2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Josh Selby Putting Kansas Behind Him; Focusing on NBA Draft - May 28


To say Josh Selby had a roller coaster freshman season at Kansas would be like saying Jennifer Lopez has an OK body; a gross understatement. Still, the Jayhawks combo guard chose to leave Lawrence after one season and embark a NBA career that is filled with more question marks than the Riddler's costume. As the 2011 NBA Draft draws near, Selby is ready to put his brief collegiate career in the rear view mirror.

Selby entered Kansas as one of the top recruits in the country this past season. But before his college career could even get underway, it was marred by off-the-court issues regarding his eligibility. The NCAA ended up suspending Selby for the first nine regular-season games for accepting impermissible benefits that included clothes, transportation, meals and lodging reportedly from a NBA business manager.

"I had the nine-game suspension, that was a frustrating part," Selby admitted at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.



Selby served his suspension and certainly did not disappoint in his much anticipated debut against USC, coming off the bench to score a team-high 21 points in a tight two-point victory against the Trojans. The 6-3 guard continued to play well into early February until he suffered a setback.

"Everything was going good until I got that injury, the stress reaction in my right foot, so I was done for quite a bit. I never could back in a rhythm," Selby stated.

From there, the frustration mounted as his playing time drastically decreased from what it had been pre-injury. As a result, his production and confidence took a major hit as he averaged just 3.8 points during Kansas' final 13 games of the season and was pretty much a non-factor in its NCAA Tournament run. That was a far cry from the lofty expectations that were thrust upon him. It also turned Selby from a one-time surefire NBA Draft lottery pick into someone who was being projected as a second round prospect once the college hoops season concluded.

"The year at Kansas hurt me quite a bit," Selby said. "My stock fell. I was a disappointment to the fans. I didn't participate how I was supposed to."



Still, Selby left Lawrence to work out in Las Vegas and decided to ultimately enter the NBA Draft despite the majority of analysts thinking he needed another year at Kansas. Now, he faces the challenge of putting that disappointing year with Jayhawks behind him. "Me coming to the draft, I'm just trying to show them I'm back to my old self," Selby said with confidence. "That wasn't the real me at Kansas."

Based on his recent workouts, the real Selby has returned as he has suddenly emerged as one of the sleepers of this year's draft class, and appears in the first round of just about every credible mock draft out there with some having him going as high as the mid-teens. Scouts have been particularly impressed with his quickness off the dribble and his 42-inch vertical, which was the highest leap of any prospect at the combine.

Selby told me that those individual workouts are very important for his draft stock. "All these other guys have a slight advantage above me because they had great college careers and I didn't have a good college career. I have to come out here and give it my all, and show guys I'm ready to compete at this type of level."

Questions arise about what position Selby will play at the next level. Some concerns are that he is an undersized two who will have to learn the point guard position to reach his full potential.

"I'm working on being a pro point guard," Selby stated. "I'm listed as a combo which I don't disagree with because right now I have a scorer's mentality ... The only disadvantage is that I'm 6-3 and nowadays you have shooting guards who are 6-6, 6-7. You got to stick D-Wade so it's both."

Selby said he had around 10 interviews with NBA teams at the combine including the Pistons and Wizards. Washington would be a homecoming of sorts for Selby who grew up in Baltimore, as did his favorite basketball player, Carmelo Anthony.

"He just mentored me," Selby said of his relationship with Anthony. "Told me to stay focused, work hard, and everything will be fine. It's a clean slate for me now."

And that is what Selby must continue to prove in the weeks leading up to the 2011 NBA Draft. That his days at Kansas are in the past and he can return to being an elite player.

"It's nerve-wrecking," he said. "I never thought I'd be in this opportunity. Working out for the NBA, meeting with the GM's, getting interviewed by you guys. Right now, I just feel blessed."



