NBA Mock Draft 2012

We finally almost know the order of the 2012 NBA Draft. With the completion of the lottery last night, we know how the top of the draft will shake down before trades. In this mock draft, I will depend on my own thoughts and opinions, as well as expertise from the experts at @DraftExpress and @ESPN.  Yikes, 2400 words is a lot, but I love the NBA Draft!

ROUND ONE

1.     New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, Forward, UK

It doesn’t get any more obvious than this pick. No matter how much you may think the NBA Draft Lottery was rigged, that David Stern gave Tom Benson the #1 pick as a thank you for buying the Hornets, this is still a huge blessing for the Hornets. They played really hard for Monty Williams last year, and Anthony Davis will be an immediate starter and contributor to this team. He can block shots, rebound the basketball, and will blossom under the constant tutelage of an NBA coaching staff.

2.     Charlotte Bobcats: Bradley Beal, Shooting Guard, UF

The Bobcats needed the #1 pick more than anyone, but they will have to settle for second best on this draft. Some pundits are calling for Thomas Robinson in this spot, but I don’t think the Bobcats need another undersized player on their front line. Beal will bring an excellent outside shooting stroke and an improving attacking mentality to the court. He should immediately start beside Kemba Walker and make up the Charlotte backcourt for years to come.

3.     Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Small Forward, UK

Gilchrist will help John Wall play at the fastest pace possible…constantly. ThisUK grad is an extremely hard worker, runs the floor like a demon, and defends with a passion. He will bring an excellent mindset to the Wizards, and should help this franchise get on an upward path. The largest questions with him is his lack of a jumpshot. He will definitely need to improve in that area.

4.     Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, Small Forward, UNC

The Cavaliers would probably have drafted Barnes last year at the 4 spot if he were available. He has some limitations in his driving game, but his stroke is smooth and Kyrie Irving will get him the ball in places to score. He will need to improve his explosiveness, but will help the Cavs continue to grow into one of the most exciting young teams in the league.

5.     Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, Power Forward, KU

The Sacramento King’s have a toughness problem. Thomas Robinson solves it. The Sacramento Kings have a problem with hard work. Thomas Robinson solves it. The Sacramento Kings have a lack of leadership. Thomas Robinson provides it. This is a great pick for a team that needs intangibles more than anything else.

6.     Portland Trailblazers: Andre Drummond, Center, UCONN

Riskiest pick of the draft so far. The Blazers already struck out with one big man this decade, but they will give Drummond a shot to develop into a quality center. He has explosion, skill, and size, but he needs to develop a work ethic and visible passion to blossom into the player he could be. I think Lamarcus Aldridge could be a key leader in his development.

7.     Golden State Warriors: Jeremy Lamb, Shooting Guard, UCONN

I though about Sullinger here, but adding Sullinger to David Lee is reasonably repetitive in my opinion, so the Warriors will add the shooting guard with the highest ceiling in the draft. Jeremy Lamb has a smooth jumpshot from midrange and really showed that he could put the ball in the basket in his sophomore season at UCONN. He needs to prove that he is a leader and can be aggressive all the time, but he has a chance to be a really solid shooting guard in the NBA.

8.     Toronto Raptors: Jared Sullinger, Power Forward, OSU

The Raptors would have loved for a slashing shooting guard to fall to them here, but they will make do with a long term fix at the power forward spot. Amir Johnson simply isn’t going to cut it for very long, and Sullinger complements Andrea Bargnani and future center Valanciunis nicely.

9.     Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Power Forward, MISS ST.

Super bouncy, good jumpshot, solid shotblocker. This pick makes a lot of sense for the Pistons. Pairing Moultrie with Greg Monroe gives them a very solid frontcourt for the next decade. Moultrie really showed himself to be a good low block option, and he can also stretch the floor to give Monroe room under the basket.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Damian Lillard, Point Guard, Weber St.

The draft junkies on the internet got this one right. Jarret Jack is not the best long term answer at the point guard for the Hornets. Lillard is the best scoring point guard in this draft. He has great quickness, a really solid shot, and his decision making and passing are underrated. He really fits the new NBA mold of a scoring point guard, and he makes this a fantastic draft for the New Orleans Hornets.

11. Portland Trailblazers: Dion Waiters, Guard, Syracuse

Some very optimistic bloggers are comparing Waiters to Dwayne Wade. I think a better possible career comp could be Brandon Roy. What’s that? The Blazers just lost Brandon Roy forever because of knee issues? Well, that makes this a nice fit. Waiters can play the 2 or the 1, can get to the basket at will, and would really excel at the 6^th man role that he had in college. Good pick.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones, Forward, Baylor

The Bucks have some pretty solid pieces in place. They have a tiny, explosive back court, some proven veterans in the forward slots, but one thing they need is a small forward who can contribute. This, after the Andre Drummond pick, is one of the bick chances in this draft. Perry Jones has enormous skill and fantastic potential. However, his less than fiery demeanor is well documented, and GM’s are unsure if he will be able to give consistent effort and production in the NBA. Here’s hoping he can.

13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Ross, Shooting Guard, Washington

As much as we all love him, Michael Redd is probably not the shooting guard of the future for Phoenix. Terrence Ross could be. He is athletic, a great shooter, he can get to the rim, an he runs hard. He could end up moving up the board some during workouts, but for now we slot him at 13.

14. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, Center, UNC

The Rockets are always short on big bodies, and Zeller possesses one of those. He runs the floor well, can finish over either shoulder, and has proven himself to be a very hard worker. He isn’t a franchise changing player, but if his jumper stays solid and he develops a counter post move or two, he will be a league average starting center.

