Full 2011 NBA Re-Draft

      The 2011 NBA has turned out to be a surprisingly good one. There wasn't a superstar in the draft, a LeBron James or Dwight Howard, but there were a lot of good players who got drafted last year. Most of the first round draft picks have gotten consistent minutes and have had solid production this season, and some second round picks have had a huge impact as well. 15 of the first 20 picks have gotten more than 5 starts this season, and 4 second round picks have gotten starts. Looking back there were some very good picks and some very bad picks in that draft. Here's how the draft would have gone if it could be re-done right now.


      ***fg%=field goal percentage, 3P% = 3 point percentage, ppg = points per game, rpg = rebounds per game, apg = assists per game, spg = steals per game, mpg = minutes  per game, bpg = blocks per game

1.       Cleveland Caveleirs: Kyrie Irving PG -- .472 fg% .401 3P% 18.8 ppg 5.6apg  31.3 mpg

Cleveland Caveleirs Actually Picked: Kyrie Irving

Explanation: Kyrie Irving has been the best player to come out of this draft. His rookie numbers have been comparable to Derrick Rose's rookie stats, which shows just how good he has been. He's turned the worst team in the NBA into a playoff contender. 

2.       Minnesota T-Wolves: Kenneth Faried PF/C -- .589 fg% 9.6 ppg 7.1 rpg 1 bpg 20.5 mpg

Minnesota Timberwolves Actually Picked: Derrick Williams

Explanation: Derrick Williams would be the T-Wolves would be the second best option here, but the best pick would be Kenneth Faried. The undersized power forward has been one of the most effective big men all season. Every time he steps on the court he gives 100%, and it has shown in his production. He has been improving all season, and should keep improving in the future. He has begun to consistently get over 10 points and 5 rebounds, while playing great defense. On a Minnesota team with a frontcourt of Pekovic and Love, who are both "below the rim" players, Kenneth Faried with his above the rim style would be very valuable. Also Derrick Williams was better at PF than at SF, so the T-Wolves wouldn't be losing significant production at SF.

3.       Utah Jazz: Derrick Williams SF/PF -- .449 fg% .313 3P% 8.7ppg 4.9rpg 21mpg  

Utah Jazz Actually Picked: Enes Kanter

Explanation: Although Derrick Williams is better at PF, he is still an option at SF. He would fill a need at SF for the Jazz, and would add huge depth the the already stacked frontcourt of Jefferson Millsap and Favors. Kanter is getting very little playing time, and has not lived up to the expectations the Jazz had for him when they picked him 3rd overall. Derrick Williams would provide help at the SF position along with adding depth at PF. 

4.       Cleveland Caveleirs: Kawhi Leonard SF --  .486 fg% .365 3P% 8 ppg 1.4 spg 24.5 mpg

Cleveland Caveleirs Actually Picked: Tristan Thomson

Explanation: Kawhi Leonard is a coaches dream. He rebounds, scores, is a good passer, plays great defense. He isn't "great" at any one aspect of basketball, but instead he's good at all of them. His play in college with San Diego State was very similar to his play in the NBA, but scouts always thought he couldn't be as effective in the NBA. They were wrong. Leonard is a very solid consistent player, who will give good minutes to whatever team he plays for. The only reason he fell to 4th pick is that his upside isn't as high as the players ahead of him. With Tristan Thomson, much like Kanter he hasn't lived up to the expectations, and hasn't quite learned how to score consistently on NBA big men. 

5.       Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valencunas PF/C (Europe) --.660 fg% .83 ft%, 19.5 points per 40

Toronto Raptors Actually Picked: Jonas Valencunas

Explanation: The Raptors need a real franchise center to compete for a playoff spot in the east. They have that player in Valencunas. He's been playing on the Lietuvos Rytas Team and has been tearing up the Lithuanian League. Valencunas will be joining the Raptors in the 2012-2013 season, when we will find out whether this pick was genius or very dumb.

