Who the Cavs Should Draft and Why

May 18, 2011

With two of the top four picks in this year’s upcoming draft, it would be hard for the Cleveland Cavaliers to dig themselves into a further hole than they already are. I believe two ways of doing this are to avoid all of the European players, and to not pick Kyrie Irving number one overall.

With the first pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Cavs should take Derrick Williams, the sophomore out of Arizona. He is an extremely versatile forward who has an NBA-ready body. He can fit into any lineup as the small forward and play around the perimeter as a slasher, or can be played as the power-forward down in the paint. He even has three-point range. He has a huge body to help shield his defenders, and extremely long arms to block shots and grab rebounds. It would be a mistake for the Cavaliers to pass up on him.

Selecting Williams with the first pick, covers their needs for a forward. Which means they can pass up on Enes Kanter, Jan Vesely, and Jonas Valanciunas, who are three European players projected to go in the top ten. They’re all hype, no one really knows what they’re all about. Do not buy into them. Maybe they’re tall and have good basketball bodies but don’t compare them to the players from the United States, or even rank them higher, especially when they have never even played competition as close to as good as the NCAA. These guys are overrated and should not be going this high.

With that being said, this gives the Cavaliers the option of drafting one of the elite point guards in the draft. Assuming Kyrie Irving from Duke will go number two or number three overall, the Cavs can select either Brandon Knight out of Kentucky or Kemba Walker from UConn. If I were drafting, I would pick Kemba Walker at number four overall, even if Kyrie Irving is still available. Kemba’s athleticism and ability to score as a point guard is like none other. He also not only shows great confidence and maturity, but a sense of leadership coming out of a strong UConn program. Arguably the best college basketball player of the 2010-2011 season. Again if I were drafting I would rather have a more mature and experienced player in Walker than over freshmen Kyrie Irving and Brandon Knight, who still have a lot to prove, and may not be ready for the NBA.

The Cavaliers keys to success, although it may take many years of rebuilding, would be to take Derrick Williams number one overall, and then draft a point guard in Kemba Walker.


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Posted by ddobbs5

2011 Ultimate NBA Playoff Team

May 1, 2011

With school winding down, I find myself with more free time, which means more time to watch basketball. There has been nothing better than watching the 2011 Playoffs. There have been a lot of close games that come down to the final seconds, and many clutch performances. In fact, so many, that I have decided to form a roster of the players I would most want to have on my team in clutch situations.

PG- Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)

Derrick Rose, who is about to be awarded the NBA’s most valuable player, is a pure animal. He has a hunger for getting to the rim, and quite frankly can do that whenever he wants. His multiple 30+ point games against the Pacers in the first round of the series is just a glimpse of how dangerous he really is. He is freakishly athletic and a serious threat at the end of games.

SG- Ray Allen (Boston Celtics)

35 years of age, and the NBA’s best shooter. Along with this he has established himself as one of the most clutch playoff performers in the history of the game, along side Michael Jordan and Robert Horry (to name a few). If you ever watch the Celtics you can see him constantly flying off screens and cashing in three after three. Just remember Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals where he torched the Lakers. He is the deadliest assassin in the NBA. Oh and by the way, he is the all-time leading three point shooter in the history of basketball.

SF- Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)

The Durantula is the most efficient and prolific scorere in the NBA, especially in the clutch. Yeah that’s right…move over Kobe. He is leading all scorers in the playoffs with over 32 and has been as clutch as Jordan in his prime. Just look at Game 5 of the first round vs. the Nuggets. He is shooting nearly 70% from three, while shooting A LOT. His versatility is almost unrealistic. He can kill opponents in any way. Shooting off screens, pulling up, in-the-face jumpers, driving and finishing. Kevin Durant’s range: in the gym.

PF- Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)

Dirk is just Dirk. If you know basketball, you know what I’m saying. He is a 7-foot forward, with an extremely high release, who can shoot as good, if not better than some of the best guards in the league. In the last five minutes of Dallas’ close games this playoffs, he shoots almost 70% from the field. Impressive? Yes. Shooting 100% from three, and the free-throw line, in the last five minutes of games, more impressive? Yes. He is comparable to Ray Allen, but has the superstar role, so he has the ball in his hands at all times.

C – Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics)

If I could build a franchise from scratch starting with any big man in the league, it would be Kevin Garnett. His intensity and passion for the game is unrivaled. He is a defensive nightmare, and refuses to lose in the playoffs. He may not average 30 points per game or 15 rebounds per game, but he is one of the best big men and playoff performers we will see.

Coach- Doc Rivers (Boston Celtics)

One of the best in the game, simply knows how to win games, and win with any combination of players of all caliber. His ideals of teamwork, selflessness, and togetherness (ubuntu) have been one of the keys reasons for the Celtics’ success.

Just off the bench:

Kobe Byrant (Los Angeles Lakers), Brandon Roy (Portland Trailblazers), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)


2 Comments | NBA Playoffs | Permalink
Posted by ddobbs5

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