Coach K before suffering a toe injury that may cost him the rest of his freshman season.
2. Minnesota- Perry Jones, PF, Baylor, 6-9, Fr.
Jones is a long, athletic, explosive forward who by every indication will be a one-and-done. He needs to add strength and range to his outside game before he can be a factor in the league.
3. Sacramento- Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky, 6-9, Fr.
Jones is a smooth lefty who can take bigger defenders off the bounce or post up smaller opponents. He will be able to play either forward spot at the next level and should be ready to contribute right away due to his impressive physique for a freshman.
4. Toronto- Enes Kanter, F/C, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
It looks like college hoops will not get a chance to see Kanter suit up for the Big Blue, but he is a talented big man who is a lottery lock regardless of whether or not he ever suits up for UK.
5. Washington- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State, 6-9, Fr.
A physical force down low with an NBA-ready body, Sullinger figures to be the next in the lineage of OSU big men to be one-and-done. He may not be the best athlete in the world but is quicker than you would expect from a 6-9, 265 pounder.
6. New Jersey- Derrick Williams, F, Arizona, 6-9, So.
Williams is a tremendous athlete who lives around the rim. He runs the floor well, is a solid rebounder, and has really improved his face-up and perimeter game since his freshman season.
7. Detroit- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, Fr.
The prototypical NBA wing player, Barnes can stroke it from deep, create his own shot, handle the rock, and attack the basket. He has not lived up to the hype so far at UNC but is still a great talent.
8. L.A. Clippers- Josh Selby, PG, Kansas, 6-3, Fr.
After sitting out the first nine games of the season, Selby has started his collegiate career with a bang. He is a terrific athlete and scorer, but is more of a combo guard than a true point guard.
9. Indiana- Jonas Valanciunas, F/C, Lithuania, 6-10, 1992
A back-to-the-basket player, Valanciunas is not as versatile as most European big men but has plenty of up-side. It will be interesting to see if he declares for the 2011 Draft or waits another year so he can continue his overall development.
10. Milwaukee- Kemba Walker, PG, UConn, 6-1, Jr.
Walker has been on a tear this season. He has improved his decision-making and outside shooting which were questions heading into the season. The Bronx native is lightning quick with the rock and has seen his stock soar since an outstanding performance at the Maui Invitational.
11. Golden State- Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic, 6-11, 1989
Vesely likely would have been a lottery pick in the 2010 draft but decided not to enter the draft. Another year overseas should only benefit his all-around game and make him more NBA-ready in 2011.
12. Phoenix- Jordan Hamilton, G/F, Texas, 6-7, So.
A pure scorer who can take you off the dribble and also has outstanding range on his jumper. He has great size for an NBA wing player, but needs to improve his ball-handling, shot selection, and defensive tenacity.
13. Houston- Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State, 6-6, So.
The Aztec sophomore has incredible athleticism and a non-stop motor that makes him a factor on the glass. His jump shot is far from NBA ready, but based on potential, he is a sure-fire first rounder.
14. Memphis- Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State, 6-9, Jr.
One of the best defenders in college, Singleton’s offensive game is improving but still a work in progress. He is not very effective attacking the basket and needs to improve his outside shot.
15. Charlotte- Donatas Motiejunas, F/C, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990
He pulled out of the draft process late this past off-season because he was likely falling out of the lottery. Motiejunas is a versatile seven-footer who can vault back up the board if he shows some steady development in his all-around game and body.
16. Philadelphia- Kyle Singler, SF, Duke, 6-9, Sr.
Singler surprised many by announcing he would return for his senior season. His size and ability to shoot the rock are positives but lacks the ideal NBA athleticism to be a three. IfGordon Hayward
can go in the lottery though, so can Singler. 17. New York- Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky, 6-3, Fr.
A great play-maker, Knight is also an effective outside shooter. He is a scoring point guard who also knows how to distribute the rock. Knight needs to learn how to be a true point guard before turning pro.
18. Portland- Marcus Morris, F, Kansas, 6-9, Jr.
A physical presence due to his strong body, Morris can also has range out to the three point line. He will probably be able to play either forward position at the next level but needs to improve his ability to take defenders off the bounce in isolation situations.
19. Utah- Alec Burks, SG, Colorado, 6-6, So.
Burks is a big time scorer who thrives off the bounce. He might be the best of a weaker class of true shooting guard prospects and still has room for development.
20. Denver- Trey Thompkins, F, Georgia, 6-9, Jr.
Thompkins has a nice variety of moves on the block including a good turnaround jumper. He has a nice combination of physicality and athleticism.
21. Atlanta- Tobias Harris, F, Tennessee, 6-8, Fr.
Harris possesses an inside/outside game that will make him attractive for the next level. He can handle the ball, play in the open floor, and knock down jumpers. Harris does to add some intensity to his play.
22. Oklahoma City- Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU, 6-2, Sr.
An absolute sharp-shooter from downtown, Fredette runs the point at BYU but whether or not teams think he can handle that spot in the NBA will determine where he ends up getting drafted.
23. Phoenix (from ORL)- Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
Joseph is at his best when attacking the basket but has shown strides with his outside shot. Still, his athleticism should earn him a spot in the first round.
24. Dallas- Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas, 6-10, Jr.
Markieff is a little more of a low post threat than his twin brother Marcus, but not quite as polished with his perimeter game. His outside shot is showing improvement and he stays active on both ends of the floor.
25. Portland (from NO)- Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Soph.
What a horrible situation. Robinson’s mother recently passed away suddenly within a month of his grandfather and grandmother’s deaths. Robinson’s decision to turn pro may be purely financially based as he has a nine-year old sister who now needs to be looked after. From a basketball standpoint, Robinson would be best served returning to Kansas, but he has shown the potential to be a solid NBA player and would be worth a first round pick.
26. Chicago- Demetri McCamey, PG, Illinois, 6-3, Sr.
McCamey took a major step forward last season as a scorer and true point guard and that has continued this season. There were concerns about his maturity and defensive effort but he has made strides in both areas.
27. Toronto (from MIA)- Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State, 6-8, Sr.
Faried is an outstanding rebounder but needs to work more on his face-up game. He is a bit under-sized to be the ideal NBA power forward, but makes up for that with his non-stop work ethic on the inside.
28. New Jersey (from LAL)- JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue, 6-10, Sr.
Johnson is a lengthy post player who runs the floor well and can consistently knock down 18-foot jump shots. He has shown steady improvement during his time at Purdue.
29. Boston- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Jr.
Taylor is an extraordinary athlete and has improved his three-point shooting this season. He needs to become more of a threat in driving to the basket, but should get first round looks due to his extraordinary athleticism.
30. San Antonio- Jon Leuer, PF, Wisconsin, 6-10, Sr.
A versatile power forward, Leuer can hit from the outside, take defenders off the bounce, and has outstanding footwork in the post to go with a variety of moves on the block. He gained a lot of buzz this summer when working out with Team USA.
thesportsbank.net
Our own TD discusses if it is danger time for the Indians, “It has been said that you can’t truly judge a team until 40 games minimum. Others say they go by the holidays as checkpoints in a season. Next week is the first one – Memorial Day. I truly believe this Indians team is for real. However, there is some cause for concern. With the way this team is constructed, injuries could be a real issue if they pop up at the wrong time. I hate to say it, but that time could be sooner rather than later, if not now.” [TD/Still WFNY]
