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Chad Ford Releases Top Prospects List For The 2012 NBA Draft With Anthony Davis On Top

Instead of maximizing their value, the Cavs went the safe, predictable route on their way to returning to mediocrity.

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NBA Draft 2011: Chad Ford Believes Memphis Grizzlies Got 'Lottery' Talent In Josh Selby

Whether or not he was chosen at No. 49 overall, Chad Ford still insists that Kansas point guard Josh Selby is a lottery level talent. And to that end, he praises the Memphis Grizzlies for jumping on him that late in the 2011 NBA Draft. Selby’s future as a combo guard could be nice on a team without any solid spark off of the bench in the backcourt, and even starter O.J. Mayo hasn’t put it all together enough to stave off any thoughts of competition.

But even that’s getting ahead of myself for what is really a late pick in the draft. Ford still believes that’s possible when he writes,
“I have no idea whether Josh Selby will pan out. But at No. 49, the Grizzlies drafted a player with lottery talent.” Ford goes on to say:

A medical red flag concerning a swollen knee and a skipped MRI was partly to blame for Selby’s drop. But teams were more worried about his character and his poor season at Kansas. Still, when you watch his game film from college or watch him work out, you see that he has the potential to be special.

That late in the draft, the Grizzlies risked nothing and had everything to gain — and maybe Selby follows in the footsteps of other young, talented second-rounders like Monta Ellis, Lou Williams and Gilbert Arenas. Selby may never get it together, but he was worth a shot here.

It’s that last bit that rings very true, as teams continued to take role players or foreign bigs they’ll be forced to wait upon, the Grizzlies went with a medical project that could pan out better than any of them. For Selby’s sake, here’s hoping he receives some good news soon enough.

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NBA Draft 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers Waste Golden Opportunity, Come Out Losers

The term “loser,” I will admit, might not apply here. The Cleveland Cavaliers were a 19-win team last season, so anything that moves them forward to more wins should qualify this off-season as a positive one, I suppose. While the merits of draft winners and losers will be argued all day today by various writers, I would at least contend that the Cavaliers were the biggest wasters on the day — one in which they had an incredible two of the first four selections of the 2011 NBA Draft.

Even in a weak draft, the Cavs had the chance to add two impact starters and given their lack of overall talent, there’s no doubt Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 overall selection, and Tristan Thompson, the No. 4 selection, will be on the floor immediately. But are they the right duo? Absolutely not.

For Irving to be on the floor, the other point guards on Cleveland’s roster have to be on the bench — and that’s not a good thing based on last season’s performance. Baron Davis was actually an asset coming over from in mid-season with his loaded contract. That allowed the Cavs to get the draft choice, but Davis’ solid performance was unexpected. Ramon Sessions was another solid point guard option, giving the Cavs at least one spot on the floor that wasn’t embarrassing.

The NBA Draft was deep at the point guard position. Kemba Walker fell to No. 9 overall. Brandon Knight went to No. 8. Both will be quality point guards for years in the NBA. They could have been had at No. 4 and everyone knew it. Instead, the best forward by a country mile in this draft was Derrick Williams, the other sure-thing impact player. No other forward comes close and he went predictably at No. 2. He should have went No. 1.

The Cavs grabbed Thompson, a late flier up draft boards around the league, but he’s no Williams even though he had a nice career at Texas and very impressive workouts before the draft. There’s no doubt he will strengthen the Cavs frontcourt with a solid overall game. He can rebound, score underneath and he’s solid defensively. But he can’t take over as a wing scorer like Williams, which is the major ingredient missing for Cleveland.

Both players will start and both will fare well in Cleveland. That’s not the issue facing the Cavs here. Instead, it’s about a missed opportunity to continue to play Davis and Sessions at the point, add Williams and even Jonas Valanciunas at the other spots and build the team with the best possible impact players according to the value available at the time. The Cavs took the safe road — the same one you take relationally after you’ve been burned. They will be better but they will not return to greatness.

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2011 NBA Draft Results: Complete First Round Starts With Kyrie Irving

Last night's NBA Draft was one for the books with several trades, some unexpected moves and several teams believing they made the right deals and selections to make them that much better. At the top, the expected run on players went as planned with the Cavaliers selecting Kyrie Irving and the Minnesota Timberwolves following suit with Derrick Williams. After that, however, things began to really unravel, especially with the No. 4 selection where Cleveland surprised mostly everyone with their choice of Tristan Thompson. Check below for the complete list.

Complete First Round of 2011 NBA Draft:
1. Cavaliers Kyrie Irving PG
2. Timberwolves Derrick Williams PF
3. Jazz Enes Kanter C
4. Cavaliers Tristan Thompson PF
5. Raptors Jonas Valanciunas C
6. Wizards Jan Vesely SF
7. Kings Bismack Biyombo PF
8. Pistons Brandon Knight PG
9. Bobcats Kemba Walker PG
10. Bucks Jimmer Fredette PG
11. Warriors Klay Thompson SG
12. Jazz Alec Burks SG
13. Suns Markieff Morris PF
14. Rockets Marcus Morris PF
15. Pacers Kawhi Leonard SF
16. 76ers Nikola Vucevic C
17. Knicks Iman Shumpert PG
18. Wizards Chris Singleton SF
19. Bobcats Tobias Harris PF
20. Timberwolves Donatas Motiejunas PF
21. Trail Blazers Nolan Smith SG
22. Nuggets Kenneth Faried PF
23. Rockets Nikola Mirotic SF
24. Thunder Reggie Jackson PG
25. Celtics Marshon Brooks SG
26. Mavericks Jordan Hamilton SF
27. Nets JaJuan Johnson PF
28. Bulls Norris Cole PG
29. Spurs Cory Joseph PG
30. Bulls Jimmy Butler SF

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2011 NBA Draft: Trade Rundown Features Ray Felton, Kawhi Leonard, Andre Miller

It’s hard to keep track of who goes where in a draft as it is, but the number of trades at the 2011 NBA Draft will make it especially difficult if you arrived late to the party and are trying to figure out why the teams in the official results seem out of order. Some interesting trades were made at the draft, featuring several good players changing teams.

The Spurs unloaded the unexpected point guard. The Mavericks grabbed Rudy Fernandez out of nowhere and a three-way deal shifted several lottery selections. You can’t complain about a lack of drama in the NBA Draft — that’s for sure.

Here are some of the bigger trades on draft night:
Pacers-Spurs Trade
Indiana receives: George Hill
San Antonio receives: No. 15 pick (Kawhi Leonard)

Nets-Celtics Trade
New Jersey receives: No. 25 pick (Marshon Brooks)
Boston receives: No. 27 pick (JaJuan Johnson), 2014 second-round pick

Bobcats-Bucks-Kings Trade
Charlotte receives: Corey Maggette, No. 7 pick (Bismack Biyombo)
Milwaukee receives: Stephen Jackson, Beno Udrih, Shaun Livingston, No. 19 pick (Tobias Harris)
Sacramento receives: No. 10 pick (Jimmer Fredette), John Salmons

Blazers-Nuggets-Mavericks Trade
Portland receives: Raymond Felton, No. 57 pick
Denver receives: Andre Miller, No. 26 pick (Jordan Hamilton), future second-round pick
Dallas receives: Rudy Fernandez, 2007 No. 30 pick (Petteri Koponen)

Hornets-Knicks Trade
New York receives: No. 45 pick (Josh Harrellson)
New Orleans receives: Cash considerations

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NBA Draft 2011: Josh Selby Finally Finds A Home In Second Round With Memphis Grizzlies

After what had to be a long night of waiting, Josh Selby finally landed in a place very familiar with Bill Self products. The Memphis Grizzlies finally ended a painful night with the 49th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft when they selected Selby, giving the team their third KU player alongside Darrell Arthur and new backcourt mate Xavier Henry.

Chad Ford reported via Twitter that Selby’s draft stock slid because of medical concerns, and it seems the injury that sabotaged Selby’s college career is plaguing him at the next level as well. It’s amazing to see a player so hyped at one point losing his status, but the amount of players coming out of high school to such hype are many, so NBA teams have seen this kind of situation before. Yet the Grizzlies might have stumbled onto something special here given his athleticism and scoring ability.

So where does Selby fit on his new team? As a combo guard, he’ll likely spell at shooting guard for most of his PT, assuming he even gets any at all. Certainly his draft slot is no guarantee of a roster spot. Yet as poorly as Henry played last season, perhaps Selby could at the very least supplant him. O.J. Mayo is the incumbent and Sam Young is also present there, so there’s plenty of competition yet also an obvious chance to shine for a back-up slot if he wants it. Assuming Selby will be healthy in time for training camp, the chip on his shoulder might be just what he needs to secure that slot.

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NBA Draft 2011: Complete First Round Results

Just in case you missed the NBA Draft to this point, here’s a quick complete rundown of everything that you missed. If the teams involved look different than the lists heading into the draft that you remember, that’s because several trades were made on a dramatic night for most teams. Still the top of the draft board felt familiar because it went exactly like most people predicted.

Complete First Round of 2011 NBA Draft:
1. Cavaliers Kyrie Irving PG
2. Timberwolves Derrick Williams PF
3. Jazz Enes Kanter C
4. Cavaliers Tristan Thompson PF
5. Raptors Jonas Valanciunas C
6. Wizards Jan Vesely SF
7. Kings Bismack Biyombo PF
8. Pistons Brandon Knight PG
9. Bobcats Kemba Walker PG
10. Bucks Jimmer Fredette PG
11. Warriors Klay Thompson SG
12. Jazz Alec Burks SG
13. Suns Markieff Morris PF
14. Rockets Marcus Morris PF
15. Pacers Kawhi Leonard SF
16. 76ers Nikola Vucevic C
17. Knicks Iman Shumpert PG
18. Wizards Chris Singleton SF
19. Bobcats Tobias Harris PF
20. Timberwolves Donatas Motiejunas PF
21. Trail Blazers Nolan Smith SG
22. Nuggets Kenneth Faried PF
23. Rockets Nikola Mirotic SF
24. Thunder Reggie Jackson PG
25. Celtics Marshon Brooks SG
26. Mavericks Jordan Hamilton SF
27. Nets JaJuan Johnson PF
28. Bulls Norris Cole PG
29. Spurs Cory Joseph PG
30. Bulls Jimmy Butler SF

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NBA Draft 2011: Kansas' Josh Selby Falls Out Of First Round; Still Waiting In Second Round

At one time, the world was Josh Selby’s oyster. Now he’s just hoping for a chance to play. Basketball life after high school has not been kind of Selby, and the one-time All-American is now left wondering how strong of an NBA future he might have after all, falling to the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft after not hearing his name through the entire first round.

