Five second round picks that will hang around the league

The second round of the NBA Draft is, more or less, simply a chance for some lesser college stars to have their one, last chance at seeing their names on TV.

The NBA is not an easy league to make. There are a limited number of roster spots available and an even more limited number of spots in an NBA rotation. Making a team without getting a guaranteed contract through the draft is tough.

But it can be done. There are many stories of players that have carved out terrific careers despite falling out of the guaranteed money. Gilbert Arenas and Manu Ginobli were both picked in the second round. So were Michael Redd, Monta Ellis, Carlos Boozer, Stephen Jackson, and Rashard Lewis. Those are, or recently have been, stars in the NBA.


Finding a diamond in the rough like that is rare. But finding a solid starter in the second round does happen fairly often. Last year, it was Landry Fields out of Stanford going to the New York Knicks. The year before that, both Sam Young and DeJuan Blair fell to the second round after leaving Pitt. Before that, Paul Millsap, Trevor Ariza, and Mo Williams beat the odds to make it in the league.

It can be done.

Sometimes its simply the result of a fortunate pairing between franchise, player, and available roles. Other times, its the result of fears about a player's injury history that causes him to drop. There are times when a draft is loaded with border-line first round picks, causing players to go 45th that would usually be picked 25th. There are also times where a front office does their homework and finds a guy that has flown under-the-radar.

Landing in the second round shouldn't be seen as a disappointment to these players.

It should be seen as an opportunity to make the other 29 teams regret their draft day decisions.

Who in the 2011 NBA Draft Class will have an extended NBA career as a second round pick?

Jimmy Butler, Marquette: There is nothing about Butler's game that makes him appear to be an NBA prospect. He's a capable shooter, but not a significant three point threat from NBA range. He's a decent ball-handler, but he won't blow by you to get to the rim. He's a solid athlete with good size, but he won't be making Sportscenter's top ten. What makes Butler a promising prospect is the fact that he is a tough defender, a terrific teammate and leader in the locker room, a willing role player, and a guy that can do a little bit of everything. Throw in the success that former teammates Wes Matthews and Lazar Hayward have had landing a spot in the NBA and the rave reviews he received at the Portsmouth Invitational, and Butler appears headed for an NBA career. He certainly deserves it.

Charles Jenkins, Hofstra: Jenkins was a big-time scorer at the college level, thriving on his ability to shoot from beyond the arc and create space in the mid-range game. The problem is that those numbers came against CAA competition, which is a much improved league but still a far cry from the NBA. Regardless of who he is playing against, however, Jenkins is going to be able to shoot and score. He won't be a starter in the NBA, but the fact that he was able to score at the rate he did (22.6 ppg) while taking more than 20 shots just three times, creating for his teammates (4.8 apg), and protecting the ball (2.2 t/o's) makes him an ideal candidate as a scoring infusin


JaJuan Johnson, Purdue: Johnson's physical profile is terrific. He's a legit 6'10" with a 7'2" wingspan, he's exceptionally mobile for a player his height, and he has a 38" vertical. He also has a versatile skill-set. He can block a shot at one end and beat his defender down the floor for an open dunk. If that's not there, he can knock down 20 foot jumpers, use his dribble to get a better look should his defender close out long, and score in the post using his advanced repertoire of finesse moves. The knock on Johnson is that he has a slender upper body that will be difficult to add much mass or strength to. While that will limit his upside, his tools and skill-set should earn him a spot in the rotation of a team that likes to run the floor and pick-and-pop.

Josh Selby, Kansas: Selby is quite possibly the most unique prospect in this draft class. Coming out of high school, he was considered one of the top five recruits in the country. An explosive perimeter scorer, Selby's freshman season at Kansas was largely forgettable. He battled injuries (a broken hand in the preseason, a stress fracture late in the year), a suspension, and a role that didn't suit his skill set. As a result, he numbers were far from impressive this year. But that doesn't mean that the talent that garnered him so much attention in high school is gone, especially now that he is healthy.

Nolan Smith, Duke: I am a big fan of Nolan Smith's game. He proved this season just what he is capable at the collegiate level when he is the focal point offensively, winning ACC player of the year and finding himself in the conversation for national player of the year before a late slump. But until Kyrie Irving injured his foot, Smith also showed just how good of a role player he can be, ignoring his individual successes and exposure in exchange for winning games with the Blue Devils. Smith can do everything on a basketball court. He can shoot the three, he can beat a defender off the dribble, he can play on the ball or off, and he's a very good defender.

