Posts Tagged ‘Kyrie Irving’

Careers in Jeopardy – Who Controls That?

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

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by B. Austin

 

Meyers-Leonard-and-Kyrie-Irving

Tolerance in sports is directly correlated to the cost of production and the return a franchise or club receives. Meyers Leonard commands about $10,000,000 per season for 6 ppg, 4rpg, and I’m not sure what his defensive production looks like.  He shoots over 36% from three, which gives him a slight bump in value.  But, at $10 million he becomes expendable.  Can’t tolerate the market/masses’ response for that production, at that cost.  Kyrie Irving IS a superstar.  At $15,000,000 per season, Kyrie will have 20 teams interested.  Kyrie, by talent and on court ability is looking for a max deal that would go from 4-years/$192,000,000 to 5-years/$240,000,000.  Based on who feels insulted, Willie becomes correct because Kyrie, based on pride, ability, and talent, won’t consider playing for much less than a max deal, considering the production he is putting out.  And the group he insulted are woven into the fabric of American sports, media, and banking.  If Kyrie won’t accept a number underneath $20,000,000 per season (maybe less), he won’t get a job.  Their power is that they control and manipulate the institutional power structures – they perceive that you insult them, your net worth can go from $6 billion to $400 million in a week.
I believe said community is well-positioned within American business and financial infrastructure.  I say that with no malice or hatred.  I say that being completely open to dialog and discourse on whether or not that is factual or fallacy.  As a black person, an African diaspora – a descendant of slaves, I am well aware of the impact of racism, bigotry, and the derogatory words that come with that.  Hell, I am insulted by the Star-Spangled Banner when it plays.  I am insulted by a system that can rob a man of a job based on him kneeling as a sign of protest against systemic racism.  If the Semitic community has the ability to lead the charge and punish people who they feel insult, demean, or harm them – using the tools afforded them – I am not mad.  I wish Black people in America had that power to exercise that retribution in tandem with reparations.
Personally, I feel as though Kyrie’s post was irresponsible and without context surrounding the specific thoughts and feelings he had on the content posted.  The backlash received is understandable.  A messenger is responsible for clear, effective, efficient articulation – or, suffer consequences.
Meyers Leonard used a racial epithet.  The consequences are, whether he is a bigot, racist, or “innocently” using a derogatory term, the consequences of his actions are his NBA career is in jeopardy.  Kyrie, may be in the same boat, as far as his career is concerned.  Not for using a slur, but posting something that he didn’t take the time to provide context on, research, or ask questions about.

I have not yet watched the movie or read the book.  If it denies the Holocaust, celebrates a certain German dictator, or quotes KKK members, then at best it is historically inaccurate and demeaning.  At worst it IS perpetuating something hurtful.  I will also say this; Because something “HAS SOME TRUTH to it”, doesn’t make it right or righteous as a whole.  Three or four drops of mercury contaminates a million gallons of water.

 

B. Austin, of War Room Sports

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Kyrie Irving and the Less Green (Celtics) Grass

Wednesday, May 15th, 2019

by Gus Griffin

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On July 10, 2014, Kyrie Irving signed a contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In spite of the talented guard’s injury history, this would be “his team” for the near future.

 

That future lasted about 48 hours because on July 12, 2014, the Cavaliers brought back the region’s favorite son, LeBron James.

 

Despite bringing the city of Cleveland its first major sports championship in 52 years when the Cavs won the 2016 NBA title, the two never quite meshed the way the team envisioned. It is hard to tell whom wanted a change first: Kyrie demanding a trade or LeBron ordering a trade. My money says Kyrie wanted to be THE MAN!

 

Fast-forward to this year’s playoffs, which saw the Kyrie-led Celtics win their first five games. This included a sweep over the Pacers and taking game one on the road in Milwaukee, over the top-seeded Bucks. Over that stretch, Kyrie was great, averaging over 23 points and 8 assists. His game one against the Bucks was one of the most efficient for a point guard in recent playoff memory, with 26 points and 11 assists on 57% shooting.

 

Then the whole roof collapsed!

