[impy124Participant]

 I personally think that the Cavs should take Williams, and then either Knight or Walker at 4. For those who haven’t seen it yet here is Dime’s mock:

http://dimemag.com/2011/05/dime-nba-mock-draft-cleveland-snags-the-top-pick-and-probably-kyrie-irving/

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I do not think it is that bad, just about as good as many I have seen thus far. I am thinking that the top 3 is looking like it will be Irving #1, and Williams/Kanter being 2 or 3. Just have a feeling the Brandon Knight rumors to Utah are not necessarily set in stone, and that Williams and Kanter are seen as the two most sure things after Irving.

I think Leonard to Cleveland at 4 could definitely happen. They are desperate at the wing, and while they may indeed need help at other positions as well, Leonard is quickly becoming one of the more highly regarded prospects in this draft. He is seemingly separating himself from the comp at the wing with his nice length and athleticism, not to mention the praise they are throwing his way as far as work ethic is concerned. Do I think he deserves to be #4? Probably not, but Mock Drafts are more about looking into the psyche’s of the team drafting, and I think Cleveland might really want a guy like Kawhi Leonard, which makes him a major possibility at 4.

Think that if Brandon Knight is indeed available at 5, and Kanter is not, than the Raptors will try to form their backcourt of the future with Knight and Demar DeRozan. So, their top 5 definitely seems feasible. I have heard whispers that the Wizards really like Vesely, and it seems like a good fit for them, plus I could see Valanciunas tumbling a couple spots due to his buyout. Also think their is little way that the Kings let Kemba Walker slip past the 7 slot, and see little chance of him getting past the Pistons either. Still, never know what teams are thinking, but this scenario of the lottery is less farfetched than many I have seen thus far, especially due to my thinking that their top 5 could be spot on. Only time will tell, but those are my favorite for the top 5 as of right now.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I like Brandon Knight a lot.  Not sure why Irving is supposedly so much better.  After all, Knight is a better 3 point shooter and he had 2 game winners in the tournament.  Plus, Knight’s team went to the Final Four and Irving’s team got blown out by Derrick Williams and Arizona.

A Derrick Williams/Brandon Knight combo has the most upside.  And Brandon Knight played at CPGU (Calipari Point Guard University). 

Williams would give them a good, athletic front line with D-Will 2.0 at the 3, Hickson at the 4, and Varejao/Hollins at center.  Plus, I kinda want to see a Brandon Knight/Baron Davis backcourt. 

Williams and Knight are my favorite two guys in the draft.  Jimmer and Kemba are my two favorite sleepers and Bismack Biyombo is my upside guy.  For proven players who should help contenders I like Kyle Singler, Jamie Skeen, and Chandler Parsons.  I like Shelvin Mack as a possible combo 6th man that every team seems to need.  … for a guy who can rebound who is not on any draft board I like Josh Harrelson.  The bottom half of the second round is filled with tweeners and point guards.  Why not pick a guy who rebounded like mad, played against Enes Kanter in practice, and went to the Final Four as the team’s only real inside presence?

As far as picking a Euro with upside I like Jan Vesely as a good hustle guy.  Might not be a first option but should be a good fourth or fifth guy on a balanced team.

One player I am not really sure about is Nolan Smith.  He took over at point guard when Irving went down and led Duke to a great record and an ACC championship.  I think he was the college player of the year two or at least a 1st team member.  … then he doesn’t play well in the blowout loss to Arizona as he is moved to shooting guard with Irving at point guard, but, curiously enough, Irving took all the shots.  And he never got the Plumlee brothers enough shots.  Nolan Smith might be the better floor leader, and steady point guard of the two (Smith and Irving).  Both guys are solid scorers with Irving being more explosive.  Nolan Smith led Duke to an ACC title over UNC with 20 points and 10 assists.  Then when Irving gets back they get blown out by Arizona even though Irving had 28 points.  I am not really sold on Irving and I have this strange idea in my head that Nolan Smith might be a better lead point guard.

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