2012 NBA Mock Draft: First-Round Studs Your Team Must Take

When Derrick Rose came out of Memphis in 2008, the Bulls lucked out and won the NBA Draft lottery. There was some discussion about taking Michael Beasley, but in the end, a lead guard, with elite athleticism from the very city drafting was destined to play in Chicago.

The intangibles just turned out to be icing on the cake.

It was supposed to happen, and it did.

The stars might not be aligned so perfectly this season for one team, but there are still a few guys that teams must select given the chance.

Here are those player and team situations within a full first-round mock draft.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

Thomas Robinson and Anthony Davis have had better years than Drummond, but none of them have the potential the UConn big man has.

Does he need another year to mature? Ideally yes, but if he's coming out now, and you are position to draft him, you have to do it.

At 6'10", 270 pounds with athleticism that is in the same category as a pre-injury Amar'e Stoudemire and Shawn Kemp, the ceiling is very high.

He averaged 10 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game as a freshman.

Look at how dominant Drummond can be:

This is one of those picks that a GM has to say to himself, "if I'm wrong, who could blame me?"

The old adage is you always take size. When the size has sick athleticism, it takes it to another level.

2. Washington Wizards: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Whoever doesn't take Drummond, has to take Davis. In most any other year, Davis would be my top dog. He has a gift for shot-blocking, and it goes beyond his length. The truly great shot-blockers also have great timing, and Davis has that. He lead the nation in blocked shots with almost five per game.

He leads the Wildcats in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards per game.

I give Drummond the edge because he already has the NBA-body, plus some, while Davis is quite thin.

Were he more perimeter oriented, it would be less of a factor, but he'll need bulk to be effective in the NBA.

That said, he will be a player, and you can bet on that. He reminds me so much of Marcus Camby, and placing a player like that with a speedy PG like John Wall is a great combination.

If this draft order holds true, Davis would do just fine next to Nene and Wall.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Nice productive and safe pick for the Hornets. But I don't see Barnes as a potential superstar.

4. Toronto Raptors: Austin Rivers, PG/SG, Duke

This will be a bit of a gamble, but if Rivers declares, his stock will rise once he works out for teams.

5. New Jersey Nets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb is a nice wing player, who seems like he'll be an eventual stat-sheet stuffer. This is a good fit for the Nets.

6. Sacramento Kings: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State  

Moultrie reminds me of Taj Gibson, which is a nice fit next to DeMarcus Cousins.

7. Detroit Pistons: Thomas Robinson, SF/PF, Kansas

Robinson is a beast of a player, and beyond the tight end-like build and athleticism, his competitiveness is his best trait. He'll need it as he is a bit of a tweener.

Robinson is about 6'8", but he's athletic and strong as an ox. Teams will face the conundrum with him.

Is he a 3 or a 4?

Whatever he is, he's a player, and my choice for National Player of the Year in college basketball.

He averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds and a steal per game. As a four with Detroit, he would be nice fit next to Greg Monroe, who is a skilled passer. The two could be deadly in a high-low offensive set.

Robinson brings a winner's mentality and a edge that the Pistons' franchise needs.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

I love MKG's game and he's a great fit for the up and coming Cavs.

9. New Jersey Nets: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State 

If the Nets come out of the 2012 draft with Jeremy Lamb and Jared Sullinger, it'll be a successful day.

10. Utah Jazz: Brad Beal, SG, Florida

Beal is a solid scorer that would allow the Jazz to move Gordon Hayward to the small forward spot.

11. Phoenix Suns: Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor

PJ3 has as much talent as anyone, but he has questionable desire. It is still a great pick at this stage of the first round.

12. Portland Trailblazers: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Leonard is another big that needs another year, but size matters and he's a legit seven foot.

13. Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

I love Kendall Marshall's game. He's like a better shooting Mark Jackson, with some Chauncey Billups' floor general qualities. He isn't terribly athletic, but he is a great, passer and he's tough. He did fracture his right wrist in the round of 32 game against Creighton, but it shouldn't be a injury that hurts his draft status.

While commandeering the Tar Heels' offense he lead the nation in assists with 9.2 per game. He has a high basketball IQ, and he's a perfect fit for what the Jazz do on offense.

He needs to improve his sub-70 percent free-throw shooting, but he is clutch and he makes big shots.

Marshall would be a great get for the Jazz.

14. New Orleans Hornets: John Henson, PF/C, North Carolina

Henson is playing so well right now, I'm considering vaulting him up this draft board.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson fits in with Milwaukee and Scott Skiles well. He is a hardworking, low post scorer that is very underrated..

16. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Houston needs size and Zeller is a legit seven footer with good athleticism.

17. Los Angeles Lakers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Lillard is a pure scorer with awesome athleticism. He projects perfect as a sixth man for instant offense.

18. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, PF, St, John's

Harkless could play either forward spot, but I think he has the most potential at SF.

19. Denver Nuggets: Doron Lamb, PG/SG, Kentucky

Lamb is a scorer and a great pure shooter. He is another player that offers nice scoring for a team off the bench.

20. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Ross could be Ray Allen's successor.

21. Atlanta Hawks: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Jones' versatility will be an asset, he reminds me of Al Harrington.

22. Indiana Pacers: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

I'd like to see Waiters return to Syracuse, but if he doesn't, his athleticism will get him selected here or later.

23. Philadelphia 76ers: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

The Sixers need depth in the middle. When Spencer Hawes is out, they struggle at the five spot.

24. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Jenkins can flat out shoot it. If the Grizzlies lose O.J. Mayo as expected, he would be a nice sixth man.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke

This is Josh McRoberts part two, but that isn't a bad thing.

26. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Dwight Howard's backup, and possible successor, if he bolts after next season.

27. San Antonio Spurs: Draymond Green, SF/PF, Michigan State

Green is a Spurs' type of player. He's gritty, a little undersized, but smart.

28. Miami Heat: Furkan Aldemir, C, Turkey 

Aldemir has drawn some comparisons to his countryman, Omer Asik. That is the exact type of presence the Heat need on the inside.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kris Joseph, Syracuse

A solid backup option for Kevin Durant, and a smart player.

30. Chicago Bulls: William Buford, Ohio State

Chicago still hasn't found their two-guard. Richard Hamiltion has been hurt all year, and they've built a log jam at the spot trying to find the right guy. If they are smart, only one of the Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, Rip Hamilton trio will return.

The Bulls should go hard after Eric Gordon or OJ Mayo, both are restricted free agents.

Whether they are successful in their pursuit of those free agents or not, Buford should be the pick in the first round.

Buford is a Tom Thibodeau type of player. He's a hard nosed defender and a solid three point shooter. I see him as a happy medium between Brewer and Korver. Worse case scenario, Rip is hurt again, and Buford eliminates the need for the offensive/defensive substitutions at the end of games.

Buford isn't a defensive liability, but he also has the shooting ability to stretch the floor for Derrick Rose.

If he's there, the Bulls must take him.