2012 NBA Mock Draft Version Alpha: Just The Tip

The NBA lottery has come and gone, and the Cavs were robbed of the second piece of a future championship club by winning a coin toss.  Even without Anthony Davis, though, Cleveland should be in a great position to improve, with four picks in the top 34 of a deep draft.  I compiled this mock using information from Draft Express, NBADraft.net, ESPN's Chad Ford, and ProBasketballDraft.com.  The player comparisons come from Hickory-High's awesome Similarity Scores project.  I've listed the top five comps for each player in the lottery.  Since this is only Version Alpha, I've only included analysis of the lottery picks.  As draft night gets closer, I will dive in deeper.  Enjoy.

2011 NBA Mock Draft Version Beta: Half Way Down The Shaft

With the NBA Finals concluding with the much-deserved vanquishing of Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James, it's time to start getting serious about the draft.  For a more cursory look at this year's lottery, check out Version Alpha here. 

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Clippers)-Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
Despite my concerns regarding how important All-Star-level point guard play is to winning a championship, Irving is still easily the pick for the Cavs.  The disparities between his NBA comps are pretty jarring (Draft Express has his ceiling at Deron Williams and his worst case at "Rich Man's Eric Maynor," while NBADraft.net compares him to Chris Paul...or Mike Conley), but I suppose that's to be expected when a guy only plays 11 games in college.
Alpha pick: Irving

2011 NBA Mock Draft Version Alpha: Just The Tip

 1. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Clippers)-Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke

Irving has been the consensus #1 pick since Jared Sullinger returned to Ohio State for his sophomore season, and was probably even the prohibitive favorite to be the top pick before Sullinger's decision.  The Cavs apparently love the kid, and in this draft, there's little reason for them not to.  Let's just hope they have better luck with this Blue Devil than they did with Danny Ferry and Trajan Langdon.  Also, what does it say about the quality of this draft that the overwhelming consensus best player would probably be the fifth best point guard of the last three drafts (behind Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, John Wall, and (maybe) Ty Lawson)?