LestersLegends.com

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1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
The Cavs have Baron Davis, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know he’s not the future. Irving is the best of a shallow draft class.
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2.  Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona
With Rubio agreeing to finally play for the Wolves missing out on the number one pick doesn’t sting as bad. They don’t need another four, but Williams is too good to pass up. Dealing the number two pick remains a strong likelihood.
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3.  Utah Jazz – Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
Kemba Walker made noise in the NCAA tournament, but Knight has better size for the NBA game. Steph Curry is proving people wrong, but he’s more the exception than the rule. Devin Harris is an injury risk, but would allow Knight not to be rushed into too big of a role too soon.
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4.  Cleveland Cavaliers – Enes Kanter, PF/C, Kentucky
Talent out and talent in for Kentucky. After five first rounders last year, two go in the top four picks.  The Cavs added their point guard with the first pick, now they add a solid big.
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5.  Toronto Raptors – Kemba Walker, PG, UConn
The Raptors have Jose Calderon for two more years, and Jerryd Bayless looked solid at times. With shooting guard (DeMar DeRozan), center(Andrea Bargnani), and power forward (Ed Davis & Amir Johnson) situated, it’s a good time to add depth at point guard.
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6.  Washington Wizards – Jan Vesely, SF/PF, Czech Republic
Besides looking like the dude (Jesse Eisenberg) that played the dude (Mark Zuckerberg) that invented facebook, Vesely figures to be a solid small forward in the NBA. This year’s crop of players truly has an international feel.
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7.  Sacramento Kings – Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo
Biyombo can help Cousins patrol the paint, allowing last year’s rookie sensation to focus more on his offensive game.
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8.  Detroit Pistons – Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State
The Pistons will have a void at small forward if Tayshaun Prince does not return. Leonard has the athleticism to play the three and is rugged enough to slide over to the four. Leonard averaged 14.1 points and 10.2 years in his two years at SDSU.
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9.  Charlotte Bobcats – Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania
No offense to Kwame Brown, who played well at times last year, but the Bobcats need improvement in the middle. He is a bit of a project, but has great promise.
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10. Milwaukee Bucks – Alec Burks, SG, Colorado
The Bucks don’t have a particular hole to fill, but have their biggest need at the shooting guard position. Burks has ideal size and athleticism and a scoring touch, averaging 17.1 as a freshman and 20.5 as a sophomore.
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11.  Golden State Warriors – Jimmer Fredette, PG, BYU
Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis both have injury concerns. Fredette would give them a scorer that can hit from anywhere on the floor.
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12.  Utah Jazz – Marcus Morris, SF/PF, Kansas
Morris has the ability to play either forward positions, but is more suited for small forward in the NBA. He joins Paul Milsap, Al Jefferson, and Derrick Favors to form a solid frontcourt.
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13.  Phoenix Suns – Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State
Mychal Thompson’s son averaged 22.1 points per game in his junior year. He has good size and a pure jump shot. With an $18 million option on Vince Carter and 38-year old Grant Hill entering free agency, the Suns have a void at the two-guard.
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14. Houston Rockets – Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Lithuania
The Rockets don’t have any glaring holes, but the could use some more size in the middle. At seven feet and lefty he could give Houston a nice scoring touch on the offensive side and an interior presence on the defensive side.
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15.  Indiana Pacers – Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State
There are some rumblings that Danny Granger could be moved in a draft day trade. Singleton could soften the blow and provide a defensive spark at small forward.
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16.  Philadelphia 76ers – Markieff Morris, PF/C, Kansas
The lesser of the Morris twins, but he would provide good frontcourt depth for a team short on quality bigs.
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17.  New York Knicks – Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas
Thompson gives the Knicks another banger inside to help A’mare.
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18.  Washington Wizards – Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA
The Wizards have good young talent everywhere except for small forward. Vesely and Honeycutt would change that.
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19.  Charlotte Bobcats – Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas
The Bobcats need to add depth at the swing position.
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20.  Minnesota Timberwolves – Marshon Brooks, SG, Providence
Wesley Johnson established himself as the starter, but Brooks would give Wayne Ellington some competition for backup minutes.
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21.  Portland Trail Blazers – Darius Morris, PG, Michigan
The Blazers really don’t have many holes, but they could use point guard depth.
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22.  Denver Nuggets – Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State
The Nuggets’ biggest weakness is at power forward and Faried is the best one available.
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23.  Houston Rockets – Reggie Jackson, PG/SG, Boston College
Having added a big man earlier in the draft, the Rockets grab an athletic combo guard.
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24.  Oklahoma City Thunder – Tobias Harris, SF/PF, Tennessee
Tobias is best available and fits a need as the Thunder don’t have much behind Durant or Ibaka at the three and the four.
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25.  Boston Celtics – Trey Thompkins, PF, Georgia
The Kendrick Perkins trade did not pay off and the Celtics need to add frontcourt depth.
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26.  Dallas Mavericks – Kyle Singler, SF, Duke
The champs can’t count on Shawn Marion forever so taking a decorated wing player makes sense.
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27.  New Jersey Nets – Josh Selby, PG, Kansas
Selby could push Jordan Farmar as D-Will’s backup. He could also see some time at the two.
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28.  Chicago Bulls – JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue
Gives the Bulls added length and athleticism.
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29.  San Antonio Spurs –  Davis Bertans, SF, Lativa
Bertans is a long small forward with great range. The Spurs are thin at the wing position and have success with international players.
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30.  Chicago Bulls – Iman Shumpert, PG/SG, Georgia Tech
Shumpert could cut his teeth backing up Rose, but should make his mark at the two.
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DC Pro Sports Report 2011 NBA Mock Draft Database
Walter Football 2011 NBA Mock Draft Database
BetFirms 2011 NBA Mock Draft Database

