2012 NBA Mock Draft: Post Players Sure to Be First-Round Stars

Big men will always be premium in the NBA, that is why true seven footers in the NBA Draft usually get long looks from NBA scouts. You can't teach size, and if the kid has any above average athleticism, he is a likely lottery pick.

The 2012 NBA Draft is potentially very deep, if all expected players declare. It is pretty top heavy with quality big men, which is rare. Here is an early mock draft, with highlights on the best post prospects:

1. Washington Wizards - Andre Drummond PF/C UConn - Sophomore

Drummond Stands Alone

The best post prospect is UConn's Andre Drummond. With every passing game, it becomes more and more apparent that Drummond is a special talent. In my eyes, he is like a mixture of Derrick Coleman and Amare Stoudemire. He has a higher basketball IQ than Stoudemire, yet he's as physically mature and gifted.

Drummond is just a freshman, he hasn't announced he will leave school early, but it is hard to imagine him falling out of the top two or three picks. That type of status makes it difficult to return to school. He would instantly make Washington better, and JaVale McGee tradable.

2. Charlotte Bobcats - Anthony Davis PF/C Kentucky - Freshman

The other elite big man is Anthony Davis of Kentucky. Davis is an elite shot blocker and a good athlete, but he isn't nearly as physically impressive as Drummond.

One scout said this of the two:

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"I see guys like (Anthony) Davis all the time, guys like Drummond are rare. It's been five years since the last one (physically dominant, elite level big man) which was Oden." He is in the same category athletically with Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard and while he's still raw offensively, he shows excellent finishing touch around the basket."

"

He'd look great next to Byron Mullens on the Bobcats front line. Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson, Corey Maggette, Davis and Mullens is a promising young starting five.

Comparing Drummond to the Other Elite Big Man Available

I agree with that assessment in principle, though I still believe Davis is a great talent that hasn't shown the total scope of his game. Being from Chicago, I've seen Davis play in person. He handles the ball well for a big, and he also has decent form on his jump shot that would imply he can easily add a faceup 15 footer, as well as a turn around jump shot.

Those two weapons would turn him from a Marcus Camby clone, to somewhere between Camby and Rasheed Wallace. That is a special player, an unlike anybody I'd say we say all the time.

3. Detroit Pistons - Harrison Barnes SF North Carolins - Sophomore 

The most NBA ready of all the prospects expected to be in the draft. He could be bring a much needed winning attitude to a down and out Pistons' squad.

4. New Jersey Nets - Jared Sulinger PF Ohio State - Sophomore

Is Sully More Carlos Boozer than Karl Malone?

Another intriguing low post prospect is Jared Sullinger. He is by far the most skilled offensive post presence in the country. He is not an elite athlete which scares people. NBA front lines are full of long athletic players, it takes a special player to score consistently against those players without explosiveness.

Sullinger will get the Carlos Boozer comparisons, as it also seems he may measure out shorter at pre-draft camps than the 6'10" by which he's listed. If he's 6'9" in shoes, that shouldn't be of a major hindrance, as he is a bull on the block, with a soft touch and great foot work. His foot speed will be an issue on defense against players that can face up and drive.

Sullinger would be a favorite in Brooklyn.

5. New Orleans Hornets - Jeremy Lamb SG UConn - Sophomore

Lamb is the best shooting guard prospect in the draft. He has amazing athleticism and great range on the jump shot. He has long arms and he plays the passing lanes extremely well. The Hornets may very well lose Eric Gordon to free agency, even if they don't Lamb gives them great depth and versatility.

6. Toronto Raptors - Perry Jones III SF/PF - Baylor

Is Perry Jones a Boom or Bust Waiting to Happen?

Perry Jones III has as much talent as any player in the draft and he may not be selected until the seventh or eighth pick. He is 6'11" with very good handle and good athleticism. He could play the small forward position in the NBA and has drawn some comparisons to Tracy McGrady.

He is the best player for a Baylor squad that started the season 17-0, before dropping their first game to Kansas this week.

Jones is shooting 35 percent from three point range and his upside is tremendous, but there are questions about his drive and work ethic. If it were all about talent, he'd be a top five pick for sure, and by June, he still may be.

The Raptors are building a nice fleet of young big men. Jones ability to play the SF would make the Raptors incredibly long and athletic across the board.

7. Sacramento Kings - Thomas Robinson SF/PF - Kansas

Robinson is among the most physically impressive of all the prospects. He is built like a tank with good athleticism. He may be a bit of a tweener, but the Kings could use an upgrade at both forward spots.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - John Henson PF/C - North Carolina

Whether he plays along side Andrew Bogut at the PF or behind him at C, Henson helps the Bucks get better defensively. As long as Scott Skiles is the head coach, that will be a primary focus.

9. Phoenix Suns - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist SF - Kentucky

MKG reminds me of Shawn Marion, without the fluky jump shot form. He is a stat sheet stuffer that would be a nice piece for the Suns' inevitable rebuilding process.

10. Boston Celtics - Austin Rivers SG - Duke

Austin Rivers is a pure scorer, whose game is being held back a bit by Duke's structure. He could very well end up as one of the steals of the draft if he falls this far. If he's here and the Celtics are still as bad as they have been, can Doc pass on coaching his son?

11. Golden State Warriors - Arnett Moultrie PF - Texas A&M

Moultrie has been a solid rebounder and shot blocker for Texas A&M all season and he has shot up most draft boards. He is long and has nose and desire for the ball off the boards. The Warriors desperately need a presence in the middle.

