NBA Mock Draft Ver.2

2011 NBA Draft

1.) Cleveland Cavaliers (via Clippers): Kyrie Irving PG, Duke                 

-This will be the pick for the Cavaliers, and it is the best one they can make. Irving is a tremendous leader with good but not great athleticism. He is a very good defender, has a high basketball IQ, is fantastic as a dribbler and  is an excellent passer. Irving still needs to bulk up and prove he can stay healthy , but he can start for the Cavaliers Day 1 and turn into an All-Star PG.

2.) Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams SF, Arizona         

                                                                                                             

-The Timberwolves seemed to find a nice player when they got Michael Beasley essentially for free next year. But his skills are alot like Derrick Williams. Williams shined this year showing he can develop into a big time scorer in the NBA. Williams is 6'8 and has the athleticism to be a great SF in the NBA. While he needs to improve his all around game more, Williams has the tools to be a big time scorer in the NBA. He can also start for Minnesota as an immediate SF player, but the problem remains what do they do about Williams and Beasley.

3.) Utah Jazz (via NJ Nets): Brandon Knight PG, Kentucky

-The Jazz get GM Kevin O'Connor's favorite prospect by drafting Brandon Knight at 3rd overall. Knight is a prolific scorer as a PG, elite speed and quickness, and also a tremendous worker. Knight is the type of player the Jazz love a guy with great character and is the first at practice and last to leave. While he still has to develop to be an all around PG, there is no doubt he will work non stop to be that. Knight will be a tremendous player for the Jazz, and will be the perfect replacement for Deron Williams
4.) Cleveland Cavaliers:  Enes Kanter C, Kansas

-The Cavs continue to build their new young core with the addition of Enes Kanter. Kanter is a tremendous rebounder and is a physical force up front. Knows how to draw contact in the paint and also how to navigate his way around to get open. He needs to improve his defense in the paint more and really needs to focus on his athleticism. But Kanter has the size and strength to be a great rebounder and inside presence.
5.) Toronto Raptors: Kemba Walker PG, UConn

-The Raptors could go with so many different players at this spot. They could take the young shooting PG in Kemba Walker who has shown tremendous leadership skills and is also a winner. I think they will take him because they need an impact player. Walker is a tremendous shooter who shows nice ball skills is a clutch shooter and knows how to win. He gives the raptors a scoring Guard that they need, and he could bring some more fans to the game.

6.) Washington Wizards: Kawhi Leonard SF, San Diego State

-The Wizards desperately need help at the SF position, and as we all know defense wins championships. Kawhi Leonard is a perfect fit for what this team needs. He is an elite defensive player who is also skilled on the glass. He is very inconsistent with his shot and scouts question whether or not he can make it as starter in the NBA. But the Wizards needs defense and Leonard is exactly that

7.) Sacramento Kings: Jimmer Fredette PG, BYU

-The Kings were set to have a one on one workout between Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette this week. Fredette showed up but Walker never did. That signals to me Walker just got his name off the Kings draft board. last year the Kings had Greg Monroe and Demarcus Cousins go head to head and Cousins looked better. Now Fredette is the default winner and I think he will be the pick, he is after all very similar to Walker.

8.) Detroit Pistons: Jonas Valanciunas C, Lithuania

-The Pistons need size and they need talent, and that is exactly what Valanciunas gives them. While they will have to wait a year to see him play in the NBA, his upside is tremendous. He is a good rebounder and has good skills in the paint. he needs to add strength and work on his defense, but he is a great fit for what the Pistons need
9.) Charlotte Bobcats: Bismock Biyombo C, Congo

-The Bobcats have a glaring hole at the C/PF position, and they need to find a dominant player. At the 9th pick it is a gamble to take Biyombo but the potential out weighs the risk. Biyombo is a monster on defense and on the boards but people question if he has an offensive game.
10.) Milwaukee Bucks: Alec Burks SG, Colorado