6.       Washington Wizards: Isaiah Thomas PG -- .438 fg% .373 3P%,10.1 ppg, 3.5 apg,  22.5 mpg

Washington Wizards Actually Picked: Jan Vesely

Explanation: Washington had an opportunity to use their #6 pick for a very good player that would help the Wizards get to the playoffs. That is absolutely not what happened. Jan Vesely, although loaded with potential, has not been able to put his skill together and consistently play well for the Wizards. The Wizards needed a player who would consistently play well and create scoring opportunities. Jan Vesely doesn't do these things, but Isaiah Thomas does. The very last pick of the 2011 draft has proven that 29 teams made a mistake by not picking him. He has been the creator of offense for the Sacramento Kings this year, and has been a huge surprise. His speed and consistent jumper makes him very hard to cover. This pick would also make sense because there is a lack of depth at SG after Nick Young was traded away, and Isaiah Thomas would quickly become a reliable shooter guard option (he's a point guard but also plays shooting guard).

7.       Charlotte Bobcats: Kemba Walker PG -- .37 fg%, .37 3P%,12.1 ppg, 4.1 apg, 1 spg 27 mpg  

Charlotte Bobcats Actually Picked: Bismack Biyombo

Explanation: In the 2011 draft Kemba Walker was picked by Charlotte with teh 9th pick, but if the draf were to happen again the pistons would surely pick Kemba. That's why the Bobcats would pick him here, instead of waitig for their next pick. Kemba has struggled with his shooting this season, but has still managed to get 12.1 ppg. He is the lone bright spot on one of the worst teams in NBA history, the Charlotte Bobcats. Kemba's U'conn team could have beaten the Bobcats. It should be presumed that when Kemba does get other good players around him in Charlotte he will become a much better player. 

8.       Detroit Pistons: MarShon Brooks SG/SF -- .430 fg%, .331 3P%, 12.8 ppg 29.6 mpg  

Detroit Pistons Atually Picked: Brandon Knight

Explanation: Brandon Knight was supposed to be the next great Kentucky point guard to become an NBA star, following in John Wall's footpaths. That hasn't happened. Although he hasn't been awful, he hasn't been as good as expected, and has been outplayed by Rodney Stuckey. With Stuckey at point guard that leaves Ben Gordon and Teyshaun Prince at shooting guard and small forward. For a team rebuilding, those are not the guys you want playing most of your minutes. The Pistons are looking for a shooting guard, and the best one in the draft is MarShon Brooks. In college he was much like Jimmer Fredette, shooting from wherever and putting up insane numbers. The difference is Brooks's success has also happened in the NBA. He's proved if healthy he can be a consistent NBA scorer.

9.       Charlotte Bobcats: Tristan Thomson PF/C -- .431 fg%, 7.6 ppg, 1.1 bpg, 22 mpg

Charlotte Bobcats Actually Picked: Kemba Walker

Explanation:   Kemba was picked by the Bobcats with the 7th pick, so this pick was between Bismack Biyombo and Tristan Thomson. Even with as good as Biyombo has been for the Cavs, Thomson would be the obvious pick here. Thomson is a good defender and rebounder, and his offensive skill while raw is improving. He's much better offensively than Biyombo, and has a more promising future than Biyombo does, even with Bismacks blocking ability. 

10.   Sacramento Kings: Iman Shumpert PG/SG -- .385 fg% .263 3P% 9 ppg 1.8 spg 27.2 mpg

Sacramento Kings Actually Picked: Jimmer Fredette

Explanation: Jimmer is a good three point shooter, and that's about as far as his skill set goes. He can't defend, struggles to drive and tries to make too great a pass. Picking Jimmer with the tenth pick was a HUGE mistake for the Kings. The Kings are the worst defensive team in the NBA, and what they really need instead of a shooter is a guard who's great at defense. With Shumpert they'd get one of the leagues best on ball defenders, and a guy who can play point guard, which is something the Kings will need with Isaiah Thomas being picked by Washington.

