No Surprises at the top of NBA Draft; Kyrie Irving goes to Cleveland Cavaliers - NBA Update Part 1
So, the NBA Draft 2011 is finally over and with it has also come to an end, the weeks of speculations, combinations and possibilities that had gripped the NBA World. Although the Cleveland Cavaliers, the franchise with the numero
uno draft pick gave feelers that they might rope in a big man with their exclusive pick and then go for the point guard; on the night they went the conservative old school way and went with the flow rather than being innovative. Here is a look at how it all
unravelled.
No. 1- Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving
The Cavaliers took Kyrie Irving as the first overall pick. The Duke Point guard is widely regarded as a player with great talent and he showed that in his freshman year. However, a large part of his season was lost to injury and
doubts were raised over his ability to perform at the high levels he had for a complete college year.
Still Irving could only dazzle in the games he played and he did that to no end. So much so that the Cleveland Cavaliers decided to take him number one despite his injury problems.
As a player, Irving is a complete point guard, or can become one in time. The player has a great shot, both from inside and outside the 3-point line. He can use either hand, he can penetrate and he can spot a teammate. In a league
where teams increasingly look for a playmaker to guide them through, Kyrie Irving was a worthy number 1 pick.
The Cavs fan would be too harsh if they expect Irving to step into LeBron’s shoes, but they can certainly build a successful team around the player.
No. 2 - Minnesota Timberwolves
Derrick Williams
The Timberwolves were in a bit of a dilemma on Draft night. Minnesota already had good young players at the positions this draft provided the most talent in. They signed Ricky Rubio earlier and were covered up front with Kevin
Love and Michael Beasley.
In the end. they decided to add another forward in the shape of Derrick Williams. Williams was the Pac-10 Player of the Year last season and for good reason. The versatile forward who plays both small and power forward positions
is a very shrewd customer indeed.
Williams is athletic, good inside the paint, terrific from downtown and overall a very sensible basketball player. He tore teams apart last season because of his scoring ability from all over the court and the exciting forward
was the player taking the most free throws in college basketball last year.
As good as a player he is, the Timberwolves already have Michael Beasley in the role he seems destined to play. Because Kevin Love and Williams 6-8 frame are likely going to discourage Minnesota from playing him at power forward.
The Minnesota Timberwolves flirted with the idea of drafting Enes Kanter at number two before deciding that Williams was their man. There were also rumours that the Timberwolves were looking to trade their draft pick.
It wouldn’t come as a surprise that with Williams in the squad, Michael Beasley is offloaded to strengthen other areas.
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