12. Minnesota Timberwolves - Meyers Leonard C - Illinois

Only One True Seven Footer Available

This year's NBA Draft should potentially have only one true seven footer, and that is Meyers Leonard of Illinois. Leonard is very athletic and fundamentally sound, but his lower base is a bit weak.

He has the tendency to play off balance, and he doesn't always demand the ball on the block. He has vastly improved from his freshman to sophomore year. Though he could use another year in Champaign, understandably, he will likely bolt as he currently seems to be a lock for the lottery, on what he's shown NBA scouts already.

Leonard is far from the top post presence available. There are four others that project as potential NBA stars.

13. Cleveland Cavaliers Terrance Jones SF/PF - Kentucky

Jones is erratic and has stock has fallen with some less than stellar performances this year. He has versatility, but he must show consistency to rise back near the top 10. The Cavs are still building, Jones would be a nice selection for them to install at SF.

14. New York Knicks PG - Myck Kabongo - Texas

Kabongo is the best pure point guard prospect in the country. He is lightning quick, but his shooting needs improvement. Iman Shumpert is a great prospect, but he's best suited at the two-guard. Kabongo is a true young floor general.

15. Memphis Grizzlies - Kris Joseph PF - Syracuse

The Grizzlies need more help up front as Zach Randolph has to recover from a fairly serious knee injury. Joseph has great versatility and size. He can guard both forward spots in the NBA.

16. Houston Rockets - Kendall Marshall PG - North Carolina

Kyle Lowry has played well this year, but Marshall is a good point guard prospect in the Mark Jackson mold. He could start for the Rockets or offer depth behind Lowry, if he returns next year.

17. Dallas Mavericks - Terrance Ross SG - Washington

Ross has very good athleticism and good range on the jump shot. the Mavericks could go big here, but they should elect for the best player available, and Ross would be the guy here.

18. Portland Trailblazers - Doron Lamb SG - Kentucky

The Blazers signed Jamal Crawford to a short term deal. Lamb could be a similar style reserve guard for the Blazers as well as spell Raymond Felton. Lamb is a very good shooter from distance but a little undersized for the two-guard spot.

19. Los Angeles Clippers - Tyler Zeller PF/C - North Carolina

Zeller is a solid big man, he won't wow you with athleticism, but he's fundamentally sound and he plays hard. The Clippers need depth in the middle as DeAndre Jordan is the only true center on the roster

20. San Antonio Spurs - Marquis Teague PG - Kentucky

The Spurs need an injection youth and athleticism. Teague fits the bill here, he is ultra quick off the dribble, but he lacks elite playmaking skills. If the Spurs allow him to come off the bench as a scorer, he could be a part of what could a very different looking Spurs' team next year.

21. Denver Nuggets - William Buford SG - Ohio State

George Karl will love a player like William Buford. In some ways, he's similar to Arron Afflalo, he is a very good shooter from distance, plays with a high basketball IQ and he defends well. Late in the first round, teams are mostly adding depth.

22. LA Lakers - Tony Wroten SG/PG - Washington

Wroten is a very versatile guard who can play either backcourt position. He has to work on his shooting, but he is adept at getting to the rim and creating for teammates. He should appeal to the Lakers as a big backcourt mate for Kobe Bryant and possible successor.

23. Utah Jazz - John Jenkins SG - Vanderbilt

Jenkins is a pur shooter. He has in the gym range and he isn't gun-shy at all. He is a good match for the front court heavy team Utah is building, as he could be great for floor spacing.

24. Miami Heat - Mason Plumlee PF - Duke

Plumlee is a very underrated big man. He has very good run and jump ability, with developing post moves. He would be a much needed injection of youth into an old Heat front court.

25. Atlanta Hawks - Patric Young PF - Florida

The Hawks need toughness and muscle. There may not be a stronger player in the draft. Were he 6'10, he'd probably be a lottery pick. At 6'8, he's an undersized PF, but still an effective rebounder.

26. Indiana Pacers - Tomas Satoransky SG/PG Czech Republic

One of the few International prospects in the first round. He is a big point guard prospect that would fit in as a backup to Darren Collison, or Paul George at the two-guard. Not a great shooter, but he handles well and can get to the line.

27. Orlando Magic - Alex Young SG/SF IUPUI

Young is versatile, high energy player from the IUPUI program that produced George Hill. Young runs the floor well, but he hangs his hat on his defensive ability. The Magic would just be grabbing the best player available.

28. Philadelphia 76ers - Alex Oriakhi PF UConn

Oriakhi is solid, but not spectacular big man. Oriakhi is a wide body with tremendously long arms. He rebounds well and offers more toughness to a Sixers squad building their reputation as a solid defensive club.

29. Chicago Bulls - Quincy Acy PF Baylor

Acy is so underrated. He is often overshadowed by Quinchy Miller and Jones on his own team, but Acy is a great defender, who is smart and plays his role. Adding Acy could allow the Bulls to ultimately move one of their bigs to add depth at SG or SF.

30. Oklahoma City Thunder - Draymond Green SF/PF Michigan State

Draymond Green is a hard working, undersized PF, but he's also a bit thick for the SF spot. Green is a classic tweener. He'll find a spot because he has worked to develop a solid outside shot and he is very mature with a team-first attitude.

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