2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Thunder Really Likes Kyle Singler? - May 21


At the 2011 NBA Draft Combine Thursday in Chicago, almost all of the players fielded questions about which teams they met with and worked out for. Most of the answers were pretty standard, but a couple responses stood out.

Like this one from former Duke Blue Devil forward Kyle Singler.

"I had three different meetings yesterday: Detroit, Oklahoma City and Memphis, and Oklahoma City's pretty interested," Singler confidently said to me.



If you check out our latest 2011 NBA Mock Draft, you'll coincidentally see we had Singler going to... yes, the THUNDER!

A team without a glaring need, Oklahoma City could use a true small forward to back up Kevin Durant. Kyle should be able to adequately fulfill that role due to his ability to shoot the ball, experience and work ethic without affecting Oklahoma City's young chemistry.

The 6-9 native of Medford, Ore. has not worked out with any teams yet, but he is scheduled with the San Antonio Spurs. He was also scheduled to meet with six league teams this week at the Combine. Singler sharpened his skills last summer with the USA Select Team, and said that the toughest guy he went against in camp was Kevin Durant (praising his "future teammate?") as the best player in camp.



Singler also played the four in college, and is among the best offensive rebounders in Duke history. His draft stock, and his college basketball career, peaked as a junior when he averaged 17.7 points and 7.0 rebounds while leading Duke to the NCAA Championship, its second-straight ACC Tournament title, and a 35-5 record overall. He earned first team All-ACC accolades as well as NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player and ACC MVP honors as a junior.

Singler underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee at the Duke University Medical Center last summer, fully recovering to have a very solid, but somewhat unspectactular senior season which caused his stock to drop a bit. So what is the Thunder, or any team that is, to draft him getting?

"A solid player, well-rounded, can do a lot of things, does the small things, and I'm a winner," he said when I asked what his best selling points are.

And conversely, what does Singler need to show to increase his draft stock?

"I probably have to show my athleticism a little more and get a little bigger," he responded.



Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:

