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The 2011 NBA Draft was filled with so many trades, and many unproven prospects.

Here are my grades on all the teams’ drafts:

Atlanta Hawks: C-

Round 2, 18(48) Keith Benson (C).

Hawks need size, and a legitimate center, in which they now believe they have. Benson is tall at 6’11 and very athletic. The Hawks got a possible steal in the draft, but because they only had one pick, they get a C- because they are still not contenders in the playoffs with only this move.

Boston Celtics: B-

Round 1, 27(27) JaJuan Johnson (PF)

Round 2, 25(25) E’Twaun Moore (SG)

Both of the Celtic draftees are out of Purdue, if they can build on their chemistry they had on Purude, that may translate into even more success for the NBA powerhouse that is the Celitcs. Johnson, for his size at 6’10 has great shooting ability and seems to have very nice upside, which was intriguing to the Celtics. Moore also fits well for the Celtics, with his great shooting ability as a 3 point shooter and in the post. There are many that say he isn’t and never will be an elite athlete. We will see, but the Celtics receive a B- because both the players they drafted will start out coming off the bench allowing them to have time to further develop their skills and learn from the veterans on the Celtics.

Charlotte Bobcats: A-

Round 1, 7(7) Bismack Biyombo (C)

Round 1, 9(9) Kemba Walker (G)

The Bobcats were one of the biggest winners in this draft. Though 7th pick Biyombo doesn’t have all the tools offensively, he can really help on the defensive end. He has great athletic ability, and should be scary to guard in the paint or at least intimidating. The Charlotte Bobcats’ other draft choice, Kemba Walker has heart and he is a proven winner, winning the NCAA championship last year at the University of Connecticut. Many say that Kemba Walker is undersized, but look at Jason Terry, he’s undersized, and helped the Dallas Mavericks win the NBA championship this year. The Bobcats receive an A- because they have added two huge pieces to their puzzle to build a contending team.

Chicago Bulls: C+

Round 1, 23(23) Nikola Mirotic (SF)

Round 1, 30(30) Jimmy Butler (SF)

Mirotic who is not only a monster in the post, but is also a very talented 3 point shooter and simply has great shooting ability all around. Mirotic however, won’t be eligible to play for the Bulls until his contract with Real Madrid is over, which is due to be completed after the 2015-2016 season. The Bulls will have to wait on him, so that won’t help them any time soon. Chicago Bulls’ other draft choice of the night, Jimmy Butler can help them very much in the near future. The Bulls have been looking for that wing player that can shoot. But that is not the only reason they got Butler, the Bulls like Butler’s defense ability, where they are hoping he might be able to guard guys like James. Overall, Bulls deserve a C+ because Butler although very talented, won’t be a game-changer for the Bulls to be contenders this year. Mirotic certainly won’t be helping them next season, as he is still under contract with Real Madrid, but they do get value later in the years..

Cleveland Cavilers: A

Round 1, 1(1) Kyrie Irving (PG)

Round 1, 4(4) Tristan Thompson (PF)

Round 2, 24(54) Milan Macvan (PF)

Kyrie Irving is a fantastic player who has great potential to be an all-star. They could have taken Derrick Williams, but they wanted a point guard and then a forward. Drafting Thompson overall was a very questionable call. Thompson is a great rebounder and all, but the Cavs instead could have gotten a very good center in Jonas Valanciunas, and it remains very strange why they took Thompson over him. On the upside in the second round the Cavs got a steal with Macvan. Macvan doesn’t have great size, but he is a leader, and has a great basketball IQ. Although the Thompson pick remains a very questionable call, the Cavs get an A with 2 very outstanding players, and a steal at 54.

Dallas Mavericks: B

No Picks

The Mavericks drafted Jordan Hamilton at 26 in the draft. In a three way trade with the Blazers and Nuggets, the Mavericks traded Hamilton for Rudy Fernandez. I am not high on two year pro Fernandez, but many believe he is better then the raw, but talented Hamitlon. The Mavericks got the better of that deal so they come out of the draft with a B.

Read the rest…

By Jason Radowtiz (NYMetsKnicksFan)

http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=92735