11.   Golden State Warriors: Klay Thomson PG -- .436 fg%, .434 3P%, 10.2 ppg, 20.8 mpg

Golden State Warriors Actually Picked: Klay Thomson

12.   Utah Jazz: Bismack Biyombo C -- .452 fg%, .477 ft% 4.5 ppg, , 1.8 bpg, 20 mpg

Utah Jazz Actually Picked: Alec Burks

13.   Phoenix Suns: Brandon Knight PG -- .407 fg% .368 3P% 12.6 ppg, 3.6apg, 32.3mpg

Phoenix Suns Actually Picked: Markieff Morris

14.   Houston Rockets: Chandler Parsons SF -- .462 fg% .325 3P%, 8.9 ppg, 1.1 spg, 27.5 mpg

Houston Rockets Actually Picked: Marcus Morris

15.   San Antonio Spurs: Markieff Morris PF-- .390 fg% .381 3P%, 7.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 19.1 mpg

San Antonio Spurs Actually Picked: Kawhi Leonard

16.   Philadelphia 76ers: Nikola Vucevic PF/C -- .473fg .375 3P% 6.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg,17.1 mpg

Philadelphia 76ers Actually Picked: Nikola Vucevic

17.   New York Knicks: Enes Kanter C -- .462 fg% 4.7 ppg, 4.6 rbg, 13.8 mpg

New York Knicks Actually Picked: Iman Shumpert

18.   Washington Wizards: Alec Burks SG -- .448 fg% .296 3P%,6.8 ppg, 0.8 apg, 14.6 mpg 

Washington Wizards Actually Picked: Chris Singleton

19.   Millwaukee Bucks: Marcus Morris PF --.269 fg% 2.2 ppg, 7.2 mpg, 9 games played

Millwaukee Bucks Actually Picked: Tobias Harris

20.   Houston Rockets: Jan Vesely SF/PF -- .531 fg%  3.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 15.1 mpg  

Houston Rockets Actually Picked: Donatas Motiejunas

21.   Portland Trail Blazers: Jimmy Butler SG/SF --  .431 fg%, .250 3P%, 2.7 ppg, 8.8 mpg

Portland Trail Blazers Actually Picked: Nolan Smith

22.   Denver Nuggets: Jon Leuer PF -- .509 fg% .250 3P%  4.8 ppg, 12.2 mpg

Denver Nuggets Actually Picked: Kenneth Faried

23.   Chicago Bulls: Chris Singleton  SF/PF -- .363 fg% .333 3P% 4.5 ppg 1.2 spg 21.5 mpg

Chicago Bulls Actually Picked: Nikola Mirotic

24.   Oklahoma City Thunder: Norris Cole PG--.40 fg% .295 3P% 7.2 ppg 2.2 apg 19.9 mpg 

Oklahoma City Thunder Actually Picked: Reggie Jackson

25.   New Jersey Nets: Tobias Harris SF/PF --.446 fg% .294 3P%4.7 ppg 2 rpg  11 mpg 

New Jersey Nets Actually Picked: MarShon Brooks

26.   Denver Nuggets: JaJuan Johnson PF -- .489 fg%, 3.6 ppg, 8.4 mpg

Denver Nuggets Actually Picked: Jordan Hamilton

27.   Boston Celtics: Jimmer Fredette PG --.384 fg%, .377 3P%, 1.9apg,  18.7 mpg 

Boston Celtics Actually Picked: JaJuan Johnson

28.   Miami Heat: Reggie Jackson PG -- .331 fg%, .213 3P%, 3.3 ppg, 0.6 spg, 11.6 mpg 

Miami Heat Actually Picked: Norris Cole

29.   San Antonio Spurs: Shelvin Mack PG --.400 fg% .343 3P%  3.3 ppg 1.6 apg 11.5 mpg

San Antonio Spurs Atually Picked: Cory Joseph

30.   Chicago Bulls: Donatas Motiejunas PF (In Europe) --12.5 ppg, 7.9rpg, 31.3mpg

Chicago Bulls Actually Picked: Jimmy Butler

The All Jeremy Lin Team

Right now if you ask a non basketball fan which NBA players they know of they'll likely say Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and..... Jeremy Lin. He's gone from a virtually unknown third string point guard to being the most talked about story in the sports world. He has shined on a team that prior to Linsanity had struggled to get wins even with with three players making more than 12 million dollars this year. Lin only got his shot because two of the players making the big bucks, Amare Staudemire and Carmelo Anthony, got injured. The Knicks won the first 7 games that Lin got good playing time in, and even with Amare and Carmelo coming from injuries Lin and the Knicks have continued their success. His trash to treasure story is an incredible one, as he was sleeping on his brothers couch not sure about whether he'd be able to stay with the Knicks just days before his success began. 