The Celtics would lose the next four, becoming the first team in NBA history to win its first 5 of a playoff and then be swept away. While Kyrie certainly was not the only culprit, he was, by any account, bad. His scoring fell off by 4 points, his assists fell off by 3, and he shot under 30%. He topped it off with a God-awful elimination game performance, during which he shot 6 of 21 with 1 assist, ZERO rebounds, and 3 turnovers. Then the questions about his future in Boston, already swirling, were elevated. Given the Celtics’ stockpile of draft picks and the development of its current young talent last year, in no small part due to Kyrie’s injuries, there is no reason to believe he will be back with the Celtics next year. If Kyrie’s objective was to be “THE MAN”, he got his wish and now must deal with the accompanying scrutiny that is the price of the party.

 

KILJWhat Kyrie is in the process of learning is that the difference between being a number 1 and number 2 extend beyond the court. On the court as the number 2 to LeBron, Kyrie would always have his way. He earned the nickname “Ankle Taker”. His first step and crossover make it virtually impossible for any defender in the NBA to stay in front of him. A team could theoretically take Kyrie away to make LeBron a scorer but when he drops 40 and you lose, that would be a lot of explaining to do for any coach. Off the court, when a team with LeBron loses, “The King” must answer the questions, even after his Herculean effort in the 2015 NBA finals. Is Kyrie built for that kind of life? The answer may be in a Clint Eastwood/Dirty Harry line. “Man’s gotta know his limitations.” That is to say that not every player, regardless of talent, is intended to be a top dog.

 

The hopeful piece is that Kyrie is from a highly eclectic background.

 

He was born in Melbourne, Australia, a country that is in the midst of trying to deport Aboriginal (folks Native to the land) people without “citizenship”. His father is from the Bronx and his Native American mother was adopted. She passed away when he was four and it was not until years later that Kyrie would come to fully understand his heritage. Last August, he was invited to Standing Rock as a sort of homecoming. Yes, the same Standing Rock where the mighty Sioux and many others have been resisting the Dakota pipelines from going through their sacred ground. Yes, the same Sioux once led by the great freedom fighter Tatanka Iyotake or better known as Sitting Bull! Yes, the same Sitting Bull that gave General Custer “the business” at Little Bighorn. By all accounts, Kyrie has fully embraced this. The Sioux gave him the name “Hela”, which in the Lakota language means “Little Mountain”. Kyrie donated $100K to the Standing Rock resistance cause. He asked and was granted the privilege of shaking the hands of every one of the estimated 1000 in attendance that day. He even has a shoe out through Nike honoring Standing Rock (not sure how much of those proceeds go to the tribe). Given that basketball has long been the most popular sport on most Native American reservations, this was all a big deal.

 

So, does all this mean that Kyrie is indeed a number 1 Alpha, capable of leading a team to an NBA title? The jury is still out on that matter. Other than his “Earth is flat” comment, Kyrie strikes me as a thoughtful person. The answer will at least in part be contingent on which ego Kyrie decides to follow. Every professional athlete has two egos: one that is primarily self-serving and the other that is competitive. The champions allow the competitive ego to lead. If Kyrie does this, it will require him to modify his game. For example, his career numbers of 22.2 points and 5.7 assists are in line with the current trend of score first, distribute second, modern point guards. That will not get it done. However, 17-18 points with 8-10 assist may move him closer to a title…if he is willing to allow for a co-star.

 

My feeling is that he will allow the competitive ego to rule the day. If he does, do not bet against Kyrie Irving having his own Little Bighorn moment.