This comes after an injury-shortened collegiate career where he was one and done in Bill Self’s system at Kansas. The hype never matched the on-court talent at Kansas, so it was no surprise when Selby declared for the draft. But the potential displayed coming out of high school seemed enough for most draft analysts to consider Selby a mid-first round talent, or at least a guy who would fall toward the bottom half.

Instead, Selby has to listen to David Stern read the card for “Jimmy Butler” with the final pick of the first round and wonder when his name might be called. Several names into the second round, Selby is still waiting knowing there’s more work to be done in the future than perhaps anyone actually realized.

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NBA Draft 2011: Markieff Morris Fills Defensive Promise For Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns made a promise, and Markieff Morris is their attempt to fulfill it. By making the former Kansas Jayhawk their pick at No. 13 in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Suns complete a roster makeover that has been going on under head coach Alvin Gentry for some time. Now the Suns can finally claim that an era is behind them.

That era is the one where the Suns were as known for their defensive liabilities as their offensive prowess, one where Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudamire and Steve Nash never stopped running and the Suns never stopped scoring. They also failed to play any defense and eventually the formula faltered. After all, even with consistent tinkering, the Suns could never turn the corner in the playoffs and go all the way.

Enter last year when their acquisitions of Robin Lopez in the draft and Marcin Gortat via trade solidified the middle unlike any recent season in Phoenix. It provided a defensive foundation for the Suns to begin to build on while still utilizing Nash’s incredible talents. Morris now adds to that, providing another strong rebounder and defensive presence versatile enough to play power forward or center.

Morris should be an instant starter at either position given the current state of the Suns roster. Channing Frye is penciled in at starter at power forward, but his value is only in his scoring, and he’s a major liability on the defensive end of the floor. He’s best served as a spark off the bench. However, the trade rumors surrounding Gortat might push Morris to the middle as the Suns starting center.

The rest of the off-season will have to play out before fans will know exactly how the Suns will use Morris. But it’s clear he fills not only a great need on the team but a promise as well.

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2011 NBA Draft: Lack Of Defined Position Hurt Marcus Morris' Draft Stock, Falls To Houston Rockets

Marcus Morris says he isn’t one. Draft analysts don’t believe he can be the other. Thus the uber-talented Kansas forward has become saddled with what is known as the “tweener” label, and it’s something that definitely hurt Morris’ draft stock as he fell to the No. 14 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, landing with the Houston Rockets. Now, Morris will likely have a chip on his shoulder as he sets out to prove he can adequately play the three-spot.

Chad Ford says this is the reason his brother, Markieff, was taken one pick higher than him even though the numbers and scouting reports didn’t even have the brothers similar in overall talent. As Ford writes, “People laughed when NBA scouts said in February that Markieff could go ahead of his twin brother. As the draft got closer, scouts got comfortable that Markieff has a position, while they aren’t sure Marcus does.”

If Morris can fill that small forward spot, he will team with Chase Budinger and maybe Terrence Williams to round out the wing. Morris can certainly play out on the wing as his shot extends to three-point range. However, Morris has a very well-rounded game as he can score from anywhere and rebound well. He’s also a good defender and comes from a great program. In other words, the Rockets should be pleased even if Morris isn’t a 40-minute starter at small forward.

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2011 NBA Draft Rumors: Charlotte Bobcats Move Up In Draft To Select Bismack Biyombo

Ken Berger of CBS has posted a new Twitter message saying that Bismack Biyombo is the target for the Charlotte Bobcats at their newly acquired No. 7 selection slot in the 2011 NBA Draft. If that’s true, it would cement the NBA’s recent extension of a green room invitation to Biyombo to join the live proceedings at the draft — something the NBA only does with likely lottery selections.

Chad Ford says Biyombo can deliver size and toughness in the paint from day one on the court, which is obviously something any NBA team can use. However, the Bobcats could definitely use someone of Biyombo’s talents, considering they’re employing Kwame Brown and Joel Pryzbilla in the middle. They have Tyrus Thomas at the four, but he still can’t get over the 20 minutes a night hump and D.J. White hasn’t fully developed either.

If the Bobcats can also add Tristan Thompson at the No. 9 slot, the Bobcats entire frontcourt would be remade in impressive fashion.

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2011 NBA Draft: Bucks Win 3-Way Trade With Kings, Bobcats

The recently announced trade before the NBA Draft between the Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Bobcats is an complicated one. It’s a swap of talent, future talent and salary moves that make it nearly impossible to stack up on a set of scales and measure who won. But in the end, it seems the Bucks did the best to utilize their position and acquire the most value heading forward.

For those who haven’t yet heard, here’s the breakdown:
Bucks receive: No. 19 choice, Beno Udrih, Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston
Bobcats receive: No. 7 choice, Corey Maggette
Kings receive: No. 10 choice, John Salmons

Within this set-up, the Bobcats look good because they kept their No. 9 selection and now have two of the top 10 picks in the draft. Perhaps they can package those and get up much higher in the draft, but in a weak draft class like this, the ability to grab two guys like Alec Burks and Tristan Thompson could pay off in the end, but it’s the Bucks who still come out on top with a chance to get a good rookie alongside proven talent in the end.

While the Bucks lose a scorer in Salmons, they pick up the same in Stephen Jackson. Both have large contracts most teams would want to dump, so that’s basically a wash. The Bucks also lose Maggette on the wing, but have Carlos Delfino in place to take over. Udrih adds a solid point guard option behind Brandon Jennings and Livingston further bolsters the same position. That puts Keyon Dooling in a weird position, but that’s neither here nor there for the team.

The Bucks also get to add the No. 19 selection and dropping those 9 slots might have cost them a chance at a player like Kemba Walker, but they can still grab a Markieff Morris. It’s not a bad trade off to be able to acquire the help for the backcourt that they did in Jackson and Udrih and teamed with Chris Douglas Roberts and even Michael Redd, it creates for some explosive backcourt scoring ability.

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2011 NBA Draft Rumors: Markieff Morris New Target For Milwaukee Bucks At No. 19

With the recently announced trade involving the Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Bobcats, the Bucks now hold the No. 19 selection in the 2011 NBA Draft and their draft targets will obviously change after moving down from No. 10. Yet it’s rumored that their target could be KU’s Markieff Morris at the new spot.

As Chad Ford reports, “Milwaukee covets Kansas’ Markieff Morris at No. 19, but he may not be available, the sources said.” It’s that simple statement that reveals both the team’s longing to help fill the defensive interior while also speaking to Morris’ perceived draft slot. That fits well with the predictions of other mocks, which have the talented Morris twin around the same position — whether to the Bobcats, previous holder of the No. 19 slots or another team around that position.

Markieff has a developing offensive game, but he’s a solid rebounder and defensive presence for a team that has Andrew Bogut in the middle but little else. The team has Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Ersan Ilyasova at power forward, but there’s still a need for dependable help down low at the 4 and 5 and Markieff would represent just that. It’s no guarantee that he will be available, but other bigs are climbing draft boards supposedly, so that could knock Morris down to the Bucks in their new slot. Or at least, that’s what they’re hoping for.

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2011 NBA Draft Rumors: Don't Buy The Kemba Walker Knee Injury Hype

It’s all smoke and mirrors at this point, and unless it’s announced with the word “official” attached, then you shouldn’t pay any attention. That goes for the pre-draft rumors swirling that teams are concerned about UConn star Kemba Walker and a possible knee injury. If anything, it’s one team with a lower pick spreading rumors hoping that Walker will instead fall to them.

Marc Spears is an NBA analyst for Yahoo! Sports and he just sent out a message via Twitter saying, “UConn guard Kemba Walker has a minor knee issue that is causing concern with draft approaching, sources say.” Those “sources” are as reliable at this point as a used car salesman, and teams should know better than to believe such banter. Then again, if the “source” can get even one single team to panic and avoid a player like Walker, then it could be worth it depending on the draft position.

Even if Walker has any knee concerns, teams interested would have already conducted their own workouts and physicals far before draft night. The reality is that Walker is rumored anywhere from the Toronto choice at No. 5 through the rest of the lottery, so it’s likely that a team in the 10-14 slots is sending out mixed messages to a writer like Spears, hoping that they can lower Walker’s draft slot even one or two more positions. In the end, you shouldn’t expect anyone to bite and Walker will be selected around mid-lottery.

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2011 NBA Draft Rumors: Could Jimmer Fredette Fall To The New York Knicks?

The instant reaction might be, “No way.” Given the draft rumors surrounding Jimmer Fredette, it would be surprising to see the Brigham Young scorer fall past several teams who apparently have been impressed with Fredette in private workouts and interviews. Yet remember one thing before any draft in which picks can be swapped — whether NFL or NBA — don’t believe everything you hear. That’s why it’s curious to consider the New York Knicks as a possible destination for Jimmer in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The buzz starts at the No. 7 selection overall in the draft for the Sacramento Kings. That’s the highest conceivable spot for Fredette to go. The Charlotte Bobcats at No. 9 have been mentioned. So have the Utah Jazz (No. 12), Phoenix Suns (No. 13) and Indiana Pacers (No. 14). That’s a lot of smoke, and as they say, there’s likely a fire there. But what about smoke being used for a different purpose — as a smokescreen?