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By Jeff P.
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Reports have said the Knicks are excelling interest in power forward/center Bismack Biyombo also known as the “B-Smack”.
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Biyombo will work out with the Knicks on Sunday following a workout in Toronto, and Detroit Monday. This means that the big-man center could land as early as 5th pick to the Raptors.
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Bismack Biyombo is a without a doubt is a strong,athletic,explosive beast as he is compared to a worse version of NBA center Dwight Howard. There was even some whispers that Biyombo was in the age group of 23-26, that’s how developed he really is.
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Bismack Biyombo is a beguiling prospect. So why would the Knicks seek interest in him?.
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Bismack Biyombo is a vicious, defensive, and energetic center. It sounds like the perfect fit for the Knicks. In the Spanish ACB league, Biyombo was a true star. Biyombo even set a record there recording 12 points 11 rebounds and 10 blocks. That’s right ten blocks in one game.
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Who will the Knicks be willing to deal for Bismack Biyombo?
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The Knicks will seek to trade their own draft pick and a player( no one was mentioned yet, though Landry Fields could be a possible name as he was in a deep struggle in the second half of the season). Toney Douglas coming out of his sophomore year, could be a possibility.
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What’s the Knicks plan how late can they get him?
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He will most likely be in the range of 5th pick to 11th pick, unless he completely messes up in workouts and brings himself down, out of the lottery. Though that is unlikely and if the Knicks are greatly considering the 6″9′ center it’s doubtful they would rely on a chance like that.
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What will be his role in the rotation?
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He will most likely be the starting center in the lineup, unless a change of his current status. He is an excellent ball-handler, shooter, and defender and could probably fill in an empty spot next to Amar’e Stoudemire.
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If the Knicks aren’t successful on receiving him and they traded up for the draft pick already what’s the deal?
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Tristan Thompson, and Donatas Motiejunas are always backup plans. Yes, they aren’t listed as centers but at their heights it is likely they can fit in as a center. Or there is a possibility the Knicks can go for a point guard possibly Kemba Walker can be an option.
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Knicks fans start becoming excited because B-Smack can soon be a Knickerbocker.
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You can follow Jeff @ http://twitter.com/#!/TheMLBNBAexpert.
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Click here to see the LestersLegends 2011 NBA Mock Draft.

