Its March Madness time, so when better to take a look at the 2011 NBA Mock Draft! The following covers the projected first round with picks based off of relative NBA standings at this point in the season. The 2011 NBA draft is scheduled to occur on June 23rd, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey and will cover two rounds of 30 picks each this season. As player profiles are added, they will include video of the prospect for you to check out along with other applicable information on the players skills and stats from this season heading into the draft.
Last Updated: 5/16/2011
2011 NBA Mock Draft – 20 March 2011
#1 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft – Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke, 6-2, Fr.
Kyrie Irving’s 2011 NCAA regular season was cut short due to injury, however, we saw enough of him running the show for Coach K to konw that he is both a talented scorer as well as an exceptional play-maker. He has reinforced what we saw at the start of the season by coming back early from his toe injury and picking up where he left off for the Blue Devils in the 2011 NCAA tournament.
#2 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft -Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona, 6-9, So.
Derrick Williams has significantly improved his stock this season, showing off a new perimeter and face-up game to go with his solid rebounding.
#3 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Utah Jazz - Enes Kanter, PF, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
Hopefully “Coach Enes” has gotten enough PT mentoring his former team-mates at Kentucky to keep the rust off. His talent is assessed high enough that he is projected to be a high lottery pick in the majority of 2011 NBA Mock drafts that you will find on the Internet. Don’t be surprised if Enes goes even higher in the draft with a number of mocks having him close to the nr 1 pick.
#4 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft -Cleveland Cavaliers – Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State, 6-6, So.
Similar to what we have seen in past NBA drafts, Leonard is a pick based on incredible potential based on his athleticism and high energy level. Lots of things to work on, but the general consensus is that he will be picked in the upper, first round. He also fits a huge need that the Cavs have on the wing so look for him to go higher than originally predicted in this draft.
#5 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft – Toronto Raptors - Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky, 6-3, Fr.
For the John Calipari pedigreed point guards, Knight more closely resembles Tyreke Evans than John Wall, but comes across with a higher basketball IQ at the equivalent point of the season. He has demonstrated the ability to be an effective outside shooter and has room to work on his point guard skills to use at the next level. Who wouldn’t want a point guard with his skills and a 4.0 GPA though?
#6 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft – Washington Wizards - Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic, 6-11, 1989
Vesely decided to not declare for the 2010 NBA draft and has an all-around offensive skill set, but is lacking on his paint presence. He fills a big need for Washington who just might jump on Leonard if he’s still on the board by the time the Wizards pick.
#7 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft – Sacramento Kings – Jonas Valanciunas, PF/C, Lithuania, 6-10, 1992
If he declares for the draft, Valanciunas will go in the first round, however, he may choose to remain in Europe for another year to continue developing his game. He would fill a need for the Kings if they lose Samuel Dalembert to free agency.
#8 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft – Detroit Pistons – Kemba Walker, PG, UConn, 6-1, Jr.
Kemba Walker has had a break-out season this year to include significantly improved outside shot and decision-making. Add his 5 game tear in the 2011 Big East tourney, and look for Walker to go high in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft. He may not last until this position and isn’t necessarily a great fit for the Pistons, so he could be trade bait if taken here or possibly kept on the roster. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Walker or Knight change spots in the lottery.
#9 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft – Charlotte Bobcats Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas, 6-7, So.
One of the best pure scorers in the draft with good range on his jumper and size to boot. His defense has significantly improved from last season which has pushed him into the first round of the draft.
#10 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Milwaukee Bucks – Alec Burks , SG, Colorado, 6-6, So
The Bucks have a pending need for depth on the wing with Redd and CDR being free agents. Burks fits the bill even though he wasn’t high on a lot of mock drafts until we had the number of returnees announced over the past 6 weeks to the college ranks.
#11 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft – Golden State Warriors – Donatas Motiejunas, F, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990
Try #2 for Motiejunas in order to have a better shot at getting picked in the lottery this season.
#12 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Utah Jazz - Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Jr.
Morris has show the ability to play either the 3 or the 4 position this season with a range out to the 3. He still has room to work on his ability to attack the basket off of the dribble.
#13 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Phoenix Suns: Perry Jones, PF, Baylor, 6-9, Fr.
