NBA Draft 2012: 2nd-Round Picks Guaranteed to Make Instant Impact

Second-round picks aren't supposed to have immediate—if any—success in the NBA. They aren't supposed out-perform 90 percent of the first-rounders. They aren't supposed to be relevant. 

Nobody told Isaiah Thomas.

The dynamic Thomas didn't let the disrespect of being 2011's Mr. Irrelevant (last pick in the draft) bring him down last season as he provided an instant spark for the Sacramento Kings.

The 5'9" guard—in elevator shoes—scored 11.5 points and dished out 4.1 assists per game as he established himself as Sacramento's clear point guard of the future.

Sorry, Jimmer. 

In addition to Thomas, second-round picks Chandler Parsons, Jeremy Tyler, Charles Jenkins, Josh Harrellson, Lavoy Allen and E-Twaun Moore all made solid impacts for their teams in 2011-12. 

And with an ever deeper 2012 class, it's going to happen again. Let's take a look at likely second-round picks who will look like a steal by this time next year.

Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico

How would you describe Kenneth Faried's role with the Denver Nuggets?

I would call him an athletic, hard-working big man who makes up for lack of ideal size with his energy, basketball IQ and willingness to crash the glass.

In short, he's a blue-collar player and he's proving that type of player has a spot in the NBA.

Drew Gordon is going to fill a similar role.

The former UCLA and New Mexico star is only 6'9", but he's incredibly athletic and, similarly to Faried, he will out-work his opponent and put himself in the right spot to grab the rebound. 

Not only did he average double-digit rebounds during his junior and senior seasons, Gordon ranked third in the country in pace-adjusted rebounds per 40 minutes, just a fraction behind Thomas Robinson.

Gordon doesn't possess elite post moves, but he'll score by beating his (likely bigger, but slower) man down the court, getting put-backs off the offensive glass, and finding himself open for easy dunks.

If a team wants a role player who will produce like Faried in his rookie year, they'll take Gordon.

Kevin Murphy, SG, Tennessee Tech

Wait, Tennessee Tech has a basketball team?

Actually, yeah, and they were a solid force in the Ohio Valley in 2011 mostly because of Kevin Murphy, who can absolutely light up the scoreboard.

Murphy has elite size for an NBA shooting guard (6'6" barefoot and 185 pounds) and he has shown the ability to score from all over the court.

In 2011-12, Murphy shot 42 percent from long-range, he got to the line 5.2 times per game and showcased an array of moves to get himself open on the inside. He averaged 20.6 points per game.

Additionally, Murphy put together one of the best performances at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, and his stock is rising. 

People may not know much about Murphy, but they sure will by the time Christmas rolls around and he's scoring in bunches in the NBA. 

Scott Machado, PG, Iona

If people are willing to ignore Kendall Marshall's deficiencies because he is so ridiculously good at running an offense and finding the open man then they might as well do it for Machado, too.

Like Marshall, Machado isn't extremely athletic and will struggle at times on defense, but he's just as much of a playmaker.

During his senior season with Iona, Machado averaged 9.9 assists and just 3.3 turnovers. In terms of assists per 40 minutes, he was second only to Marshall.

Additionally, Machado proved to be a better shooter (40.4 percent from long range), better rebounder (4.9 per game) and more of a scorer (13.6 points per game). 

Machado isn't better than Marshall, but at 40 or more picks later, he can put up similar production and thus provides better value.

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