In case you missed them:
– 2011 NBA Draft – Winners and Losers: 21-30
– 2011 NBA Draft – Winners and Losers: 11-20

Who were the winners and losers of this draft?  Well, let’s take a look at who had the best draft night down to the most awful, here’s out 10 best…

10.) SAN ANTONIO SPURS

 

15th Pick – Kawhi Leonard (SF, San Diego State) Acquired via trade w/Indiana
Most similar to: Poor man’s Ron Artest/Score:  ****

29th Pick – Cory Joseph (PG, Texas)
Most similar to: Mookie Blaylock/Score:  ***

42nd Pick – Davis Bertans (SF/PF, Slovenia) Acquired via trade w/Indiana
Most similar to: Poor man’s taller version of Brent Barry/Score:  *

59th Pick – Adam Hanga (SG, Hungary)
Most similar to:  Poor man’s Leandro Barbosa/Score:  **

Draft Day Trade: Sent George Hill to Indy for 15th and future 2nd rd pick.

Overall Grade:  B-   Nice 1-2 punch at the small forward w/ Richard Jefferson and Leonard.  Loss of Hill will be replaced by Joseph who will provide Parker a much needed backup.  Goal: Get Younger.  Goal achieved.

 9.) SACRAMENTO KINGS 

I’m not a fan of Jimmer Fredette nor do I like any nickname or phrase with Jimmer in it.  I’m not sure how he’s going to fit alongside Tyreke Evans.  Both these guys need the ball in their hands and are better with the ball in their hands.  If Jimmer can turn into a distribute first type point guard and Tyreke concentrates on scoring; then this pick will be great. However, I see Jimmer being more of a scorer.  Let’s not forget about his defense.  He will get eaten up if he doesn’t improve in this area.

10th Pick – Jimmer Fredette (PG, BYU) Acquired via trade w/ Milwaukee & Charlotte
Most similar to: Jeff Hornacek/Score:  ***

35th Pick – Tyler Honeycutt (SF, UCLA)
Most similar to: Tayshaun Prince/Score:  ****

60th Pick – Isaiah Thomas (PG, Washington)
Most similar to:  Nate Robinson/Score:  **

Draft Day Trade: Sent Beno Udrih to Milwaukee in 3 team deal for for 10th pick and John Salmons.

Overall Grade:  B   Honeycutt is the second round diamond in the rough.  This will be a steal for Sacramento. Look for him to be in the top 5 candidates for Rookie of the Year.  He’ll probably get more playing time than Jimmer even.

 8.) CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

 

Not sure what to think of Biyombo just yet.  He is freakishly athletic and you can’t teach that.  Charlotte obtained this pick off a trade w/ Milwaukee and they’re hoping Biyombo turns into a defensive presence and a monster on the boards.  Downfall with Biyombo is on offense, Charlotte will be playing with four players instead of five on the offensive end.  Biyombo must work on this part of his game but if he can turn into perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, that’ll make up for his lack of offense.

7th Pick – Bismack Biyombo (PF, Congo) Acquired via trade w/ Sacramento and Milwaukee
Most similar to:  Ben Wallace/Score:  ***

9th Pick – Kemba Walker (PG, UConn)
Most similar to: Ben Gordon/Score:  ****

There’s no question this guy has talent but out of all the draft picks, Kemba has the biggest heart.  At only 6’0″ tall, if he was only 3 more inches taller he’d probably be the 1st pick overall.  Kemba can score in various ways and likes to take the big shot.   There’s been question if he’s a true point guard but I don’t think Charlotte has anything to worry about.  He will battle current point guard DJ Augustin for the starting point guard spot.

Draft Day Trade:  Received Corey Maggette from Milwaukee; Sent Stephen Jackson to Milwaukee

Overall Grade:  B   Charlotte lost their leader (Jackson). Yes, you read that correctly….leader.  His replacement – a more model citizen and more explosive offensive game in Walker.  Sky’s the limit for Biyombo.  These are two players I would’ve liked to see Larry Brown coach.