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By: David Kay
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During his two years at Colorado, Alec Burks often shared the court with fellow shooting guard Cory Higgins.  The tandem served as the Buffaloes  dynamic duo accounting for nearly half of the team’s points last season.  It was because of that, that Burks built a relationship with Cory’s dad, former NBA player and current Charlotte Bobcats general manager, Rod Higgins.
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“I know his dad a lot because he came to a lot of games,” Burks said at the NBA Draft combine.  “I’ve got a great relationship with both of them.”
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Burks acknowledged that he had a meeting scheduled with the Bobcats during his stay in Chicago for the combine.  Having prior knowledge of Burks’ game and personality off the court might entice Higgins to use Charlotte’s ninth pick on the lengthy two guard who measured 6’6″ in shoes with a 6’10″ wingspan.  One source at the combine confirmed Charlotte’s interest in Burks, telling me that he heard Burks would not get past the Bobcats if he was still on the board when they were picking.
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Burks does not exactly fit a need for Charlotte who already has decent depth at the two with Stephen Jackson and Gerald Henderson.  Plus, the ‘Cats have a huge hole at small forward and center, though Burks could possibly play the three at the next level even though he thinks he is more of a combo guard.  So selecting Burks would certainly fit into the “best available player” theory rather than filling a need.  However, the Bobcats hold a second first round pick, 19th overall, and could look to fill a need with that selection if they landed Burks early on.
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Burks displayed his athleticism and versatility at CU, using ability to get to the rim and average a Big 12 best 20.5 points per game during his sophomore season.  The biggest knock on his games comes with his jump shot as he only connected on 29.2% of his attempts from three.
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“I feel like I was always a shooter,” Burks stated with confidence.  “I just went to the rack a lot more than I shot it.  I’m just showing people I can shoot it.”
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Playing at Colorado, Burks did not get the national exposure that most of the other prospects at the combine received.  “It didn’t really hurt me but it didn’t help me either.  I feel like if you’re talented enough, they’ll come find you and that happened in my case.”
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That has certainly been the situation for Burks who was not a major recruit coming out of high school.  Still, Burks has put himself in a great spot heading into the draft and admitted having a long list of teams wanting to meet with him at the combine.
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“Coming from two years ago, nobody knew me so it’s great to be in this position,” Burks said.  “Keeping that chip on my shoulder, staying hungry, wanting to get better, and prove to everybody that I can play at this level.”
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That type of attitude combined with his skill has a lot of people enamored with Burks’ potential at the NBA level.  With Bobcats GM Rod Higgins almost certainly part of that group, do not be surprised if Charlotte snags Burks with the ninth overall pick.
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CHECK OUT THE SPORTS BANK’S 2011 NBA MOCK DRAFT
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David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank.  He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities.
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You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.
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Click here to see my 2011 NBA Mock Draft – Lottery Edition

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1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
Luck, yeah that’s what we’ll call it, was on the Cavs side as they brought home the number one pick. This trend of building a team around a dominant point guard continues. Irving and the fourth pick of the 2011 NBA draft will help the rebuilding process.
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2.  Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona
The Wolves get screwed again. Go figure. You can spin it any way you want, but there is no way a team has the futility that the Wolves have had in the NBA Lottery without some help. Not have they never improved their draft standing in the lottery, more often than not they lose ground. The Wolves have Kevin Love and Michael Beasley already, but Williams is to good to pass up. Hopefully Kahn can use him as a trade chip to at least improve the team.
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3.  Utah Jazz – Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
Kemba Walker made noise in the NCAA tournament, but Knight has better size for the NBA game. Steph Curry is proving people wrong, but he’s more the exception than the rule. Devin Harris is an injury risk, but would allow Knight not to be rushed into too big of a role too soon.
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4.  Cleveland Cavaliers – Enes Kanter, PF, Kentucky
Talent out and talent in for Kentucky. After five first rounders last year, two go in the top four picks.  The Cavs added their point guard with the first pick, now they add a solid big.
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5.  Toronto Raptors – Kemba Walker, PG, UConn
The Raptors have Jose Calderon for two more years, and Jerryd Bayless looked solid at times. With shooting guard (DeMar DeRozan), center(Andrea Bargnani), and power forward (Ed Davis & Amir Johnson) situated, it’s a good time to add depth at point guard.
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6.  Washington Wizards – Jan Vesely, SF/PF, Czech Republic
Besides looking like the dude (Jesse Eisenberg) that played the dude (Mark Zuckerberg) that invented facebook, Vesely figures to be a solid small forward in the NBA. This year’s crop of players truly has an international feel.
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7.  Sacramento Kings – Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo
Biyombo can help Cousins patrol the paint, allowing last year’s rookie sensation to focus more on his offensive game.
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8.  Detroit Pistons – Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State
The Pistons will have a void at small forward if Tayshaun Prince does not return. Leonard has the athleticism to play the three and is rugged enough to slide over to the four. Leonard averaged 14.1 points and 10.2 years in his two years at SDSU.
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9.  Charlotte Bobcats – Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania
No offense to Kwame Brown, who played well at times last year, but the Bobcats need improvement in the middle. He is a bit of a project, but has great promise.
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10. Milwaukee Bucks – Alec Burks, SG, Colorado
The Bucks don’t have a particular hole to fill, but have their biggest need at the shooting guard position. Burks has ideal size and athleticism and a scoring touch, averaging 17.1 as a freshman and 20.5 as a sophomore.
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11.  Golden State Warriors – Jimmer Fredette, PG, BYU
Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis both have injury concerns. Fredette would give them a scorer that can hit from anywhere on the floor.
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12.  Utah Jazz – Marcus Morris, SF/PF, Kansas
Morris has the ability to play either forward positions, but is more suited for small forward in the NBA. He joins Paul Milsap, Al Jefferson, and Derrick Favors to form a solid frontcourt.
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13.  Phoenix Suns – Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State
Mychal Thompson’s son averaged 22.1 points per game in his junior year. He has good size and a pure jump shot. With an $18 million option on Vince Carter and 38-year old Grant Hill entering free agency, the Suns have a void at the two-guard.
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14. Houston Rockets – Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Lithuania
The Rockets don’t have any glaring holes, but the could use some more size in the middle. At seven feet and lefty he could give Houston a nice scoring touch on the offensive side and an interior presence on the defensive side.
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DC Pro Sports Report 2011 NBA Mock Draft Database
Walter Football 2011 NBA Mock Draft Database
BetFirms 2011 NBA Mock Draft Database

