Players to Watch -- NBA Draft 2011

2011 NBA Draft is only one day away. Before it officially gets going, let me write something about it.

Ok, this is, in relative term, a weak draft. Domestically or internationally, it lacks great talents like Tim Duncan in 1997 or LeBron James in 2003 (Or Dirk Nowitzki in 1999), who can single-handedly carry a team to promise land.(Ok, I know LeBron hasn't done it yet, but he indeed took the Cavs to final once and "single-handedly" transform the organization from pretender to "true contender".) But if you take one step further and look closer at the line-up, you might be amazed by how deep the talent-pool is and how great some good teams might benefit from this draft.

In a draft like this year's, nothing is concrete after the first 3~5 pick. We're now expecting Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams to be picked no.1 and 2, while the following 3 picks will be nothing other than Brandan Knight, Enes Kanter, and Kemba Walker, with Draft Day trade or not. What comes next will be a bunch of mysterious, international, second coming of Nowitzki or Ibaka (By the way, anyone who talks about Biyombo being the next Hakeem Olajuwon is MAD!!) and a group of college overachievers/underachiever who get looks in the lottery simply because a lack of talent in this year's draft. Since I'm only a watcher like you and do not have any inside information, I'm not going to make any bold estimation in this column. A few pieces on the players that interest me is what you about to read in following paragraphs:

Tyler Honeycutt-
6-8 187 pounds UCLA So.
2011 Stat: 12.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.1 bpg, 40 fg%, 36 3p%

The reason why I write about this UCLA product first is two-fold: one, he is a big possibility for my team Chicago Bulls at the end of 1st round; two, he's nice-looking. If he doesn't get drafted, "Entourage" could use his talent as well.  When I first saw Honeycutt, I was reminded of another UCLA product, now New Orleans Hornet forward Trevor Ariza. Both posses good length as a wing, great athletic ability, long wingspan, versatility, ability to defend multiple positions, to name a few. The only difference between them is that Honeycutt chose to spend another year in the academically and athletically prestigious school, which is a smart decision as we see it now, and to develop his game (and probably get more education).  His game evolved in Sophomore year, especially offensively, as he had more looks and opportunity to show off his arsenal. Plus, his rebounding number is impressive for a college wing. We can expect him to take this number with him as the rebounding ability best translate to next level. However, his thin frame raises concerns at the next level: will he able to take the contact and finish at the rim? Will he be able to absorb the body contact and penetrate? Will his shot fall consistently? I put a big question mark to these questions. But in a draft this caliber, expect his talent to be off the board in first round.

Malcolm Lee-
6-5 198 pounds UCLA Jr.
2011 Stat: 13.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2 apg, 43.7 fg%, 29.5 3p%

Another UCLA product. A Originally recruited by Ben Howland as a point guard out of high school. Didn't live up to the expectation (A top-40 recruit by Scout. com) during his freshmen campaign due to limited action with Darren Collison and Jrue Holiday taking over the position, nor did he perform well while he finally have the chance to show off as a sophomore. In sum, an experiment having him at the pg spot was a failure. Luckily for him, transition from floor leader to offense finisher in his junior season help demonstrate his athleticism and his occasional outside shooting stroke (which kinda reminds me of then-Chicago Bull: Thabo Sefolosha). With a few impressive workouts, in which he showed off his lock-down D and athleticism, as well as a history of "UCLA guards struggled in Ben Howland's system but flourish in NBA" now he's seen as a bubble first-rounder. Don't be surprised if you see his name called in the first round.

Josh Selby-

6-3 195 pounds Kansas Fr.

2011 Stat: 7.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, 37.3 fg%, 36.2 3p%

I don't know what's wrong with Selby, he's too talent to fall to where he is right now...

Or it's just because he's too talent? 

Widely regarded as the No.1 recruit of class 2010, the former McDonald's All-American(and Slam Dunk Champion) committed to Kansas Jayhawk out of high school. However, his career was soon derailed by a sequence of controversy, suspension and injuries. Like Kyrie Irving, he would never have the chance to show the world how big a impact he could have on college basketball with a full season, only Mr. Irving seized the opportunity, maximized the 11 games and showcased his lottery, if not No.1 pick, talent while all Mr. Selby did was wasting it. 

No matter what, if you put those negatives aside and forget about the number he posed in those 26 games, you will find a uber-talented combo guard poised to thrive in current NBA. Remember Russell Westbrook? This might be a reach for Selby, but there's no doubt his talent could take him there.  

(Personally, I wish he falls to the hand of Chicago Bulls...a explosive guard with range out to the arc is worth the risk!!)

There are a lot more worth a look, but these 3 guards are the first bunch came to my mind. So I drop my words on them. I hope you enjoy it...

p.s. Talking about draft, I can't help but look back at each and every player's high school ranking. The correlation is quite interesting, similar to our education system: a seat in "star high school" doesn't guarantee a top university, and a those in small school aren't doomed to failure...