The 2011 NBA Draft is just hours away and after days of mock drafts coming at a machine gun rate, analysts are finally zeroing-in on their picks. Chad Ford, noted as one of the NBA mock draft experts, continues to shift his projections around, and with each change the news gets better for Klay Thompson. In the days ahead of the draft, Thompson has been moving up at a rapid-rate, finding himself inside the top-12 in more than one 2011 NBA mock draft after beginning the process in the late-first round.
In Ford's mock draft version 6.0 (insider), Thompson is the No. 10 pick in the draft, selected by the Milwaukee Bucks. Ford thinks it comes down to Thompson and Alec Burks, two players who are familiar with each other after going head-to-head in workouts throughout almost the entire pre-draft process. In the end, Ford says, Thompson may win-out.
Analysis: I think this pick likely comes down to Thompson and Alec Burks. They play the same position but have different strengths. Thompson is a shooter; Burks is a slasher.
With the Bucks telling me pretty strongly that they're holding on to Brandon Jennings as their point guard, and with the team making a strong drive to get back in the playoffs, I think Thompson is a better fit.
Thompson and Burks are, essentially, clones of each other. Burks is a bit better off the bounce, Thompson is a better pure shooter and both face questions defensively. The dynamic between the two has been interesting throughout the process and will continue to be on draft night. Both are almost surely lottery picks and the only question remaining is which will come off the board first.
Here's hoping it's Thompson, just for the bragging rights.
We'll find out where Thompson ends up as the 2011 NBA Draft gets underway on Thursday at 4 p.m. For the latest projections ahead of the draft, stay with our 2011 NBA mock draft StoryStream. For more on the Washington State Cougars, head over to SB Nation's CougCenter.