2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
2011 NBA Offseason Winners - 12/23
2011 NBA Offseason Losers - 12/23
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/22
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/20
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/16
Chris Paul Trade Analysis - 12/15
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/14
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/10
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/9
Five Players Likely to Be Traded After NBA Lockout - 7/7
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southwest Division - 7/6
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Northwest Division - 7/5
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Pacific Division - 7/3
Cavaliers-Kings Trade Recap - 7/1
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Atlantic Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Central Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southeast Division - 6/29
2011 NBA Draft Trade Recaps - 6/25
2011 NBA Draft: Bobcats-Kings-Bucks Three-Way Trade - 6/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: How Kyrie Irving Compares to John Wall and Derrick Rose - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Kyrie Irving Ready to be a Franchise Point Guard - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kemba Walker is the Most Undervalued Player in the Draft - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Derrick Williams a Power Forward or Small Forward? - 6/22
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Wait, Kansas' Marcus and Markieff Morris are Twins??? - 6/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Jordan Hamilton Using Yoga to Help His NBA Draft Stock - 6/18
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Tristan Thompson Benefits from Weak Draft Class - 6/17
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kawhi Leonard's Versatility is His Biggest Asset - 6/14
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Chris Singleton is a Lottery Sleeper - 6/13
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Where Does JaJuan Johnson Fit in the NBA? - 6/11
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins Made Right Decision in Entering NBA Draft - 6/10
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Should a Marijuana Arrest Affect NBA Draft Stock? - 6/9
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Nolan Smith Has Different Identity On and Off Court - 6/7
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Wall Mentoring Darius Morris - 6/5
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Brandon Knight Worth Third Overall Pick? - 6/2
Rumor: Cavs, T-Wolves, Pistons Discussing 3-Way Trade - 5/29
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Josh Selby Putting Kansas Behind Him - 5/28
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Marshon Brooks Rising Up Draft Boards - 5/26
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Alec Burks Connected to Bobcats - 5/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Combine Measurements - 5/21
Thunder Really Likes Kyle Singler? - 5/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Day 1 - 5/20
2011 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/16
2011 NBA Free Agents - 5/3
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Mustafa 09-08-2012 05:32 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.81 (total posts: 1) 13     16 I have watched a few Hoya games the last few years, and have seen Summers play a bit. When wahcnitg him, he looked like he was on an NBA level. He is a poised defender and has a great post up game. I have also seen him get a lot of praise from announcers about his NBA readiness. He should go now, so there is no chance he can ruin it, for example if he got injured next year if he stayed, he would get drafted a lot later. Lisa 09-07-2012 07:13 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.12 (total posts: 2) 13     13 Why does this have to be the ONLY rleialbe source? Oh well, gj! Ebru 09-07-2012 05:19 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.28 (total posts: 1) 11     12 I think that this is how it should be done. If you rellay believe you are a great player out of high school then go to the NBA, but if you go to college you have to stay for at least two years. Colleges spend tons of money on recruiting and then there players are one and done. BigBlueFan 08-15-2012 08:49 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.59 (total posts: 2) 17     14 Never Mind somehow I missed him. BigBlueFan 08-15-2012 08:48 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.59 (total posts: 2) 11     12 Hey Walt are you forgeting Anthony Davis??? Logan 08-09-2012 11:34 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.205 (total posts: 1) 11     11 Gonna do one for dwight? Jay 07-28-2012 04:30 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.114 (total posts: 1) 17     20 I know that Ginobili is going back to the spurs but to have him 7th behind Iguodala, Smith and Jefferson is the dumbest thing I've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!! This the same guy who tore threw the Team USA defense of James, Durant, and Bryant.... Jim Z. 07-23-2012 08:15 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.221 (total posts: 1) 11     12 Mid first round pick? The Sixers are going to be a playoff team next year. Miguel 07-23-2012 12:08 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.236 (total posts: 1) 25     27 How are the lakers not a winner? Steve Nash brings them to at least championship contender which they weren't a year ago. They also picked up Antwan Jamison for the league minimum which will give their front court a legitament reserve. One more good move could make them the favorites over OKC. CJ 07-23-2012 07:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 1) 45     23 I believe you are the only on one the planet that thinks Dallas didn't completely fail in this offseason. They basically rolled the dice and crapped out. Try mixing in a little reality with your opinions once in a while, but it's your site so we get what we pay for I guess. Geiger 07-21-2012 09:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.110 (total posts: 1) 12     13 While Houston did have bad signings and a suspect draft, the team did what it could to set its self up for the free agency period next year..Asik has shown signs of being a solid big Guy(as you fail to mention his MPG) and Lin, while being highly overrated, is a big name that will attract a player like JSmith, Harden, Bynum etc. I don't like their moves as of right now, but with two lottery picks and possibly two Max contracts signing on this might be one of the better offseasons of all time. Love the site, keep it up. Random bypasser 07-19-2012 12:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.60 (total posts: 2) 9     9 Also the nuggets need a star and Howard would be a perfect fit for them and they have shooters around him and they could still use their amnesty on Richardson Random bypasser 07-19-2012 12:52 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.60 (total posts: 2) 25     8 Wouldnt it make sense 4 the nuggets to trade for dwight howard Nuggets trade Wilson Chandler Andre Miller JaVale McGee 2014 1st round pick 2015 1st round pick 2015 2nd round pick 2017 1st round pick Magic trade Dwight Howard J.J. Redick Jason Richardson This makes sense because the nuggets drafted Evan Fournier(SG/SF) and Quincy Miller(SF) and have Jordan Hamilton(SF/SG) and Julian Stone(PG)(who the team is really high on) waiting in the wings. It also allows the magic to dump bad salary(Richardson,Redick) and still get some great players. Win win situation. eli 07-12-2012 11:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx.133 (total posts: 1) 10     9 dont the wolves own one more 1st rounder from the jazz from the Al Jefferson trade? Mike 07-10-2012 09:58 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.150 (total posts: 1) 15     10 No mention of Ray Ray to the Heat??? Pages: 1 23 4 5 6 7

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25

2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG

2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23

2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports

2010-11 NBA Season Previews

2009 NBA Draft Grades





2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24


2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22


2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21


Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20


NFL Picks - Feb. 3