-In a dream scenario the Bucks would love to get a guy like Kemba Walker, but with him off the board Alec Burks is another nice scoring option. Burk showed tremendous vertical ability to go along with his intriguing size as a SG (6'6). He has a nice shooting stroke but really needs to work on staying consistent with it. He also is only 18 years old and really needs to bulk up if he wants to be a good SG in the NBA. He still gives the Bucks an intriguing prospect and one who can develop into a nice starting SG.
11.) Golden State Warriors: Marcus Morris PF, Kansas

-The Warriors continue to make progress building a team, and they continue the coaching search for another year. At 11th overall in a weaker draft, the best thing they can do is take someone like Marcus Morris. Morris is an NBA ready player but he won't make huge improvements in his game from now until he hits his prime. Morris is a low post player who can provide help off the bench as a rookie. If he continues to really work hard and add strength he could develop into a starter. But the ceiling for Morris isn't high.
12.) Utah Jazz: Chris Singleton SF, Florida State

-The Jazz are going to lose AK47 this year in FA< and they will want to find his replacement. At 13 they would be fortunate to get Singleton here, but if he is still no the board he is a nice pick. He is a versatile defender and can guard the both the 3 and the 4. He is a question marks in terms of shooting but after a strong combine he has really proven himself.

13.) Phoenix Suns:  Klay Thompson PG, Washington State

-The Suns have fallen ever since Amare left them for the Knicks. They are left with Steve Nash and several young intriguing players. They will look to add to their high scoring system in the 2011 draft. Freddete seems to be the perfect fit for the Suns, but with him off the board the next best thing is Klay Thompson. Many consider Thompson to be just as good offensively as the Suns. He impressed scouts during workouts and many believe he could climb draft boards quickly. he is a terrific player for the Suns.

14.) Houston Rockets: Jordan Hamilton SF, Texas

-The Rockets have needed a SF ever since they trade Shane battier at the trade deadline. With the 14th pick they can address that need with a nice shooter in Hamilton. Hamilton has shown to have great range on his shot, is a above average rebounder and is good with the ball in his hands. he will need to learn that he needs to pass the ball more to open teammates, but a good coach can teach him.

15.) Indiana Pacers: Markieff Morris PF, Kentucky

-The Pacers would like to get Fredette so they could have a real scoring option, but with him gone they address the PF position.Markeiff Morris is 6'10 but has shown he can be a good blocker, rebounder and that he has a high motor. He has an underrated 3 point shot for a big man, which just adds another skill the Rockets can use. Markieff still needs to improve his offensive game, and he also needs to work on limiting the turnovers. But he is similar to his brother and gives the Pacers a great rebounder-
16.) Philadelphia 76ers: Tristian Thompson PF, Texas

-The 76ers miss Samuel Dalembert and would like to find a player just like him in the draft. But with no big man available they can aim to get a tremendous rebounder in Thompson. While Thompson is not very talented offensively he is a young improving player, who is a good shot blocker as well. His size and intangibles make him an intriguing prospect, and one that will be to hard to pass up.
17.) New York Knicks: Josh Selby PG, Kansas

-The Knicks have been interested in Selby for awhile. He is a nice defensive PG but is also very athletic and good at slicing in to the paint. He played poorly as a freshman taking bad shots, and often times looking to be a selfish player. But putting him no the Knicks where he will have more freedom sets him up to do good things. His jump shot and range makes him a good scoring threat, and will give the Knicks a nice scoring Guard to play alongside Melo and Amare. A solid pick for the Knicks that could pay huge dividends in the future.
18.) Washington Wizards: Marshon Brooks SG, Providence

-The Wizards will need another scorer to play the SG position. Marshon Brooks can be that type of player. He is very similar to Fredette in that he is a tremendous shooter who has the ball handling skills to find his own shots. He may be a bit of a reach here, but I like the upside of Brooks
19.) Charlotte Bobcats (via NO): Tyler Honeycutt SF, UCLA

-The Bobcats got the big man they needed in Biyombo, now at 19 they can get another quality piece for the future. While Honeycutt may be a reach he has a high basketball IQ, shows impressive ball skills and is a nice shooter. With Gerald Wallace gone the Bobcats would like to find a replacement SF, who is a very balanced player. A bit of a reach but one that will pay off for the Bobcats.
20.) Minnesota Timberwolves (via MEM): Davis Bertans SF, Latvia

