Top NBA Prospects For 2011

In case you were wondering, I didn’t lose my mind with all of the added timeouts and annoying ads that have taken over the NCAA tournament. I was borderline, however. My bracket looks like most of the papers, homework assignments, & tests I took throughout my academic career. I am cool with that because that white weirdo Ben Hansbrough and the school that kills people went down to Florida State like I predicted. Once Duke goes down, all will be right with the tournament. You see, once Duke loses, then I can enjoy the tournament. Up until now, I have been watching to see who will be the players who can have an impact at the next level.

By all accounts(most importantly by my eyes), this will be as bad of an NBA draft as we have seen since 2000. You remember, that was the year Jerry Krause drafted Marcus Fizer when the Bulls had Elton Brand, and Jamal Crawford. It wasn’t the year to have multiple lottery picks. The Cavs(God really does hate Cleveland) will have two lottery picks, and might take a chance on Perry Jones(see above video). Of course the Cavs have two lottery picks in a miserable draft. Would you expect anything else?

What I wanted to do today was give my thoughts on who will & won’t make an impact on the next level. I am not ranking guys in any order because until the lottery takes place, it’s all moot. Different teams have different needs. This is just a list of players who have for better or worse, stuck out.

Kyrie Irving–PG–Duke: Irving made his return to the Blue Devils despite some idiot “experts” saying he shouldn’t. Irving is a one and done, and should be the #1 pick if a team needs a point guard. Irving has been compared to Chris Paul, and can shoot the hell out of the ball. The 6’2 freshman hit 49% of his 3′s and averaged 17 ppg & 4.7 apg this year. If the Cavs get the first pick, Irving has to be the guy. He is quick, can defend, and is an extremely skilled passer. He isn’t D Rose explosive, but he will be a stud PG at the NBA level.

Derrick Williams–SF-PF–Arizona: The 6’7 forward will need to play the 4 at the NBA level. I don’t know if he has the ability to defend NBA wing players, so he will need to settle in at the 4. His biggest flaw might be that he views himself as a 3. I made the mistake of falling for a tweener in Tyrus Thomas, and won’t make that mistake again. Williams had a bad game vs Texas, but made the game winner to propel the Wildcats to the Sweet 16. I need to know that Williams can play the 3 because he isn’t big enough to be a power forward. He averaged 19.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, & shot 61% from the field this season. I wouldn’t take him #1, but he will be considered. Think David West with more athleticism.

Enes Kanter–PF-C–Kentucky: He is from Turkey, so maybe he has a little Omer Asik in him. I haven’t seen this guy play so who knows. If you don’t know me well, here is a hint on how I roll when it comes to European players…..Stay away! I am not a big fan in general, let alone big men. It’s a rule I have always gone by, and it would serve me well if I ever become an NBA GM. Scouts love Kanter, but how can I if I haven’t seen him play? I’ll defer to my euro rule, and will live with the consequences if he pans out.

Jared Sullinger–PF–Ohio State: The 6’9 280(and rising) pound big man hasn’t impressed me. Scouts have compared him to Carlos Boozer(wrong), Paul Millsap(wrong again), and Kevin Love(good outlet passer, but can’t shoot like K Love). Those same scouts have compared him to Zach Randolph. Z-Bo is a beast, and is all world when it comes to low post scoring. Sullinger isn’t that good. I don’t like how he has put on weight as this season has gone on. What will happen when he has a huge contract and is living out of hotels 41 nights a year? That’s a red flag. He will be viewed as a double double guy in the NBA, but I would need to know about his work ethic before I made him a top 5 pick. He has good hands, long arms, & good feel for the game. However, he lacks the explosiveness to finish over length at the next level.

It is pretty sad that I don’t have 1 draft crush to this point. I told you, this draft is a suck fest.

Ben Hansbrough–PG–Notre Dame: Just kidding. This crazy white weirdo is a complete penis who should have never won Big East player of the year over Kemba Walker. What a joke. There is a reason I took the athletic Florida State squad over ND. Hansbrough can shoot 2,000 jumpers a day, in the wee hours of the night. It doesn’t matter. He is an over hyped bum who will be coaching within two years. You can have this buster.

Teams will regret passing on Kemba Walker.

Kemba Walker–PG–UConn: The guy who should have won Big East player of the year, and my favorite college player this season. Walker is only 6’1, but he plays with the heart of a guy 6’6. He will need to prove he can play the point at the NBA level, and if he shows it in pre-draft workouts, I would take him as the 3rd point guard after Irving & Brandon Knight. He is that good. Certain players just have the “it” factor, and Walker has it. He had 10 games with at least 30 points this season, and has a swag about him that I like. He reminds me of Brandon Jennings, and would be a good fit for any number of teams looking for a point guard. Walker is and will continue to be a shot maker.