Gus Griffin, for War Room Sports

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10 NBA Players on the Verge of Super Stardom

Friday, December 6th, 2013

by Christian Roberts

Pistons C Andre Drummond:
13.5 ppg 12.8 rpg 1.3 bpg 2.0 spg 64% fg

Andre Drummond has pretty much exceeded everybody’s expectations of him since being drafted in the 2012 draft. The level of dominance he shows in the paint night in and night out, is really something to see. He does this with ease because he’s that much more athletic than every other center in the NBA. President of Basketball Operations, Joe Dumars has even been quoted recently as saying “I didn’t think Drummond was this good”. That should speak volumes to what this guy is doing right now. His efficiency on the offensive end of the ball is also what makes him so special. Shooting 64%. Just a look at how dominant the big man has been has of late. Here’s his stat line from the last 3 games:

24 points 19 rebounds 3 block 2 steals vs Bucks
10 points 18 rebounds 2 steals 1 block vs Heat
31 points 19 rebounds 6 steals 2 blocks vs 76ers

He’s doing all this while only playing 33 minutes per game. I think right now the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Bobcats, and Washington Wizards are kicking themselves in the behind for passing on Drummond. Imagine how much better those teams would be with him. It’s still early but this young center is not just on the verge of super stardom, but he’s on the verge of greatness. He is still figuring things out on the court, think 3 years from now, he might be the most unstoppable center in the NBA.

Pacers G/F Paul George:
24.9 ppg 3.4 apg 5.9 rpg 2.1 spg 47% fg

Some may argue Paul George is already a superstar. Whether you think he is now or not really, doesn’t matter. He will be. Arguably the best two-way player the NBA has to offer, George’s star is shining brighter than ever this year. Since Danny Granger went down all season with an injury last year, the talented wingman has single-handedly put the Pacers on his back. Last year, pushing the defending champion Miami Heat to their limits, this year, Paul George is out for blood. Having improved his jump shot and making better shot decisions, makes him almost unguardable. On defense, the Pacers’ guard brings it every night. Causing fits for some of the NBA’s very best. Paul George has put himself in the MVP conversation already in this early NBA season. A conversation some might have thought to be laughable in the off-season. He is making the world realize how talented he really is. It’s going to be fun to see how far he can take the Indiana Pacers this year.

Nuggets PG Ty Lawson:
20.2 ppg 8.1 apg 3.8 rpg 1.1 spg 46% fg

Denver has been looking for a go-to scorer and star since Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks. Ty Lawson is emerging into that player for the Nuggets. Don’t be fooled by his small stature, he can ball and ball at a very high level. He is also a feisty perimeter defender and plays the passing lane very well. Denver started the season off slow but has now picked it up, and part of that is due to Ty Lawson’s play every night. By the end of the season Lawson should be a household name.

Kings C Demarcus Cousins:
21.7 ppg 10.1 rpg 2.6 apg 1.2 bpg 1.6 spg 48% fg

I think we all knew the story on Demarcus Cousins coming out of Kentucky. Extremely talented and could be a great player if he wants to be, but his immaturity and temper might prevent that. Up until this season all the immaturity concerns and temper problems proved to be true. This year, Cousins seems to have his head on straight and is maximizing his potential. Though the Kings are still not a very good team, Cousins has been the only consistent piece. With a wide array of moves, he poses matchup problems every night. You can’t really double team him in the post because he’s one of the better passing centers in the league. There aren’t too many flaws in the big man’s game, other than he sometimes takes way too many shots. But on that team, can anyone blame him?. As long as Demarcus can stay focused on basketball and continue to grow as a person, I see no reason he can’t be a superstar. Talent isn’t the issue. It’s all the other things not basketball related.

Cavaliers PG Kyrie Irving:
20.6 ppg 5.9 apg 3.4 rpg 1.0 spg 40% fg

The Cavs PG is having somewhat of a down year, but it’s not completely his fault. He has to do it all on a nightly basis and is the team’s only consistent scorer. That being said, even through a down year, you can’t deny the fact that Kyrie is a superstar in the making. Great ball-handler, passer, and just has a great feel for the PG position. Irving’s best attribute without a doubt, is that silky smooth jump shot. He is hands down one of the best shooters in the league and is dangerous from anywhere on the court. Also, Kyrie is not afraid of the big moment. He embraces it. That’s what superstars do. Cleveland’s front office really has to put some talent around this guy. Dion Waiters is about as hot and cold as you can get in the NBA. He’s not the answer, and they have no other real threat with the ball in their hands, which puts added pressure on Kyrie. You see the numbers he’s capable of putting up every night, imagine when he has someone to take the pressure off him consistently.

