NBA lock-out is on the horizon , but there's still be a Draft regardless . Mark your calendar for May 17, 2011 for the live Draft lottery , and June 13, 2011 for the Draft .
For those who don't know how the Draft Lottery works , top 14 teams (in low records) are hoping to get the first overall pick . The future lies on those ping-pong balls - that's why it's called "lottery" - that are labeled 1 through 14 . Four ping-pong balls are drawn to determine the winner of each of the 3 picks in the Draft . Each of the 14 team are assigned a certain amount of 4 number combinations . Don't worry about this too much , the NBA won't televise the lottery anyways .
Timberwolves ended with the worst record (17-65) , and they have 25% chance of winning the 1st overall pick . Only three times since the format adopted in 1990 , a team with the highest odds of getting the 1st pick actually gotten the 1st pick : Magic in 2004 (Dwight Howard) , Cavs in 2003 (LeBron James) , and Nets in 1990 (Derrick Coleman) .
In 1993 , the Orlando Magic were slotted for the 11th pick but much to everyone's disbelief , actually got the 1st overall pick with 1.5 % at winning the pick . They picked Chris Webber and traded him to the GS Warriors . Also in 2008 , the Chicago Bulls we slotted for the 9th pick but they end up getting the 1st overall pick with a 1.7% winning the pick which they used for picking Derrick Rose .
See the Draft lottery history
here .
So just by looking at those probabilites , tanking just doesn't work if you believe having the lowest team record would definitely get you the 1st overall pick . You probably won't get a pick after the 4th if you have the lowest record , but still it's a risky gamble knowing that there's not a lot of talent in this year's Draft class . GMs and scouts are not even sold-out on these players declaring for the Draft .
What about the rest of the 16 teams (aka Playoff teams) ? Well , they automatically get the 15th-30th pick through the reverse order of the standing . No lottery needed . Indiana Pacers will automatically get the 15th pick this year because they have the lowest standing (37-45) and Chicago Bulls (62-20) will get the 30th pick .
Players to watch :
Kyrie Irving (PG , Duke) - He's a fast PG , and a good shooting skills . He's a less turn-over player , patient (as you can see his body control , and knows when to attack the basket) , and has a good basketball IQ . Although , not as athletic as John Wall , D-Rose and Rondo , but this guy is worth the risk to take by whoever will hold the 1st overall pick . Imagine CP3 , and a bit faster Jose Calderon with defence , that's Kyrie Irving .
Kemba Walker (PG , UConn) - A good pick if Irving will be picked early . Good shooter , but he make horrible shot selection and tend to play out of control at times . Think of him as Stephen Curry but more quicker , stronger , better ball handler , and good court vision - that's Kemba Walker .
Enes Kanter (PF/C , Fenerbahce Ulker) - Currently studying at Kentucky but never played with the Kentucky Wildcats because he became pro at 16 years old (played 4 seasons for TBL's Fenerbahce Ulker and received financial benefits worth more than $33,000 USD) and per NCAA rules , you have to be an amateur to play in the NCAA . He was allowed to practice with the Wildcats but not permitted to be with the team on game days . Anyways , I was impressed by the way he play during the Nike Hoop Summit . I even made a thread about this guy here - that's how I was impressed by his talent . He can shoot , block , and defend . He has a decent speed for a big man too . However , he is skinny like Tayshaun Prince , so his defensive toughness will be a concern . Imagine Spencer Hawes with a body of Tayshaun Prince , that's Enes Kanter .
Brandon Knight (PG/SG , Kentucky) - He has a decent shooting and speed , but I'm not sold out on him because of his poor shot selection . He's a turn-over prone like John Wall , but who knows he'll improve once he get good coaching in the NBA . Imagine an unathethic , non-leaper John Wall - that's Brandon Knight .
Jimmer Fredette (G , BYU) - I put him as Guard simply because no one knows what is his natural position . Yeah , at 6'2" you can put him at SG plus because of his shooting skills , but depending where do you want him to play , and giving him the right role , he would a good player in the league . Imagine a combination of Jason Kapono and a slower Steve Kerr , that's Jimmer Fredette .
Jonas Valanciunas (PF/C , Lietuvos Rytas) - I only saw clips of him on YouTube but never seen him play full game . He's good player actually , he likes to play down low , and has a good mid-range shooting . According to
DraftExpress.com , Jonas' ball handling and passing needs work . He commits a lot of turnovers and a low basketball IQ . He's nowhere to be found in the defensive end . On
NBADraft.net , they stated that he tend to show laziness at practice . From what I saw on YouTube , just imagine a young , faster , and non-flopper Pau Gasol , that's Jonas Valanciunas .
Derrick Williams (PF , Arizona) - He's a good shooter whether be on the outside , inside , or isolation plays . This is an impressive skill for a big man . However , he's a turnover-prone guy , and can't jump for rebounds . If given good coaching and training , he'll overcome his weakness . Imagine a modern version of Kurt Rambis , that's Derrick Williams .
2011 NBA Draft
Originally Posted by colby
Lets see but definitely would be watching him, hopefully he will be on a team where he can maximize his talent.
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