7 replies to this topic

[Endy9]

Here's an early look at the NBA draft

Here's an early look at the NBA draft

And as you can imagine it's dotted heavily with freshmen and sophomores

In our annual salute to the NCAA tournament, here's our best guess at the first 20 players to be selected in the June NBA draft.

The debate about No. 1 will depend on who gets the pick.

1 (T). Kyrie Irving, Fr., Duke: Some see Chris Paul II, more see a better Ty Lawson. I'm going with those who see greatness, even if Irving was only good in the tournament coming off his injury. If the Cavs, Raptors, Kings or Jazz (with Nets' pick) are No. 1, it's him.

1 (T). Derrick Williams, So., Arizona: Now top three, two or one. If the Wizards, who have John Wall, get the No. 1 pick, it's him. Or …

3. Enes Kanter, Fr., Kentucky: Listed at 6-10, 240, the weight looks right ... as a low estimate. If he's 6-9, the Timberwolves or Wizards could take him No. 1 as an Al Hoford-type center. At whatever height he is, Kanter got 34-13 in 2010 Hoop Summit against Jared Sullinger, Harison Barnes, et al.

4. Jonas Valanciunas, Lietuvos Rytas, Lithuania: Slender at 6-11, 240, but GMs say he could be a Pau Gasol. Says a scout of Kanter and Valanciunas, "If they played college ball in the U.S., they might be 1-2."

5. Harrison Barnes, Fr., North Carolina: Not ready. but who is? Not gifted at small forward where the athletes play but has great feel, attacks, plays on the move. I love him, but when I miss, all I have to do is write "Oops."

6. Jared Sullinger, Fr., Ohio State: Not coming but deserves this salute. I don't like comparisons to anomalies like Dennis Rodman or Kevin Love — but I think he's Love Child II.

7. Perry Jones, Fr., Baylor: On pure appeal since he's like a 6-11 guard. Baylor made Elite Eight with Ekpe Udoh, didn't make 68-team field with him.

8. Kemba Walker, Jr. Connecticut: Not big or knock-down shooter but totally clutch, taking young team through Big East tournament and loaded West bracket.

9. Terrence Jones, Fr., Kentucky: Great-looking 6-9 athlete, but production slipped as other Wildcats stepped up.

10. Alec Burks, So., Colorado: Major shooting guard prospect, should go higher.

11. Brandon Knight, Fr., Kentucky: Shot his way, literally, into lottery. Not great penetrator but knock-down shooter who defends.

12. Jan Vesely, KK Partizan Belgrade, Serbia: Admirers see Andre Kirilenko.

13. John Henson, So., North Carolina: Slender at 6-10, 220, but answered questions about toughness, so far.

14. Jeremy Lamb, So., Connecticut: Billed as Wes Johnson but better. Surfaced so recently, it's not known if he's coming.

15. Reggie Jackson, Jr., Boston College: Point guard moving up. Big, athletic at 6-3, 208, considered third best behind Irving, Knight.

16. Kawhi Leonard, So., San Diego State: Not a player you often see. Try Luc Richard Mbah a Moute with Kobe Bryant handle.

17. Tyler Zeller, Jr., North Carolina: Major mover at 7-foot, 250. Filled out, got tougher and can shoot.

18. Lucas Nogueira, Asefa Estudiantes, Spain: Closely-watched 7-0 Brazilian, in Saturday's Hoop Summit.

19. Donatas Motiejunas, Benetton Treviso, Italy: Young, skilled basket-facing Euro-type big man is 7-foot, 215 pounds.

20. Kenneth Faried, Sr., Morehead State: Animal rebounder if only like 6-6. Nice tab by ESPN's Chad Ford.

Then there's BYU's Jimmer Fredette. He's still a first-rounder, but scouts see him as sharp-shooting reserve, not a starting point guard.

mheisler@tribune.com

[yungsta]

too bad we traded away our draft pick

[capstone21]

Honestly, I am really not that impressed with this years players anyway

[Squawker]

Derrick Williams is going to be an absolute beast with his physical frame and skill set.

[MaceCase]

Squawker, on 03 April 2011 - 02:08 AM, said:

Derrick Williams is going to be an absolute beast with his physical frame and skill set.

At what position though? Until I see his combine measurements I doubt he'll be able to go HAM on NBA PFs and I don't think he looks fluid enough for the 3.
Just goes to show the weakness of this draft, two of the projected top 10 either barely played due to injury like Kyrie or didn't play at all like Kanter.  To have the first populated with Euro prospects, either frail or undersized forwards and midget 2guards tells me that you can find the same quality at pick 5 that you'd find at 25 and beyond. I mean geez, through the season and tournament being almost over and yet not a single player could usurp a player that spent most of his freshman year in a walking boot?

[Bruin]

Malcolm Lee is going to be a steal if he doesn't go back to school (hasn't hired an agent) he did the best job on Jimmer all year.

Derrick Williams is mentally weak and is horrible at that thing called "defense" other than his blocks.

[willthepureshooter]

I definately see a need for our 1st Rd pick. If you don't, then there's something wrong with your basketball IQ. We have a bench made up of Etan Smith, Collins, Powell, and Armstrong. I can give you 10 draft prospects with more upside than three of the current roster players just named. Why not take a chance on a top 20 pick when half of the bench is garbage and ASG won't spend a dime on free agents. Correction, they would pay a dime for a player because they're cheap.

[Dolfan23]

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