If so many teams are interested in Fredette, why would they even talk about it openly? If anything, it would be used to create value for their draft position and possibly take advantage of another team who is truly in love with Fredette. Rarely are teams ever so open about their favored choices and draft hopes, so why would be buy the word that so many teams have openly said, “We love Jimmer Fredette?”

The reality is that teams are holding their cards close to their vests, while talking out another side of their mouths about draft rumors. If everyone wants Jimmer Fredette then it’s possible that none of them do. And if that’s the case, then Fredette could possibly fall to a team in the lower half like the New York Knicks. Scorers are already in place with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudamire, but Mike D’Antoni’s offense could also use a third scorer and adding a shooter like Jimmer Fredette would make that offensive absolutely impossible to guard.

With Chauncey Billups in the fold, there’s no starting point guard spot available for Jimmer, but consider the current shooting guards on the roster for next year: Roger Mason and Landry Fields. There’s room there for a dynamic scorer whether in the starting line-up at times or on the bench to sub for Billups, and Fredette’s scoring ability would be a dream for D’Antoni.

On the outside, the Knicks have been stressing they want to choose size and defense, but if the draft’s best scorer falls in your lap, how can you deny that choice? It’s tailor made for a large market and dynamic scoring team for Fredette to fall there. And it might just happen despite everything that you hear.

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NBA Draft Rumors 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers Believe Jonas Valanciunas Worth Waiting For

If there’s any dominant theme to the 2011 NBA Draft, it’s that it could be retitled “The Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2011 NBA Draft.” This is a one team show at the top of the draft with two picks in the top four for the NBA’s second worst franchise last season with 19 wins. With a major chance to address their weaknesses, apparently they’re willing to wait Ricky Rubio style for a player who won’t even be eligible to come over: Jonas Valanciunas.

The top of the draft has been set with the Cavs zeroing in on Kyrie Irving with the first overall selection. The Duke University point guard is generally considered the safest selection in the draft, so that’s not a major shock. As the Cavs move to some size in the middle with their second choice — the No. 4 overall selection — there have been several rumors from Tristan Thompson to Enes Kanter. But apparently it’s the one they must wait for who has Dan Gilbert and company so smitten.

Chad Ford updated his mock to reflect the same information and he writes:

The Cavs love Valanciunas, but do they love him enough to draft him even if he won’t be coming to the NBA right away? There are growing signals that they do. Valanciunas was in Cleveland on Tuesday meeting with Cavs brass. They conducted a physical and a workout as well which has seemingly calmed their fears.

Some compare Valanciunas to the Lakers’ Pau Gasol, and if that holds true, then the buyout is worth waiting for. The timeline on Valanciunas’ availability is apparently January at the earliest, so losing half a season really isn’t a big deal in the long run. Getting the best player is always worth it, and if the Cavs believe that’s their guy, then they need to go with their gut. Certainly getting a star point guard and an athletic scorer in the frontcourt. are major additions for a team in need. Just ask the champion Lakers and Mavericks how they feel about a scoring European big man.

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2011 NBA Draft Rumors: Houston Rockets Hope To Blast Up Draft Order To Secure Marcus Morris

The buzz coming out of several NBA draft circles is that the Houston Rockets are a shark in the water when it comes to Kansas Jayhawk Marcus Morris. The talented forward has been predicted to fall to the second half of the lottery and that’s where things get interesting for Houston, which has the No. 14 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft. Do they wait for him and avoid giving up any assets or do they refuse to risk and make a deal to move up? That’s the excitement of NBA Draft day.

Even though Morris played power forward for much of his collegiate career, he’s going to have be more of a combo forward in the NBA, where his size is merely average for a 4. Some have questioned whether he’s versatile enough to play the 3, but those familiar with his game realize that Morris has few weaknesses and will be a positive force at either as a combo forward.

But is Morris really a fit for the Rockets? A closer inspection reveals that this pick might be off. Last year, the Rockets selected Kentucky’s Patrick Patterson — a 6’9" forward — who enjoyed some bright spots last season. They also have Jordan Hill, a second year player this year who is also the same size. Chase Budinger provides youth and scoring ability at the small forward position and Terrance Williams is another project at the 3. Even in the middle the Rockets are gambling on Hasheem Thabeet to provide something of value after coming over from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Perhaps the Rockets could use more size in the middle, but that’s one thing that Morris cannot provide — at least this Morris. Markieff Morris would make more sense, but this seems a bit high for a player projected toward the lower teens or even into the 20s.

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2011 NBA Draft: Markieff Morris To Wizards In Chad Ford's Latest Mock

As we continue to monitor the possible destinations of Kansas forward Markieff Morris, it's a quick realization that throwing a dart at a list of all NBA teams might be just as good of a guess as reporting on endless mock drafts. The reason is simple: Markieff Morris has been connected to every team with a draft choice from the bottom of the lottery through the end of the first round.

The brother of Marcus Morris, Markieff was a defensive force in the paint for the Kansas Jayhawks, and many see that same value transferring to the NBA even with concerns that Markieff isn't quite as long as desired for a solid defensive four or five. His game is a polished one from an elite program, and the ability to add a strong asset down low will suit several teams well since such players are always in demand in the NBA.

Chad Ford sees Markieff headed to the Wizards at No. 18 overall given the draft board and the way his sixth mock falls into place. He writes:

In this mock, we have the Wizards going with a forward at No. 6. That sets them up to grab yet more rebounding help in the paint from Morris at No. 18. Morris' size, shot-blocking and ability to stretch the defense with his shooting should make him an attractive option here.

While Washington returns some strong talent down low already in Javale McGee and Andray Blache, they also lose Al Thornton and Maurice Evans as free agents so there's definitely room in the immediate rotation for a player like Markieff. It's a solid addition for the Wizards should they choose the Jayhawk, but then again, it's been the same report for every team thus far he's been linked to.

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NBA Mock Draft 2011: Chad Ford Has Josh Selby As Second Round Prospect

Ever since Josh Selby graduated from high school and had the world-is-his-oyster reality of choosing which elite college program he wanted to join, nothing has gone right for the athletic point guard from Kansas. And as Selby looks upon the looming 2011 NBA Draft, he has to be wondering where everything went wrong. That's because as mock drafts and increased analysis pick up toward the NBA Draft time, Selby's stock has been falling for some time -- and for at least one draft analyst, Selby's now a second round talent.

Chad Ford is ESPN's primary draft guru (a la Mel Kiper for the NFL),  and in his 6th mock draft released just today, he has Josh Selby headed to the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 37 overall draft selection near the top of the second round. Up until now, Selby was discussed as a potential lottery selection, albeit not for long, before generally finding himself from No. 17 to the Knicks all the way through the 20s with various teams selected as the destination spot. Most recently, Ford had Selby to the Mavs near the bottom of the first round to back up Jason Kidd, but it's funny how much things shift when the draft is only days away.

Ford admits that having Selby at this draft slot would be a steal for the Clips: "The Clippers have always been a team willing to take chances on young college players that didn't always live up to expectations. If Selby falls this far in the draft, he's a steal here. There's nothing to lose and terrific upside." Still, it's a long way for Selby to fall given the hype and talent on display just two seasons ago. While he didn't make good on the buzz during his short, injury-filled tenure at Kansas, he was also working in an already established system several games into the season when he returned from an injury only to never full recover all year long. It seems unfair to label Selby and not give him a chance to showcase that potential.

But that's exactly what these workouts are all about in this pre-draft season and apparently Selby still hasn't separated himself from those college woes, a sign that perhaps his issues at KU were more than just a system or injury. Then again, the Draft hasn't played out yet, so let's not call anything too soon.

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NBA Draft 2011: ESPN's John Hollinger Calls Morris Twins, Josh Selby 'Overvalued'

John Hollinger has always been the metrics guy, if you will, for ESPN’s NBA coverage. He developed the Player Efficiency Rating (PER), which seems to be an increasingly popular statistic. And every year at this time, he also has his Draft Rater — an admittedly flawed formula that still attempts to chart future PER based on college statistics and several other factors.

Within the 2011 NBA Draft class, the Draft Rater is agreeing with several prominent ideas about the current set of draftees but they’re also opposing some commonly held notions. Hollinger says it rates Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams at the absolute top of the available players, making it an obvious 1-2 punch atop the draft — at least on paper. However when it comes to every Jayhawk in the draft, the score isn’t so hot.

Specifically, Hollinger calls Markieff Morris, Marcus Morris and Josh Selby “overvalued” as the rankings simply don’t support the idea that the big men are well-rounded and ready for the NBA as a starting force. Hollinger admits that the low post rankings are generally off much more so than perimeter players, but it’s worth noting that both Morris twin is placed lower than other players projected much later in the draft.

Even Butler’s Matt Howard is ranked above Markieff specifically, yet both forwards are in the range typically defined as a career back-up. Hollinger writes that David Lee is the only big man to be ranked so low and develop an All-Star caliber career, so it’s not as if Hollinger is spinning a random wheel somewhere or making up numbers from the top of his head (although some KU fans might believe that to be true). Yet it’s difficult to believe that a player like Marcus Morris isn’t mature and well-rounded enough to have a solid starting career in the NBA.

Josh Selby, on the other hand, has already been slipping down mock draft boards in favor of international players with more flair and mystery surrounding them. The list is long of hyped high school players who could never take their game to the next level, and Selby’s collegiate performance certainly hurts him. Of course, all it takes is one team to buy into the hype and believe the system was the culprit, but still Selby is a definite lower-tier option come draft day at this point.

Then again, it’s all smoke and mirrors at this stage and no doubt Hollinger will both hit and miss in the next few days as the draft unveils its order. Yet it’s that unpredictability that makes the pre-draft talk so exciting.

