2012 NBA Mock Draft: Where Austin Rivers and Top Guards Will Land

Basketball is a big man's game, but reigning MVP Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul are all proof that excellent guards are important pieces as well.

Though big men will likely rule the top of the draft, there are a handful of guards that will be major gets for the team that calls their name on draft night.

Here is a spotlight on the best backcourt players available within a first-round mock draft. 

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

Anthony Davis deserved the Wooden Award, but it doesn't mean he's the best pro prospect. A 6'10" 270 pound, explosive athlete will almost always win out. The draft is about potential, and no one has more than Drummond. 

2. Washington Wizards: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis will be a solid pro in my opinion and a good fit in Washington with John Wall.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Austin Rivers, PG/SG, Duke

The Hornets need a star, an identity and a quality player. Rivers has the ability to be all of those things. Critics may look at his numbers at Duke and feel underwhelmed.

The 15.5 points and two assists per game may not wow you, but the way his isolation and dribble-drive based game translates to the NBA is for real.

At Duke, Rivers rarely got the opportunity to do what he does best, which is to control the ball and create shots for himself. Towards the end of the season, you saw this a little more, thus the big performances in February and March.

Rivers isn't the finished product, but he is a great one-on-one scorer, and that is a valued skill in the NBA.

Also, his star power can't be discounted. The Hornets need someone to put butts in seats and Rivers has the most commercial appeal of any player in the draft.

4. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Barnes is a solid player, but he isn't and never will be a star. If he's never placed in that position, he'll be a nice second or third fiddle on an NBA team.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

I am not the biggest Bradley Beal fan. He is a bit undersized at 6'3", but he is physically strong, and he plays a bit bigger than he is. He led Florida in rebounding with 6.7 boards per game.

But that was in college, and if and when a team takes Beal in the lottery, he'll be looked at to score.

He averaged 14.8 points per game in 2011, but I wonder how well he'll be able to get his shot in the NBA. He doesn't possess the same one-on-one skills or athleticism as Rivers.

That is what separates the two, yet many are high on him. Because of that, he won't slip out of the top 10.

6. Sacramento Kings: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky  

MKG is a great fit for a team that needs a hard-working, blue collar style player. The Kings will welcome his effort and intangibles with open arms.

7. Portland Trailblazers (from New Jersey): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb has stat-sheet stuffer written all over him. He is a nice piece for a young Blazers squad that needs a SG. 

Lamb offers a bigger, more athletic and defensive minded option at the 2-guard. He can shoot the three, evidenced by his 71 three-pointers made in 2011.

He fell in love with the shot a bit too much, and his percentage dipped to just under 34 percent. He is a far more complete player than that.

He reminds me a lot of Eddie Jones.

8. Detroit Pistons: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

If Robinson measures out to 6'10" with shoes, he could go as high as second or third. I suspect he may be an inch or two shorter. Still—he is a beast of a specimen and a hard worker.

9. Utah Jazz (from Golden State): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

You may not have heard of him yet, but if not, it's coming. This kid is a superb athlete and scorer.

He is 6'3" 195 pounds and he averaged 24 points, five assists and four rebounds in 2011. He has All-Star weekend hops and blazing speed.

The Jazz aren't settled with Devin Harris at the point, and unless Lillard jumps up the board, which is possible, Utah would love to grab him.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, C, North Carolina

This hard working but lean, defensive big man is a great fit for a Scott Skiles team.

11. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor

The Hornets have a chance to turn things around nicely. Rivers and PJ3 would make draft night a successful one.

12. Portland Trailblazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Can Portland finally find the center that can stay healthy next to LaMarcus Aldridge?

13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Many realized how much Carolina needed Kendall Marshall when they couldn't execute in the second half against Kansas in their semi-final game. The Heels struggled to run their offense without the injured Marshall.

He is a pure point guard, the best example of that rarity in this draft. Steve Nash is almost certainly out after this season, and the Suns need a new floor general.

Marshall led the nation in assists with 9.8 per game. He has solid size at 6'4" and he's a decent three-point shooter at 35 percent. This is a great late lottery pick for the Suns.

14. Utah Jazz: Terrance Ross, SF, Washington

Utah continues to get fat on draft night. If they take Lillard and then Ross, they have significantly upgraded their perimeter attack and overall athleticism.

15. Houston Rockets (from New York): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Rockets have been chasing a big man for two seasons now. Leonard is a project, but he's an athletic seven-footer.

16. New Jersey Nets (from Houston): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Something tells me Sullinger's official measurements will hurt his draft stock. Then in subsequent years, a few teams will be sorry they passed on him. He looks a lot like Carlos Boozer to me.

17. Denver Nuggets: Terrance Jones, SF/PF, Kentucky

Jones looks like a younger version of Al Harrington. He could be a nice contributor off the bench for Denver.

18. Philadelphia 76ers: Moe Harkless, PF, St, John's

Harkless could play either forward spot, but I think he has the most potential at SF. Could he finally make Andre Iguodala expendable?

19. Memphis Grizzlies: 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. Dallas Mavericks: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The Mavs need some youth and athleticism at point guard. Teague is a blur, but must still work on his playmaking.

21. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor can flat our score. He shoots 42 percent from three and has good size for the SF spot at 6'7".

22. Boston Celtics: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Dwyane Wade-comparisons are a little ridiculous, but he does have a similar body type. Calling Waiters the poor man's Wade is more accurate. At least they have the same initials.

23. Boston Celtics (from LA Clippers): Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

The C's will be looking to add size and defense to their front line. Ezeli is a nice, legitimate seven-footer to add to what will be a youthful Celtics team in 2012-2013.

24. Indiana Pacers: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

Moultrie is a hard-working, athletic big man. He reminds me of Taj Gibson, and he'd be a nice fit next to Roy Hibbert.

25. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

A solid backup for Dwight Howard, and he could possibly be his successor. In either scenario, it's a good selection.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

The Cavs could add a nice shooter to play off Kyrie Irving and back up Bradley Beal, if they take him with their lottery pick. Jenkins is a dead-eye three-point shooter at 44 percent in 2011-2012.

27. Golden State Warriors (from San Antonio): Evan Fournier, SG/SF, France

He's 19, but he could shoot up the boards after workouts. He is a pure scorer with great length and great dribble-drive moves. There will be more to come on him.

I have a feeling he could become a hot name in June, if he doesn't have a problematic buy-out situation.

28. Miami Heat: Furkan Aldemir, C, Turkey 

Aldemir has been compared to the Bulls' Omer Asik. That is precisely the type of player the Heat needs.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, PF/SF, Michigan State

Green would be an excellent add for the Thunder. He could spell Kevin Durant or Serge Ibaka, and he's a great locker room guy.

30. Chicago Bulls: Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

Wroten has a ton of upside. He is 6'5" with superb athleticism. He can handle and pass well enough to play either guard spot.

He doesn't shoot it well, and it makes him limited on the offensive end. In 2011, he shot 16 percent from three-point range. He reminds me of an under-developed Tyreke Evans, but he has potential to be a star.

Placing him in the backcourt with Derrick Rose could be explosive, plus it would give the Bulls another threat off the bounce.