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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: Kemba Walker is the Most Undervalued Player in the Draft - June 23

Too often, NBA teams get caught up with qualities like athleticism, potential, upside, wingspan, how high someone can jump, or how tall or short some guy measures in shoes when scouting NBA Draft prospects. While those attributes are important, so is a player's track record on the court and his ability to flat out play the game.

UConn's Kemba Walker is coming off one of the more impressive college basketball performances in recent years. The Husky point guard made the leap, becoming one of the best players in the game and leading his team to an incredible run in March. For reasons that absolutely baffle me though, Walker could possibly slip out of the lottery in tonight's 2011 NBA Draft.

The 2010-11 campaign was a dream season for Walker, who saw his NBA Draft stock soar after a breakout performance at the Maui Invitational. That high level of play continued throughout the season, resulting in Walker leading UConn to a remarkable five wins in five days to claim the Big East Tournament Championship and following that up by winning the NCAA Tournament.

"It's been unreal," Walker told me at the NBA Draft Combine. "I'm still on cloud nine right now and it's going to take me a while to come down."

During the season, the Bronx native proved he is a winner, a leader, a fighter, a big moment player and a clutch performer. He's lightning quick and has a deadly step-back jumper (just ask Pitt's Gary McGhee) which is a major weapon for a point guard to possess at the next level. He appeared to be a lock as one of the top picks in the 2011 NBA Draft behind Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams.

"Those two guys deserve it," Walker said "I think they are definitely the best two players in the draft. After that, anyone can go anywhere."

And for Walker, that last sentence couldn't be more true. We are just hours from the 2011 NBA Draft and despite all he accomplished this past season, Kemba could actually fall out of the lottery.

There is a very, very, very slim chance Kemba gets taken by the Jazz with the third overall pick, but they will more than likely choose between Enes Kanter and Brandon Knight if they do not trade the pick. The Cavs will not need a point guard at four since they are taking Kyrie Irving with the top pick. I think Walker would be a great fit in Toronto, who holds the fifth pick, but they seem more interested in finding a defensive minded player. Washington obviously does not need a point guard at six with John Wall running the show.

Kemba's slide could end at No. 7 when the Kings are on the clock but they are reportedly very high on Jimmer Fredette. If Sacramento passes on Walker then anything is possible. The Pistons interviewed Kemba at the NBA Draft Combine but they seem set on adding a frontcourt player despite the fact that their current starting point guard Rodney Stuckey is a restricted free agent and probably not their long-term answer.

From there, who knows? Charlotte has bigger needs at center and small forward than point guard, but the franchise is craving talent and Walker would also help them fill some of the empty seats. Milwaukee and Golden State drafted their franchise point guards two years ago in Brandon Jennings and Stephen Curry, so it is doubtful they would select Walker. If Utah takes Knight at three, there is no way they take Kemba at 12. However, if Kanter is their earlier selection then Kemba will fall right into their laps and be the steal of the draft. Phoenix and Houston would take a hard look at Walker but also have more immediate needs that they are likely to address.

Based off the logistics I just diagrammed with how the 2011 NBA Draft could play out, it is conceivable that Walker will slide out of the lottery tonight. From a pure basketball standpoint though, it is a huge, HUGE mistake especially in what is unanimously called the weakest draft class in league history.

Ben 04-15-2012 09:06 pm xxx.xxx.xxx7.65 (total posts: 1)

I like how only one of these players actually got traded

Omar 03-23-2012 04:20 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.60 (total posts: 1)

its a good thing i was wearing sartight white with built in neon when i went to the Super bowl. they almost didnt let me on the field:) and on a side note.. i feel bad for Slash:/

MaliceAtThePalace 03-09-2012 01:38 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.201 (total posts: 1)

Stephen Jackson is a phenomenal teammate. Just ask Ron Artest back in '04.

Sean Shearier 03-09-2012 12:27 am xxx.xxx.xxx.117 (total posts: 1)

great site lots of information. Please check out www.walloffamesports.com

Mike again 12-25-2011 02:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 2)

Lakers got Mavs first rounder this year for odom

mike 12-25-2011 01:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 2)

you still have the clippers owning the twolves pick

Joe 12-23-2011 11:05 am xxx.xxx.xxx.204 (total posts: 1)

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)

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)

133

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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: 2)

The Pistons bought out Rip's contract, and didn't use their amnesty clause yet. God willing, Ben Gordon is next to go.

Pages: 12 3 4

2012 NBA Mock Draft - May 19

2013 NBA Mock Draft - March 2

2012 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG | Sr | Jr | So | Fr

2011 NBA Free Agents: C | PF | SF | 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

2012 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24

2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 22

Charlie's 2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 21

2012 NBA Mock Draft - May 19

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 7

2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

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