-The Timberwovles are still a few years away from serious contention, so taking Bertans is a selection that will help them down the road. Bertans is a deadly shooter from outside and he could turn into a Kyle Korver but with better all around game. A solid late pick for the Timberwolves, especially since they would rather develop talent overseas.
21.) Portland Trailblazers: Kenneth Faried PF, Morehead State

-After a year of waiting the Blazers finally have their chance to draft Kenneth Faried. They like his skills as a rebounder and feel pairing him with LaMarcus Aldridge is a dream scenario. Giving them two PF who compliment each others skills.

22.) Denver Nuggets: Tobias Harris SF, Tennessee

FA's in the draft they will just want to add more off the bench players. Tobias Harris has kept a low profile because he has never had dominant play, but he can do everything well. He can play the 3 or 4, and is a very smart player. He is a great pick for the Denver Nuggets.
23.) Houston Rockets (via ORL):  Reggie Jackson PG, Boston College

-The Rockets have been pleasantly surprised by Kyle Lowry, and they hope he keeps up the production. But regardless pairing him with a tremendously athletic shooter and perpetrator like Reggie Jackson gives them a duo, that gives them everything they want. Jackson still needs to add strength and learn the PG position, but he will fit in nicely for the Rockets
24.) Oklahoma City Thunder: Kyle Singler SF, Duke

-The Thunder realize that they have very little depth at the F position. While Kevin Durant is a superstar he can't play 48 minutes a game. Late in the draft taking a rotational player like Singler will really benefit the team late in the season when guys are starting to get tired. Singler has nice range on his shot, has a high basketball IQ, and is able to find his own shots. By having him come off the bench, it gives the Thunder more options and will help them down the road.
25.) Boston Celtics: Lucas Nogueria C, Brazil

-The Celtics really missed having size in the Miami series. The trade that sent Perkins to the Thunder left them with the one thing they could beat Miami with. It is likely this team only has one more good year left in them, but there are no immediate rebounders left. While Lucas is still several years away from being ready for the NBA (he really needs to add muscle) his size and shot blocking skills will give the Celtics something they need in the future.
26.) Dallas Mavericks: Davis Bertans SF, Latvia

-Is he going to be the next Dirk. Well after watching him workout the Mavericks certainly like what they saw. Bertans is a young player, but has already shown to be a tremendous scorer. He still needs to take a few years to mature and learn the game, but even if he ends up being a 1/2 of what Dirk is, it is a great pick.

27.) New Jersey Nets (via LAL) Justin Harper PF, Richmond

-The Nets need someone who is athletic, a versatile scorer, and is a tremendous athlete. That fits Harper to a tee. He is a small PF who really needs to spend some time in the weight room. His upside is worthy of a top 15 pick, but he has alot to prove if he wants to make it in the league.

28.) Chicago Bulls (via MIA): Shelvin Mack, PG Butler
-The Bulls really need another scoring Guard to pair with Derrick Rose. Mack was clutch during the NCAA tournament, and has nice range on his shot. Pairing him with Rose gives the Bulls a slasher in a Rose and an outside shooter in Mack, which sets thins up beautifully for the future.
29.) San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Tyler C, Japan

-The Spurs are getting older and will soon need to completely rebuild. Whether or not they have a few years left in the tank, they can build for the future with this pick. Tyler was a high profile recruit going into his senior year in HS. Then instead of going to college he went to Europe where he failed. After a one year stint in Europe he moved to Japan where he showed a little more potential. He brought up his stock by abusing opponents during workouts and the potential is still there, but he is a big risk.

30.) Chicago Bulls: Darius Morris PG, Michigan
-The Bulls need to find someone to backup Rose. While he is young and a great scorer he cant play 48 minutes a game. Darius Morris out of Michigan is a young player who has the size to be a PG in the NBA. He has tremendous court vision when it comes to passing the ball, he can drive to the hole well because of his size, and he is also a good jump shooter. Morris is not a very good 3 point shooter, and his defense is poor but as a backup PG, he would be able to do well in the NBA.