By: Martin Rand, III
Date: June 20, 2011
The 2011 NBA Draft is this Thursday; and there is a debate over whether the Cleveland Cavaliers should take Duke G Kyrie Irving or Arizona F Derrick Williams with the number one pick. The answer is simple: take Williams.
Now, I don't think that Williams is a better player than Irving or vice versa, and the reasons they should draft Williams have little to do with their play on the court.
The first reason that the Cavs shouldn't take Irving with the number one pick is because there are multiple point guards at the top of the draft. There are Kentucky G Brandon Knight and Connecticut G Kemba Walker. Williams is the only forward worthy of being drafted high.
The Cavs need to build a strong team going into the future and drafting Williams will give them a a small forward to put in their starting line-up. Then, with the number four pick, they will still have the option of Knight or Walker to either put in their starting line-up or come off the bench (depending on whether Baron Davis is still with the team). I feel Walker will be a better pick than Irving in the long run, which leads me to the next two reasons.
The second reason deals with Irving's play this season. It's nonexistent! He played in a total of eight games due to injury, and these "experts" are so convinced he is the best player in the draft.
Meanwhile, Williams played the entire season and was leading his team in the NCAA Tournament. He seemed like the best player in the tournament, until his team played and lost to a UConn team lead by... Guess who? Walker.
Walker not only lead a surprising UConn team to the Big East title and national title, he hit spectacular shots, timely shots and game-winning shots in the process. He showed that he is a winner and has the ability to lead a team, something the Cavs desperately need and something that Irving couldn't show this year.
The third reason has to do with marketing. The Cavs not only need a player who can play but a player they can market to the fans. I saw Irving on two shows last week on ESPN and he was very stoic. One of the host even told him to loosen up because he was so serious. So, after that, he tried to be funny; but his jokes came off as awkward and weren't funny. Now, I haven't heard much from Williams; so, I'm not sure how he would do in this area.
However, I have heard from Walker; and I think that he has a personality that can be very marketable. He is funny, charismatic and has a smile that can light up a room. With LeBron James "taking his talents to South Beach", one of the biggest talents he took was his ability to sell the Cavs to the fans. Walker could be the one to fill that hole.
Like I said, I don't think Williams should be chosen over Irving because Williams is a better player. I think Williams should be taken number one; so the Cavs can get by far the best forward in the draft, and draft Walker, one of the top 3 guards in the draft, at four. Doing this will help the Cavs now and well into the future.
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Categories:
2011 NBA Draft,
Arizona,
Cleveland Cavaliers,
Derrick Williams,
Duke,
Kemba Walker,
Kyrie Irving,
Lebron James,
Martin Rand III,
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