Pelicans C/PF Anthony Davis:
18.8 ppg 10.2 rpg 3.6 bpg 1.6 spg 49% fg

The best big man in the game as far as I’m concerned (most will disagree). What’s not to love about Davis? He’s an incredible defender, great around the rim, runs the the floor like a guard, and is a freak athlete. He also has a high motor, and gives 100% every night. The only thing standing in his way of taking that next step, is he is hurt a lot. This year he is already out for 4-6 weeks with a fractured hand. If he can stay healthy, no doubt he will reach that level of being a superstar. But you have to be on the court to do so.

Wizards PG John Wall:
19.0 ppg 9.2 apg 4.4 rpg 2.2 spg 41% fg

The former Kentucky guard is showing us every night why he earned that hefty contract extension in the off-season. Averaging a career high 9.2 assists per game, Wall looks to be more comfortable running the point this year. He and 2nd year player Bradley Beal have made quite the dynamic duo this year. What makes Wall so special is his ridiculous speed and athleticism. Probably the fastest player in the NBA, John Wall is a downright beast in transition. That doesn’t come with some negatives though. Sometimes he plays out of control and that leads to a lot of turnovers. Another area of his game that can be fixed is his shot selection. Sometimes settling for too many jump shots. Typical growing pains for a young NBA player. We have yet to see the best of John Wall though. He hasn’t even scratched the surface on how good he can really be. He’s a superstar in the making.

76ers PG Michael Carter Williams (R):
17.7 ppg 7.3 apg 5.8 rpg 3.1 spg 40% fg

Yes, a rookie made this list. It’s not everyday you a see highly skilled 6’6″ point guard in the NBA. That’s exactly what MCW is. With unbelievable court vision and poise for a rookie PG, Williams has set the NBA world on fire. Having one career triple-double under his belt already and a near quadruple-double on opening night, the game just looks like it slowed down for him. Most young players’ problems are the speed of the game. MCW has no problem with that at all, looking like a seasoned vet on the court. The knock on him coming out of Syracuse was his shooting. Though not great, his jumpshot has been very impressive and so has his defense, stealing 3 balls per contest. MCW just has that “it” factor you don’t see in a lot of rookies coming out of school. It wouldn’t surprise me if 2-3 years from now, he’s the best PG in the game. This kid is that good.

Blazers PG Damian Lillard:
20.6 ppg 5.7 apg 4.1 apg 39% fg

Lillard is really a great player. Fearless scorer and not afraid to take that last second shot. Even though his field goal percentage is down from last year, you really can’t put a number on how he’s helped the Blazers back to relevancy. He has also helped Portland to one of the best records in the league, alongside LaMarcus Aldridge. His shot selection will have to be better if he wants to take that next step. But other than that, Lillard has all the tools of a star. The Blazers have a good enough team to make it far in the playoffs, and that will be Damian Lillard’s time to shine and prove he is among the league’s best.

Suns PG/SG Eric Bledsoe:
18.8 ppg 5.8 apg 4.3 rpg 1.5 spg 49% fg

Eric Bledsoe continues to be one of the NBA’s best kept secrets. A flat out steal for the Phoenix Suns in free agency, the undersized PG has proved his money’s worth. Dubbed by some the “mini Lebron”, Bledsoe is just as good on defense as he is on offense. One of the best perimeter guard defenders in the league. He might be small but he’s an extremely strong guard; especially when driving to the rim. He gets to the hole with ease. A true combo guard. He had to leave LA so he could flourish in his own role, other than playing behind Chris Paul every night. Even then, he showed flashes of being a great player in limited minutes. His former coach at Kentucky, John Calapari, is on record as saying “If not for John Wall being here, Bledsoe could have been the #1 pick in that draft”. That should speak volumes to the talent level of the young point guard. Led by Bledsoe, the future looks really bright for the Phoenix Suns.

