2011 NBA Draft: Biggest Winners
After weeks and weeks of speculation and predictions about the direction of the 2011 NBA Draft, the night was kicked off with a three-team trade involving the Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats and Sacramento Kings and, from there, the activity was non-stop.
Without the star power and fanfare of the past few drafts, this year’s draft still packed some punch late in the first round and into the second. Despite a lack of clear-cut winners like the Wizards (John Wall), Clippers (Blake Griffin) and Bulls (Derrick Rose) over the past three drafts, respectively, some fared better than others on Thursday night. Here is a look at the winners in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Clearly the biggest losers in free agency last summer, when hometown hero (turned Judas) LeBron James bolted for greener pastures on South Beach, the Cavalier rebounded in a big way on draft night.
The selection of Kyrie Irving, arguably the best player in the country prior to a toe injury that relegated him to just three games beyond Dec. 1, was a safe, but solid, use of the first overall pick. Irving stepped into a Duke program that returned seniors Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler (both of whom were picked after Irving on Thursday night) and quickly became the leader of, and best player on, what looked like the best team in college basketball last season.
With the fourth pick, Cleveland took 20-year old Tristan Thompson from the University of Texas. The 6-8 power forward is has a ton of potential, particularly on the defensive end of the floor. A terrific shot-block and offensive rebounder, Thompson struggled with inconsistency in his only season in Austin, but is an athletic big who should complement Irving for years to come. {AUTHOR_BOX}
Irving was widely considered the best player in this draft and Thompson, while still raw as a basketball player, gives consistent effort and energy. The duo of one-and-done players gives the Cleveland fan base something to be excited about moving forward and the Cavaliers front office a pair of young, talented players around whom they can build around.
Memphis Grizzlies – Although Memphis had just one pick, No. 49, in this year’s draft, the Grizzlies couldn’t have gotten any more value with their selection: Josh Selby. The former Kansas guard was considered one of the top players in his high school class just one year ago, but suspensions and injuries prevented the explosive athlete and scorer from living up to the hype that surrounded him coming into his first, and only, college season.
Selby is an aggressive offensive player who is constantly on the attack, putting pressure on opposing defenses. He is a creative scorer and a capable passer, although he tends to get tunnel vision and, more often than not, looks to score more than distribute.
Physically, Selby is as talented as any player in this draft. His lack of productivity in the college ranks certainly hurt Selby’s draft status, but there is no doubt that he is a first round talent whom the Grizzlies snatched up late in the second.
Charlotte Bobcats – After making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in 2009-10, the Bobcats took a step backward this season, missing out on post-season play and trading Gerald Wallace, arguably the team’s best player, to the Portland Trail Blazers before the trade deadline.
Prior to the start of Thursday’s draft, Charlotte sent Stephen Jackson to the Milwaukee Bucks in return for swingman Corey Maggette as part of a three-way deal with the Sacramento Kings which landed the Bobcats the No.7 and No. 9 picks in the draft, which were used on used to select Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo.
Walker, who led Connecticut to a national championship as a junior this season, showcased his ability to score the basketball and use his quickness and ball-handling ability to get to any spot on the basketball court. Walker plays much bigger than his six foot frame might suggest and his ability to create space between himself and his defender is undeniable.
A pass-first point guard during his first two seasons under Huskies’ Coach Jim Calhoun, Walker has proven that he can run a basketball team but is also an extremely talented scorer and a fierce competitor.
Biyombo is a 6-9 power forward/center who seemingly came out of nowhere over the last year to emerge as a legitimate lottery selection. With a 7-7 wingspan, spectacular athleticism, a non-stop motor and ridiculous shot-blocking ability, the Congolese big man should be able to step in an immediately make an impact on the defensive end of the floor, although he is extremely raw offensively.
Charlotte has never fully been sold on point guard D.J. Augustin, who started all 82-games for the club this season, and was in desperate need of some size and athleticism on the front line. Walker and Biyombo give the Bobcats a polished and experienced lead guard as well as perhaps the most intriguing big man in the draft.
Markieff Morris – After being born seven minutes before his twin brother Marcus, Markieff Morris has seemingly always been a step behind his younger brother. Marcus emerged this season as the go-to player on the Kansas Jayhawks roster and was projected to go in front of his older brother by just about every analyst and pundit leading up to the 2011 NBA Draft. Until the Phoenix Suns were on the clock at No. 13, that is…
The Suns shocked just about everyone in the basketball world by selecting Markieff one spot ahead of Marcus, who was picked just eight minutes later by the Houston Rockets. After living in Marcus’ shadow for most of his life, Markieff had his moment in the “Sun” on Thursday night went he became the first Morris twin to come off the draft board.
Be sure to check back here at HOOPSOWORLD later today as our own Yannis Koutroupis looks at the biggest losers in the 2011 NBA Draft.
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