7.)  DENVER NUGGETS

 

22nd Pick – Kenneth Faried (PF, Morehead State)
Most similar to: A cross between Brian Grant & Serge Ibaka/Score: ****

I love this guy’s game.  High energy, tenacity, rebounding machine.  Will definitely be the steal of the draft.

26th Pick – Jordan Hamilton (SF, Texas) Acquired via trade w/ Dallas and Portland
Most similar to:  Matt Barnes/Score: ***

Draft Day Trade: Sent Raymond Felton to Portland for Andre Miller, Received 26th pick from Dallas and future 2nd rd pick from Portland

Overall Grade:  B+   The addition of Faried to the front court with Nene (assuming he stays with Denver) solidifies the 4 and 5 spot. Have fun trying to rebound against these two.  Picking up Miller, who’s in the final year of his cotnract, was an excellent first step in trying to land Chris Paul in 2012.

6.)  UTAH JAZZ

This is the biggest risk of the draft. He missed out on playing for the Kentucky program as he was ruled ineligible.  Yes, he has the potential to be a good starting center and to me has a sense of cockiness to him which I like.  Already playing behind, Al Jefferson, Paul Milsap, Derrick Favors, and Mehmet Okur, don’t expect Kanter to get a ton of minutes unless one of the current bigs are traded.  Don’t be surprised if Kanter has a few solid good years and then fades away.

3rd Pick – Enes Kanter (C, Turkey)
Most similar to:  Bryant “Big Country” Reeves/Score:  *** (Should’ve gone with Vesely for need or best available talent, Knight or Valanciunas)

12th Pick- Alec Burks (SG, Colorado)
Most similar to:  J.R. Smith/Score:  *****

Overall Grade:  B+   Burks will be Utah’s most versatile two guard ever to play in my lifetime.  When their half-court offense bogs down, give it to Burks to create something out of nothing.  Utah is loaded with a lot of bigs and is in the driver seat with any potential trade scenarios.

5.)  DETROIT PISTONS

Did the Pistons get lucky or what?  Predicted to go between 3-5, Knight fell into the Pistons lap and they could not pass up on this talent.  Even with a glutton of guards already, the Pistons had to go with the best talent rather than try to go after a big man.  Expect Knight to step in as the starting point guard alongside either Rodney Stuckey or Ben Gordon at the two.  I actually think Knight is as good as Irving, maybe even better since Knight should end up being much more of a defensive presence.  Look for him to be a leader.

8th Pick – Brandon Knight (PG, Kentucky)
Most Similar to: Rajon Rondo (but with a jumper)/Score:  *****

33rd Pick – Kyle Singler (SF, Duke)
Most similar to:  Matt Harpring/Score: ***

52nd Pick – Vernon Macklin (PF, Florida)
Most similar to:  Don Reid/Score: ***

Overall Grade:  A-   Detroit now has their point guard of the future they can build around.  Add him to their big man Monroe and you’ve got two pieces to build around.  I guarantee Singler and Macklin will be given a duo nickname by the end of the season for their hard-nosed play. The futuer looks bright in Detroit.  Now they just need a coach.

4.)  TORONTO RAPTORS

Are the Raptors trying to put together the next “Hakeem and Sampson” and “Robinson and Duncan”.  Quite possibly.  Jonas has terrific footwork around the basket as well as with his back to it.  He’s a European that runs the floor very well and attacks the rim.  Jonas will develop into an all-star center quickly.  However, it’s a good thing he’s staying in Europe for one more year since he needs to get stronger.

5th Pick – Jonas Valanciunas (C, Lithuania)
Most similar to: LaMarcus Aldridge/Score:  **** 

Overall Grade:  A-   Toronto was picking the best available talent at this time.  In the future they’ll have to decide who to part ways with.  Bargnani or Jonas?  Nice problem to have.  (See ya Bargnani.)

3.)  MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 

This guy can flat out score the ball inside and out at either the 3 or 4 position. However, I think he’s more suited to play power forward.  There’s no question about Williams’ offensive talent which will lead him to an potential all-star career.   However, I don’t think Minnesota is the right fit for him with the small and power forward positions alreardy solidified with Michael Beasley and Kevin Love.  Williams should be a starter.  Now, if Love is moved to center, then Williams can start at the four and will thrive but this makes their frontcourt small.