Lin's popularity in the media world has overshadowed some players that have done nearly the same thing as him. They've gone from the end of a teams bench to having a major role on the team by taking advantage of the opportunity given to them. If there was going to be a team full of players that have done the same thing as Lin throughout this year, this would be it.

The All Jeremy Lin Team

Starting PG: Isaiah Thomas (Sacramento Kings):

This 5 9' 22 year old point guard was the very last pick of the 2011 NBA draft. He cracked the Sacramento Kings roster after really impressing at the pre-season camp and has now become the starting shooting guard for the Kings. He has completely outplayed his fellow rookie, Jimmer Fredette, who unlike Thomas had incredible hype after being picked with the tenth pick of the draft. No one expected Isaiah Thomas to have a key role or even a role at all for the Kings, but he has shown that he deserves it due to the spark he brings to the games he's in. Unlike Jimmer Isaiah had zero hype when entering the NBA, but he's showing he can be a solid starter in the NBA.

Starting SG: Danny Green (San Antonio Spurs):

Danny Green had a rough start to his NBA career. After playing just 20 games with the Cavs in the last year of the LeBron era he was waived (basically meaning was cut). The next year he was picked up by San Antonio, and after just twelve games there he was waived. After getting cut by two teams it seemed like his NBA career might be nearing an end, until the Spurs decided give him another try. They picked him up at the start of this 2011-2012 season and he has not disappointed. Manu Ginoblis injury gave Green an opportunity and he's taken advantage, resulting in now being the starting shooting guard for the Spurs. He has earned his coaches trust, especially on the defensive end on the floor. Recently he shut down Chris Paul during overtime in one of the biggest games of the season for the Spurs. Green has come from the end of the bench to become arguably San Antonio's best shut down defender.

Starting SF: Ersan Ilyasova (Milwaukee Bucks):

Since 2006 Ersan Ilyasova has been on the Milwaukee Bucks. He's started some games, mainly because of the lack of power forwards on this team, but made virtually no impact the Bucks team. Milwaukee was looking to trade him during the off season but couldn't make a deal so ended up keeping him. It seems that all he needed were some trade rumors to get him going because this year he's been a rebounding beast. He had 29 points and 25 rebounds against the Nets, and even managed 16 rebounds against Dwights Magic.

Starting PF: Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs)

For a team with an old core of players to do well a lot of things have to go right. That's been the case with the San Antonio Spurs this year. The top three players on San Antonio are all in the end of their career, and arguably their best player (Ginobli) has been inured for most of the year. One of the things that went right for the Spurs has been Tiago Splitter. The critics of the Spurs had said that the Spurs won't be successful without a center that can guard other teams centers. The Spurs have Blair and Bonner who are both unable to successfully guard a good center, and Tim Duncan is just too old for that. Splitter has stepped up this season and taken the role as the teams best center defender while scoring some points as well. This has all happened just a season after being a bench player that got minimal minutes last season.

Starting C: Nikola Pekovic (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Nikola Pekovic is a lot like Jeremy Lin. They both had gotten barely any playing time until an injury to a teammate  when they took advantage and showed just how good they can be. Since Darko Milicic's injury Pekovic has been a beast. He has been a double double machine and has been exactly what Darko Milicic was supposed to be (when he was picked over Bosh Carmelo and Wade!!!). Pekovic has become the starting center for the Timberwolves, but his story has received barely any media attention because of Linsanity.

Sixth Man

Greivis Vasquez (New Orleans Hornets):

Last year Greivis Vasquez was a very small part of the great run that Memphis put together in the playoffs. He averaged just 3.6 points per game with the grizzlies, and at the time seemed like a below average backup point guard. Oh how things can change. Vasquez has meshed very well with the Hornets since his arrival. He's shooting an amazing .462 on three pointers, and has a .457 field goal percentage. When Jarrett Jack got injured Vasquez got more minutes and started dishing and scoring at will. He has made the decision of who to start at point guard very hard for the Hornets coach Monty Williams to decide now that Jarrett Jack has come back from injury.

Other Team bench players:

Backup SG: Eliot Williams (Portland Trailblazers):

Backup SF: Chandler Parsons (Houston Rockets):

Backup PF: Brendan Wright (Dallas Mavericks):

Backup C:Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets):