Photos From The 2011 NBA Draft: Jan Vesley, Kemba Walker, And More

We’ll get back to real “analysis” soon enough, but the best part of the draft is always the other stuff. You know, the awkward interviews, the absurd fashion, the staged photoshoot that each draftee has to go through after he meets with the media. It’s quite the spectacle.

With that in mind, here are a few photos that made me smile. First, Kemba Walker’s shoes.

Who knows whether Kemba Walker will pan out as an NBA point guard, but damn. Whatever happens, he clearly had the most swagger of any prospect at the Draft. It takes a lot of self-confidence to rock those shoes anywhere outside of Nantucket, but Kemba did it with ease.

That photo comes courtesy of Sports Illustrated’s Luke Winn, who was at the draft in Newark, and also passed along this snapshot, which provides some “General Information” on the Utah Jazz that the team wanted Enes Kanter to know. The best one: “Team is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.”

Sorry, Enes. It’s true.

Then there was the photo series set up by the NBA, where each player was handed a whiteboard and asked to write what he’s feeling. Yes, it was every bit as awkward as it sounds. Most players took the easy way out and went with “Blessed”, so this one was my favorite:

JAZZY! He may not pan out in Utah, but Enes Kanter will make the Chris Kaman Awkward Photo Of The Day at least 25 times next season. Seriously, just look at all these amazing portraits.

Via @ESPNForsberg, here are some Knicks fans after their first round pick:

Really feel like Knicks fans have been stuck in that pose for a solid decade. And while we’re on the subject of malcontents, who could forget Brandon Knight’s “I’m moving to Detroit” face?

Finally, the photo of the night has to go to Jan Vesley, the newest Washington Wizard.

Outstanding. More on him and the Wizards in a few minutes.