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   Joe 12-23-2011 11:05 am xxx.xxx.xxx.204 (total posts: 1) 54     26 Walt, I dont think you understand what the Amnesty Clause does. The contract doesnt count against the payroll, but you still have to pay the player. You dont just get out of the contract for free. There was no point in using it on Rashard Lewis, because he can still at least play. Even if you are paying him a ton of money, he can still give you decent minutes. Plus, next year, he is a huge expiring that can be used as a trade chip. Pete 12-23-2011 01:45 am xxx.xxx.xxx.167 (total posts: 1) 24     33 Dude Wizards don't amnesty Lewis because if they did, they would be significantly below the salary cap floor imposed on teams, forcing them to spend a bunch of money on an extremely weak free agent class. Makes sense that they wouldn't amnesty him because of that. Walter 12-23-2011 12:11 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 142     24 Ugh, what page is that on? Editing at 3 am apparently isn't a good idea. Oh, and I'm always up this late during football season. My Russian gypsy neighbors are surprisingly quiet. Peter 12-22-2011 04:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.62 (total posts: 1) 23     24 Walter - Aren't you an English major? Or should I say, Engrish major? "However, if Davis plays with a chip on his shoulder, he provides the Knicks with a much-needed veteran experience in the backcourt, and unlike Mike Bibby, can still productive in the downside of his career." All kidding aside, you're doing a great job with this website. BTW, what are you doing up at 2:55 AM? Are the Russians keeping you up? Or are you trying to spy on the hot neighbor next door? Walter 12-22-2011 02:55 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 20     19 Sorry about that. It was my fault (editing error). I posted the wrong logo. It's fixed. Fitz 12-20-2011 08:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.242 (total posts: 2) 21     20 Dude can you please correct that Davis for Bass trade. Bass plays for Orlando, not Dallas. It is the most annoying thing seeing that big of a mistake on an otherwise good website Fitz 12-19-2011 02:58 am xxx.xxx.xxx.242 (total posts: 2) 20     36 Bass plays for Orlando. Therefore Glen Davis is going to Orlando. Can you please correct this already Bro 12-16-2011 10:44 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.89 (total posts: 1) 28     20 The Pistons bought out Rip Hamilton's contract so they could still use their amnesty on Ben Gordon. I was hoping that the Pistons wouldnt resign Tayshaun Prince so we could land the first pick of the draft and get a stud to join our young core of Greg Monroe, Austin Daye and Brandon Knight. But, the Pistons are stupid so they will rely on bums like Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon to win us out of a good draft pick and stay mediocre. Also... 12-16-2011 11:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4) 26     20 The Pistons bought out Rip's contract, and didn't use their amnesty clause yet. God willing, Ben Gordon is next to go. What an idiot 12-16-2011 11:08 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4) 23     21 Way to keep on your trades, Paul and Dave! Brandon Bass has been with the Magic for awhile now, kinda shocking Walt would let someone so in-ept write for his site. rossfelhofer 12-16-2011 01:16 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.43 (total posts: 1) 18     21 the clippers are not done in free agency yet, they are going to have to sign another big man A Chris Paul Fan 12-16-2011 12:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 1) 19     20 Chris Paul is a great player, I think he's the best PG in the NBA and capable of making any team into an instant playoff team. That said the Clippers gave up way to much for a player with bad knees who may leave in a two years. If they'd been able to keep Gordon or the draft pick then i'd like the deal a lot more. If Paul stays healthy and long term it'll make it a lot less lopsided. As of now i'd say it's a big win for the Hornets considering that Paul was leaving anyways and this was the best deal they could have gotten. Of course if Eric Gordon realizes that New Orleans is a crappy basketball market and leaves as soon as possible it'll make it much worse for the Hornets. David 12-10-2011 09:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2) 41     17 Glen Davis was traded to the Magic... Bass was on the Magic and got traded to Boston Yung Rapist Killa 07-09-2011 10:59 am xxx.xxx.xxx.189 (total posts: 1) 23     20 Lebron James trade? John L. 07-07-2011 01:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2) 21     22 "I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it?" So that they don't have to pay the luxury tax for that player. Which is eight figures for the likes of Walton/Haywood/Arenas. Pages: 1 2 3 45 6 7

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3

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 19


Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 16


2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 15


2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3


NFL Picks - Feb. 3