The highly anticipated 2011 NBA draft came and went with little online casino surprise, as the selections at the top of the board came down as most expected it to. The night began with the Cleveland Cavaliers taking a chance on Duke guard Kyrie Irving as most expected them to, and whether or not he pans out as the franchise player they have projected him to be could be the second-biggest story in Cavaliers’ history beyond the exit of the man he is expected to replace. Cleveland surprised some with the selection of forward Tristan Thompson at No. 4, but not until after the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz took Derrick Williams and Enes Kanter respectively. The Timberwolves were reportedly interested in moving out of the No. 2 spot, but made the right pick acquiring a tremendous talent in Williams, while the Jazz had little choice with Kanter left at No. 3.
Perhaps the first criticized pick came at No. 5 when the Toronto Raptors took Jonas Valanciunas at No. 5. While he is projected to be a solid NBA center, it will be at least a year before he makes his way to North America, and with Andrea Bargnani already attracting so much negativity at the position it is a risky sports betting choice for the organization. Jan Vasely got his wish and made it a memorable pick when he was selected by the Washington Wizards at No. 6, before the Sacramento Kings took Bismack Biyombo at No. 7. The Detroit Pistons were lucky to see Brandon Knight slide all the way to No. 8, but it may have been the Charlotte bobcats that were the most fortunate, as they landed the most underrated prospect in the draft at No. 9 grabbing Kemba Walker. The most talked-about prospect heading into the draft didn’t take long before he went at No. 10, as the Milwaukee Bucks landed Jimmer Fredette and the huge spotlight that will follow him to the small city in perhaps the most interesting pick of the 2011 NBA draft.