Christian Roberts of Sportz Overtime, for War Room Sports

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What I Learned from the 2011 NBA Draft About the State of Basketball at the Highest Level

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

By Bradley Anderson

Do you remember when the #1 through #10 players in the NBA draft where almost assured to have a 70% Thriller-Killer to Bust-Crème Puff Filler ratio?  Do you remember when in the second round you could find guys who may be short on elite athleticism but LOOOOONG on collegiate resume and high on basketball skill and acumen?  Do you remember when the matriculation from High School to college was largely unknown…but the bright lights, big cities, and making of one’s manhood on the hardwood (II) began in the toughest conferences of the NCAA’s Division 1?  Do you remember when the only FIBA and Euro-ballers to make the jump were the Sarunas Marciulionis’, the Drazen Petrovics, the Arvydas Sabonis’, the Detlef Schrempfs, the Toni Kukocs and the Sarunas Jasikevicius (MD Terps dude) (yeah, some of those dudes came over without being drafted but you get my point where the talent level is concerned, on who and how international NBA players came about being a part of the “Greatest Show on Earth)…the crème de la crème of International players, the BEST the world had to offer was the second or third tier stars coming over.  Yeah, occasionally the Spurs, who happen to have NBA scouts placed on Pluto, Jupiter, Mars, and every continent back here on Earth, would draft someone resembling Sergeant Shultz of Hogan’s Heros.  Or, Abe Pollin would draft a brother from East Africa who was 7 foot 7 and could shoot 3’s and was more interested in the world cup than the NBA.  But other than that, from top to bottom, the NBA Draft was teeming with tough morsels of talent raring to get at the vets in practice.  Boys who had done all they could do with their amateur children’s collegiate career and were ready to swim in waters with no bottom, with sharks who had no consciences.Kyrie Irving is going to be a special point guard, Derrick Williams is more athletic than we give him credit for, and will be too skilled and quick for 4’s, and too strong and skilled for 3’s (If Jared Dudley can make it, why are we worried about Williams?).  Enes Kanter reminds me of a combo of Pau and Marc, with some Kaman thrown in.  Kemba is Kemba…a winner.  Jimmer will teach you how to Jimmer, and Alec may be ok.  And then there is Bismack…Bismack, Bismack, Bismack!  It is not that I wish failure for Bismack, it’s not that I think he’s a bad guy.  In fact, this isn’t REALLY about Bismack as much as he happens to be the poster child for what is wrong with the current trend in pro basketball.  LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG on athleticism…I mean LONG!  Dude’s vertical, his quickness, his potential, are all through the roof.  His skill, his development, his IQ, is about as tall as a stacked pile of tissue paper containing 4 sheets.  And Bismack wasn’t a 2nd rounder.  No!  Bismack Biyombo at 6’7” was the 7th overall pick.  A lottery pick was used on a Ruben Patterson-like defensive specialist.  Now, as you review the list of names drafted that night, beginning in the lottery, and juxtaposing it upon the draft’s storied history, you will ask yourself: “Self”, I say.  “Where are the difference makers?  Where are the stars?  Where are the HOF’ers?”

As we left the lottery we had three types of player: 1) The athletic freak, minimal skill, 1 to maybe 2 collegiate seasons.  2) The highly skilled, underwhelming talent who played 3 to 4 years, headed towards a Duhon-ish career.  3) The EURO…the Euro players who have been playing professionally, a number of them since 15 and 16 years old, have a jumpstart on the other two types as they’ve (a) been playing with grown men in their 20s and 30s, (b) had coaching from professional eat-sleep-drink-feed-my-family coaches whose job is to make them a complete, well rounded, money generating, win-getting production center.  But, they are largely unknown quantities to everyone but the Spurs and those that watch FIBA.  Then you face the buyout clauses with their current clubs, the fact that they have no merchandising value, and a fan that came to see a built/born/bred in the US product.