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NBA Draft 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers Make Wrong Choice With Kyrie Irving Over Derrick Williams

The Cavaliers have a beautiful clean slate in front of them. It’s too bad they’ve apparently placed the wrong artist to work upon it. Not that choosing to select Duke point guard Kyrie Irving at the top of the 2011 NBA Draft is going to doom them to the Eastern Conference basement for years to come; rather, they will likely love having the savvy leader in Cleveland for years to come. The problem, instead, is that they could have maximized their return with such a rare opportunity instead of going the safe route.

Consider it akin to taking a wide receiver in the first round of a fantasy football draft. Sure, he will undoubtedly provide you with great value, but there’s a time and place for the right selection, and the guy who always selected Randy Moss year after year in the first round was always the first guy not interested in the league anymore.

Perhaps that comparison doesn’t hold much weight, but that’s in essence what the Cavs are doing. They’re getting a great player who is considered the safest selection in the entire draft. They’re getting a marketable guy who will be embraced by fans in Cleveland who could use a hero. Irving also happens to play arguably the most important position on the court. All of those things are true.

But the Cavs already have some in-house options at point that aren’t half bad (check the numbers last year on Ramon Sessions or Baron Davis). They’re incredibly weak on the wing and in the post, lacking any dynamic scoring presence at all there. This draft is also deepest at the point guard position, where even some recent mock drafts have UConn’s Kemba Walker falling to the midpoint of the first round.

The bottom line is that the Cavaliers can find a good-to-great young point guard for the future (and present) at lower points in the draft. If they only had one selection, then this would be a moot point. In that instance, the best advice is to go with the guy that you want. However, here they can easily grab Brandon Knight or Walker and still walk away with the best scoring forward in the draft in Derrick Williams.

In the end, they’ll get Irving and a European big man, someone who fans will read a lot of exciting things about but the flameout rate is exceptional on so many highly-touted forwards and centers who don’t have the stamina or the stomach for playing in the NBA. Instead, they must cross their fingers and hope that Enes Kanter, Jan Vesely or others end up becoming what they project to be.

Ultimatley, the choice that the Cavs are making now will keep them from maximizing their draft picks as well as they could have. They’ve fallen in love and love makes you do crazy things — apparently that includes passing up a golden opportunity.

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NBA Draft 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers Make Wrong Choice With Kyrie Irving Over Derrick Williams

The Cavaliers have a beautiful clean slate in front of them. It’s too bad they’ve apparently placed the wrong artist to work upon it. Not that choosing to select Duke point guard Kyrie Irving at the top of the 2011 NBA Draft is going to doom them to the Eastern Conference basement for years to come; rather, they will likely love having the savvy leader in Cleveland for years to come. The problem, instead, is that they could have maximized their return with such a rare opportunity instead of going the safe route.

Consider it akin to taking a wide receiver in the first round of a fantasy football draft. Sure, he will undoubtedly provide you with great value, but there’s a time and place for the right selection, and the guy who always selected Randy Moss year after year in the first round was always the first guy not interested in the league anymore.

Perhaps that comparison doesn’t hold much weight, but that’s in essence what the Cavs are doing. They’re getting a great player who is considered the safest selection in the entire draft. They’re getting a marketable guy who will be embraced by fans in Cleveland who could use a hero. Irving also happens to play arguably the most important position on the court. All of those things are true.

But the Cavs already have some in-house options at point that aren’t half bad (check the numbers last year on Ramon Sessions or Baron Davis). They’re incredibly weak on the wing and in the post, lacking any dynamic scoring presence at all there. This draft is also deepest at the point guard position, where even some recent mock drafts have UConn’s Kemba Walker falling to the midpoint of the first round.

The bottom line is that the Cavaliers can find a good-to-great young point guard for the future (and present) at lower points in the draft. If they only had one selection, then this would be a moot point. In that instance, the best advice is to go with the guy that you want. However, here they can easily grab Brandon Knight or Walker and still walk away with the best scoring forward in the draft in Derrick Williams.

In the end, they’ll get Irving and a European big man, someone who fans will read a lot of exciting things about but the flameout rate is exceptional on so many highly-touted forwards and centers who don’t have the stamina or the stomach for playing in the NBA. Instead, they must cross their fingers and hope that Enes Kanter, Jan Vesely or others end up becoming what they project to be.

Ultimatley, the choice that the Cavs are making now will keep them from maximizing their draft picks as well as they could have. They’ve fallen in love and love makes you do crazy things — apparently that includes passing up a golden opportunity.

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Could Both Markieff And Marcus Morris End Up With Charlotte Bobcats In 2011 NBA Draft?

The safe assumption regarding the Morris twins from Kansas when it comes to the upcoming 2011 NBA Draft is that this will be the first time that Marcus and Markieff have ever played organized basketball on separate teams. Yet in the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Chad Ford, he has the Charlotte Bobcats in a prime position to actually take both brothers, thus keeping them reunited even into their pro careers.

That would be a dream come true for the Morris brothers, given that they’ve gone on record saying that it would be hard to play without the other. Charlotte has a unique draft position at No. 9 and No. 19 overall in the first round to be able to choose two solid picks, and the way that many draft prognosticators are seeing things, the draft stock of the both Marcus Morris and Markieff Morris might allow a team to swipe up both players.

Would that be a good move for Charlotte? The answer is absolutely. While the team already has some promising frontcourt talent, especially in Tyrus Thomas and D.J. White, both players also haven’t broken through to giving the team a solid 35 minutes a game with impact on both sides. The Morris twins both have well-rounded games that would give Charlotte an immediate two players ready for impact at the pro level and would remain solid rotational guys no matter who they bring in.

Markieff could easily start underneath since Kwame Brown sits atop the depth chart in the middle. He’s not a true NBA center by any means, but those are so few and far between anyway that Markieff would at least serve as an upgrade there. He could then switch to the 4 when Thomas came off of the floor. Meanwhile, Marcus would provide a great offensive presence at the forward positions and allow Stephen Jackson to move to shooting guard, or play together to provide multiple scoring options that opponents would have a difficult time defending.

The team has a solid young point in D.J. Augustin, and while there are more holes in the backcourt than the front, being able to choose such well-rounded experienced players — who also know how to play well together — at those draft slots would serve a team that needs predictable players well.

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NBA Draft 2011: Josh Selby Could Fall To NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks

In his latest mock for the upcoming 2011 NBA Draft, ESPN’s Chad Ford has Kansas product Josh Selby falling to the No. 26 position overall, landing with the Dallas Mavericks to bolster the team’s aging backcourt. Of course, that backcourt is obviously still quite loaded given their recent NBA Championship, but that doesn’t preclude Mark Cuban and company from thinking about future replacements as well.

Josh Selby would benefit enormously from playing behind Jason Kidd and Jason Terry, who have a combined 37 years of playing experience between them. Last year, Dallas bought Dominique Jones, the No. 25 selection, from the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal, but the South Florida product failed to make any memorable impact at the pro level (although some D-League numbers were solid). Of course, no one can forget the presence of J.J. Barea as well, who provides a solid 20 minutes per game and adds a scoring spark.

While the Mavs are a deep team, they’re still long in the tooth overall at the position and lack a young playmaker to develop. Selby would provide help to both areas and allow the Mavericks to choose a player with potential high-upside at such a low position in the draft. It’s a win-win situation for both player and team given the draft position and championship climate in Dallas.

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Chad Ford: Kyrie Irving Isn't Top Tier Prospect For Cleveland Cavaliers In 2011 NBA Draft

The reality facing every team with an official selection is that the 2011 NBA Draft is a weak draft, and that’s especially bad news for those teams choosing at the top. Even armed with two of the top four selections overall, the Cleveland Cavaliers will not — according to writers like ESPN’s Chad Ford — walk away with a guaranteed impact prospect. And that is a good reason to change their draft strategy.

Of course, that’s not to say that none of this year’s draftees will become All-Stars or even MVPs. The history of every major sport is littered with certainties that bombed and underdogs who triumphed. Perhaps the next Dirk Nowitzki is hidden among the European bigs in this year’s draft lottery. It’s possible that Derrick Williams is the next elite scoring forward. Who knows, Kyrie Irving might turn out to be a franchise-changing point guard for the Cavs. But at this stage, no one is buying such talk.

The reality is that there are very good players to be had. Ford notes in his latest column that Irving and Williams sit at the Second Tier of his prospect tier list. Last year, only John Wall was a First Tier prospect. That’s the elite nature of the top tier. But when you’re a franchise in need of an impact player selecting two slots in a draft without one, then that changes things a bit.

The reality is that this draft class is strongest in one primary area: legitimate point guard options. The Cavs already have Ramon Sessions and Baron Davis in house. Of course, neither one is going to make an All-NBA team anytime soon, but a 19-win team has many holes and point guard isn’t the biggest need to address. The reality is that they’re stuck with at least Davis (given his contract) and Sessions could become a trade commodity depending on who they select.

The Cavs absolutely should select a point guard in this draft, but it should only come with their second selection. Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight and Kyrie Irving are all strong leaders at the point position and the Cavs are guaranteed one of them at the No 4 slot since Derrick Williams will also be chosen. It’s likely that both Knight and Walker will fall to No. 4 at least. But Williams is by far the best forward on draft boards and he’s there for the taking. And a scoring forward like Williams with a well-rounded game would be a great target for whoever their next point guard is.

If the Cavs can’t get the guaranteed impact player they desire, then the smartest move is to flow with the intersection of value and need. And that means a draft haul is Williams and Knight is more valuable in the long run than Enes Kanter and Irving.

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NBA Draft 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers Should Avoid Going Dirk-Like Diversions (aka The Euro Route)

The poster child for all European big men has only increased the allure in the last week. That’s because the Dallas Mavericks MVP just claimed his first NBA Championship trophy. As good as Dirk Nowitzki is, however, certain teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers should not be swayed to reach for the next Euro star at next week’s 2011 NBA Draft.

