Post by tyfreak on Jul 21, 2014 23:43:46 GMT
Every year, there are teams in contention. However, there are also teams in contention for a top draft choice, looking for a franchise player to launch the team into a contender. Today we will be reviewing the top 15 NBA draft selections of the 2011 Draft.
1) Nikola Mirotic - Mirotic has developed into one of the best all around players in the league. Many GM's questioned the pick, as Kyrie Irving was widely anticipated as the first pick. However, Mirotic has become a great selection. This year he averaged 20.2 Points, 8.7 Rebounds, 2.7 Assists, and 3.4 blocks per game. Not only has Mirotic showcased his ability to score, and shoot from beyond the arc, but he is protecting the paint like a damn beast.
Original Draft Grade: B-
Current Draft Grade: A
2) Kyrie Irving - Irving has shown improvement in every season besides a lackluster 2014 Season where he saw his numbers go down vastly. Kyrie Irving has developed into a stud in this league, and hasn't even reached his prime. Last season Irving averaged 27.4 Points, 4.2 Rebounds, 9.3 Assists, 1.8 steals on incredibly efficient numbers 46/84/39. Irving does everything you want in a Point Guard. Scores, rebounds, passes, makes smart passes, and rarely turns the ball over. He was a great pick in 2011, and it's a great draft now.
Original Draft Grade: A+
Current Draft Grade: A+
3) Jonas Valanciunas - Jonas Valanciunas, although he has never put up numbers from someone you expect with the third overall selection, he has fit in well with the 76ers. He is a double double machine and does a solid job protecting the rim averaging 2.4 Blocks Per Game. 76ers look a different direction if the draft was re-done, but hindsight is hindsight.
Original Draft Grade: B+
Current Draft Grade: B
4) Isaiah Thomas - Many wrote off Isaiah because he came into the draft at 5'9 and under 180 pounds, but the Hornets scouts believed Isaiah would be a top Point Guard in this league, and well, just about every team would benefit immensely if they had the Hornets scouts. Isaiah averaged 20 Points, 6.5 Assists, and 1.3 Steals this past season showing he has what it takes to be a top Point Guard. He holds onto the ball well, and shoots at solid clips. Excellent pick.
Original Draft Grade: C+
Current Draft Grade: A
5) Klay Thompson - When the Cavs left the draft with Kyrie Irving and sharp shooter Klay Thompson, it was a foregone conclusion that together they would combine to make the best back court in the league. Klay Thompson has been solid, but he hasn't performed up to expectations. This past season he did take a nice step forward. Raising his averages from 7.6 Points, 3 rebounds, 1.7 Assists, 1.1 Steals on 41/74/39 to 11.7 Points, 4.7 Rebounds, 2.6 Assists, 1.3 Steals on 44/72/42. Saw a raise across the board, and may just be a late bloomer. Klay is only 23, but many believe he has reached his peak.
Original Draft Grade: B+
Current Draft Grade: C+
6) Brandon Knight - Knight has never developed into what he was expected too, and now that the Celtics PG rotation consists of Trey Burke, Devin Harris, and C.J McCollum, it looks rather impossible for him to find his niche in this league. He's still 22 years old, so a change of scenery would be best for Brandon Knight.
Original Draft Grade: B+
Current Draft Grade: C
7) Kawhi Leonard - Leonard was drafted for his élite defense and developing offense. While his offense has never developed into what was expected, he has still been a decent role player in the NBA. He's been a bit of a journeyman so far as he is on his 3rd team in 5 years, but he may have just found the perfect fit in Indiana.
Original Draft Grade: B+
Current Draft Grade: C+
8) Kenneth Faried - Faried was always a high energy player, and he has used that to find his niche in this league. He's a good post defender, and a constant double double per game player. He's averaging 10.3 Points and 11.7 Rebounds along with 1.3 blocks. He'll never be a star, but he'll enjoy a nice and long career in the NBA.
Original Draft Grade: C+
Current Draft Grade: B
9) Chandler Parsons - Drafted as a scorer, Parsons has never really developed into a lethal scorer as many projected. Last season Parsons was shopped for the now 10 overall pick, and averaged 11.3 Points, 3.4 Rebounds and 1.2 Assist per game. With percentages of 43/76/32 it's safe to say Parsons is a bit of a disappointment.
Original Draft Grade: B
Current Draft Grade: C
10) Enes Kanter - Kanter has been pretty disappointing in this league thus far. He did average 14 Points and 10 Rebounds one season, but besides that he hasn't been much more than a solid role player.
Original Draft Grade: B
Current Draft Grade: C
11) Kemba Walker - Ah. The bust pick. Raptors GM picked Kemba expecting him to develop into a good Point Guard, but his first Training Camp he was seen playing NBA 2K instead of actually working on his game. While his my player averaged 40 Points and 17 Assists, only reason he's ever cracked a rotation was because he was on the tanking Nuggets. Raptors can't complain though, he was shipped off for Carmelo Anthony before he even stepped foot in Toronto. It is unlikely Kemba Walker finds another job in the league.
Original Draft Pick: F
Current Draft Grade: F
12) Evan Turner - Turner has never developed into anything, but he wasn't a bad pick at the time. Evan Turner is another player that likely will be out of the league as he is a Free Agent.
Original Draft Grade: B-
Current Draft Grade: C-
13) Donatas Motiejuanas - If you looked up late bloomer in the definition, don't be surprised if Donatas Motiejuanas comes up. He struggled finding his role his first
three seasons, but last year he started producing. He averaged 4.5 Points, 4.7 Rebounds on 46/70/50. Bigs that can stroke from outside always seem to find a role in this league.
Original Draft Grade: C
Current Draft Grade: C
14) Iman Shumpert - Shumpert has never developed an offensive game, but he wasn't drafted to score twenty points. Shumpert is a damn solid role player, and while he may be getting overpaid, Shumpert fits his role and locks down the opposing wing.
Original Draft Grade: B
Current Draft Grade: B
15) Milan Macvan - Macvan is arguably the third best player in this draft. Not many knew about Macvan, but he is now well known around the league. Like I said, every team would benefit from having the Hornets scouts. Macvan spreads, the floor, rebounds, and most importantly protects the rim. He is also on a very reasonable contract, this past season he averaged 19.5 Points, 9.7 Rebounds, and 3.1 blocks shooting at an impressive clip of 46/66/45
Original Draft Grade: B
Current Draft Grade: A+
I was planning on drafting Kyrie plus Nikola.