The draft is just one more indication of the huge plunge into mediocrity and inferior product the league is facing.  No longer is there a premium placed on honing skill, mastering craft, and marrying athletics to talent, skill, heart, and IQ.  The premium is placed on what you can sell and/or market, how fast you can get to the marketplace (with a largely unfinished product), how much Sportscenter airtime you can get, and who you can copy-cat your moves and game from.  And so…we have an inferior product.  An entire generation enamored with high-flying and getting rich as opposed to winning and being the best.  The uber-athletes have flawed games and low IQs, and to take a gamble on the draft, the weak athlete develops himself to the peak of his talent and pinnacle of ability.  But alas, if the natural order of things were set right, he’d be a D-Leaguer, a CBA’er, or in Euro-League.  Hell, if you want to be accurate about the situation, certain players wouldn’t be in major D1 programs if the attention to really teaching the game and developing talent was held to the proper standard.  WE, the fans would see a better quality product, and every draft class would be filled with talent and not just top-heavy outliers.

And so this draft served to confirm what I already know.  Basketball is dying much like Hip Hop.  A carotid artery is constricting tighter and tighter.  Oxygen and life’s blood is being restricted and growth has stopped.  You have to look no further than the current labor issues as another indirect indicator.  An inferior product loses money, an inferior player is a bum, and a bum shouldn’t be there.  He shouldn’t have been in the draft and the fan shouldn’t have to pay to see a guy who can jump over a house but can’t shoot a 15-footer, dribble with his left, or hit over 75% from the line.

Tune back in as I explain how all of this plays into where the labor agreement is, and why only 8 teams out of 32 are profitable.  Some say contraction is the answer.  I say it goes way deeper than that.  The system from 11 years ago and on needs revamped (why are we now ranking the top 7th graders? ).

Bradley “B. Austin” Anderson of The War Room, for War Room Sports

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2011 NBA Mock Draft

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

By Brandon Pemberton

Here is my first and final 2011 NBA Mock Draft.  There is no way I will get every pick correct.  There might be trades, and then there are NBA GM’s who have no clue what they are doing.  My picks are based on logic and  where I believe players should fall according to team needs and what I’m hearing from the few connects I’ve acquired over the past couple years since my days at broadcasting school.

 
2011 NBA Mock Draft (First Round):

1 Kyrie Irving
  Cleveland

2 Derrick Williams
  Minnesota

3 Enes Kanter
  Utah

4 Jonas Valanciunas
  Cleveland

5 Brandon Knight
   Toronto

6 Jan Vesely
   Washington

7 Kemba Walker
   Sacramento

8 Tristan Thompson
   Detroit

9 Kawhi Leonard
  Charlotte

10 Klay Thompson
   Milwaukee

11 Alec Burks
   Golden State

12 Jimmer Fredette 
   Utah

13 Marcus Morris
   Phoenix

14 Nikola Vucevic
   Houston

15 Markieff Morris
    Indiana

16 Bismark Biyombo
    Philadelphia

17 Chris Singleton
   New York

18 Marshon Brooks
    Washington

19 Kenneth Faried
    Charlotte

20 Iman Shumpert
   Minnesota

21 Tobias Harris
    Portland

22 Tyler Honeycutt
    Denver

23 Donatas Motiejunas
    Houston

24 Jordan Hamilton
    Oklahoma City

25 Jeremy Tyler
    Boston

26 Nikola Mirotic
    Dallas

27 Reggie Jackson
    New Jersey

28 Justin Harper
    Chicago

29 Norris Cole
    San Antonio

30 Shelvin Mack
    Chicago
Brandon Pemberton of Brandon on Sports, for War Room Sports

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My Top 60 Prospects for the 2011 NBA Draft

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

By Brandon Pemberton

The NBA Draft is tonight at 7pm and here are my top 60 prospects available.  This was finally composed after watching these guys play during the past college and Euroleauge seasons.  I had help from my friend John Dimopoulos of http://www.eurojohnbball.com with scouting reports of the Euro guys.  Make sure you go checkout his site as well.  He knows his stuff.  I watch the games and I rank the players according to how I feel they will translate to the pro game and also on potential of growing once getting to the NBA.