The commonly held belief is that the Cavaliers will select Duke point guard Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 pick in the draft and then reach for some foreign star with the No. 4 selection, depending on how the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz make their own draft choices. Perhaps it’s Jan Vesely. Perhaps Enes Kanter might slip through. Could it be Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas? Possibly.

But any such reach would present an unworthy risk that doesn’t need to be taken. Vesely has a scoring touch and many scouts love his game. Valanciunas is a very projectable big man and the NBA has definitely displayed its love for big men — even ugly, lumbering ones — every year at this time. But the ratio between draft choices that boom and those that bust at this stage should also reveal a giant “Buyer Beware” sign that glows in the dark. It’s simply not worth the choice.

Even in a weak draft, other solid possibilities exist for the Cavaliers — players who would provide a sure thing in a draft likely filled with forgettable faces. Personally, I think grabbing a solid point guard — the deepest position in this draft — at the No. 4 selection makes more sense at the top so that they can grab the top forward value in Derrick Williams at No. 1. After all, I’d much rather have a scenario that gave me Brandon Knight and Derrick Williams as my draft imports than Jan Vesely and Kyrie Irving.

But even if Irving is the selection, the Cavs could also ignore commonly held notions about perceived draft value and go for a Marcus Morris or Kemba Walker. Either one would also present another value that’s been a proven product for years on winning traditions with the fundamentals in place. And for a team in need of several sure things, the Cavs have a chance to add two.

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Houston Rockets Becoming Common Slot For Markieff Morris

Many scouts and sportswriters analyzing prospects for the upcoming 2011 NBA Draft are in love with both Morris twins from Kansas, and Markieff Morris specifically is thought to bring a terrific low post presence to whichever team selects him. Looking at mock drafts posted around the Internet, one common spot seems to be with the Houston Rockets who would definitely benefit from such a selection.

For a team who's going to miss the interior presence of Yao Ming likely for the entire next season, drafting dependable players like Markieff Morris who can beef up the post and provide a strong, youthful presence is key. Morris can score in the low post, defend the position well and yet provide enough versatility to stay a force on the court no matter what the situation is.

In the end, he would provide the Rockets (or another team) with a solid rebounder and defensive presence as well as a developing offensive game in a solid 6-9 frame that can continue to add muscle. For the Rockets, it's a choice that makes sense at the No. 14 overall selection.

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NBA Mock Draft 2011: Slam Has Marcus Morris To Golden State Warriors Over Donatas Motiejunas

Project versus proven. That’s the challenge facing the Golden State Warriors with the No. 11 overall choice in the 2011 NBA Draft. As Slam Magazine’s latest mock is unfolded choice by choice leading up to the late June draft, writer Branden Peters admits that it’s difficult to choose between a pairing like Marcus Morris or Donatas Motiejunas. They’re just too different to compare. So it comes down to need, and given the Warriors state of the roster, the selection is Morris.

That’s a good call at this point in the draft, given that Morris’ typical position falls somewhere around the No. 10 spot in the draft. Some have linked him as high as No. 8 to the Pistons or as low as No. 19 to the second Bobcats choice in the first round, but most draft pundits believe that Morris is lottery level talent for a team on the verge of making the playoffs. Enter the Warriors at No. 11.

That’s where the Warriors currently sit, although it’s difficult to tell what they will need until after any much rumored deal for Monta Ellis goes down. A backcourt of Stephen Curry and Ellis is an exciting one to watch and full of scoring power, but it’s hardly a complementary backcourt in any way. If Curry is the keeper, then Ellis has to go, and that will also bring in some modicum of talent at a position of possible need — which might affect whether or not Morris is a sound fit.

Then again, every team in the NBA would appreciate having another versatile low post option with solid baseline moves and a good jumper. There’s no real weakness in Morris’ game so he’s a good addition to a frontcourt with more one-dimensional players (a la David Lee).

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NBA Draft 2011: Can Marcus Morris Crack Top 10 With Bucks Or Bobcats?

The common franchises bandied around as possible landing spots for Marcus Morris, the apparently higher rated of Kansas two Morris twins, have multiple needs, making it hard to figure out whether Morris is a sure thing to either the Milwaukee Bucks or the Charlotte Bobcats. Then again, is anything an absolute certainty besides the top overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft?

Besides Kyrie Irving headed from Duke to the Cleveland Cavaliers, everything else is up in the air. From Minnesota’s questions of holding onto the No. 2 choice or not down through the rest of the lottery, various prospects have wide ranges depending on the player and teams in range. Marcus Morris is a great example as a talented forward who brings enough to the table to warrant consideration yet has enough question marks to involve several other players to compete against.

In his most recent mock draft, Chad Ford mentions the Bobcats as a likely place for Morris to go at No. 9. In doing so, he mentions the known quantity that Morris is as a plus when he writes, “The Bobcats haven’t been the greatest drafters the past few years. Michael Jordan is determined to change that. The thinking in Charlotte is to not take big risks — to go with a proven product and swing for a double instead of a home run.”

Ford then bookends that with a list of other players that could be chosen here instead, including Klay Thompson and Jordan Hamilton. It’s another example of not knowing anything for certain. Given the Bobcats recent draft history, Morris would indeed find several areas to help in the frontcourt and giving one of the stronger sure-thing options in this draft. That’s a good addition for a team like Charlotte, although it’s not enough of a home run to change the team’s overall momentum.

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Are Milwaukee Bucks Zeroing In On Marcus Morris In 2011 NBA Draft?

Every NBA team is consistently bringing in various players to get a better look at the prospects who may be on the board come their turn at the upcoming 2011 NBA Draft. But a closer look at a recent workout might reveal more than draft homework when it comes to the Milwaukee Bucks. That’s because the group of players really don’t make much sense.

The Bucks will be selecting at No. 10 and 40 overall in the draft if no trades are made. Yet a recent group of prospects brought in, headed up by Kansas forward Marcus Morris, featured only one player who could remotely be a lottery selection (Morris). Each of the rest — Dwight Buycks (Marquette), Andrew Goudelock (College of Charleston), Trey Thompkins (Georgia), Malcolm Delaney (Virginia Tech) and Anatoly Bose (Nicholls State) — are all considered second-round prospects at best.

The main “issue” here, if there is one, is a simple mismatch in play when Morris goes up against players not considered in his same level of competition. Morris is easily the best prospect in the bunch, so it’s clear he’s going to excel. Are the Bucks already decided on Morris before the draft, and just wanted to get a closer look at him while also considering some possibilities for the second round?

Certainly the Bucks will do their homework and look at each and every option, so this is most likely nothing out of the ordinary. But one look at the workout recently conducted on the front end of Milwaukee’s pre-draft schedule certainly looks interesting for not only who it includes but who it also leaves out.

For more on the Bucks, make sure to check out Brew Hoop here.

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2011 NBA Draft: Defense, Tenacity Biggest Issues Facing BYU's Jimmer Fredette

Any team considering Jimmer Fredette should realize that they will receive an instant bonus the moment his name is read from the podium at the 2011 NBA Draft. After all, the star quality and high profile of the former BYU point guard and college basketball’s greatest scorer last season is sky high. Thus, the instant buzz, spotlight and ticket sales should reap benefits. But what about the long-term gains? Will the team that chooses Jimmer only enjoy an immediate bounty? Or will his game translate well enough to the pro level.

One thing is clear is that Fredette’s stock keeps rising. He’s reportedly nailing his interviews and impressing in workouts. Yet the nagging question that comes up time and time again is the defensive issue. Chad Ford has described him as an “indifferent defender” and questions his lateral quickness. Those qualities together equal a major question mark or even obstacle toward any real opportunity to make an impact at the NBA level.

Draft Express discusses this in detail when they discuss the major clouds over Fredette’s draft stock:

Fredette’s average, at best, athletic ability really hurts him on this end as his poor lateral quickness allows him to get beat by quicker ball handlers. Despite not having the tools to play tough defense, the most worrying thing might be his mindset on the defensive end. Fredette almost seems disinterested defensively, and this leads to poor help and poor positioning off of the basketball. Even worse, when he does get beaten by his man with the ball, he tends to give up instead of trying to recover, hoping that his help can get the job done.

Clark Kellogg, college basketball analyst for CBS, likes Fredette’s offensive prowess, but questions his tenacity for the next level. He says, “He’s got shooting range and he’s clever with the ball. I think he’s going to have a challenge trying to defend. He just hasn’t shown that pit bull quality that you would like to see at his size defensively. I think that’s going to be an issue.”

Yet the realization that it’s not as much about a lack of physical ability as it is a question of passion or initiative makes it obvious that Fredette clearly can make the impact at the next level if he wanted to. Some might question the quickness, but the tenacity is something that teams can feel better about in interviews. After all, what player didn’t have to grow up once he left the college ranks to become a professional? Perhaps it’s just about having a challenge that requires such a mindset that Kellogg is describing.

One rumor has the Sacramento Kings possibly taking Fredette if both Kemba Walker and Brandon Knight are taken. For Fredette to go that high, he’s going to have to get over any mental inconsistencies in his game fairly quickly to justify the choice. Otherwise, the Kings will have placed too much value on a solid bench scorer.

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Chad Ford: Brandon Knight Could Become Better Pro Than Kyrie Irving

The obvious assumption is that when you have the first selection in anything, you’re guaranteed to have the best product. That’s the pressure the Cleveland Cavaliers are facing as they hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and, thus far, the best guess is that Duke point guard Kyrie Irving will be the first player announced by David Stern. But what if Irving isn’t even the best point guard in the draft?

In a recent ESPN chat session with NBA Draft analyst Chad Ford, the question was asked to match up Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight and Kyrie Irving. Specifically, the reader was curious whether or not Knight could become the better pro and Ford agreed that it was entirely possible for that to happen, based up on Knight’s higher potential and athleticism. Ford writes:

He’s bigger. A better athlete. He progressed a lot during his freshman year. All of the mistakes he makes are fixable. Irving is further along in his development, but Knight has the physical tools to overtake him if it all comes together for him.

