2011 NBA Draft Recap - Western Conference

...and here is Part 2.

Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks - The NBA Champion Mavericks went into the draft needing a more stable swingman considering Caron Butler's injury and the impending free agency. Out they came with Rudy Fernandez from the Portland Trail Blazers, a scorer who was unhappy in Portland and will certainly help Dirk on the perimeter. The rich get richer..no surprise here.

Fernandez joins the Champion Mavs

Houston Rockets - Just moments after picking Marcus Morris, the Rockets swapped Brad Miller and a future first round pick to the Timberwolves for Donatas Montejunas and Jonny Flynn. In Morris and Montejunas, the Rockets possibly have their future front court and if not, at least capable backups. Daryl Morey always seems to pick great role players/semi-star players, but never picks players who develops into superstars. He's the Basketball equivalent of Billy Beane.

Memphis Grizzlies - The Grizzlies had one pick in the second round and came out with Josh Selby. Selby who was a top ten recruit out of high school, just a year ago joins a team that already has Mike Conley Jr. and Greivis Vasquez. Perhaps the Grizzlies would have been better served to draft a European project center who might need to take over if Marc Gasol leaves in Free Agency.

Selby probably would have been better off to stay another year at KU.

New Orleans Hornets - The Hornets, who are owned by all the other owners in the NBA, picked Josh Harrelson from the University of Kentucky and traded him to the Knicks..for....cash. Right, that doesn't sound fishy at all. Meanwhile, expect Harrelson to join the pantheon of Brian Cardinal, Brian Scalabrine, and Mark Madsen as white guys who you cannot believe are in the league.

Josh Harrelson...hahahahhahaha

San Antonio Spurs - A pick that would have been declared a bust had any other team picked him, Cory Joseph was picked 29th overall by the Spurs. They also traded George Hill for Kawhi Leonard and David Bertans, perhaps an indication that the suits in San Antonio are looking to life after Tim Duncan/Manu Ginobli/Tony Parker.

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets - Carmelo Anthony seems to be the gift that keeps on giving. The Nuggets swapped Raymond Felton to the Blazers in exchange for Andre Miller - George Karl's man-crush, and the Mavericks' first round pick of Jordan Hamilton. In addition, the picked Kenneth Faried from Morehead State. Faried has a legitimate chance to be a major contributor with the possible departure of Kenyon Martin via Free Agency so all in all, a great draft for the Nuggets.

I'm David Kahn and I should be fired by now, but.....

Minnesota Timberwolves - KAHHHHHHHHHN! Who knows what this guy is thinking any more? Whether it is being unable to find a trade partner for the #2 pick in the draft, or firing Kurt Rambis right after draft night, or making 30 trades to acquire second round picks, Minnesota failed. At least, Rubio is coming over after 300 years.

Ricky Rubio is here to save me (LOOK AT THAT HAIR!)

Portland Trail Blazers - Trading a point guard who fits your system (Andre Miller) for a point guard who likes to run (Raymond Felton) to play alongside a former franchise player whose knees are both shot (Brandon Roy) is not a good strategy especially when you don't have a GM (Paul Allen, you idiot). Picking an overrated Duke guard at #21 (Nolan Smith) is just icing on the cake.

Oklahoma City Thunder - Early Thursday, there were rumblings that the Thunder were looking to move into the top ten to pick Jonas Valanciunas by offering Eric Maynor. Well they kept Maynor and also picked Reggie Jackson from Boston College, who was rumored to have been promised to be picked by the Heat. Well done Sam Presti.

Utah Jazz - After the Jazz took Enes Kanter and broke all of Washington D.C.'s hearts including John Wall's, they proceeded to take Alec Burks with the twelfth pick. What would have been smarter and a much better PR move, especially in Salt Lake City, would have been to trade up to #10 and pick Jimmer Fredette. Could you imagine the craziness that would ensue in Utah?

Don't cry Enes. John Wall wanted to play with you too.

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors - As much as I hate on Mark Jackson, it seems like his first draft was a winner. After picking former Laker Mychal Thompson's son, Klay, at #11, the Warriors drafted Charles Jenkins from Hofstra in the second round and traded for the infamous Jeremy Tyler. The selections of Thompson and Jenkins imply that Monta Ellis could be on his way out much sooner than later and Tyler gives the Warriors a player to develop on the inside.

Now, this..is just hilarious.

Los Angeles Clippers - Sure the Clippers picked Trey Thompkins in the second round - a pick that looks to be a steal. But, what decides how this draft turns out for the Clippers is how well Kyrie Irving ends up. Remember, the Clippers traded Baron Davis and their first round pick to the Cavaliers for Mo Williams, a clear salary-dumping move. If Irving turns out to be a perennial All-Star or a Hall of Famer, well, let's just say Blake Griffin will no longer be a Clipper after 2013.

Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers picked Darius Morris from Michigan in the second round. The point guard should be eased into the rotation next year and will hopefully replace Derek Fisher...by yesterday. Solid pick.

One of these guys doesn't belong in the NBA..Guess who?

Phoenix Suns - What's with the Suns picking the less heralded twin? First Robin Lopez from Stanford several years ago and now Markieff Morris from Kansas. I'm not a big fan of the Morris twins, but hopefully he plays enough defense in what should be Steve Nash's last year in the desert.

Sacramento Kings - Can you imagine Jimmer Fredette, Tyreke Evans, and Demarcus Cousins hanging out after practice? This needs to be a reality show ASAP. Jimmer now has the responsibility of keeping basketball in Sacramento - nothing he can't handle. Hell, he could keep the Devil from doing evil.

Jimmer Fredette, coming to save the world at an NBA arena near you.