Bold Prediction: DeAndre Liggins, Kentucky: Liggins did not have a great career at Kentucky. As a freshman, he almost left the program due to his lacking relationship with former head coach Billy Gillispie. As a sophomore, in his first year under John Calipari, Liggins struggled to find a role on a team that was stacked with five future first round picks. But as a junior, Liggins really began to come into his own as a player. He embraced the idea that he was a defensive stopper. At 6'6" with length and lateral quickness, Liggins has the potential to guard all three perimeter positions. Throw in his ability to knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers, and I would be surprised if Liggins wasn't able to find a role on an NBA team somewhere.
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NBA Draft Profiles: Jimmy Butler, Marquette

Bjorn Zetterberg of SwishScout.com will be helping us out with all of our NBA Draft Profiles this year. You can follow him on twitter @swishscout.

To browse through the latest prospect profiles, click here. To see a complete list of the players we have profiled, click here.

Stats: 15.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.3 apg,

Age: 21, senior

Size:

• Listed: 6'8", 220 lb
• Official: 6'6.25" (no shoes), N/A (with shoes), 6'8" (wingspan), 8'5" (reach), 215 lb

Strengths: From a skills perspective, there isn't anything that Butler is great at. For some prospects, that is considered a weakness. Not so for Butler, especially considering the success his former teammate Wesley Matthews is having in the NBA. We'll get to his skill-set in a bit, but the most important part of what Butler brings to the table isn't necessarily going to show up on a stat-sheet. He does a lot of things well that help teams win games. He's a willing and capable defender on the perimeter, one of those guys that never lets his man get an easy look. He's a great teammate and should have no problem accepting the fact that he will be a role player in the NBA. He makes the extra pass, he rebounds the ball, he'll dive on the floor, and by all accounts he has a terrific attitude and work ethic. That is exactly what you look for in a guy that will be playing bench minutes.

Weaknesses: As we said, Butler is not great at any one skill. He's a solid three point shooter from college range, but he is going to have to spend some time in the gym to become a threat from deep in the NBA. He's a solid athlete, but he won't be making highlight reels with his above-the-rim antics. He can use his dribble to get to the rim, but he's not what you would consider a great ball-handler. Butler is well-rounded but far from awe-inspiring. Is that really a weakness?

Comparisons:

• Best Case Scenario: Maurice Evans. Very similar type build and supporting man type roles on the perimeter with their defensive play. Butler is a supporting cast player who could have Mo Evan’s type impact for a team that needs help defending the other guys 3 and making the occasional nice offensive play.


• Worst Case Scenario: Poor Man’s Wesley Matthews. Former Marquette star stunned the NBA with his defensive play and emerging offensive game that blossomed in Portland. Butler isn’t nearly the talent of Wes, but he has a similar pedigree after playing at Marquette under Buzz Williams to at remind a team of a lesser version of the breakout undrafted free agent.

Outlook: Butler is not going to be a star in the NBA. He'll be lucky if he ends up being a starter. If Butler does want to have an NBA career, its going to be as a bench player, someone that has a specifically defined role that he is expected to play when he is on the role. The good news is that Butler has the attitude to accept that kind of role. What's even better news is that Butler backed up some impressive late-season performances by winning the MVP at the Portsmouth Invitational, impressing just about everyone that saw him play. There are some things that Butler could stand to improve -- his perimeter shooting and ball handling to start -- but with the way that he plays defense and how well-regarded he is as a teammate, its not difficult to see Butler carving himself out a career.

Draft Range: Early to Mid 2nd Round

And the experts say...

• Chad Ford: "Virtually every NBA scout I spoke to had Marquette's Jimmy Butler as the clear player of the PIT. While Butler doesn't necessarily shine in any one area, he's one of those all-around players who scouts think could be in the mold of a Wes Matthews or Landry Fields. That should bode well for Butler's chances as a second-round pick."


• Draft Express: "Butler is a heady player who plays within a team concept. He defends, he makes the extra pass, he crashes the glass, he has a terrific basketball IQ, and his attitude is a coach's dream. A product of tireless reps in the gym and a detail oriented system, the senior has a very solid floor game, makes good decision with the ball, scraps on both ends, and maximizes the physical tools he does have."


• Swish Scout: "Solid defender who can make a difference in an NBA rotation with his team defense and understanding of his role. Butler is a blue-collar player who does a number of things well on offense too, but has limited upside and is just an average athlete. Had a great showing in the Big East Tournament guarding Providence star Marshon Brooks and holding him while putting up a near triple-double. Was MVP of the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in April 2011 amongst numerous invited NCAA seniors looking to be drafted, and he stood out. He’s nothing special at forward, but a very solid player on both ends of the floor."

Highlights:




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