5 Players From the 2011 Draft Who Have Surpassed Their Draft Potential

With NBA experts already working on their draft boards, I thought I would take a look at some of draft day's biggest surprises. These players were drafted this past summer and have exceeded all expectations.

1. Iman Shumpert:
Drafted by New York with the 17th overall pick, tons of raw talent, and has shown tons of poise while stepping up in the wake of Jeremy Lin's Injury. For the whole season he's been averaging nearly 10 ppg and 3 apg and in the wake of Lin's absence; nearly 11 and 4. Not too shabby for a 17th overall pick, not to mention he beat out Baron Davis on the depth chart.




2. MarShon Brooks:
Originally drafted by the Celtics to be Ray Allen's succeeder and was traded to the Nets who have apparently used the athletic sharp-shooter well as he is averaging 12 points 2 assists and 3 boards a game. It would be a serious shame to see a talent like Brooks wasted on a team going nowhere like The Nets but hopefully for his sake; he will either get traded or be a valuable piece in a future [not probable] dynasty which can maybe be built around Dwight Howard in.....


3. Kenneth Faried:
Nicknamed "The Manimal",  Kenneth Faried was drafted with the 22nd overall pick by Denver and averages 9 points, 7 boards, 1 block and half a steal a game. He can hopefully become a valuable player in Denver's franchise; providing a defensive force to an offensive-minded team with great perimeter players like Ty Lawson and Danilo Gallinari. He has made some excellent progress and will most likely develop into a true defensive talent.


4. Chandler Parsons:
The 6'9 guard/forward was drafted 38th overall in the 2nd round by the Houston Rockets. He averages 9 points nearly 5 boards a game to go along with a .461 field goal percentage this season. In my opinion he's one of the biggest draft day steals from this past summer and will someday work his way into a regular spot into Houston's starting lineup.




5. Isaiah Thomas Jr:

The son of Isaiah Thomas the Piston's legend and worst coach of The Knicks in the history of the universe was the last overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft and has proven himself worthy of a 1st round pick averaging nearly 11 points, almost 4 assists and 2 and a half boards a game to go along with a .444 shooting percentage making himself the biggest draft day steal of this past summer. With apparent 1st round talent; Isaiah has made 29 other teams cringe or passing up on him in the 2nd round or even the mid-to-late 1st round.