15. Philadelphia 76’ers: Meyers Leonard, Center, Illinois

Lavoy Allen and Spencer Hawes battled valiantly against the Celtics this year, but one big problem for the Sixers is that they can’t protect the rim. Leonard is a custom built center for this team. He can run the floor, his frame is perfect for adding muscle, and he is really althetic for a tall, white kid. He should complement Elton Brand nicely, and could be a starter for years if he develops well.

16. Houston Rockets (via Knicks): Austin Rivers, Shooting Guard, Duke

The Rockets will need a scorer off the bench if they lose Courntey Lee in free agency. Rivers does nothing but score. It is encoded in his DNA, and he will do it well for whatever team drafts him. He will need to develop his passing and mature a bit, but he has sixth man of the year written all over him for 2015.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Kendall Marshall, Point Guard, UNC

How do you replace one of the best passing point guards of all time? Draft one of the best passing college point guards in the last 25 years. Marshall’s old man game fits in perfectly with the old men that are currently on the Mavericks. He is a decent consolation if Deron Williams doesn’t sign, and a great backup if he does. Once his 3 point shot comes along, Marshall’s shiftiness will be plenty to get him into the lane in the NBA.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Jazz): John Henson, Forward, UNC

Quick, name one high flying shot blocker on the Timberwolves…you can’t. Nicola Pekovic and Kevin Love are fantastic rebounders and bruisers, but sometimes you need to block someone. Henson weighs roughly 73 pounds, but he is a great shot blocker and rebounder, and he could even hit a jumpshot or two. He fits in nicely with a rising young Timberwolves team.

19. Orlando Magic: Terrence Jones, Forward, UK

Eventually, talent will get snatched up. It will be a miracle of Jones drops this far, but if he does the Magic should pick up this multi-talented forward. I actually think he fits on this roster rather well. He is way more explosive than Hedo Turkoglu, and could fill in at the power forward slot without a problem. The only knock on Jones is inconsistency, but the NBA beats that out of a lot of players. I say he does well.

20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, Small Forward, St. Johns

This young man has flown under the radar at St. Johns for most of the year, but offseason workouts will reveal the talent he really is. The Nuggets are two deep at most positions, so they will take the best talent available. Harkless has a chance to be a really dynamic 3 in the NBA. He has great motor and athleticism, and a really solid jumpshot with improving range.

21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, Center, Syracuse

Kevin Garnett isn’t a center. Brandon Bass isn’t a center. However, those two gentlemen currently make up the starting frontcourt of the Boston Celtics. Melo was a fantastic shot blocker and rebounder in college, and his offensive game is growing by leaps and bounds. He hasn’t been playing basketball for that long, so his improvement is impressive and encouraging.

22. Boston Celtics (via Clippers): Evan Fournier, Shooting Guard, France

The Celtics have never been a team to grab overseas prospects, but their current off-guards are both in the twilight of their careers. Fournier is the best player in a week international crop this year, and he reminds a lot of people of a more athletic Gallinari. He could be a really good investment in a year or two.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeffery Taylor, Small Forward, Vandy

Taylor is a junior who has steadily improved each year in college. NBA people love to see that. Add that work ethic to very nice athleticism and a developing 3 point shot, and you can see a really good replacement for Marvin Williams in a year or three when he is gone. Good, safe pick here.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Lakers): Festus Ezeli, Center, Vandy

The Cavs already got the player they really wanted in this draft, so adding some size to the frontcourt is a great way for them to end the round. Ezeli has some health problems this last year, but he is a legitimate center who knows how to use his size effectively. At the very least, he provides someone who can defend the 5, which this team lacks outside of Varejao.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, Shooting Guard, Vandy

I didn’t mean to have three Vanderbilt players in a row, but they are filling needs. Jenkins was the best 3 point shooter in college basketball last year, and the Grizzlies desperately need someone to stretch the floor. He has looked really good in workouts so far this spring, and he could move up a bit.

26. Indiana Pacers: Royce White, Forward, Iowa St.

White is a top 10 talent in this draft, but his documented anxiety problems could drive some teams away. White is a ball handling, passing, rebounding, inside scoring, 6’9” point guard type of player. He has a very unique skill set, and I think the young and improving Indiana Pacers is a great place for him to find himself as a player.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, Forward, MSU

We could all see this coming. Green is one of the most mature players in the college game, and he makes the people around him better. He could fill a facilitating role off the bench for the Heat, and can even take on some offensive responsibilities, which is really important for this team.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Quincy Miller, Small Forward, Baylor

The Thunder are right on the cusp of greatness, maybe they have already reached it. They have some needs, but they will take a reacher on a really talented player in Quincy Miller. He showed that he could be really versatile at Baylor last year, and he should be ready to dominate after finally reaching 100% comfort level with his healing ACL injury.

29. Chicago Bulls: William Buford, Shooting Guard, Memphis

I have the Bulls reaching a little bit here, as Buford may not quite be a first round talent. However, he really fills the wing scoring role that the Bulls have had empty for several years. He can create his own shot, hit those shots, and finish at the rim. He needs to get stronger, but he could be a very important player in a championship push.

30. Golden State Warriors: Tony Wroten, Point Guard, Washington

Tony Wroten is widely regarded as a top 10 talent in this draft. However, he has big problems that make him a really risky pick. His jumper is broken, and he sometimes seems to be uninterested in getting his teammates involved in the offense. If this young man can be challenged by a coaching staff, then the Warriors could have made the steal of the draft.

ROUND TWO

Are you serious? How about I just list a couple of good players…Thanks

Andrew Nicholson, Marquis Teague, Kevin Jones, Doron Lamb, Scott Machado.

Well, there is the 1^st round Mock for the 2012 NBA Draft. I am reasonably sure that 75% of my picks are wrong, but they make sense to me, so I am cool with it. Let me know how I screwed your team over, and who makes more sense. Thanks!