2012 NBA Mock Draft: Big Men Ready to Dominate the Paint
Slashing, offensive-minded wing players come and go, and there are always shooters to be had.
But a quality big man, well, that's pretty hard to find.
So who are the players in this year's draft who have the potential to own the paint? Which players will bring well-rounded games that will soon enough dominate the lane?
There's only one way to find out. Let's mock and roll.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)
Yes, he needs to become a better, more consistent scorer. But man oh man, does he do everything else really well.
Davis will step in and be an immediate defensive spark with his ability to block shots and rebound. Plus, he's athletic enough to run the floor and finishes at the rim with power.
Davis has the potential to be the NBA's most dominant defensive force someday. I'm already looking forward to watching him develop into that player.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)
He'll need to improve his jump shot at the next level, but his athleticism, maturity, unselfishness and defensive ability will make him an amazing asset to any team.
3. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut)
Sorry, but I think Drummond will be a bust. He has the potential to be a dominant NBA big man, but I don't think he'll tap into it.
4. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)
He didn't have as unbelievable a freshman season as expected, but Beal's ability is off the charts. He'll be a good one.
5. Toronto Raptors: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)
Robinson's athleticism, coupled with his grit and never-quit spirit, will make him a very good player at the next level.
Robinson is the type of player who will post a double-double on will alone night in, night out. He may have a lower ceiling than a player like Anthony Davis, but he is an explosive athlete and will squeeze every last drop out of his ability.
6. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)
He'll always be too inconsistent to fully reach his potential. It's a shame—he has a ton of upside.
7. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)
Here's the Sullinger caveat: He won't dominate in the paint as a scorer. He simply has too limited an offensive repertoire and doesn't have enough lift to be dominant in that regard.
But he will rebound, play excellent defense and block shots. And he'll likely score enough to be a double-double guy at the next level.
But temper your expectations on how much he will score.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)
The Cavs have a big need on the wing. They get the best option in this year's draft.
9. Utah Jazz: Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)
He can flat-out score. He'll be a nice fit for a team in need of a dynamic point guard.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)
Zeller won't be a stud at the next level. But his fundamentally sound play and work ethic will make him a nice replacement for Andrew Bogut.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
Leonard will jump up in the draft because teams are willing to take chances on big men. But he's a project with a very raw offensive game, and I'm not sure he'll ever be a force on the block.
12. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)
The draft's best pure passer, Marshall will make his teammates better on the next level.
13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut)
Will Lamb be a bust in the NBA? Or is he ready to take his game to the next level?
14. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke)
A move away from the point in the NBA should put Rivers in the best position to succeed. And by best position to succeed, I mean score a whole lot of points, which he is capable of doing.
15. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)
He may end up being the best mid-round pick of the draft. He has the potential to be a double-double guy at the next level, and he hasn't reached his upside even after averaging 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds this season.
If he gets stronger and works on his low-post game rather than hanging out on the perimeter, he could end up being the second best big man out of this draft after Anthony Davis. He's an explosive athlete and more than holds his own down low—he could be a good one.
16. New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Tony Wroten, Jr., PG (Washington)
Wroten is a project, but he could become an excellent, well-rounded point guard in the NBA.
17. Boston Celtics: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)
He won't ever be dominant, but he'll rebound well and block shots.
18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Jones, PF (Kentucky)
Jones is versatile enough to be a slasher or force down on the block, whichever he is called upon to do. How consistently he does so at a high level remains the question, however.
19. Atlanta Hawks: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)
The Hawks need a young point guard, and I think they'll reach slightly to snag Teague (if he declares).
20. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)
The Elton Brand era is ending in Philadelphia. Time to draft his replacement.
21. Houston Rockets (via Dallas): Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)
Miller has a lot of potential, and if he declares, he'll be snagged in the first round. Another project, but one with a lot of upside.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
He's a project, and he'll never be a great scorer (sensing a theme with the big men in this draft?) But he's an elite shot-blocker, and he'll compete on the boards.
23. Indiana Pacers: Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)
Dude can flat-score when he is feeling it. The Pacers can throw him into an already deep roster.
24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): C.J. Leslie, PF (N.C. State)
Another player undecided, Leslie would bring a lot of versatility to Boston's front line with the ability to play both forward positions.
25. Orlando Magic: Jeffery Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)
He shoots, plays solid defense and gives them versatility on the wing. Good fit for the Magic.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)
Harkless could be the steal of the draft this late if he improves his jumper. Mark it down.
27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)
He may end up climbing up higher on boards than this. Here, he would be a great replacement for the departed Monta Ellis.
28. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF (Michigan State)
The versatile, play-making Green would do a little bit of everything for Miami.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: John Jenkins, SG (Vanderbilt)
Jenkins can stroke it. Like the Thunder need another guy who can do that.
30. Chicago Bulls: Royce White, SF (Iowa State)
White is a bit of a project, but he'll have plenty of time to develop in Chicago.
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