Irving versus Knight is a classic case of proven versus potential. It’s not in any way to say that Knight is all potential with nothing proven thus far. It’s also not a slight that Irving won’t continue to get better. But it is obvious that one is rougher around the edges than the other, yet both are incredibly talented point guards.

It conjures images of the 2005 NBA Draft which featured Chris Paul and Deron Williams at the top — one with higher perceived potential than the other in the eyes of certain teams. The Utah Jazz were quickly criticized for passing on Paul, yet history revealed it wasn’t such a crazy decision after all. To that end, it feels similar to say that Knight and Irving will likely both be very productive point guards in the NBA for years to come.

At this point, the Cavs seem quite content to stay with Irving in their sites, but Knight’s potential as a pro might prove even greater in the long run, which will benefit a team like the Jazz or Raptors choosing a few slots lower.

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NBA Mock Draft: Marcus Morris Heading To Golden State Warriors In SB Nation's Latest

With Tom Ziller’s latest version of his 2011 NBA Mock Draft column, the Kansas Jayhawks find themselves well-represented throughout the middle portion of the first round as Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris and Josh Selby all go from No. 11 to 17. Marcus Morris heads to Golden State, while his twin brother, Markieff, lands with the Indiana Pacers at No. 15. Selby lands at a familiar spot in many mock drafts — with the New York Knicks at No. 17.

It’s an interesting position for Marcus Morris, given the comparisons to Al Harrington made by several sportswriters or draft sites. At 6-8 or 6-9 and 230 lbs., nearly everyone believes he’s NBA ready and should provide a good scorer at the forward position as someone who can both sink a shot from outside or post up. That’s a profile that should be familiar to the Warriors who played parts of three seasons for the Warriors.

The Warriors already have some impressive size and toughness underneath with Al Thornton, Ekpe Udoh and David Lee. While Dorell Wright has obvious scoring ability on the wing at small forward, adding a player like Morris would make the Warriors even more versatile and dangerous down low and could open up the post if he’s used correctly.

The Warriors are an oft-forgotten franchise who are never the league’s worst but fail to put together their talent enough to compete for a playoff spot. But it’s really a matter of maturation as some of the younger core continue to compete together and the Warriors add non-project pieces alongside them. Udoh might take a bit in the middle to develop, but Morris would come in from day one and provide a strong asset.

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Cleveland Cavaliers Seemed Locked Onto Kyrie Irving At Top Of 2011 NBA Draft

Sometimes it's the day before and others know for weeks, but the top selection in the draft of any sport generally knows ahead time whether or not they are the choice. The same story is unfolding in the 2011 NBA Draft coming up in late June as the Cleveland Cavaliers, holders of the No. 1 overall selection, seem focused on Duke point guard Kyrie Irving as their primary choice.

While no official announcement has been made (nor is there any urgency for it), Irving has publicly stated at the NBA Combine that he will not work for any team other than the Cavaliers. Such deals are typically made under the table with an NBA team telling a particular player if they plan on selecting him. It's the same theory behind why Boston College point guard Reggie Jackson has been completely missing-in-action while his peers are running themselves ragged through a myriad of workouts and interviews.

The selection of Irving is not questionable on paper, since most draft experts agree that Irving is the surest bet in the draft. While others might enjoy the upside of the several international big men or the possibilities offered by Enes Kanter in the middle, Irving has a complete game at a key position where most teams have a weakness. And that's where the selection becomes a bit muddy. For it's at the point where the Cavs are the most settled.

Of course, the players manning the point position for the Cavs are hardly franchise players, so the fact that Irving is their likely choice shows that they're going all the way to the bottom to rebuild. Ramon Sessions and Baron Davis did a decent enough job for a team that needs a serious post presence and scoring along the baseline, but neither one will take the team to the next level either. As it was, they were simply the only position that was not embarassing this last season. That's apparently not enough for the Cavs.

This does, however, give Cleveland a trade chip in Sessions, since there's no way they'll be able to trade Davis' contract without taking on another albatross in return. If Cleveland is wiping the slate, expect them to trade Sessions, perhaps on draft day, and go with a point tandem of Baron Davis and Kyrie Irving to go along with whoever they choose at No. 4 overall.

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Could Jimmer Fredette Land With Indiana Pacers In 2011 NBA Draft?

Outside of the top choices in the 2011 NBA Draft (or even above those), the question of where Brigham Young point guard Jimmer Fredette will land in the draft is perhaps the biggest question in the minds of fans. After all, who wasn’t swept up in the scoring frenzy he put on this last season, especially as he carried his team to the Sweet Sixteen?

Yet his NBA Draft stock isn’t as certain as his position as one of the better scorers in recent college basketball history. Many cite his poor defense and others have questioned his athleticism at the next level. Names like Adam Morrison are brought out in articles, citing another prolific college scorer who was famous on one level only to tank on the next. But those comparisons aren’t fair.

Thus, Fredette seems to be dispelling any misgivings about him one team at a time. ESPN’s Chad Ford says that Fredette is nailing his interviews with several teams and displaying the necessary skills at the next level in his personal workouts. In particular, Ford says the Indiana Pacers could be the home for Fredette in the draft:

The word out of Indiana on Tuesday was that Fredette looked great in the workout. And despite the addition of Darren Collison last summer, Fredette does fit a need. On the checklist of areas the Pacers want to upgrade this summer, getting a scorer who can create his own shot is a major item. Fredette’s unlimited range, nasty crossover and ability to shoot off the dribble are all proved. If he has a great workout, Indiana could be his floor.

Indiana has the No. 15 overall selection in the draft, so that keeps the BYU product in the top half. However, that also allows Fredette to slide past the Utah Jazz, who many have choosing Fredette with their second of two first round selections at No. 12. The Suns also could be a good fit for his playing style and scoring ability at the point, and they select at No. 13. As much as Indiana might like him, he might not be available.

Either way, it’s now looking like anyone who thought Jimmer could fall significantly in the draft is mistaken, as his draft stock climbs higher and higher with each team that falls in love with him.

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Cavaliers Rumored Attempt To Trade With Timberwolves For No. 2 Pick In NBA Draft Makes Sense

The rumor that has the NBA abuzz at the moment has nothing to do with the upcoming finals, LeBron James, the quest of Dirk’s first or any actual basketball being played on the floor. Instead, the focus of fans and writers alike is on the least successful clubs from the last season. That’s because it’s rumored that the Cleveland Cavaliers have fallen in love with two of the top prospects on most draft boards — Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams — and instead of choosing between the two of them, they’re looking to swing a trade to bring both of them to the Cavs.

It’s an unlikely scenario that sets mock drafts ablaze and churns the rumor mill, but deals like this aren’t done often. However, the scenario in front of the draft this year has a few points that could set the tone for this rumor to become a reality:

1. Cavs Have The Assets or all three — the Cavs can be creative in their offer.The bottom line is that the Cavs already have the first choice locked up and the No. 4 choice is also in-house. Thus for them to trade up to No. 2 isn’t so far fetched given the high extra draft choice they already own. Cleveland also has some interesting bargaining power, with tradeable players like J.J. Hickson and the enormous trade exception from the LeBron trade to Miami where they can save a team from an anchor of a contract. Whether it’s a player, a draft choice or financial -

2. The Minnesota Timberwolves Want Out – The Wolves have made it clear that they are looking to maneuver out of the second overall slot in the draft. There’s no player available at that spot that would bring the Wolves to the level they want to be given the talent they already have in house. To take another foreign wild card would be the final wound in a fan base already waiting for Ricky Rubio to pan out, and a forward like Derrick Williams is too redundant to frontcourt talent like Michael Beasley or Kevin Love. Instead, they need veteran backcourt help, if possible, and this pick simply won’t turn out the value that a No. 2 should for David Kahn.

3. The Draft Is Weak - Simply put, you don’t talk so easily about trading away (or acquiring) picks at the very, very top of a draft unless it lacks impact players. And this is one of those years. Typically, a seller like Minnesota would never move their choice and would be happy to add an elite level talent after such a long losing season. Typically, a buyer like Cleveland wouldn’t have the assets to even approach the discussions for the No. 2 choice. With a watered-down talent pool, anything is possible now.

Perhaps it’s a direct trade that brings both teams what they want or a rumored three way deal involved the Detroit Pistons. But it’s certainly interesting drama to follow as Cleveland could make the impact statement of the draft in a way that would ignite the fan base like few moves can.

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Josh Selby To Knicks Makes Little Sense In Chad Ford's 2011 NBA Mock Draft

He fits their style. He has the assets. And, on the surface, he fits the need. But a closer look at Josh Selby possibly heading to the New York Knicks with the No. 17 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft just doesn’t make sense when it comes down to it. And while Chad Ford has a decent guess for both slot and value, the Knicks will likely look elsewhere when the time comes.

Ford, in his most recent mock draft, has Selby slipping to the mid-teens before getting picked by the Knicks. He’s a solid fit in head coach Mike D’Antoni’s system and that’s also around the time that a disappointment in college like Selby might start to go on multiple draft boards around the league. Yet Ford also insists that the Knicks’ point guard need should be the primary argument here. He writes:

GM Donnie Walsh may have made the biggest mistake of his career when he passed on a number of terrific young but unproven point guards in 2009 so he could draft Jordan Hill. Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson and Jrue Holiday — and even Darren Collison, Eric Maynor and Jeff Teague — all appear to be on their way to a long NBA career. Don’t expect the Knicks to make the same mistake again.

They’ve been looking long and hard at Selby for a while, thinking he’d thrive in Mike D’Antoni’s system, which allows guards much more freedom than they get at Kansas. Selby has lottery talent but a shaky résumé. It may be a risk taking him this high, but he has a very high upside.

