Quite simply, it is too early to analyze the 2011 Draft appropriately. Like the prior year, we just do not have enough information yet. What we can do is make some educated guesses.
This was not a draft that people were particularly excited about, mainly because the top five was lightly regarded. That said, Kyrie Irving (pick #1) showed every sign of being a future superstar his rookie year. Derrick Williams (#2), Enes Kanter (#3) and Tristan Thompson (#4) all had pretty mundane rookie seasons for top five selections, but we need to give them more time before we can truly pass a harsh judgment. Jonas Valanciunas (#5) will be a rookie in 2012-13.
Like Irving, Kenny Faried (pick #22) had an exceptional rookie season that was very auspicious. Other first rounders that showed promising signs their rookie season included Kemba Walker (#9), Klay Thompson (#11), Alec Burks (#12), Kawhi Leonard (#15), Nikola Vucevic (#16), Iman Shumpert (#17) and MarShon Brooks (#25.) But again, it is too early to fairly judge most of these first rounders.
One thing we can already say is that the second round appears to have much better depth than 2010. Isaiah Thomas (pick #60) had a phenomenal rookie season for a player who went at the end of round two. In retrospect, like Jeremy Lin the year before, Thomas should have been selected much earlier. Other second rounders who provided some immediate production included Shelvin Mack (#34), Jordan Williams (#36), Chandler Parsons (#38), Jon Leuer (#40), Josh Harrellson (#45) and Lavoy Allen (#50.)
So the first impression of 2011 is a draft with good depth and a potential superstar up top. We will know much more about this class in a year or two. A very rough approximation of the top ten players from this draft, with their actual selection number in parenthesis:
1. Kyrie Irving (1)
2. Kenny Faried (22)
3. Kawhi Leonard (15)
4. Isaiah Thomas (60)
5. Enes Kanter (3)
6. Kemba Walker (9)
7. Tristan Thompson (4)
8. Derrick Williams (2)
9. Chandler Parsons (38)
10. Klay Thompson (11)
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