NBA Mock Draft 2012: A Complete Prediction of the First Round
Pro hoop fanatics have to be excited about this June. It's not just because of the NBA Finals, but because of the NBA draft.
This year's class is expected to be the best since 2003, back when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and other big names entered the league
You'll likely see college stars like Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson and Jared Sullinger walk across the stage to shake commissioner David Stern's hand.
Like every class, there will be players who will turn out to have an impact in the pros, while some will become flat-out busts.
Here's a look at how the first round might play out on June 28 in Newark, New Jersey.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis
1 of 30School: Kentucky
Position: Power Forward
Class: Freshman
Saying Davis is a shot-blocking machine is an understatement. Only a freshman, the Chicago native is one of college basketball's greatest shot-swatters of all time.
Davis is obviously a beast when it come to defense, and his offensive game isn't weak either.
If he decides to declare, it's basically a guarantee that he'll go No. 1. He would give the Bobcats a franchise big man to build around for many years to come.
2. Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes
2 of 30School: North Carolina
Position: Small Forward
Class: Sophomore
Barnes could've been a top-three pick if he had chosen to come out last year. And there's no doubt that he'll be drafted high if he declares for the draft this year.
Barnes has the skills to become a top-notch scorer and could team with John Wall to give the Wizards a dangerous young duo.
3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson
3 of 30School: Kansas
Position: Small Forward/Power Forward
Class: Junior
The talented Robinson has carried the Jayhawks all the way to the Final Four this year.
And he can also help the post-Chris Paul Hornets become a respectable ball club.
Robinson is definitely NBA ready, although it's unclear whether he's better suited at the 3 or the 4.
4. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond
4 of 30School: Connecticut
Position: Power Forward/Center
Class: Freshman
As everybody knows, the Trail Blazers have had a little bit of bad luck when it comes to drafting big men. Bill Walton got hurt, Sam Bowie got hurt, and more recently, of course, Greg Oden.
Maybe Drummond, who has an enormous amount of potential, could come in and make Blazer fans forget about the past.
5. Toronto Raptors: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
5 of 30School: Kentucky
Position: Small Forward
Class: Freshman
You know the saying: Defense wins championships. With that said, no team should pass up a lockdown defender like Kidd-Gilchrist.
The star freshman possesses crazy athleticism as well.
6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger
6 of 30School: Ohio St.
Position: Power Forward
Class: Sophomore
Sullinger isn't exactly the quickest player in the world, but he can score down low and grab a lot of rebounds.
He and DeMarcus Cousins would make a nice frontcourt combo for the Kings.
7. Detroit Pistons: Jeremy Lamb
7 of 30School: Connecticut
Position: Shooting Guard
Class: Sophomore
This season, Lamb took over for Kemba Walker as Connecticut's main go-to scorer.
The Pistons need help up front, but they simply can't pass up a gifted scorer like Lamb.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal
8 of 30School: Florida
Position: Shooting Guard
Class: Freshman
Beal would give Cavs' alpha dog Kyrie Irving a sharp-shooting backcourt mate.
9. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers
9 of 30School: Duke
Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
Class: Freshman
Rivers isn't a true point guard and is considered too short to play 2-guard.
Isn't that what people were saying about Dwyane Wade when he came out of college?
Not saying that Rivers is the next D-Wade, but he could very well blossom into something special.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Arnett Moultrie
10 of 30School: Mississippi St.
Position: Power Forward/Center
Class: Junior
Moultrie is an extremely athletic big men, just what the Bucks need.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard
11 of 30School: Weber St.
Position: Point Guard
Class: Junior
Grabbing a franchise big man in Drummond early on, the Blazers get their point guard of the future with this pick.
12. New Orleans Hornets: Meyers Leonard
12 of 30School: Illinois
Position: Center
Class: Sophomore
With Chris Kaman most likely leaving as a free agent this summer, Leonard could step in and be a nice replacement for the Hornets.
13. Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall
13 of 30School: North Carolina
Position: Point Guard
Class: Sophomore
Second in the nation in assists this season (9.7 APG), Marshall is the ultimate pass-first point guard.
He's been compared to both Jason Kidd and Mark Jackson.
14. Phoenix Suns: Perry Jones III
14 of 30School: Baylor
Position: Small Forward/Power Forward
Class: Sophomore
At one point last year, Jones was projected to go No. 1. Obviously, things have changed.
Inconsistency is the reason for the slide. However, Jones has the potential to be a superstar and emerge as the Suns' top player once Steve Nash decides to retire.
15. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller
15 of 30School: North Carolina
Position: Center
Class: Senior
Zeller had a phenomenal game against Ohio in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 20 points and pulling down 22 rebounds.
He could blossom into a solid big man in Houston, especially with Kevin McHale getting the opportunity to work with him.
16. New Jersey Nets: Moe Harkless
16 of 30School: St. John's
Position: Small Forward
Class: Freshman
Harkless has a remarkable 7'2" wingspan and has the ability to run the floor.
17. Boston Celtics: John Henson
17 of 30School: North Carolina
Position: Power Forward
Class: Junior
Lacking a great deal of strength and a polished offensive game, Henson is a superb shot-blocker and rebounder.
18. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters
18 of 30School: Syracuse
Position: Shooting Guard
Class: Sophomore
Waiters can give any team instant offense off the bench.
19. Atlanta Hawks: Terrence Jones
19 of 30School: Kentucky
Position: Small Forward/Power Forward
Class: Sophomore
Jones doesn't have NBA scouts drooling like they do for his Kentucky teammates Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but don't be surprised to see him become a solid player at the next level.
20. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross
20 of 30School: Washington
Position: Shooting Guard
Class: Sophomore
Ross can shoot and has the ability to get to the rim with ease.
21. Houston Rockets: Tony Wroten
21 of 30School: Washington
Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
Class: Freshman
Wroten is blessed with outstanding ball-handling skills and knows how to pass the rock.
22. Indiana Pacers: Festus Ezeli
22 of 30School: Vanderbilt
Position: Center
Class: Senior
The 6'11", 255-pounder would be the perfect fit for the Pacers, giving All-Star Roy Hibbert an above-average backup.
23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Mitchell
23 of 30School: North Texas
Position: Small Forward
Class: Freshman
Mitchell is projected to go somewhere in the first round despite playing for an unknown school like North Texas.
That must mean that he's pretty good.
24. Boston Celtics: Royce White
24 of 30School: Iowa St.
Position: Small Forward/Power Forward
Class: Sophomore
The Celtics will likely rebuild soon, and Mr. White could be in the team's long-term plans.
25. Orlando Magic: John Jenkins
25 of 30School: Vanderbilt
Position: Shooting Guard
Class: Junior
Orlando loves great shooters, and that's just what Jenkins is.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeffery Taylor
26 of 30School: Vanderbilt
Position: Small Forward
Class: Junior
A terrific shooter who also possesses a quick first step, Taylor could be a reliable reserve for the Cavaliers.
27. Golden State Warriors: Andrew Nicholson
27 of 30School: St. Bonaventure
Position: Power Forward
Class: Senior
Nicholson is an the athletic forward who has been compared to Leon Powe. The Warriors get a solid player with this selection.
28. Miami Heat: Fab Melo
28 of 30School: Syracuse
Position: Center
Class: Sophomore
Melo could turn into a valuable role player for a dynasty down in South Beach.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Doron Lamb
29 of 30School: Kentucky
Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
Class: Sophomore
Lamb makes it four Wildcats in the first round.
Wow, no wonder Kentucky is considered the best team in college basketball right now.
30. Chicago Bulls: Draymond Green
30 of 30School: Michigan St.
Position: Small Forward/Power Forward
Class: Senior
Going to Chicago, Green would be staying in the Midwest and could provide the Bulls with depth at both forward spots.
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