A closer look at the Knicks roster, however, doesn’t reveal the hole that Ford insists is there. After the trade that brought Carmelo Anthony over, starting PG Chauncey Billups became the underrated aspect of the trade that provided the incredible value to the Knicks. Even after losing Ray Felton, the Knicks still had a strong point to run D’Antoni’s system — one who has incredible post-season success and experience instead.

Naysayers will point to Billups’ age (34) and recent surgery as signs that the Knicks need to think ahead, but Billups was run into the ground last year for the Denver Nuggets and a veteran player’s legs simply can’t take the 82-game regular season grind and maintain the strong play throughout. Instead of looking to replace BIllups, they should look for ways to maximize his impact and manage his minutes. There’s still enough there to have him as your starter for another season or two.

The same could be said of the back-up guards already in place. Toney Douglas had a fine rookie season and can definitely get his shot off while not embarrassing the team on defense either (we are talking about the Knicks here). At the same time, Anthony Carter might be 35-years-old, but he’s still a lockdown defender at the point.

Both Douglas and Billups had off-season surgery, so that might scare the Knicks enough to add another piece at the position. But Douglas is only 24 and just finding his own game at the NBA level and both players are still expected to be fully recovered and ready for the beginning of training camp.

The Knicks don’t need to feel pigeonholed into a point guard’s corner despite popular opinion. If Selby is the best player available, that’s another argument entirely, but if it’s about having to fill a perceived need, the Knicks shouldn’t feel any pressure whatsoever.

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Chad Ford: Markieff, Marcus Morris Suffer From Tweener Status At 2011 NBA Draft Combine

Markieff Morris lives between two worlds. So does his brother Marcus. At least, that’s what the scouting reports read coming from the NBA Draft Combine as well as other sources concerning the NBA Draft possibilities for the star forwards from Kansas.

Some might contend that arguing over length of reach when it comes down to an inch or two is going overboard in draft analysis, and perhaps that’s the case. Yet that doesn’t stop NFL scouts from discussing tenths of a second on a 40-yard dash or NBA scouts from discussing wing span. Thus, the Marcus and Markieff find themselves under a microscope they might not have expected — and consequently having to defend themselves when their on-court abilities should speak loud enough for a team interested in their services.

Yet no one is doubting their abilities in college, but rather at what position those abilities will translate to on the court. The NBA Is a different game and the more a team can project a player at a specific position, the better they’ll feel about choosing him. Chad Ford recently remarked on this when discussing the Morris brothers’ workout at the NBA Draft Combine over the weekend. Specifically he writes:

Lots of debate here about Marcus and Markieff Morris. Both players measured OK. Marcus was 6-9 with an 8-10 reach. His brother was 6-9 with an 8-11 reach. Markieff clearly fits the profile of a stretch 4. Marcus is right on the borderline right now. He’s been insisting in interviews that he’s a 3, but not every team is buying it. It will be interesting to see how it ultimately affects his stock. The Bobcats, Bucks, Warriors, Jazz and Pacers all have interest in him.

In the end, it’s lots of interest paired with lots of questions, which makes it incredible difficult to tell exactly where either one of the Morris twins will end up come NBA Draft day.

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Dissecting The Kyrie Irving Predicament Facing Cleveland Cavaliers

To Irving or not Irving. That is the question on the board for the Cleveland Cavaliers when discussing their plans for the first and fourth overall selections in the upcoming NBA Draft. ESPN’s Chad Ford says that Kyrie Irving is most likely the choice at this point, but the Cavs decision one way or the other also speaks volumes about the team’s overall direction and opinion of the draft class in general.

Specifically Ford finds a Cavaliers source and discusses the reasoning why the team would pick him when they already have point guards in house in the form of Baron Davis, who is virtually untradeable unless Isaiah Thomas somehow lands a general manager post again, and Ramon Sessions.

While Cleveland has yet to commit to Irving with their No. 1 pick and will bring in a number of prospects, sources close to the Cavs say that it’s very likely they’ll select Irving. Not only are they enamored with him as a player, but they also feel he’s the type of player who Cavs fans can get behind in Cleveland. “He’s a really great kid,” one Cavs source said. “He’ll get out into the community and I think he can help us rebuild our relationship with the fans. The only way I see us not taking him is if there’s a problem with the medical.”

If Kyrie Irving is the No. 1 overall choice for the Cavs, that speaks volumes about two primary things concerning the team and the draft. First, it insinuates the team is committed to a long-term rebuild that ignores the present value they currently possess on their roster — current point guards be damned. That might not mean a fun team to watch this year, but it also means the Cavs aren’t interested in mediocrity.

Secondly, it means the Cavs agree that this draft is not an impact class by any means and that even with two of the top four overall selections, they won’t turn the corner. There’s a lot of the off-season left, so opinions might change, but by choosing Irving, the Cavs are admitting that other options like Enes Kanter, Brandon Knight, Jan Vesely, Derrick Williams and so on aren’t the franchise players a team can bank on. Of course, that’s only Cleveland’s perception, but it does reveal at least one view of what teams are getting at the top of this year’s draft.

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Josh Selby, Jimmer Fredette Most Frustrating College Prospects

In a year where the NBA Draft party is being crashed by international bigs, it’s hard to stand out for your volatile stock. Yet the college scene has provided two worthy candidates for the award for Most Unpredictable Draft Stock. Josh Selby, the Kansas Jayhawks guard, and Jimmer Fredette, the Brigham Young scorer, are both two clearly talented players with opposite college careers who somehow face the same predicament for the 2011 NBA Draft.

Fredette is the household name, lighting up opponents over the last four seasons for Brigham Young and establishing school scoring records in the process. Fredette officially passed Danny Ainge as the school’s all-time scoring leader this season, and led all NCAA players in scoring this last season. By the end of the NCAA Tournament, even casual fans knew the incredible scoring range of Jimmer Fredette.

Meanwhile, Selby is the overhyped product who failed to deliver. At least, that’s the rough version of it. Yet it’s also one that fails to take into account just how poorly Selby’s year unfolded — from a mandatory suspension that kept Selby out of the early rotation that Self established to a mid-season injury that plagued him. Even Self’s system has been brought into question when analyzing Selby’s draft stock; after all, no one would admit that it was a good fit for either side.

While their college careers could not be much different, Fredette and Selby now stand in the same circle when it comes to the 2011 NBA Draft. The question for both is simple: how will their game translate to the pro level? For Fredette, the team choosing him will certainly enjoy the spoils of increased ticket and merchandise sales. Yet ask the Charlotte Bobcats how well their Adam Morrison experiment worked out. His range is as good as any in the NBA, yet is he a one-trick pony who will be a sieve on offense? Most believe he will be a solid bench scorer in the NBA, yet is that role worthy of a lottery choice?

For Selby, scouts have to look back to high school tape, but the list is long of dazzling high school players who couldn’t make it in the NBA. Can Selby become a solid combo guard in the NBA? Some seem to believe so, given some mock drafts have Selby taken in the lottery portion. Others have him dropping to the bottom of the first round. In the end, scouts and general managers have to look at the full package and realize the scoring ability and athleticism are still present, no matter what took place at Kansas.

While unknown names like Jan Vesely or Donatas Motiejunas will have some scratching their heads, Selby and Fredette will no doubt cause the same. Yet it also provides the irresistible intrigue that draws so many to look forward to the NBA Draft in the first place.

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2011 NBA Mock Draft: Jimmer Fredette, Kemba Walker Among Overrated Prospects

With every draft in any sport, you'll have reaches and bargains. It's the name of the game when creating lists and making choices in numerical order, and the upcoming 2011 NBA Draft will be no different. Some players chosen will surprise and perform above expectations, while other selections will feature a profile or reputation greater than their actual on-court results. Rather that wait for the future to tell us how things will play out, here's our best attempt to say "We told you so" several years from now with our Most Likely To Be Overrated When All Is Said and Done list.

Kemba Walker - UConn
According to NBA.com, the popular point guard from UConn is averaging somewhere between the No. 5 and No. 7 overall selections in the upcoming NBA Draft, and certainly there's a lot to like here. He's demonstrated tremendous poise, leadership, character and a toughness throughout his college career, especially this last season as UConn rose to unexpected success. General managers will love the intangibles, but a questionable jump shot and a 6-1 shooting guard form some major question marks.
Bottom Line: Decent pro player who won't produce on-court results like a mid-lottery selection should.

Jimmer Fredette - Brigham Young
Even the casual basketball fan was rooting for Jimmer throughout this year's NCAA Tournament, and for good reason since he can shoot the lights out of the building. After all, the 6-2 guard averaged nearly 29 points per game this year and 22 in 2010. That skill alone will earn him a spot in the NBA for several seasons, but that porous defense is difficult to ignore. The hope is that he can overcome his (bad) reputation a la Jameer Nelson and round out his game.
Bottom Line: Somewhere north of Trajan Langdon; south of J.J. Redick.

Jordan Williams - Maryland
Williams boasts one of the draft's biggest bodies (alongside Enes Kanter), but the 6-10, 260 lbs. sophomore entrant is also known for some conditioning issues. He's certainly an intimidating post presence when he wants to be, but it's that lack of drive, work ethic and constant conditioning that will stymie his natural talents at the next level, where the season can grind to 100 games. At the very least, it will be a couple of seasons before Williams makes his presence felt for more than a few minutes per game.
Bottom Line: In a stronger draft, Williams would be second-round fodder.

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Dallas Mavericks Provide Ideal Landing Spot For Kansas Jayhawks Josh Selby In NBA Draft

With the ups and downs of Kansas point guard Josh Selby’s collegiate career, his NBA Draft stock is difficult to predict. Will teams remember the hype coming out of high school and still believe in the possibilities or will they want to play their chips on a safer number and pick someone else? Perhaps the best place for Selby to land is the space predicted by Sports Illustrated’s Sam Amick.

