2011 NBA Draft Preview: Top 5 Picks, Projections and Predictions – NBA Mock Draft and Expert Picks: The Dallas Mavericks are NBA champs, and now every other team in the league is looking for the next piece to the puzzle to become the team to stop Dallas from repeating. With the draft fast approaching, owners, coaches and general managers are bringing in potential picks for interviews and workouts and finalizing their draft boards. Nothing is set in stone at this point, and draft night trades are common in NBA. However, the needs of the teams currently sitting on top picks are pretty obvious, making the potential options a little clearer.
2011 NBA Mock Draft – Top 5 NBA Picks and Predictions
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, Point Guard, Duke
In an ideal world, the Cavaliers would probably like to take advantage of their two picks within the top five to draft Derrick Williams and an elite point guard. However, Cleveland will likely have to use the top pick on a point guard in order to ensure they fill the glaring need. With that being the case, the obvious choice is Kyrie Irvng. In one season at Duke, Irving showed the ability to penetrate, score and distribute the ball.
He is a better scorer than passer at this stage in his career, but the Cavaliers need a boost on offense anyway, and Irving has the open floor speed to help Cleveland get some easy baskets in transition. Expect the Cavaliers to start the rebuilding process by making Irving the new face of the franchise.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, Forward, Arizona
Derrick Williams is without question the most polished player in the draft, and he will step in and contribute on offense immediately. He has a versatile game for a big man, showing the ability to hit 3-pointers and hit a high percentage of his free throws as well as score in the post. Drafting Williams likely means Michael Beasley will have to be sent packing, but rumor has it Beasley has been bad for team chemistry anyway. Williams will get after it on defense, and his athleticism should fit Minnesota’s new up-tempo style that is expected to come with the signing of point guard Ricky Rubio.
3. Utah Jazz, Brandon Knight, Point Guard, Kentucky
Although Brandon Knight likely won’t be the best player available at this point in the draft, he will be the best point guard available, and the Jazz desperately need to fill the position. The loss of Deron Williams left a void that Knight can step in and begin to fill. He is nowhere near as polished as Williams was coming out of college, but Knight showed a lot of potential in his one year at Kentucky. Specifically, Knight has shown the ability to take and make big shots at the end of games, and that type of leadership is exactly with Utah will be looking for from its new point guard. His overall offensive game needs some work, but he is good enough to play right away. Knight will only get better as he develops as a player.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers, Enes Canter, Center, Kentucky
With Kyrie Irving coming to town, Cleveland will look for a big man to pair with their new point guard with their second pick in the top five. Canter and Jonas Valanciunas are both possibilities, but Canter has a slight size edge and better potential on the offensive end. He has a variety of moves to score in the post, and he is a strong finisher around the rim. Canter will need work on the defensive end, but he will hold his own on the boards. Canter’s offensive game is his big selling point and the reason the Cavaliers will bring him aboard. He is the type of big man that can score from the block with his back to the basket, and he has the range to work with Irving in the pick and roll.
5. Toronto Raptors, Kemba Walker, Point Guard, Connecticut
Center Jonas Valanciunas and small forward Jan Vesely are the two other possibilities with this pick, but Toronto already has an enforcer type big man in Ed Davis and a long perimeter scorer in Andrea Bargnani. Kemba Walker gives the Raptors something they don’t have – a go-to scorer and a team leader. Walker’s performance during March Madness should have answered any questions about his ability to score at any level, and he will learn to be a distributor as well with time. Walker could turn out to be the sparkplug that helps Toronto’s crop of talented young players come together.
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