Perry Jones is one of the most explosive forwards in college basketball. He sill needs to work on his outside range and strength to be a significant factor in the NBA, but remains a projected, low lottery pick.
#14 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Houston Rockets – Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State, 6-9, JR
Singleton can fill the defender or scorer role, though the Rockets are pretty deep all around. Look for Houston to take the best available player though with Marcus Morris also being an option if he’s still on the board here.
#15 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft -Indiana Pacers – Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU, 6-2, Sr.
If teams think he can effectively run the point in the NBA he’ll go high in the draft. If he gets taken as more of a 2 guard, then he may drop a bit, but he is looking to be taken in the first round.
#16 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Philadelphia 76ers - Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas, 6-10, Jr.
Markieff has show a little better ability to score from the low-post than his brother, Marcus, but is not as good at the perimeter game. He is improving on his outside game and is considered a strong first round pick.
#17 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft – New York Knicks – Trey Thompkins, F, Georgia, 6-9, Jr.
Thompkins has really improved his stock this year, and has show a high-level of athleticism and physicality during the 2010-11 college basketball season.
#18 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Washington Wizards - Josh Selby, G, Kansas, 6-3, Fr.
Once Josh Selby was eligible to start playing this season (he had to sit out the first 9 games of the season), he has show a great capacity for being a combination guard that can play at the NBA-level but still needs some room to grow. Nick Young is a restricted free agent, and the Wizards can use some more depth in the guard positions.
#19 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft -Charlotte Bobcats – Kyle Singler, SF, Duke, 6-9, Sr.
Many thought that Singler would go pro last season. His athleticism is not considered NBA-level, however, he is projected to be a first round pick.
#20 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Minnesota Timberwolves - Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State, 6-8, Sr.
Great reboundler, although a bit undersized. Assessed to have a great work ethic and will be taken in the lower first-round, upper second-round.
#21 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Portland Blazers - Reggie Jackson, G, Boston College, 6-3, Jr
A solid combo guard who can play point or shooting guard.
#22 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Denver Nuggets - Tobias Harris, SF, Tennessee, 6-8, Fr
A solid wing player, though he may take a season or two to really be ready to contribute in the NBA.
#23 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Houston Rockets - Nolan Smith, G, Duke, 6-3, Sr.
Smith is one of those guards looked at to average a dime+ at the NBA level and can play either the one or two-spot. Look for him to be a lower, first-round pick to early second round.
#24 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Oklahoma City Thunder - Jordan Williams, PF/C, Maryland, 6-10, Soph
The Thunder don’t really have any pressing needs, but Williams could be a good fit to give them added inside muscle.
#25 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Boston Celtics - Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA, 6-8, Soph
A good contributor on the wing, though he would be lucky to see a lot of minutes next season with Boston.
#26 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft -Dallas Mavericks - Darius Morris, PG, Michigan, 6-4, Soph
More of a case of Dallas taking the best available player.
#27 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft – New Jersey Nets – DeAndre Liggins, SF, Kentucky, 6-6, Jr.
Liggins had his coming out party on the Wildcats trip to the 2011 NCAA Final Four. One of the strongest defensive guards or wings in the draft. A bit raw on the offensive side still, but showed huge progress over the course of his junior year. A number of mock drafts have him going in the upper second round, but he has the length and height to excel at the 2 guard or wing position in the NBA.
#28 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - Chicago Bulls - Nikola Mirotic, PF, Montenegro, 6-10, 199
Mirotic will be in the European league for another year or three, but has mid-round talent and worth the gamble by Chicago at this point.
#29 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft - San Antonio Spurs - Chandler Parsons, SF, Florida, 6-9, Sr
Folks are either Chandler Parsons fans or despise him. You can’t beat his height and ability to play the wing. May be assessed as a bit high as the nr 29 overall pick.
#30 Pick – 2011 NBA Mock Draft -Chicago Bulls - Shelvin Mack, G, Butler, 6-3, Jr.
D-Rose will need a break sometime right?
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
what about jacob pulin he is a great point guard and he has heart i mean he was not on the best team but look at him percentages and look how good he is under pressure and he never gave up on his team….he will go in the first round, and this is coming from a 14 year old…just think about it.