The Dallas Mavericks are Selby’s predicted draft slot at No. 26 overall and Amick writes, “The fountain of youth at the Mavericks’ facility will go dry at some point, leaving them to find a replacement for Jason Kidd. Selby may or may not be that player, but it’s worth finding out this late in the draft.”

For a talent like Selby, the potential is clearly there. A team as accomplished choosing that low in the draft should feel elated to swoop in and grab a point guard with such possibilities. At the same time, is there a greater mentor he could play behind than Jason Kidd who can help develop his court vision, maturity and leadership? A winning, team-oriented environment with a legend already entrenched at point guard in a low expectations environment seems the ideal space for someone like Selby.

Selby’s mock draft stock is all over the map, but it honestly wouldn’t be surprising to see a team picking higher grab him to fill their point guard woes. There’s not enough elite point guards to go around, yet the teams that can develop them have a clear advantage in today’s run and gun NBA.

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Markieff Morris Headed To Philadelphia 76ers In Most NBA Mock Drafts

Generally speaking, the major points of agreement in any NBA mock draft come at the top with the first and perhaps second or third overall selections. Most draft analysts will agree that Duke point guard Kyrie Irving will be the first overall selection to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft. But what about a player like Markieff Morris? Amazingly, draft analysts are also united on where Morris will go -- at No. 16 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers.

ESPN's Chad Ford writes, "The Sixers really need a big man, and Morris, a Philly native, is the best one left on the board. Morris has a rep as a good defender, shot-blocker and rebounder, but he also proved at Kansas that he can step out and hit the 3. He's a bit rawer than his brother, but he's a good get at this point in the draft."

Ben Golliver's mock draft over at CBS Sports agrees with the placement to the Philadelphia 76ers saying, "When in doubt, add a talented big man to the frontcourt. The Sixers have some contract decisions to make after next season." Golliver's colleague, Dave Del Grande, also agrees: "The 76ers need someone more like Samuel Dalembert, but he doesn’t exist this low in the draft. So taking the most defensive minded power forward has to suffice."

Every year there seems to be a player in the middle or bottom of the first round that every draft analyst and league source seems to confirm is headed toward one specific team, and perhaps that player and team is Markieff Morris to the 76ers. Such a good fit is hard to argue with.

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ESPN's Chad Ford Has Marcus Morris Headed To Houston Rockets In Latest 2011 NBA Mock Draft

With the first mock draft released over at ESPN after the official results from the NBA Draft Lottery, NBA analyst Chad Ford has left every draft entrant from the Kansas Jayhawks out of the lottery. However, it's well-rounded forward Marcus Morris who breaks the streak at No. 14 overall, the first choice outside of the lottery, to go to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA Draft.

Specifically, Ford notes that the loss of a forward who can be similarly described, Shane Battier, might have the Rockets wanting to find a replacement. "The Rockets traded away Shane Battier in February, and Morris wouldn't be a bad long-term replacement. His ability to stretch the floor and rebound, combined with a high basketball IQ, should be welcome in Houston" 

This would certainly be a disappointing scenario for Morris to drop out of the lottery altogether, but the Rockets would provide a competitive team that also would know best how to utilize his inside out game. The draft stock of Morris and all other draft entrants will change over the course of the next month, but the Rockets seem a likely scenario when everything is analyzed from top to bottom.

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Was Josh Selby Hurt By Decision To Play At Kansas?

Time has told an unfortunate story for Josh Selby and his short Kansas Jayhawks career. The hype of one of the country's top five recruits coming to join a loaded Kansas squad that already had the Morris twins down low -- Markieff and Marcus -- had many crowning Bill Self's 2010-11 Jayhawks team as national champions before any games were played. The team held the No. 1 ranking for some time even before Selby's arrival. Certainly he would put them over the top.

Then came the struggles, an injury and an inability to make good on all of that potential. One season after wowing scouts with his aggressive scoring ability, Selby looked timid and never made the on-court splash that so many predicted. Instead, he bowed out after one season to jump to the NBA -- a move that has many shaking their heads at a kid cashing in at the lowest point.

Not so says ESPN's Chad Ford, however. He still has Selby tagged as a lottery talent, and says that Self's program was perhaps to blame for Selby's lack of impact:

Selby had some answers of his own. He missed the first nine games of the season serving an NCAA suspension for taking illegal benefits as a high school player. By the time he was able to play, Kansas had a tight rotation that Selby would have to fit into. Also, the style of play wasn't a great fit for Selby. He is at his best initiating the offense and creating off the dribble. At Kansas, he was often asked to get the ball up the floor, dump it to one of the Morris twins and then spot up in the corner.

It would be an interesting twist if Selby ends up chosen before both of his teammates at KU, yet that's a likely scenario given the allure of potential when it comes to the NBA Draft. That's the reason Kwame Brown gets chosen first, Hasheem Thabeet taken second and Darko Milicic over Carmelo Anthony. Selby can still make good on such athleticism and talent, and that's what Ford believes he will do. But to this point, the hype doesn't match the substance.

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ESPN's Chad Ford: Jayhawks Markieff And Marcus Morris Making Waves Among Scouts

The conjecture continues on the draft stock of Marcus and Markieff Morris, the twin brothers from Kansas heading to the NBA in the upcoming 2011 NBA Draft. Yesterday, we took a look at their positions on Doug Gottlieb’s Big Board where the boys ranged in the second half. Today, ESPN’s Chad Ford has their draft stock much higher.

He predicts Marcus to go in the 5-15 range in the draft, while Markieff is listed in the 9-19 segment. Both brothers are talented forward, but their games differ despite people often linking them together or comparing them to one another. That’s the major difference that Ford notes after praising both prospects’ abilities to shoot the 3-pointer at the NBA level.

Other than shooting ability, there are a number of differences. I thought Marcus had quicker feet and was more explosive off the bounce than I saw at Kansas. He showed off a pretty impressive arsenal of skills for a 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward. He’s clearly the more skilled and aggressive of the two players.

Markieff, however, has size and toughness on his side. Although he’s not quite as quick or as skilled, he’s at least an inch taller, has more weight on his body, and takes a more cerebral approach to the game.

While it’s easy to compare them on the surface, NBA scouts aren’t so reductionistic that they can’t see past the twins. The same thing could have been said of the Lopez brothers coming out of Stanford a couple years ago, but it’s more for a media gimmick than anything. Both players stand out for their own individual skills, and it’s nice to see someone like Ford spending time on it.

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Jayhawks Marcus, Markief Morris Listed Among Top Players On ESPN NBA Draft Board

With the 2011 NBA Draft on the horizon, Kansas Jayhawks fans can expect to see both Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris taken off the board sooner than later. With the latest release of Doug Gottlieb’s Big Board over at ESPN, he has both players listed in the Top 30 players.

Marcus Morris is the higher rated of the two and rated just above UConn’s Kemba Walker at No. 16 overall. Gottlieb likes his overall game, but concedes that’s likely a solid bench player at the next level:

A skilled 4 who can score all the way out to the college 3. Struggles with NBA length but can pass and has a high basketball IQ. Morris is tough and unafraid but not explosive as a scorer or athlete and is probably a bench player.

Marcus’ twin brother, Markieff Morris, is listed at No. 27 overall in the Top 30 and his stronger low-post game is noted:

A better rebounder and shot blocker than his twin brother, and he’s not afraid to make the hard foul or the tough play. He’s not as skilled in terms of low-post game and has not gotten as many minutes to display on-floor IQ as his brother. Solid big man who might become a starter someday.

Both players should find homes near the middle to lower tiers of the first round of the upcoming draft, and the Morris brothers should both land in lower-pressure situations. Hopefully this will give them a chance to thrive and develop as they need.

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Kansas Forward Marcus Morris Falls Out Of Lottery In Latest NBA Mock Draft

Just when Marcus Morris’ NBA Draft stock seemed to be rising, Chad Ford’s latest mock over at ESPN.com has the Kansas star forward falling out of the lottery in his first full mock draft. Specifically, he has Morris falling to the Pacers at No. 15 overall to provide another frontcourt presence to team with Pacers star Danny Granger:

The Pacers’ two biggest needs are an athletic guard who can create his own shot off the dribble, and a long, athletic big man who can block shots and rebound. Unfortunately neither of those players appears to be left on the board. So the Pacers have to settle for the next best thing.

Morris is more of a hybrid forward who can play both the 3 and the 4, sort of like Danny Granger. His ability to stretch the floor and rebound should be welcome in Indiana — although I’m sure the Pacers will wish he was an inch or two taller. Boston College’s Reggie Jackson is another real possibility here.

The Indiana Pacers hardly seem the best fit for Morris, so it’s difficult to believe that the draft would actually turn out this way, but it will be interesting to watch how many teams reach for potential in unproven young players or international prospects versus the well-round savvy veteran college presence that Morris brings.

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Kansas Jayhawks Marcus Morris NBA Draft Stock Rising At Right Time

ESPN’s Chad Ford says Marcus Morris NBA draft stock is rising at the right time with scouts and general managers taking notice of his tremendous all-around game. The second-team All-American averaged over 17 points and 7 rebounds last year, leading a talented Kansas Jayhawks squad to a No. 1 ranking much of the season. Ford writes about his draft stock:

A number of GMs I spoke with had Morris in the lottery. “Morris may not blow you away in any one area, but the more we’ve been breaking him down on Synergy, the more we feel like he’s got a real shot to be very good in our league,” one GM said. “I don’t know how he slips out of the lottery.” We had him at No. 18 on our Board. We’ve moved him up to 13 in our latest rankings.

It’s difficult to believe that Morris’ draft stock was ever that low in the first place, but it’s important to realize how much potential is analyzed and adored at this point in the draft season. Many GMs would rather take the project from Europe over the sure thing graduating from college in the hopes of striking gold. But other mock drafts have been picking up on Morris’ lottery chances as well, so it’s a safe assumption at this point that some team in the Top 13 will choose him.

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