2012 NBA Mock Draft: Targeting Every Single Bust in the 1st Round
Even though the 2012 NBA Draft class has a ton of depth and talent, there will be a number of busts throughout the first round.
Teams that don't do enough research on certain players will get burned when they realize the player they chose isn't going to live up to their expectations.
Let's look at every first-round bust (in Italics) in this fresh, first-round NBA mock draft.
*Order Based on Projected Finish
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
Davis' offensive game is not where it should be right now, but his ability to dominate games defensively by blocking shots and rebounding cannot be overlooked.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
Arguably the best player in this class, Kidd-Gilchrist is the complete package and will star in the NBA from Day 1 with his ability to play in any style of basketball.
3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
Robinson is a strong player who will not find it hard to dominate on the boards as a pro. His offensive game is also improving nicely.
4. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Andre Drummond, Connecticut
Drummond has too much potential to pass on and is a perfect replacement for draft bust Greg Oden in Portland.
Potential is a scary word, though, especially with big men. Drummond was thought by many to be the nation's best NBA prospect at the start of the season, but he didn't develop as well offensively as many imagined he would.
If he doesn't increase his level of effort in the NBA, Drummond will be a disaster. He has the talent, but he might not be willing to work hard enough to become a great player.
5. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
Harrison Barnes struggled in the NCAA tournament, but the North Carolina forward's ability to score is quite impressive.
However, Barnes isn't an elite defensive talent and can also be shut down offensively by a lock-down perimeter defender. His outside shooting is also inconsistent, and he cannot be relied on to score 17-20 points every night.
Barnes will be a good NBA player, but it's unlikely he ever becomes a star.
6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Sullinger's NBA-ready game at both ends of the floor makes this an easy pick for the Sacramento Kings.
7. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina
Henson's defense and shot-blocking would be a nice addition to the Detroit Pistons, who are in the midst of a rebuild.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
Jeremy Lamb and Kyrie Irving would be a quality guard combo with their scoring punch and athleticism.
9. Utah Jazz (via Golden State): Brad Beal, Florida
Beal is a talented shooter whose strong NCAA tournament performances prove he's ready to excel at the next level.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: James McAdoo, North Carolina
McAdoo is still developing his game at both ends of the floor, but he has more potential than most of the big men in this draft class.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Weber State
Lillard could be a future replacement for Portland's Raymond Felton or Jamal Crawford with his ability to score the basketball from anywhere on the floor.
12. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
Zeller would be the perfect replacement for free-agent-to-be Chris Kaman at center with his solid fundamentals and strong rebounding skills.
13. Utah Jazz: Quincy Miller, Baylor
The Baylor forward would add some nice scoring depth off the bench for the Jazz, who need to get more scoring out of their frontcourt players.
14. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
If Marshall is here at No. 14, the Suns will certainly grab him. He could be a star point guard in the NBA with his awesome playmaking skills and high basketball intelligence.
15. Houston Rockets (via New York): Meyers Leonard, Illinois
The Rockets cannot afford to allow a big center like Meyers Leonard to slip from their grasp when they have a huge need in the middle of the paint.
16. New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Perry Jones, Baylor
Perry Jones' inconsistency is so frustrating, but his talent cannot be questioned. The Nets will have no choice but to gamble on his talent at pick No. 16.
Jones, however, takes a lot of games off and fails to make a significant impact against superior teams. This is something NBA teams will certainly be aware of.
He also needs to work at building some more strength, because as a power forward in the NBA, he will get tossed around if he doesn't bulk up.
Jones is probably the riskiest player in the Top 20, but his upside is also tremendous.
17. Boston Celtics: Austin Rivers, Duke
It will be hard for Doc Rivers to not take his son even if the Celtics' real need is finding more quality big men in the draft.
18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, Washington
Terrence Ross' defense is something that the Denver Nuggets will certainly look at when thinking of how to use their first-round pick. Ross' offensive game is also improving at a nice rate.
19. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, St. John's
Harkless' ability to score right away in the NBA is valuable for a team like the Hawks, who need to win now and cannot afford to wait for their first-rounder to develop.
20. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky
Terrence Jones' game is still raw, but his ability to affect both ends of the floor with his athleticism is something that would fit perfectly in the young and energetic 76ers lineup.
21. Houston Rockets (via Dallas): Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt
Taylor's ability to defend elite offensive players and still be effective at the offensive end would greatly improve talent in the Rockets' frontcourt.
22. Indiana Pacers: Dion Waiters, Syracuse
Waiters' versatility and outside shooting ability would be a perfect fit on a Pacers team that needs a reliable shooter at guard.
23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington
Tony Wroten would be a solid backup point guard for the Grizzlies, and he can also play at shooting guard if O.J. Mayo is traded this summer.
24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
The Celtics have no choice but to take Arnett Moultrie with their second first-round pick since they have almost no depth at center. Moultrie is strong defensively, which will help him earn playing time on a Celtics team that puts defense above all else.
25. Orlando Magic: C.J. Leslie, N.C. State
The Magic need more scoring off the bench, and Leslie will give them that with his ability to shoot from the outside and drive to the paint with authority. Dwight Howard needs more scorers around him.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Mitchell, North Texas
Tony Mitchell's defensive abilities would make him a strong addition to a Cavaliers team that has no intimidating defenders at any position.
27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Draymond Green, Michigan State
Draymond Green is a very smart player who does everything pretty well. He's a bit undersized, but Green makes up for it with his tremendous effort and work rate.
28. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
The Heat don't have much talent at the power forward or center spots, which makes Nicholson a perfect fit with his rebounding talent.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt
It never hurts to add more athleticism to your frontcourt, especially if you're adding a player like Festus Ezeli who can also score well and block shots.
30. Chicago Bulls: Kris Joseph, Syracuse
Joseph's ability to lock down defensively and his high basketball intelligence make him a great fit on the defense-first Chicago Bulls.
