Opera Guy forewarns Joe Dumars, and I give you my mock draft.

Just go with me on this one. Erase all of your predispositions and opinions from your mind on this draft class and let me give you a scenario:

You're an NBA General Manager. Your team has a mid-lottery pick in this year's upcoming draft. You've conceded the fact that this draft class is relatively weak and that you will not draft a superstar with your pick. Through experience, you know that to build a championship contending team, you must first accumulate pieces, pieces that not only are competent talent-wise on an NBA level, but are conscientious enough to know their roles as players if they want their team to succeed. They must compliment the rest of your roster. One of the ways to attain these pieces is through the draft (the others through free agency and trades). Also, your team is coming off the heels of two dismal seasons, where statistically, they've finished fifth-worst and second-worst in the league in Team Defensive Rating (points per 100 possessions) respectively, for a franchise that has prided itself on tough, hard-nosed defense.

Now here's this: An athletic freak of nature, whose wingspan is about 9 inches longer than his height; has the hands of Bird that are basketball-seeking machines to pester ball-handlers and deflect passes; has the low-post defensive presence of Mutombo, swatting feeble lay-in attempts when guarding off the ball (and on the ball) with ease; and has a naturally high basketball IQ, even though he's only played basketball for a few years.
He says things like this:

"I want to (play) defense as a team. I want to help everybody on my team and I want to win the game ... That's what I heard from my first coach, that the good offense is defense. If I block a lot of shots then it's good offense. If I get a lot of rebounds, then it's good offense."

This:

 "...I play with a lot of smart guys, I play with a lot of strong guys, and when I step on the court I just want to kill them.'' 

And engages in conversations like this:

So, do you believe you will lead the NBA in blocks?
"I do."
Will you lead the NBA in blocks?
"Yes."
Can you lead the NBA in rebounding?
"Yes, I will."
You will lead the NBA in rebounding?
"Yes. Of course. Hundred percent.

Now tell me this. Does this player know his role? Does he know his strengths? His weaknesses? Does he seem smart enough to know that he should exploit opponents using his strengths and smart enough still to hide his flaws? Is he unselfish? Will he bring intangibles?
And what if I told you he recorded the only triple-double ever at the Nike Hoop Summit (points/rebounds/blocks), an annual event showcasing the world's best non-collegiate/non-NBA basketball players?

You already have a quality big man who brings energy, cleans up errant shots with put-back layups, runs the floor well, and can also defend the opponent's best big. But he lacks enough athleticism to block shots consistently and isn't quick enough to defend the pick and roll effectively.
This player seemingly fills some of those gaps in your front-court. He's quick enough to stay with low-post attackers and guard the pick and roll, agile enough to block shots that don't have any business being blocked, and brings the energy and toughness that NBA front offices (and their fans) crave. Yes, the other big man brings hustle and energy already, but hey, why not have two guys who dive for loose balls?

Now answer this question: Do you take him if he's still on the board?

This is the scenario that Joe Dumars will likely find himself in come Thursday night with Bismack Biyombo. And the answer to that final question should be an overwhelming yes.

Here's Jonathan Givony from Draft Express on Biyombo:

What makes Biyombo unique to talent evaluators is his outstanding combination of physical attributes, toughness and intangibles.

He has the size, length and mobility to guard both power forwards and centers in today's NBA, particularly as he adds weight. He can step out and hedge screens effectively on the pick-and-roll and is tough and aggressive enough to hold his own in the paint against most back-to-the-basket players.

What makes Biyombo so interesting, though, is his willingness to utilize his physical tools. He plays the game with incredible emotion (think Joakim Noah or Kevin Garnett), often putting opposing players and teammates in harm's way with his desire to make his presence felt. He competes on every possession, often to the point of physical exhaustion, something that will need to be honed. Still, it's an extremely desirable trait in a prospect.

Biyombo brings a specific talent to this league: rebounding (he's referenced Kevin Love as the guy who we watches in the league), defense, blocking, and intangibles. And while witnessing a Pistons team that has lacked three of those four assets, it would be a mistake to pass on this one-of-a-kind talent.
Dubrako Zemljic, Jermaine O'Neal, Dirk Nowitzki, Casey Jacobsen, Zach Randolph, Josh Smith, Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, O.J. Mayo, DeMar Derozan, Xavier Henry, John Wall, Enes Kanter, Bismack Biyombo. These are the names that have highlighted the Nike Hoop Summit. With the exception of Zemljic, Jacobsen, Ellington, and Henry (Kanter is yet to be seen), all of these guys are household names in the NBA. Just think about that.

So without further ado, here's my 2011 NBA Mock Draft, Lottery Edition:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers--Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
This seems like a know-brainer, and the Cavs are reportedly going to take him. I like Irving's intelligence and leadership skills even more than his talent.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves--Derrick Williams, SF/PF, Arizona
Minny's been trying to trade this pick, but if they don't, they'll go with Williams despite him being a bit of a tweener.

3. Utah Jazz--Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
Considered as the second-best point guard in this draft, the Jazz aren't certain that Devin Harris will be their PG of the future.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers--Jonas Valanciunas, PF/C, Lithuania
Cleveland's looking for a young big to run the pick and roll with Irving. They've been high on Valanciunas.

5. Toronto Raptors--Kemba Walker, PG, Connecticut
Toronto is looking for a point guard, and Kemba fits the bill.

6. Washington Wizards--Enes Kanter, C, Turkey
They already have Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee, but Washington can't pass on Kanter.

7. Sacramento Kings--Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego St.
Sacramento needs to revitalize their franchise, amidst relocation talks, and it seems to me that Jan Vesely just isn't going to cut it. They need to go with a forward here.

8. Detroit Pistons--Bismack Biyombo, PF/C, Congo
See above. Joe D. will have his pick of Biyombo, Vesely, Tristan Thompson, and Marcus Morris. Hopefully, he'll wise up. If not, imagine Dumars as J.D. and the chick as...uh...not Bismack Biyombo. Also, I've been dreaming about Marv Albert screaming out Biyombo's name after a monster block ever since March. (Sidenote: I admittedly have one of the worst Marv Albert impressions ever, but my friend Skyler says I make up for it with my Swedish Chef impression.)

9. Charlotte Bobcats--Jimmer Fredette, PG/SG, Brigham Young
Charlotte, like Sacramento, also needs to bring a little energy to their team. However, they're not going to get much defense from Fredette. I think Jimmer will be a lot like J.J. Redick, a shooting specialist. Everyone in Salt Lake City will be shaking their heads.

10. Milwaukee Bucks--Jan Vesely, SF/PF, Czech Republic
Talented young player, who is 6-11(!). The Bucks need some help at the small forward position, so Vesely seems like a nice fit.

11. Golden State Warriors--Klay Thompson, SG, Washington St.
There's been talks of trading Monta Ellis, and if that happens, Thompson, who has wowed teams in his workouts, can fill that void in Oakland.

12. Utah Jazz--Marcus Morris, SF/PF, Kansas
Without Jimmer on the board, the Jazz will go with Morris, who is a physical presence down low.

13. Phoenix Suns--Chris Singleton, SF, Florida St.
The Suns will go with the defensive-minded Singleton to help out their team's defensive woes.

14. Houston Rockets--Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead St.
Houston was hoping Biyombo would drop this far, but will settle with Faried, who leads the NCAA in all-time rebounding.

Edit:
Here's my wish list for the two second rounders that Detroit has:

33rd pick--Darius Morris, PG, Michigan
The latest mock from Draft Express has Morris going two spots after 33. Before that, however, he's been slated to go mid to late first round. So I'm a bit dubious about him dropping that far. If he's available at 33, there's no way I wouldn't take him, but that's probably cuz I saw him up close several times this year at Crisler where he did this. (Check out the three ridiculous passes after the 2:20 mark). He lead the BigTen in assists with 6.7 per game in his sophomore season, so that'd help a Detroit team that was below the league average in assists in 2011.
If the Pistons were to have D-Mo (or the Butterfly, as dubbed by Big Ten Network, but that's kinda stupid) fall in their laps, then *future-head-coach should have a pecking order of Bynum, Morris at the point. (Stuckey moved to 2). I'm not saying he's an all-star type talent, but he's a smart, sizeable PG, who still has a lot to develop (i.e. shooting percentage, on the ball defense). I would love this pick.

Other, more realistic choice: Jeremy Tyler, C, USA/Japan League
Tyler impressed me at the NBA Draft Combine with his athleticism and maturity in the interviews. Even though he made a questionable decision foregoing his senior season in high school to play in Israel and apparently made poor decisions (see 4:00 mark of the Chicago workout), he's an underrated talent and I'd take the risk.

52nd pick--Andrew Goudelock, PG/SG, College of Charleston
Goudelock is said to be one of the best shooters in the draft, and although we got a lot of those, it wouldn't hurt to take a flyer at him, especially with Ben Gordon not being Ben Gordon the last 2 seasons.

Other, more realistic choice: Isaiah Thomas, PG, Washington
It's risky to bring in a kid who has the same name as your most famous player; living up to the namesake is a bit overwhelming. He's short, he's explosive, he's raw, but he brings a lot of energy. Wait, don't we already have him? Now I'm second-guessing myself. I actually don't like this pick. Then why did I write this last paragraph? Oh wait...because the universe would implode if there was a guy named Isaiah Thomas playing for the Memphis Grizzlies.