I posted my lottery picks last month. Here’s a look at the whole first round.

1.Washington Wizards – John Wall, PG, Kentucky
Nothing has changed to move Wall out of the top spot.

2.  Philadelphia 76ers – Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State
Turner remains the Sixers’ best choice.

3.  New Jersey Nets – Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech
Favors remains the logical choice to bolster the Nets’ frontline.

4.  Minnesota Timberwolves – DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky
While Wesley Johnson fills a need at the small forward position, they are easier to come by than true centers. Cousins gives the Wolves a force in the middle to pair with undersized Al Jefferson and/or Kevin Love.

5.  Sacramento Kings – Greg Monroe, C, Georgetown
With Cousins moving up a slot in this mock, the Kings go for Monroe instead to solidify the middle.

6.  Golden State Warriors – Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse
Johnson slips to Warriors, who gladly snatch him up. He is a great fit in their system as he can run the floor and stretch defenses with his three-point ability.

7.  Detroit Pistons – Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor
Udoh gives the Pistons a talented big man that can help out on both ends of the court. His shot blocking ability will be coveted.

8.  Los Angeles Clippers – Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest
The Clippers continue to put the pieces together as Aminu fills as need at small forward. With Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Aminu, Blake Griffin, and Chris Kaman, the Clippers have a talented, young nucleus.

9.  Utah Jazz – Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
The Jazz were exposed for their lack of size against the Lakers. Aldrich gives them a better chance to advance.

10.   Indiana Pacers – Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina
Davis could end up one of the top 3-5 players in this draft. Getting him at ten, while filling a need, is a steal for the Pacers.

11.  New Orleans Hornets – Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky
What Patterson lacks in size, he makes up for it with ability. Chris Paul will fall in love with him.

12.  Memphis Grizzlies – Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada
Babbitt won’t confuse anybody for a defensive stopper, but he is very talented offensively. He gives Memphis another shooter.

13.  Toronto Raptors – Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall
Assuming Chris Bosh does not return to the Raptors, it’s rebuilding time. That affords them to take the raw Whiteside and allow him to develop. He should be a force immediately on defense and grow into an offensive player.

14.  Houston Rockets – Daniel Orton, C, Kentucky
Even if Yao Ming is healthy, they need insurance in case he is injured again. Orton needs some time to develop, which the Rockets can provide him as long as Yao is healthy.

15.  Milwaukee Bucks – Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler
Hayward made a name for himself in Butler’s impressive tourney run. He gives the Bucks another smart player that can knock down open shots.