NBA DRAFT 2011 - EUROTASTIC
The draft is over and now there is definitely nothing to look forward to all summer sportswise until the NFL starts up again.Training Camps will be brimming with the usual controversies and questions like "Who will be the starter at Quarterback for the Redskins - John Beck or Rex Grossman or Speedy Gonzalez?" or "How many times will Albert Haynesworth be arrested?" or "Will the Dallas Cowboys' roof collapse again?" or "Will Cam Newton's dad make his own salary with the Panthers?"
Apparently Newton has looked good in Panthers' players-only workouts |
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics - The Celtics ended up with two Purdue Boilermakers - JaJuan Johnson and E'twaun Moore who will no doubt eventually buy into the Celtics' philosophy of defense, rebounding, and scowling and trash talking players who are a foot shorter than you.
From Purdue, Indiana to Boston, Massachusetts |
New Jersey Nets - MarShon Brooks has a chance to become the best shooting guard in this draft. He was an absolutely unstoppable, at times, scorer for the Friars and he could continue to fry (get it?) in the NBA. Jordan Williams from Maryland is undersized, short-armed, and though he dropped quite a few pounds, a bit overweight. Either he makes it as a great rebounder in the league, or he is out of it by 2013 and is shooting in an Israeli gym with John Gilchrist and Nik Caner-Medley.
Jordan Williams, post-weight loss. Too bad his arms didn't grow. |
New York Knicks - Iman Shumpert provided one of the few WTF moments of the first round when he was taken by the Knicks. Spike Lee didn't even know his name! In a draft that was especially deep at guard, the Knicks picked a guy who most had going in the late first round. At least he plays defense..
Philadelphia 76ers - Nikola Vucevic was a player I really liked out of USC, but this pick does not really help the Sixers. Vucevic does the exact same things that Spencer Hawes does, albeit better. Lavoy Allen in the second round will not make the roster, but was probably given a shot because he is a hometown kid.
Toronto Raptors - So the team that needed the most help coming into this draft next to the Cavaliers has one draft pick and picks a guy who they will have to wait for at least a year...What? Valenciunas is apparently the next Ilgauskas so hopefully he's worth it for Bryan Colangelo.
Valanciunas isn't coming over..atleast not right now. |
Chicago Bulls - The Bulls came away from this draft with Jimmy Butler from Marquette and forward Malcolm Lee from UCLA. Two hard working kids from reputable college programs will join a team that is built around defense - is anything more ideal? Butler's story is great (read it on ESPN.com), but I think Lee is the better player and will have a bigger impact.
Jimmy Butler has perhaps the best story in the Draft. Good for him. |
Cleveland Cavaliers - In the first round, the Cavs selected Kyrie Irving and....Tristan Thompson?! For a team that is looking to revitalize interest in the team, the Cavaliers selected an awfully raw player. It would have been smarter for the Cavs to take Derrick Williams with the first pick and then pick Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker at 4, but they didn't and ended up with an unusually raw Tristan Thompson.
Tristan Thompson at #4? Really? |
Leonard heads to San Antonio to become the new Bruce Bowen |
Indiana Pacers - The Pacers traded Kawhi Leonard and David Bertans to the Spurs for George Hill to be their starting shooting guard and thus ends any speculation of OJ Mayo to the Pacers.
Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks swung a trade several hours before the draft and picked up Stephen Jackson and Tobias Harris. Harris is multi-talented and might be a starter in Milwaukee soon enough. Jackson replaces Maggette and it's always a good thing when you trade away Corey Maggette.
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks - The biggest news from the Hawks during the draft was the traded that didn't happen of Josh Smith to the Magic for a package including Jameer Nelson. The Hawks picked up Keith Benson from Oakland in the second round and he could become a good backup in the league.
Charlotte Bobcats - Rich Cho could win executive of the year even after trading for Corey Maggette. However, he could lose it after picking Bismack Biyombo and Kemba Walker. I'm not a big fan of Walker and Biyombo is anything but a sure bet. At least the Bobcats are ten times more athletic and can finally play Coach Paul Silas' defense.
Bismack Biyombo is a physical freak..whether he can play basketball is unknown. |
Miami Heat - Norris Cole goes from the unknown confines of Cleveland State to possibly becoming a major role player on the most hated team in the history of time. Soon enough he will enter Eddie House territory.
Orlando Magic - Orlando had a very good draft, adding Justin Harper from Richmond and DeAndre Liggins from Kentucky. Harper gives the Magic another three point shooter and Liggins is a very good player who was a late bloomer for the Wildcats. None of this matters unless the team finds a way to re-sign Dwight Howard next offseason.
Harper gives the Magic another three point shooter. |
Washington Wizards - Jan Vesely and Chris Singleton give the Wizards two players who can play both the forward spots interchangeably. I really don't understand the purpose of drafting Vesely he's a Euro who can't shoot..Maybe the way I think is wrong, but if I am building a team around my point guard of the future, I am giving him as many weapons as possible, especially weapons on the perimeter that are available for the drive-and-dish. Many fans preferred Singleton with the 6th pick so finding him at 18 was a pleasant surprise. Shelvin Mack in the second round should help shore up the backup situations in the back court, but I would have preferred Josh Selby, a player who has more home-run potential and a potentially great running partner with John Wall. All in all, a solid draft for the Wizards, but nothing spectacular.
Jan Vesely and his girlfriend making out..the highlight of the draft by far |
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