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NBA Redraft Series: Redrafting the 2011 NBA Draft

By Jono Perilli

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 23: A general view of the draft board above the stage during the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 23: A general view of the draft board above the stage during the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft
NBA (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

The 2011 NBA Draft was arguably one of the best in the 2010s, providing us with some superstars. However, some of these players weren’t drafted as high.

Looking back on it, the 2011 NBA Draft provided us with some of the best talents in the past decade. Typically, the best players are chosen first, ranging from their previous college seasons. But this draft was contrasted to the stereotype, with some of the best talent coming in either the late first-round or the second round. But before we talk about those stars who came out of the draft, let me go back to May 17, 2011, the Draft Lottery.

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The odds went as simple as this, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves held an equal 25 percent chance for the first pick, with the Toronto Raptors not far behind with a 15.6 percent chance, and then the Washington Wizards with an 11.9 percent chance. It was simple, either the Timberwolves or the Cavaliers were bound to get the first pick. But, this is the NBA lottery we’re talking about, anything can happen.

And, something did happen. The LA Clippers won the first pick with a mere 2.8 percent chance. Following the Clippers were the Timberwolves, who won the second pick. Then, another slight upset occurred when the New Jersey Nets won the third pick, trumping their initial expectation of the sixth pick. The Nets were then followed by the Cavaliers and the Raptors, rounding out a surprising top five.

The draft Big Board was led by Duke point guard, Kyrie Irving, who came into the draft with huge expectations of success in the NBA. Followed by Irving, was Arizona forward, Derrick Williams, who caught the eye of scouts with his fantastic Sophomore season. After Williams, was Kentucky center, Enes Kanter, who was previously dominating the European scene before making the transition to college. It was no surprise that this draft was going to impress in terms of star power and immediate impact.

So, how did it go? Let’s reverse history and redraft some of the decisions that were made in the whole first round. The picks won’t be determined by their actual fit in the team, just more of how their careers have gone thus far.