June 28, 2011
Grading the 2011 NBA Draft
The real value of a draft pick cannot be determined for years, but on draft day we can surely tell apart the GM`s who had an A+ from those who miserably failed the draft test.
The team grades for the 2011 NBA draft are in a scale from * to * * * * *
Top of the class
Boston Celtics * * * *
Round 1: JaJuan Johnson F
Round 2: E'Twaun Moore G
I really liked what the Celtics did in this draft. They picked up two experienced players that went through their college career together, a couple of safe picks that should get some playing time this season and contribute to the team`s chemistry.
Washington Wizards * * * * *
Round 1: Jan Vesely F, Chris Singleton F
Round 2: Shelvin Mack G
The Wizards had two first round picks (6th and 18th) and one in the second round (34th). Sadly for the organization this year’s draft didn’t had the talent of previous years, but the Wizards surely got the best with what was out there. They filled a big need adding Vesely and found great value with Singleton who most experts had going higher.
Philadelphia 76ers * * * *
Round 1: Nikola Vucevic F/C
Round 2: Lavoy Allen F
Five months ago no one thought about the former Trojan Vucevic going this high but given his experience and after some really impressive workouts he became a red hot prospect. The 76ers needed size and Nikola provides them with size plus shooting skills unlike any other center in this draft.
Flunked
New York Knicks *
Round 1: Iman Shumpert G
Round 2: Josh Harrellson C
The Knicks really gambled with their first pick. Shumpert is a guard that could help on the defensive end and that`s the reason they have one * instead of no * at all. It remains uncertain if he will ever develop his game in order to contribute on offense at all.
Portland Trail Blazers**
Round 1: Nolan Smith G
Round 2: Jon Diebler G
The Blazers took a second round caliber player in Smith with their first pick. He is a decent PG and will probably have a long NBA career at the point but his (he has never started?) never starting for any team.(unclear segment)
And if it that wasn`t bad enough they took another mediocre guard in the second round. It`s hard to tell what the Blazers office was thinking by selecting two guards with so many front court needs.
Toronto Raptors *
Round 1: Jonas Valanciunas C
Quality centers are a rare commodity this days for NBA teams plus the Raptors always fall for international prospects so, so far this pick makes some sense.
Valaciunas seems like his got what it takes to start at center this side of the Atlantic, so you all probably wonder why only one *. The issue with this selection is got nothing to do with Jonas’ talents.
The problem here is that his contract buyout looks complicated so most likely he won`t make it to the NBA this year. The Raptors are a team that went 22-60 last season so it`s clear they needed to draft a player that not only can play right away but that can have an instant impact.