The NBA Draft is just 72 hours away and we might be in for a crazy ride. Many experts regard this draft class as one of the weakest in recent history; however, there are a few can't miss names on the list. Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Brandon Knight, and Enes Kanter have become the consensus top 4 picks of the draft. Reports state that the Cavaliers, who own the first overall selection, will take Kyrie Irving on Thursday night. They also have their eyes on the other three players I listed above, because they have the fourth pick as well. This draft will be highly entertaining just because of the potential lockout on July 1st. There will be tons of trades and a couple of veterans might be packing their bags soon.
Kyrie Irving isn't the easy #1 selection like Lebron James, Derrick Rose, or Blake Griffin, but he's the only selection that makes sense for the Cavaliers. The Cavs already have Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions at Point Guard, so it isn't a glaring hole; however, neither looks to be the answer at PG anymore. Davis is well past his prime and would be a solid backup and veteran presence in the locker room. Sessions is likely to be traded if Irving is in fact selected.
Point Guard has become the most vital position in the NBA over the past couple of seasons. Yes, all five should be equally as important, but taking a look at the top teams in the NBA, all have strong play from their point guards. You may be quick to point out that the Lakers and Heat don't have quality point guards, but Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, and Lamar Odom often bring the ball up and run the offense. The NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks have two quality point guards in Jason Kidd and J.J. Barea, while the 2011 NBA MVP was Derrick Rose, the Bulls PG.
The Cavaliers simply don't have that type of player that can run the offense efficiently. There is no doubt that the Cavaliers have a hole at pretty much every position, but taking a player such as Kyrie Irving would do wonders for the franchise. Irving possesses offensive talents that draw comparisons to Derrick Rose, John Wall, and Chris Paul. He drives to the hoop so well and is tough enough to finish around the hoop. He isn't nearly as big as Rose is, but Irving is a much better shooter than both Rose and Wall. Irving has all the fundamental skills and physical tools to become an elite point guard in the NBA. I don't think he will be better than Rose, Wall, or Paul, but if the Cavs give him the reigns of the franchise, he will be a future all-star.
Brandon Knight looks to be a star-in-the-making as well, but Irving showed flashes of brilliance with Duke that Knight simply hasn't. Irving is an exceptional court reader and has speed that will make him a dominant fast break player. Irving is as close to a "can't miss" player in the 2011 draft and I think that the Cavaliers will finally get past the Lebron James hangover by selecting Irving first overall.
2 comments:
knight should have stayed in college, but by going to kentucky, he pretty much declared for the draft a year early
that's true. knight seemed to become a lot better towards the end of the season, but he does not look polished enough for the NBA yet. I'm sure he will work hard and do well, but he could've used another year. Still, Rose, Evans, and Wall all succeeded with only one year with Calipari
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