1. Kyrie Irving 6-3 191  PG Duke Fr.

2. Derrick Williams 6-8 248 SF/PF Arizona  So.

3. Enes Kanter 6-11 259 PF/C Kentucky Fr.

4. Alec Burks 6-6 193 PG/SG Colorado So.

5. Tristan Thompson 6-9 227 PF Texas Fr.

6. Kemba Walker 6-1 184 PG UConn Jr.

7. Brandon Knight 6-3 177 PG/SG Kentucky Fr.

8. Kawhi Leonard 6-7 227 SF San Diego St.  So.

9. Marcus Morris 6-8 230  SF/PF Kansas Jr.

10. Klay Thompson 6-7 206 SG/SF WashingtonState Jr.

11. Jan Vesely 6-11 230 SF/PF Czech Republic 1990

12. Jordan Hamilton 6-8 228 SG/SF Texas So.

13. Tyler Honeycutt 6-8 187 SG/SF UCLA  So.

14. Markieff Morris 6-9 241 PF Kansas Jr.

15. Jimmer Fredette 6-2 196 PG/SG BYU Sr.

16. Donatas Motiejunas 7-0 224 PF  Lithuania 1990

17. Chris Singleton 6-9 230 SF/PF Florida St. Jr

18. Marshon Brooks 6-5 195 SG Providence Sr.

19. Tobias Harris 6-8 223 SF/PF Tennessee Fr.

20. Jonas Valanciunas 6-11 240 C Lithuania 1992

21. Bismack Biyombo 6-9 243 C/PF Congo 1992

22. Justin Harper 6-9 228 PF Richmond Sr.

23. Norris Cole 6-1 174 PG Cleveland St. Sr.

24. Nikola Vucevic 7-0 260 C USC  Jr.

25. Kenneth Faried 6-7 225 PF Morehead St. Sr.

26. Iman Shumpert 6-5 222 PG/SG  Georgia Tech Jr.

27. Darius Morris 6-4 190 PG Michigan So.

28. Reggie Jackson 6-3 200 PG/SG Boston College Jr.

29. Jeremy Tyler 6-10 262 PF/C Tokyo Apache 1991

30. Shelvin Mack 6-2 205 PG/SG Butler Jr.

31. Josh Selby 6-3 195 PG/SG Kansas Fr.

32. Jon Leuer 6-11 223 PF Wisconsin Sr.

33. Malcolm Lee 6-5 198 PG/SG UCLA Jr.

34. Travis Leslie 6-4 205 SG/SF Georgia Jr.

35. Kyle Singler   6-9 228  SF Duke  Sr.

36. JaJuan Johnson 6-10 220 PF Purdue Sr.

37. DavisBertans 6-10 211 SF Union Olimpija 1992

38. Nolan Smith 6-3 189 PG/SG Duke Sr.

39. Jimmy Butler 6-7 222  SF Marquette Sr.

40. Nikola Mirotic 6-10 225 SF/PF Real Madrid 1991

41. Cory Joseph 6-3 186 PG Texas  Fr.

42. Jordan Williams 6-9 247 PF Maryland  So.

43. ChandlerParsons 6-10 221 SF  Florida   Sr.

44. Andrew Goudelock 6-2 198 PG/SG Charleston Sr.

45. Charles Jenkins 6-3 216 PG/SG Hofstra Sr.

46. Matthew Bryan-Amaning 6-10 232 PF Washington  Sr.

47. Malcolm Thomas 6-9 223 PF/SF San Diego St. Sr.

48. DeAndre Liggins 6-6 202 SG/SF Kentucky Jr.

49. David Lighty 6-6 216 SG/SF OhioState Sr.

50. Julyan Stone 6-7 200  PG UTEP  Sr.

51. E’twaunMoore 6-4 191 PG/SG Purdue Sr.

52. Rick Jackson 6-9 242  PF Syracuse Sr.

53. Bojan Bogdanovic 6-7 195 SG/SF Fenerbahe Ulke 1989

54. Keith Benson 6-11 217 C/PF Oakland Sr.

55. Kevin Anderson 6-0 170 PG Richmond Sr.

56. Greg Smith 6-9 253 PF/C Fresno St. So.

57. Jon Deibler 6-6 197 SG Ohio St.Sr.

58. Jamie Skeen 6-8 242 PF VCU Sr.

59. Brad Wanamaker 6-4 208 PG/SG Pitt Sr.

60. Gilbert Brown 6-6 213 SG/SF Pitt Sr.

Brandon Pemberton of Brandon on Sports, for War Room Sports

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2011 NBA Draft Top (American Born) Prospects

