NBA DRAFT RECAP. CLEVELAND ROCKS! Words: Brad Graham. Image: courtesy of Duke University. After being touted as the most promising playmaker, in a somewhat shallow but diverse class, Australian-born point guard, Kyrie Irving was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Considered a no-brainer (by almost every respectable hoops outlet, except us), the Irving selection goes a long way towards easing some of the trauma caused by LeBron James’ sly departure; while also serving as a highly concentrated dosage of fresh hope, one which will be injected straight into the veins of a franchise lacking identity, star power and charm. The selection of Irving marks the third time, in the past four Draft’s (following Derrick Rose in 2008 and John Wall in ’10), where a point guard was taken with the top pick. As Irving informed reporters during the ESPN broadcast, “I didn’t have any doubts about going to Number One. I was looking to the organisation to pick who they felt was the right choice.” Irving’s Australian linkage (born Down Under while his father, Drederick, played pro) has seen the guard mention trivial interest in playing for Brett Brown’s Senior National Team (when probed by reporters), despite having clocked minutes as a Team USA Junior, meaning that FIBA, along with USA Basketball, would have to make exceptions before Irving would be cleared to rock the Boomers’ Green and Gold. Having two world-class nations after your skills, one in the medal hunt and the other offering great(er) on-court opportunity, is never a heavy burden. As for the other top choices, three of the next five players taken (after Irving), were all internationalists. Centre’s Enes Kanter from Turkey, taken third by Utah, and Jonas Valanciunas from Lithuania, drafted fifth by Toronto, were joined by the Czech Republic’s Jan Vesely, selected sixth, who is set to join last season’s first prize, Wall, in the US capital. Overall, with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement still unwritten at the time of the Draft (and with followup labour talks continually suffering contravention), sure-fire Lottery picks, namely Jared Sullinger (Ohio State University) and Harrison Barnes (University of North Carolina), among others, opted to remain in the classroom, creating a lacklustre, glass half empty Draft, one which might’ve included more collegiate stars had it not been for the CBA storm clouds... but thanks to multiple roster rearrangements, the 2011 Draft was mildly rewarding.
Although the early selections saw few ripples with no major waves – minus twins, Markieff and Marcus Norris, both being nabbed inside the lottery (13th by the Phoenix Suns and 14th by the Houston Rockets, respectively) – a host of General Managers keep themselves extremely busy by reshaping their respective line-ups. The important Draft Day relocations included the Dallas Mavericks sending both their choices (No. 26 Jordan Hamilton and No. 57 Targuy Ngombo) to Portland for talented swingman, Rudy Fernandez. Hamilton was then sent to Denver, along with savvy PG Andre Miller for the services of Raymond Felton. The Indiana Pacers, looking to strengthen their rotation, sent their top choice, small forward Kawhi Leonard to the San Antonio Spurs for Gregg Popovich’s favourite employee, George Hill. In need of an offensive boost, the stingy Milwaukee Bucks agreed to a three-team deal involving fellow postseason hopefuls, the Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Bobcats. The Draft Day trade saw Milwaukee land both Stephen Jackson and Shaun Livingston (via Charlotte) as well as Beno Udrih and the 19th pick, Tobias Harris (both courtesy of Sacramento). Michael Jordan’s Charlotte Bobcats obtained former Buck, Corey Maggette as well as Congo native, Bismack Biyombo, while the soon to be relocated Maloof Kings added proven point producer, John Salmons and the rights to former NCAA standout, Jimmer Fredette, to a roster which already boasts the talented Tyreke Evans and the gifted DeMarcus Cousins. By moving both Salmons ($24 million, three years) and Maggette ($21, two years), the Bucks shaved considerable amounts from their heavy payroll while adding the right kind of veteran stability. Elsewhere, the Houston Rockets sent their veteran centre, Brad Miller and the rights to both Nikola Mirotic (23rd) and Chandler Parsons (38th) to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Jonny Flynn and promising Lithuanian prospect, Dontas Motiejunas (the 20th selection). Minny then dealt Mirotic to the Chicago Bulls for guard Norris Cole (chosen 28th) and point guard Malcolm Lee (43rd overall). Not satisfied with their long distance phone calls, the Wolves then traded Cole to the Miami Heat for the rights to Bojan Bogdanovic, a future second round pick and cash. If that wasn’t enough, Houston then (re)acquired their 38th selection, Parsons.
Draft Board (Round One) 01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
Cavs Kyrie Irving T-wolves Derrick Williams Jazz Enes Kanter Cavs Tristan Thompson Raptors Jonas Valanciunas Wizards Jan Vesely Kings Bismack Biyombo Pistons Brandon Knight Bobcats Kemba Walker Bucks Jimmer Fredette Warriors Klay Thompson Jazz Alec Burks Suns Markieff Morris Rockets Marcus Norris Pacers Kawhi Leonard 76ers Nikola Vucevic Knicks Iman Shumpert Wizards Chris Singelton Bobcats Tobias Harris T-wolves Donatas Motiejunas Blazers Nolan Smith Nuggets Kenneth Faried Rockets Nikola Mirotic Thunder Reggie Jackson Celtics Marshon Brooks Mavs Jordan Hamilton Nets JaJuan Johnson Bulls Norris Cole Spurs Cory Joesph Bulls Jimmy Butler
PG PF C PF C SF PF PG PG PG SG SG PF PF SF C PG SF PF PF SG PF SF PG SG SF SF PG PG SF
As for Round Two highlights, well, there was Irving’s Duke teammate, Kyle Singler, who fell to No. 33 before the Detroit Pistions saved his Draft status and the Los Angeles Lakers selected Australian Ater Majok just before the finish but all the news tickers were onto something else that late June day... Ron Artest’s official name to, yes, that’s right, Metta World Peace.
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