CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Five days ago, the Cavaliers drafted Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson with the first and fourth picks in the NBA draft.
Now that the smoke has cleared, let's look back at what transpired. Here are some observations on the 2011 version of the annual event.
1. Biggest shocker: This distinction belongs to the Cavs, who blew millions of mock drafts out of the water by taking Thompson.
ESPN did have him ranked second among power forwards, behind Arizona's Derrick Williams, taken No. 2 by Minnesota. But most mock drafts had the Cavs picking Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas. Toronto, drafting No. 5, was only too happy to jump on the unexpected availability of the young center.
1a. Role reversal: Ohio State's David Lighty not getting drafted and Jon Diebler going to Portland at No. 51, though he could wind up traded to Detroit.
With his varied skill set, Lighty was thought to be a high second-rounder. Diebler was widely viewed as the best shooter in the draft, but most thought he'd be such a liability on defense that he wouldn't get drafted.
2. Best business decision: Sacramento, trading for the rights to Jimmer Fredette.
Sacramento won a one-year reprieve from the Kings relocating to Anaheim, although that remains a possibility if the city does not come up with a plan for a new arena. Adding Fredette, the leading scorer in the nation last year and potential drawing card, can only help boost the team's profile and, hopefully, increase revenue.
Most league executives would frown on acquiring a player in an effort to sell tickets, but in this case, it might be justified. That being said, it's still the city's problem to work things out, not the Kings. Fredette will be just as popular in Southern California.
As an indication of how important Fredette is to the plans, Mayor Kevin Johnson, the former Cavs point guard, issued a statement after Fredette was drafted saying, "Jimmer is exactly what the Kings need right now. He's electric, a fan favorite and a competitor. ... Congrats to the Kings on an exciting pick."
3. International men of mystery: Enes Kanter, Valanciunas et al.
That four international players went in the top seven picks suggested to some that this was a particularly weak draft. To others, it was a perfect storm of a huge international class at least theoretically ready to contribute.
Kanter, for instance, went No. 3 to Utah despite not really playing competitive basketball for two years since leaving Turkey to attend high school in the United States. Valanciunas still has contract issues back home that may prevent coming to the U.S. for a year or more.
4. Most memorable moment: Some might say Jan Vesely kissing his girlfriend after being picked No. 6 by Washington. But for me it was Kemba Walker brushing away tears after being selected No. 9 by Charlotte. (Also, his two-toned pink and beige spats.)
According to this article, The Sports Bank had the most accurate NBA Mock Draft on the internet; beating ESPN’s Chad Ford, Draft Express, and NBADraft.net. I have the #1 NBA Mock Draft on the net.”
Draft Grades:
Go here if you want to see my draft grade for every pick and every team.
Kyrie Irving, Cavs
5. David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank.
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Who had the Most Accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft?
5. Biggest winner (tie): Utah and Washington.
Though the Cavs already have a talented-when-motivated point guard in Baron Davis on board for next season—with a hefty salary that no team is sure to touch—the pick sent off immediate red flags.
I feel that Irving isn't as solid of a pick as taking Derrick Williams would have been, leaving the Cavs with the option to nab just-as-talented point guard Brandon Knight out of Kentucky.
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