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

By Brandon Pemberton

The NBA Draft Lottery was last Tuesday night (May 17) and the Cleveland Cavaliers ended up winning the lottery and have the 1st and 4th picks in the draft.  I’m officially in draft geek mode right now and here are the top 30 draft prospects, in my opinion.  The list has been put together on something I call the “Brandon Pemberton Eye Test”.  Potential, and how the player’s game translates to the NBA.  These are American born college players, as I have watched the Euro leagues, I don’t possess the knowledge on these players like I do college players in the U.S.  Also, let me remind you that the 2011 draft class is a weak class due to potential lottery picks returning to school because of the looming NBA lockout.  The 2011 NBA Draft will take place on June 23rd.

1. Kyrie Irving PG
19 years old, Freshman
6′ 3″ 185lbs.
Duke2. Derrick Williams PF/SF
19 years old, Sophomore
6′ 8″ 235lbs.
Arizona

3. Enes Kanter PF/C
19 years old, Freshman
6’11″ 261lbs
Kentucky

4. Alec Burks SG
19 years old, Sophomore
6′ 6″ 200lbs.
Colorado

5. Tristan Thompson PF
20 years old, Freshman
6′ 9″ 235lbs.
Texas

6. Brandon Knight PG/SG
19 years old, Freshman
6′ 3″ 185lbs.
Kentucky

7. Kemba Walker PG
21 years old, Junior
6′ 0″ 180lbs.
Connecticut

8. Kawhi Leonard SF
19 years old, Sophomore
6′ 7″ 225lbs.
San Diego State

9. Marcus Morris SF/PF
21 years old, Junior
6′ 8″ 225lbs.
Kansas

10. Jordan Hamilton SF/SG
20 years old, Sophomore
6′ 7″ 210lbs.
Texas

11. Markieff Morris PF
21 years old, Junior
6′ 19″ 245lbs.
Kansas

12. Klay Thompson SG/SF
21 years old, Junior
6′ 6″ 187lbs.
Washington State

13. Reggie Jackson PG
21 years old, Junior
6′ 3″ 208lbs.
Boston College

14. Tyler Honeycutt SF
20 years old, Sophomore
6′ 8″ 200lbs.
UCLA

15. Jimmer Fredette PG
22 years old, Senior
6′ 2″ 195lbs.
BYU

16. Tobias Harris SF/PF
18 years old, Freshman
6′ 8″ 210lbs.
Tennessee

17. Chris Singleton SF/PF
21 years old, Junior
6′ 8″ 210lbs.
Florida State

18. Kenneth Faried PF
21 years old, Senior
6′ 8″ 225lbs
Morehead State

19. Trey Thompkins PF
20 years old, Junior
6′ 9″ 245lbs.
Georgia

20. Josh Selby PG/SG
20 years old, Freshman
6′ 2″ 190lbs
Kansas

21. Travis Leslie SG
21 years old, Junior
6′ 4″ 202lbs
Georgia

22. Justin Harper PF/SF
21 years old, Senior
6′ 10″ 225lbs
Richmond

23. Darius Morris PG/SG
20 years old, Sophomore
6′ 4″ 190lbs
Michigan

24. Nolan Smith PG/SG
22 years old, Senior
6′ 3″ 185lbs.
Duke

25. JaJuan Johnson PF
22 years old, Senior
6′ 10″ 215lbs.
Purdue

26. Jimmy Butler SF/SG
21 years old, Senior
6′ 7″ 220lbs.
Marquette

27. Norris Cole PG
22 years old, Senior
6′ 2″ 185lbs.
Cleveland St.

28. E’Twaun Moore SG
22 years old, Senior
6′ 4″ 191lbs.
Purdue

29. Kyle Singler SF/PF
23 years old, Senior
6′ 8″ 210lbs.
Duke

30. Shelvin Mack PG
21 years old, Junior
6′ 3″ 215lbs.
Butler

Brandon Pemberton, Blogger for War Room Sports

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