2nd Pick – Derrick Williams (SF/PF, Arizona)
Most similar to:  Josh Smith/Score: ***** 

31st Pick – Bojan Bogdanovic (SG, Bosnia-Croatia) Acquired via trade w/ Miami
Most similar to:  Carlos Delfino/Score: **

43rd Pick – Malcom Lee (SG, UCLA) Acquired via trade w/Chicago
Most similar to:  Courtney Lee/Score: **

57th Pick – Tanguay Ngombo (SF, Qatar) Acquired via trade w/Dallas
Most similar to: NA/Score: NA

Draft Day Trade:   Minnesota swapped some picks not only once but twice during the draft.  Ultimately, leading to a Johnny Flynn and 2oth pick to Houston for Brad Miller. 

Overall Grade:  A   Forget their other three picks. They’ll be fighting for a spot on this team. This is all about Derrick Williams.  Minnesota has another rookie coming in this year in Ricky Rubio.  Could this be a Stockton/Malone in the making?  Okay, I won’t go that far but you know what I mean.

2.)  CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 

Playing only 11 games in his freshmen year, to me this was a risk.  Don’t get me wrong this kid has talent and will probably end up being a top-notch point guard but it may be a slow process.  Not only will he have the responsibility to run this team from the get go but he will be counted on to score due to the lack of offensive talent on the Cavs.  At this pick, I would’ve gone with Derrick Williams and took the chance at the number four pick to try to land Irving.  Either way, still  great pick to rebuild the team around.  Irving will be a stud in due time.

1st Pick – Kyrie Irving (PG, Duke)
Most similar to:  Chris Paul/Score: *****

4th Pick – Tristan Thompson (PF, Texas)
Most similar to: Tyrus Thomas/Score: *** (Should have gone with Valanciunas even if it’d be a year before he’d join the team)

This was a big surprise.  I don’t consider this the best pick for Cleveland but will he help? Most likely.  His energy and tenacity on the boards and help-side defense will boost the Cavs frontcourt.  He’s still raw offensively and needs to expand on his half-hook offensive move.  He will end up starting since he’s being tagged (along with Kyrie Irving) as one of the building blocks of the Cavs rebuilding era.  He has potential to be an above average power forward.

54th Pick – Milan Macvan (SF/PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv-Israel)
Most similar to:  Brian Cardinal/Score: *

Overall Grade:  A   For the sake of Cleveland fans, I really hope Irving and Thompson can produce quickly.  Dan Gilbert guaranteed a championship in Cleveland before LeBron gets one. Their on the right track with these picks. 

1.)  WASHINGTON WIZARDS

A 6’11” European that plays above the rim and who also has a hot girl.  The commentators during the draft is convinced this kid will win a slam dunk contest.  He’s no Vince Carter, but Vesely is fearless and plays with an attack mode.  Vesely runs the floor extremely well and has the ability to finish at the rim.  He can also hit from the outside as well.  Coach Flip Saunders and John Wall will have a blast drawing up alley-oop passes to Vesely.

6th Pick – Jan Vesely (PF, Czech Republic)
Most similar to:  Larry Nance / Score: *****

18th Pick – Chris Singleton  (SF, Florida State)
Most similar to:  Nicolas Batum / Score: ****

34th Pick – Shelvin Mack  (PG/SG, Butler)
Most similar to:  Kyle Lowry/Score: ***

Overall Grade:  A   Most would not consider Washington to have been the team with the best overall draft night. Vesely will contribute in Flip Saunders offensive system.  Most importantly though, it’s the defensive end where I think these three will get a lot of praise. Singleton and Mack on the perimeter and Vesely as a weakside help defender.  Add that to McGee’s shot blocking and you will see a much improvement in Washington’s defense.  Defense is always key in my book.

Well, that’ll do it for the run down on the 2011 NBA Draft.  If there’s a season, we’ll be able to see how close my analysis ends up being. If not, well in due time.