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NBA Betting – 2011 Draft Primer | Top Players

With the 2011 NBA Playoffs down to their final 4 (well almost) the rest of the league is already looking ahead to the lottery and next month’s draft. Shea Matthews weighs in with a 2011 Mock nba draft, and outlines the top picks.

NBA Betting – NBA Mock Draft – Top College Hoops Players Coming Out

Usually, NFL odds are supposed to be the toughest to follow on draft day. This year’s NBA draft, however, is one of the most difficult to predict in recent memory outside the No. 1 pick.

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Even with the NBA playoffs still going, there are only a handful of teams left in the mix; the rest of the league is already looking ahead to the lottery and next month’s draft. Let’s have a look at some of the most coveted names on the board, and try to somehow project the first picks.

Derrick Williams, forward (Arizona)

Williams totally lived up to the hype in the NCAA Tournament, carrying the Wildcats, and he’s gaining major momentum as a potential No. 1 overall pick. He showed in college that he can be “the man” without much support.

Kyrie Irving, guard, (Duke)

Many scouts have Irving becoming a top-two pick at this point but he certainly doesn’t come without risk. He was impressive as a freshman, averaging 17.5 points per contest, but injuries limited him to just 11 games. That’s a small sample size.

Kemba Walker, guard (Connecticut)

Despite his dominant season and that he guided UConn to a national title, I’ve heard whispers that Walker may slide near the bottom of the top 10. But I’ve also heard that a desperate team like the Raptors may ignore his lack of size (6’0”) and take a chance on him at third overall.

Brandon Knight, guard (Kentucky)

The freshman was jittery early in the NCAA Tournament but he was a great player during the regular-season with Kentucky and he came into his own late in March Madness. He looks like a top-five pick in every mock draft out there.

Jimmer Fredette, guard (BYU)

We can’t forget about college basketball’s most dominant scorer this past season! Fredette looks like he’ll be taken in the first half of round one but that’s it. Wouldn’t it be appropriate for Utah to take its Mormon brother at No. 12?

Marcus and Markieff Morris, forwards (Kansas)

Hey – the Sedins in hockey are always treated as a pair and were drafted back-to-back by the same team. Wouldn’t it be cool if a team traded to secure consecutive first-round picks and drafted both twin brothers, Marcus and Markieff, out of Kansas? Most scouts have them going just outside the top 10 and within one or two picks of each other, with Marcus going first. Lifetime Bonus at BetOnline

Enes Kanter, center (Kentucky)

The Turkish delight has attracted teams with his passionate, physical play and rebounding ability. But will his body hold up? His knees are already a bit problematic. Maybe that’s why I’m seeing major variation on draft boards; some people see him as a top-three pick while others slide him almost outside the top 10.

Jan Vesely, forward (Partizan Belgrade)

Vesely lands around pick No. 5 if I average out all the mock drafts I’ve checked out. The Czech forward looks like a boom-bust pick. He has tremendous athleticism for his 6’11” frame and can make athletic, “wow” type plays but also isn’t a naturally gifted scorer and has some consistency issues.

Jonas Valanciuna, center (Lietuvos Rytas)

Valanciuna is another European bigman who may go right around the same time as Vesely. Valanciuna is arguably a bit more raw; scouts say he hasn’t finished growing even though he’s already 6’11” and 240 pounds. Some team will take a chance on his upside and huge wingspan with an early pick.

Tristan Thompson, forward (Texas)

Scouts seems to disagree on Thompson’s potential, which is why his draft position looks like a real wild card. He’s a strong kid with long arms and good work ethic but he’s also small for his position his jump shot needs major work. To me, he’s more of a complementary piece for a decent team than a building block for a team hitting the reset button.

Isaiah Thomas, point guard (Washington)

Listen you may disagree with this guy coming out but all he does is make plays. He’s a fiery leader on and off the court and he WILL make a pro team better. He recently said “If I get drafted, I am just going to have to work hard and do what I have to do to get on a team.” Trust me. He’ll get drafted. Honorable menton AP All-American, All-District and first team All-Pac-10.  Led team in scoring, assists, steals and minutes. He’s a gamer!

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.