2011 NBA Draft Lottery: Initial Reactions From The Golden State Warriors

The Cleveland Cavaliers converted a draft pick acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Baron Davis trade into the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft on Tuesday. The Cavaliers’ pick had a 2.8% chance of winning the NBA Lottery, and that’s what they did by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz.

The role of the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Lottery was a bit insignificant, to say the least.

No, they weren’t expected to win the NBA lottery with their 0.7% chance, but viewers are tuning in to see their team move up a few spots from where they were originally supposed to be. That was not the case for the Warriors. On the plus side, they stayed exactly where they were, at #11.

Aside from the terse comment made by Warriors owner and NBA Lottery team representative Joe Lacob that he was less concerned with luck as a factor and more concerned with the “physics of the ping pong”, the NBA Lottery was a snoring fest.

But what about the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft?

The initial reaction is that draft position is nothing special.

This Draft has no budding superstars aside from Kyrie Irving and possibly Derrick Williams. This Draft could end with the fifth pick.

Whether this Draft has no talent or the number of European players is confusing some people as to the level of talent in this Draft, we’ll find out.

For the Warriors, the need is central … and preferably large.

But the fact of the matter is that this draft only has one bonus big man in Enes Kanter, who will walk away with the third pick, if that happens. The other potential big man is Bismack Biyombo of the Republic of Congo, but his stock is said to increase in the coming months from a top 10 pick to a top 5 pick due to his size and potential.

Realistically, if the Warriors want a big man, their best bet is going to be 6’9″ Marcus Morris, who will play power forward in the NBA. If they want to get any further, they’ll go after rebounding leader Kenneth Faried of Moorehead State. in the nation in college last season. But at 6’8″, that’s a huge reach in the Draft.

If you wanted to bring this to Vegas, put your money into the Warriors recruiting a European player. They’re all over the place in this draft.

Jan Vesely of the Czech Republic is an illusion for the Warriors at his position, but if he’s up there in 11th, the Warriors won’t let him pass. The 6’11” SF/PF is anticipated to be a late top 10 pick.

He is, in a word, “explosive,” although he needs some work on his offensive game. For now, he lives above the rim.

The stock of these players will go up and down before the 2011 NBA Draft on June 23. For now, the Warriors will look at size in the attacking zone and defense in the defense zone when they pick number 11.