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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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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

#1 Pick: Kawhi Leonard (CLE) (Originally: Kyrie Irving)

This pick is debatable, to an extent. Kyrie Irving was a fantastic pick for the Cavaliers, and was able to achieve championship glory with the team in 2016. But it feels right to put Kawhi as the cream of the crop here. After all, he’s been able to achieve a little more than Irving in terms of their career achievements.

Originally, Kawhi was selected with the 15th pick by the Indiana Pacers, before getting traded to the San Antonio Spurs. The rest is history, becoming a two-time champion and two-time Finals MVP in his career. Kawhi has become one of the best two-way forwards in the recent memory of the NBA, dominating on both ends.

Kawhi has always been a sure-fire scorer and perimeter defender, shutting down anyone he guards. Whether that be apart of the Spurs, Raptors or Clippers, Leonard is undeniably dynamic on all levels, and this will soon translate to more success.

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Over his career, Kawhi Leonard has averaged:

18.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.8 STL

Kawhi’s constant efficiency and dominant performances have solidified him as one of the best forwards in NBA history, and he’s more than likely to rise up the ranks based on how he’s performed. Compared to the original pick, Kyrie Irving, they’ve been fairly similar in terms of success, but Kawhi Leonard has the edge in this situation.

Through some of the ups and downs, Leonard has arguably become the most successful player in the 2010s era of NBA, and he’s most likely going to continue that in the 2020s era.