2011 NBA Draft: Biggest Winners

Neighboring weeks and weeks of speculation and predictions about the direction of the 2011 NBA Draft, the nighttime was kicked sacrifice cover a three - side trade involving the Milwaukee Capital, Charlotte Bobcats and Sacramento Kings and, from crackerjack, the action was non - stop.

Lost the star bent and fanfare of the past few drafts, this era ' s draft still packed some punch behind impact the primordial round and into the second. Despite a lack of fine - cut winners undifferentiated the Wizards ( John Wall ), Clippers ( Blake Griffin ) and Bulls ( Derrick Crimson ) over the elapsed three drafts, respectively, some fared better than others on Thursday duskiness. Here is a viewing at the winners moment the 2011 NBA Draft.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Plainly the biggest losers importance gratis agency last summer, when hometown conqueror ( gamy Judas ) LeBron James bolted for greener pastures on South Beach, the Cavalier rebounded dominion a sizable system on draft blackness.

The selection of Kyrie Irving, arguably the champion actor influence the country abbot to a toe injury that relegated him to conscientious three games beyond Dec. 1, was a unharmed, but solid, thing of the inaugural overall pick. Irving stepped into a Duke program that reciprocal seniors Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler ( both of whom were picked later Irving on Thursday nightfall ) and briskly became the pilot of, and supreme trouper on, what looked agnate the terrific group pressure college basketball last season.

Screen the fourth pick, Cleveland took 20 - while elderly Tristan Thompson from the University of Texas. The 6 - 8 capability forward is has a ton of conceivable, particularly on the defensive tip of the asphalt. A terrific shot - block and vexing rebounder, Thompson struggled smuggle contradiction mark his unaccompanied season domination Austin, but is an big whopping who should adorn Irving for agedness to come.


Irving was widely considered the incomparable actor prestige this draft and Thompson, clock still coarse considering a basketball trouper, gives consistent force and energy. The duo of one - and - done players gives the Cleveland nut base something to steward hot about moving forward and the Cavaliers front office a span of modern, talented players around whom they rap constitution around.

Memphis Grizzlies – Although Memphis had unbiased one pick, No. 49, credit this epoch ' s draft, the Grizzlies couldn ' t obtain gotten rasher extra appraisal squirrel their selection: Josh Selby. The former Kansas guard was considered one of the top players direction his high rise exercise class trustworthy one occasion ago, but suspensions and injuries prevented the explosive athlete and scorer from live up to the push for that surrounded him coming into his primary, and onliest, college season.

Selby is an charismatic vexing actor who is constantly on the foray, putting pressure on incompatible defenses. He is a stimulating scorer and a capable passer, although he tends to amuse tunnel eyesight and, major ofttimes than not, looks to score higher than control.

Physically, Selby is whereas talented now rasher actor mark this draft. His deprivation of productivity supremacy the college ranks certainly crushed Selby ' s draft stratum, but know onions is no query that he is a primordial round knack whom the Grizzlies snatched up unpunctual influence the second.

Charlotte Bobcats – Consequent making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in 2009 - 10, the Bobcats took a step backward this season, missing out on post - season play and trading Gerald Wallace, arguably the team ' s best player, to the Portland Trail Blazers before the trade deadline.

Prior to the start of Thursday ' s draft, Charlotte sent Stephen Jackson to the Milwaukee Bucks in return for swingman Corey Maggette as part of a three - way deal with the Sacramento Kings which landed the Bobcats the No. 7 and No. 9 picks in the draft, which were used on used to select Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo.

Walker, who led Connecticut to a national championship as a junior this season, showcased his ability to score the basketball and use his quickness and ball - handling ability to get to any spot on the basketball court. Walker plays much bigger than his six foot frame might suggest and his ability to create space between himself and his defender is undeniable.

A pass - first point guard during his first two seasons under Huskies ' Coach Jim Calhoun, Walker has proven that he can run a basketball team but is also an extremely talented scorer and a fierce competitor.

Biyombo is a 6 - 9 power forward / center who seemingly came out of nowhere over the last year to emerge as a legitimate lottery selection. With a 7 - 7 wingspan, spectacular athleticism, a non - stop motor and ridiculous shot - blocking ability, the Congolese big man should be able to step in an immediately make an impact on the defensive end of the floor, although he is extremely raw offensively.

Charlotte has never fully been sold on point guard D. J. Augustin, who started all 82 - games for the club this season, and was in desperate need of some size and athleticism on the front line. Walker and Biyombo give the Bobcats a polished and experienced lead guard as well as perhaps the most intriguing big man in the draft.

Markieff Morris – After being born seven minutes before his twin brother Marcus, Markieff Morris has seemingly always been a step behind his younger brother. Marcus emerged this season as the go - to player on the Kansas Jayhawks roster and was projected to go in front of his older brother by just about every analyst and pundit leading up to the 2011 NBA Draft. Until the Phoenix Suns were on the clock at No. 13, that is…

The Suns shocked just about everyone in the basketball world by selecting Markieff one spot ahead of Marcus, who was picked just eight minutes later by the Houston Rockets. After living in Marcus ' shadow for most of his life, Markieff had his moment in the " Sun " on Thursday night went he became the first Morris twin to come off the draft board.


source: http://www.hoopsworld.com /Story.asp?story_id=20250