- Cleveland has an abundance of issues that they need to address in this draft. The loss of LeBron James crippled the Cavalier franchise and ultimately landed them in a position to earn the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Who should Cleveland draft with the No. 1 pick?
Alex:It is clear that Kyrie Irving is the best player in this draft class, but ultimately the Cavaliers should go with Derrick Williams as their No. 1 pick. The fact that they have the No. 4 overall pick in the draft as well gives them the flexibility to go with a point guard in their next selection. Cleveland, pick Williams at No. 1 and Brandon Knight at No. 4.
Chris: Kyrie Irving – PG, Duke
The NBA is starting to turn into a point guards league and an elite PG is the best way to build your team for the future. While Kyrie Irving only played 11 games in a somewhat unfulfilling freshman year at Duke, he was the best player on a stacked Duke team including 2010 All-Americans Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith. After missing 26 games due to a toe injury, Irving scored 20+ points in the NCAA tournament. Irving has all the tools to become a great point guard in the NBA: excellent court vision, ability to get to the rim, and the necessary leadership to run a team.
- In the 2006 NBA Draft, players like Andrea Bargnani and Adam Morrison looked like future NBA stars. But that clearly wasn’t the case as both of these players are considered some of the biggest draft busts of all-time. Who will be the best player five years from now?
Alex:The best player in five years will undoubtedly be Kyrie Irving. He is the most talented player in the draft and even with only playing less than half of a season at Duke, teams are not shying away from him. With a few years to develop, Irving will be an all-star before it’s all said and done. Irving will not falter like the aforementioned draft busts. He will be a star before his career is finished.
Chris: Brandon Knight – PG, Kentucky
Brandon Knight had some great moments and some horrible moments during his freshman year at Kentucky. However even when Knight had his down moments, including going one for eight against Princeton in the NCAA Tournament, he converted his only basket on a game winning shot. Knight is only 19 years old and comes with boatloads of potential. Knight is one of the best in the draft at getting his own shot and getting to the rim. Knight is one of the best shooters in the draft and broke the single season record at Kentucky. Finally, Knight shows the mental acuity to run an NBA team and be a pure point guard.
- The record for most international players taken in the first round is eight. That number may be broken today as an abundance of international players look to make their names known. Who is this year’s best international player?
Alex: The best international player is Enes Kanter out of Turkey. The 6-11 center who once committed to the University of Kentucky is now a year removed from high school and primed to excel in the NBA. While it is not certain if Kanter will play the four or five spot, he will eventually make the adjustment and be a force down low.
Chris: Jan Vesely – SF, Czech Republic
European players have had the reputation of being finesse and soft. Jan Vesely breaks that mold by being a fierce competitor with an incredible motor. Vesely is quite possibly the most athletic European player of all time who can jump out of the gym. Vesely is a matchup nightmare at 6'11 and would thrive in an up tempo system such as Washington or Toronto.
European players have had the reputation of being finesse and soft. Jan Vesely breaks that mold by being a fierce competitor with an incredible motor. Vesely is quite possibly the most athletic European player of all time who can jump out of the gym. Vesely is a matchup nightmare at 6'11 and would thrive in an up tempo system such as Washington or Toronto.
- Each draft class has a sleeper or two that ends up being that ‘diamond in the rough’ type of player. Who will be the 2011 sleeper in this draft?
Alex: This seems like a ridiculous question. The answer is undoubtedly Kemba Walker out of Connecticut. How quickly people forget his accomplishments in college and how he essentially singlehandedly won the Huskies their national championship. Size will be the only issue that Walker will face in the transition into the NBA, but he has the raw talent to overcome it.
Chris: JaJuan Johnson – PF, Purdue
In 2010 JaJuan Johnson was the Big Ten Player of the year and Defensive Player of the year; Becoming one of only three players ever to do that. Johnson has a gluttony of low post moves and a sweet midrange jumper to go along with his imposing defense. Johnson is expected to be a second round pick, which seems to be far too low for someone of his caliber.
- Burks vs Thompson. Who is the best player at the shooting guard position this draft?
Alex: Right now, I’d go with Klay Thompson out of Washington State. It’s hard to judge the transition each player will make into the NBA, but I look the future for Klay Thompson. It’s hard to say whether he’ll play small forward or shooting guard in his career, but Thompson is arguably the most dangerous shooter in this class.
Chris: Alec Burks – SG, Colorado
Alex Burks showed his versatility by scoring 20 ppg., getting 6.4 rpg. and 3 assists a game. Burks possesses excellent ball-handling and passing skills. Burks' counterpart Klay Thompson has troubles with his foot speed and his attitude during games. Thompson was arrested in March and seemed to tune out and become flustered against hostile crowds.
Alex Burks showed his versatility by scoring 20 ppg., getting 6.4 rpg. and 3 assists a game. Burks possesses excellent ball-handling and passing skills. Burks' counterpart Klay Thompson has troubles with his foot speed and his attitude during games. Thompson was arrested in March and seemed to tune out and become flustered against hostile crowds.
- Would you take Jimmer Fredette in the top-10?
Alex: Yes, and with no hesitation. As I mentioned earlier, people too quickly forget what these players did just a few months ago. Fredette was the nation’s best scorer and willed BYU to the sweet sixteen. Without Jimmer, BYU is not even an NIT quality team. In the Mountain West Conference, rival San Diego State lost 3 games all season. Two of them against BYU and the other in the tournament to eventual national champion UCONN. Take Fredette!
Chris: Jimmer Freddette will find it hard to become a lead guard in the NBA and is to small too become a 2 guard. Jimmer has not shown the ability to play defense or the athleticism to keep up with the likes of Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose. The best case scenario for Jimmer will be to be a bench scorer. On top of that, Jimmer has maxed out most of his potential. No on Jimmer!
Nice job Alex following your bliss!
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