Nolan Smith & Kyle Singler–Duke: Teams will rave about Smith as a leader. He is a strong defender, has long arms, & is a winner. To me, he is a backup in the NBA. When you look at some of the bums playing point in the league, Smith will find a home somewhere. Singler is bench guy on the right team. I wouldn’t draft him, but that’s me.

Harrison Barnes–SF–UNC: A guy I had pegged as the next Marvin Williams has really taken off since Roy Williams put the ball in his hands more. Barnes could vault back to the top of the draft with a couple more stellar tournament games, and strong pre-draft workouts. I have been impressed by his shooting ability. He has been compared to the Bulls Luol Deng, but is more athletic. He isn’t an elite athlete, but isn’t a stiff either. I really like his mid range game as well. Don’t be shocked if he works his way into the top 3 come June’s draft. The more I watch him, the more I am changing my opinion of him.

Alec Burks–SG–Colorado: The 2-guard answer for the Bulls? The Bulls have two late 1st round picks and could move up if they Burks. He is 6’6, athletic, & has been compared to Brandon Roy. As long as his knee ligaments aren’t as weak as notebook paper, Burks could make team pay for passing on him. Keep your eyes on this kid.

Brandon Knight–PG–Kentucky: A 6’3 point guard from Kentucky who is being coached by John Calipari. Sound familiar? First it was Derrick Rose, then Tyreke Evans, and then John Wall. He is long, athletic, and has a little Jason Terry in him. He averaged 17.4 ppg, 4.2 apg, & shot 38% from 3-point range. I like this kid’s game. He has a lot of upside, much like his teammate Terrence Jones. Knight is a better long range shooter than a lot of people think. When it comes time for the pre-draft workouts, Knight could shoot up draft boards. He is the next in line in Coach Cal’s point guard tree. If I needed a point guard and Irving was off the board, I would more than happy to scoop up Knight. Remember this kid.

Blondie loves Morehead. You know she would love her some Jimmer.

Jimmer Fredette–PG–BYU: Put it this way, I’ll be shocked if the Jazz don’t draft Fredette if he is there. Having gone through the diva that is Deron Williams, don’t you think the Jazz will want a drama free lead guard going forward? Fredette won’t be scoring 30 a game in the league, but is better than I thought he was. He can create his own shot, has range from everywhere, and is built like an NBA player. Since Brandon Davies was suspended, Jimmer has averaged 34.7 points and 4.8 assists a game. He has willed his team to the Sweet 16, and won’t go down easy. He poured in 36 vs Gonzaga to go along with 6 dimes, and 7 3′s. This kid can play the game of basketball.

Perry Jones–SF–Baylor: The biggest wild card in this draft. He could end of being Tracy McGrady, or he could be Anthony Randolph mixed with a little Brandon Wright. You just don’t know. He has a 7’2.5” wingspan that would make Jerry Krause blush. If you watch the video at the top, you can see why scouts drool over this kid. There are some character concerns as well as the fact that he didn’t dominate like a potential top pick should(13.9ppg, 7.2 rpg, & only 20% on 3′s). If the Cavs can get the top pick and secure Irving, they should roll the dice on Jones with their other pick(around the 7-9 range). Teams that are desperate for a star might take this kid. He is the ultimate boom or bust, and one of the reasons why it is so incredibly hard to figure kids like this out. Don’t be surprised if Michael Jordan takes him if he is still on the board when his lowly Bobcats pick.

JuJuan Johnson–PF–Purdue: The 6’10 power forward from Purdue might be on the board when the Bulls pick in the late 20′s. If that is the case, & they don’t use those two picks for a 2-guard, Johnson could be an intriguing pick. He is long, athletic, & skilled. If he is on the board, take him. Then, the Bulls can trade Taj Gibson as part of a package to find that 2-guard(Aaron Afflalo). You see, it always comes back to the Bulls. What can I say, that’s how I roll.

This draft isn’t loaded with franchise changing talent, but there will be players who will surprise. There will also be bums who will make you laugh five years from now when you hear their names mentioned. Just for fun, Google the 2000 NBA Draft and look at some of those names. It’s fucking hysterical.

I told you to remember Brandon Knight, and here is a clip of him last summer at the Reebok All American camp…..