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.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Kyrie Irving Ready to be a Franchise Point Guard - June 23
It is thought, but not confirmed, that the Cleveland Cavaliers will take Duke point guard Kyrie Irving Thursday night with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
The Cavs haven't told him he'll be the first-overall selection, but it is likely between him and Derrick Williams, and conventional wisdom seems to be leaning toward Irving.
With his numbers - 17.5 points per game, 4.3 assists per game, 46 percent shooting from beyond the arc - it's easy to see why. But he's only played 11 games of college basketball, so it's only natural to wonder if he's ready - physically and mentally - to be a cornerstone for a NBA franchise.
"There are some people who think why did I even come to college if I was only going to play 11 games?" Irving said. "I came to college to get an education and play college basketball, and I was unfortunate to get injured. It was not my intention to only play 11 games."
Sure, there have been a ton of one-and-dones since the NBA instituted the rule (Kentucky has a whole bunch all by themselves, seemingly every year), but Irving is a unique case, because he only played 11 games. Currently, the league is considering changing the one-and-done rule to a 2-year minimum, so it's interesting to see where he weighs in on this topic.
"If they do move it up great; I enjoyed my college experience," Irving said. "It was a really tough decision for me to leave based on the relationships I had with the coaches and the whole aura of the Duke campus."
Either way, it won't keep him from making his millions this summer. Baseball has a rule - you can jump from high school right away, or if you do go to college, it's a minimum 3-year commitment. That's a decision I would support. Most of the NBA and college hoops literati I've spoken with also favor this idea. Irving's thoughts?
"I think you should leave it up to the player," Irving said. "It's their personal choice if they want to test the waters."
Many people are labeling this draft class as one of the weakest of all time. And it's easy to understand why. But that doesn't take away from the achievement of being No. 1 overall in Irving's eyes.
"I don't really pay attention to whether they call it weak or strong or anything like that," he said at the draft combine in Chicago. And he's quite certain he made the right decision in entering the 2011 NBA Draft.
"If I had any questions I wouldn't have come back; I truly believe that I wouldn't have come out had I only played eight games," he said. "I came back for the NCAA Tournament because one, I was ready, and two, I wanted to answer all the questions about whether this toe injury would have a lingering effect on my career."
So in other words, yes, Irving is ready to shoulder the expectations that will soon be thrust upon him.
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
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 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Kyrie Irving Ready to be a Franchise Point Guard - June 23
It is thought, but not confirmed, that the Cleveland Cavaliers will take Duke point guard Kyrie Irving Thursday night with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
The Cavs haven't told him he'll be the first-overall selection, but it is likely between him and Derrick Williams, and conventional wisdom seems to be leaning toward Irving.
With his numbers - 17.5 points per game, 4.3 assists per game, 46 percent shooting from beyond the arc - it's easy to see why. But he's only played 11 games of college basketball, so it's only natural to wonder if he's ready - physically and mentally - to be a cornerstone for a NBA franchise.
"There are some people who think why did I even come to college if I was only going to play 11 games?" Irving said. "I came to college to get an education and play college basketball, and I was unfortunate to get injured. It was not my intention to only play 11 games."
Sure, there have been a ton of one-and-dones since the NBA instituted the rule (Kentucky has a whole bunch all by themselves, seemingly every year), but Irving is a unique case, because he only played 11 games. Currently, the league is considering changing the one-and-done rule to a 2-year minimum, so it's interesting to see where he weighs in on this topic.
"If they do move it up great; I enjoyed my college experience," Irving said. "It was a really tough decision for me to leave based on the relationships I had with the coaches and the whole aura of the Duke campus."
Either way, it won't keep him from making his millions this summer. Baseball has a rule - you can jump from high school right away, or if you do go to college, it's a minimum 3-year commitment. That's a decision I would support. Most of the NBA and college hoops literati I've spoken with also favor this idea. Irving's thoughts?
"I think you should leave it up to the player," Irving said. "It's their personal choice if they want to test the waters."
Many people are labeling this draft class as one of the weakest of all time. And it's easy to understand why. But that doesn't take away from the achievement of being No. 1 overall in Irving's eyes.
"I don't really pay attention to whether they call it weak or strong or anything like that," he said at the draft combine in Chicago. And he's quite certain he made the right decision in entering the 2011 NBA Draft.
"If I had any questions I wouldn't have come back; I truly believe that I wouldn't have come out had I only played eight games," he said. "I came back for the NCAA Tournament because one, I was ready, and two, I wanted to answer all the questions about whether this toe injury would have a lingering effect on my career."
So in other words, yes, Irving is ready to shoulder the expectations that will soon be thrust upon him.
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
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Mustafa
09-08-2012
05:32 am
xxx.xxx.xxx4.81
(total posts: 1)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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14
Never Mind somehow I missed him.
BigBlueFan
08-15-2012
08:48 am
xxx.xxx.xxx7.59
(total posts: 2)
11
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Hey Walt are you forgeting Anthony Davis???
Logan
08-09-2012
11:34 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.205
(total posts: 1)
11
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Gonna do one for dwight?
Jay
07-28-2012
04:30 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.114
(total posts: 1)
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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)
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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???
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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 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
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