2012 NBA Mock Draft: Overhyped Big Men Who Are Sure to Bust

The All-Star break is closing in, and that means the NBA season is nearly halfway over.

If you are a fan of the Bobcats, Pistons, Wizards, Hornets or any of the other teams that have little to no chance of making the postseason, it’s never too early to start thinking about the 2012 Draft in June.

However, teams need to be wary if they are thinking about drafting big men this year, as there are a bunch of high-risk prospects on the board.

Let’s take a look at some bigs almost sure to bust in this latest mock. 

No. 1 – Charlotte Bobcats – Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis has too much skill on both sides of the ball right now to be seen as an NBA disappointment. He’s dominating the college basketball landscape as a freshman and seems to be a lock to go No. 1. 

No. 2 – Detroit Pistons – Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Barnes is a 6’8”, 215-pound scorer that any team would love to have, especially the struggling Pistons. 

No. 3 – Washington Wizards – Andre Drummond, C, UConn

Here’s the first risky big man to watch out for.

Drummond, without a doubt, has the physical tools for the NBA. He’s a 6’11”, 275-pound, 18-year-old freshman with a 7’5” wingspan and ridiculous athleticism.

Sounds exactly like someone you would want to draft No. 3 overall.

But his inconsistency in college is mind-boggling. If he can get his mind right and play this game with his head and his body, he’d be a lock as an NBA star. Right now teams are just gambling that will happen. 

No. 4 – New Orleans Hornets – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

This defensive stopper can do it all and will greatly help a struggling New Orleans team. 

No. 5 – Sacramento Kings – Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson’s stunning junior season is going to propel him to the top of the draft, and he should have a solid career ahead of him. 

No. 6 – Toronto Raptors – Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

Jones was one of the highest-rated prospects coming out of high school, but he’s done little to improve on that hype since joining Baylor.

He’s got tremendous upside, but has to show he can consistently play at the high level he should be.

Against Kansas on February 8, Perry was only able to score five points in an extremely important game.

If he continues to put up duds like that, his stock is going to drop and he may be best served spending another year in college.

No. 7 – New Jersey Nets – Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger is the most NBA-ready of any prospect in this draft class.

He might not have the brightest future, but he’s going to contribute right away and definitely be at least a role-player in the league for a long time. 

No. 8 – Utah Jazz – Brad Beal, SG, Florida

The Florida marksman will help out Utah’s shooting and compliment Alec Burks at the two, the slasher they drafted in last year’s lottery. 

No. 9 – Phoenix Suns – Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Phoenix is going to need a point guard unless Steve Nash sticks around for some insane reason.

Teague is the best available, although he may be a bit of a reach here and the Suns could explore trading down. 

No. 10 – Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

This is a huge value pick for Houston, who will take talent over need when they see it. 

No. 11 – Cleveland Cavaliers – Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Cleveland desperately needs to add a two-guard to their backcourt to help out Kyrie Irving and Ross is the best available here. 

No. 12 – New Orleans Hornets – Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

There isn’t a huge body of work from this guy, and most scouts like him because he is 7’1”, 245 pounds.

However, he isn’t dominating games and there have been numerous instances where he has simply been dunked on or caught woefully out of position defensively. He also should be scoring more points with that size against undersized collegiate competition.

Teams interested in Meyers should certainly be wary. 

No. 13 – Memphis Grizzlies – Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

He is the perfect replacement for O.J. Mayo if the Grizzlies decide to move on without him. 

No. 14 – Houston Rockets – Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Jones is a natural scorer and could blossom into the superstar that Houston has been lacking since Yao Ming retired and Tracy McGrady left town.

No. 15 – Milwaukee Bucks – Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse

Stephen Jackson is falling out of favor in Milwaukee and could be on his way out of town. Waiters could start at the two or back up either guard position. 

No. 16 – Boston Celtics – Austin Rivers, G, Duke

His incredible, game-winning three-point dagger against North Carolina, along with his 29-point performance, propels Rivers back into the discussion this season as a top pick. 

No. 17 – Orlando Magic – Tyler Zeller, PF/C, North Carolina

Zeller is 22 years old and has an extremely limited upside.

What you see at UNC is most likely what you will get in the NBA and possibly much less, as his size isn’t a huge advantage in the pros.

The Magic are going to need a big man, assuming Dwight Howard moves on, but Zeller will be hard-pressed to replace him. 

No. 18 – Portland Trail Blazers – Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant, albeit not nearly as polished offensively. 

No. 19 – Los Angeles Lakers – Tony Wroten, G, Washington

LA needs a point guard to replace Derek Fisher, and Wroten could be their guy. 

No. 20 – Minnesota Timberwolves – Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse

Minnesota desperately needs more skillful swingmen, since they already have their PG and PF positions locked up for years to come. 

No. 21 – San Antonio Spurs – Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi St

This is a steal for San Antonio here, and Moultrie could help replace the impending loss of Tim Duncan. He’s a top rebounder in the SEC and has a motor that won’t quit. 

No. 22 – Los Angeles Lakers – Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Again, the Lakers need a point guard and Marshall is worth a gamble here. 

No. 23 – Denver Nuggets – Patric Young, PF, Florida

More size never hurt a burgeoning, young team and that’s exactly what Young would provide. 

No. 24 – Boston Celtics – James McAdoo, PF, North Carolina

McAdoo will most likely opt to stay in college, but his potential is solid and the C’s could take a chance on him if they are looking to find a star late in the first round. 

No. 25 – Indiana Pacers – Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke

This is nothing more than a pick to add a big body, hopefully.

If the Pacers or another team are looking for an actual skilled big man with potential to be a starter in the NBA, they should avoid Plumlee.

He’s a decent college player and nothing more. 

No. 26 – Atlanta Hawks – Myck Kabongo, PG, Texas

Kabongo should opt to stay another year, but should he come out, he would be a solid point prospect that lands in the first round.

No. 27 – Philadelphia 76ers – Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas

Mitchell has been absolutely killing it for the Mean Green. Expect him to rocket up the big board if he continues his dominance of the Sun Belt conference. 

No. 28 – Miami Heat – Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St

Miami needs a point guard or center, so look for them to take a stab at one here. 

No. 29 – Chicago Bulls – Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is a solid depth option for an already deep Chicago squad. 

No. 30 – Oklahoma City Thunder – Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

Green is immediately ready to come in and log minutes behind Durant, Harden or Ibaka.