The 2011 NBA Draft class is the invisible class that got skipped over for official, professional development. Like a test-tube specimen raised in unusual circumstances, these players are unusual cases in how to raise a rookie. A lockout seems to skip a generation, and these 60 players inherited that trait; after they got their hats from the commissioner and then had to find ways to ball not under the auspices of management as soon as they reached the other side of the draft’s podium that June night in 2011. So who has the biggest chance to make up ground this summer?
ANDREW GOUDELOCK, LAKERS
The biggest loser in the Steve Nash trade to the Lakers was Goudelock. He’d seen his once-promising slot in the lineup disappear in favor of Ramon Sessions at the trade deadline after proclaiming he should be next up after Kobe in the Lakers’ lineup. Seeing a rookie get a shot early only to have the door slammed on minutes late is not uncommon, but it seems Goudelock needs the self-affirmation more than most rooks. Playing with L.A.’s team this summer should help him get back the swagger he needs like a car needs oil.
ENES KANTER, UTAH
The No. 3 pick never did anything for Utah this year worth mentioning — and that’s OK. It was a classic adjustment season for a player stuck in limbo all year. From being ineligible at Kentucky to the lockout, he never found a role with Tyrone Corbin that allowed him much time to make shots with his soft hands and good feet in the post. Al Jefferson, however, won’t be playing summer league ball, which gives Kanter more time to improve keeping more experienced players in front of him on defense. The extended minutes could offer a preview of his production next season after he averaged per 36 minutes a double double last year. A Jefferson, Millsap, Kanter frontcourt could be a fun group if he can take advantage.
KYLE SINGLER, DETROIT
Singler’s decision to stay in Spain once the lockout ended and not join the lowly Pistons was a smart decision. So, par for the course for the ex-Duke star who was Final Four MVP. He played for two clubs in Spain, with Lucentum Alicante and Real Madrid of the hyper-competitive ACB league, one of the very best in Europe. He averaged 14.4 points and 7.9 points for his two clubs, respectively. So far in summer league in Orlando he’s shown the ability to find himself in the right spots for both rebounds and shooting in a stealth bomber fashion. He’ll make the Pistons better on opening night because of his maturity from playing overseas with ample minutes.
REGGIE JACKSON, OKLAHOMA CITY
The former Boston College standout guard is a 6-3 guard who has wasted zero time this summer showing he wants to rise in OKC’s rotation. With Scott Brooks watching the Orlando Summer League action, Jackson has been the whole tournament’s breakout guard with his huge, cocked-from-the-side dunks in the lane. More importantly, he’s finding Perry Jones III in the right spots to take advantage of his athleticism. Jackson got shelved in favor of the experienced Derek Fisher last spring, but this could be his way to prove he should be the second guard off the bench.
KYRIE IRVING, CLEVELAND
The most complete player of the 2011 class is off embarrassing the older vets on Team USA this week as part of the Selects scrimmaging team. The raw video from Las Vegas suggests he may have fine-tuned his spin move to be perfect at full speed now, but that’s just one of the benefits of working against All-Stars every day. The Rookie Of The Year did these types of things last year, too, going against some of the game’s best in elite unofficial summer leagues last season. He won’t see his Cleveland teammates much while he preps to prepare Team USA for London, but those games only gave him the confidence to hang with the biggest stars. This summer has shown he can even make them look bad, which means his leadership potential — when he does reconnect with Cavalier brethren — in Cleveland looks good.
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