NBA Draft 2012: Power Ranking Top Guards on the Big Board

The 2012 NBA Draft will feature quite a few potentially dominant big men, led by the top man on the big board in Kentucky’s Anthony Davis.

While guys like Davis, Kansas’ Thomas Robinson and Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are locks to be selected high in the lottery, this draft class also features more than its share of talented backcourt players as well.

But how do these guards stack up against each other?

Let’s take a look as I count down the top 10 guards in this year’s draft class in my latest power rankings.

Let’s get right into it.

Next 5 on the Board, But Didn’t Make the Cut

Marquis Teague, Tyshawn Taylor, William Buford, Evan Fournier and Alex Young.

10. John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is the best pure shooter in the draft, hitting on 44 percent of his attempts from behind the arc and could be a late first-round or early second-round selection.

He’s not truly great at any other aspect of the game, but he can surely help a team that needs perimeter shooting.

9. Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten has the size and the talent to become the best point guard in this class, but will need some time to develop at the NBA level.

He’s averaged 16.0 PPG as a freshman, but also brings quality rebounding (5.0 RPG), defensive (1.9 SPG) and playmaking skills to the table; however, he really needs to improve as a perimeter shooter, connecting only 16 percent of the time from behind the arc.

8. Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Before the draft comes around, I expect Waiters’ stock to soar. He’s a combo-guard with the ability to become an elite scorer. Waiters only averaged 12.1 PPG, but he did that in only 24 minutes of action per night.

He can penetrate effectively and brings a ton of energy.

7. Terrence Ross, Washington

Ross has size and range on his jumper, hitting on 37 percent of his three-point attempts. He’s not just a shooter though as he has the ability to get to the rim and is also a very good rebounding guard, pulling down 6.5 boards per game.

6. Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb hasn’t yet declared for the draft, but if he does, he can become a lethal NBA scorer. He’s a bit undersized at 6”4”, but has the length to make up for that.

He shot an incredible 47 percent from downtown and averaged 13.1 PPG. He may have been the least talked about Kentucky player, but he could become the best of the group.

5.  Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Marshall’s athletic ability, scoring and defense come into question, but there is no better pure point guard in the draft class.

He makes passing look effortless and makes his teammates better just by being on the floor.

His court vision and basketball IQ are his biggest strength, averaging 9.8 APG and a very impressive 3.48 assist-to-turnover ratio during his junior season at North Carolina.

4. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb has the ability to become a No. 1 scoring option in the NBA, after leading U Conn in scoring as a sophomore with 17.7 PPG.

He’s very long with a quick first step and his mid-range game could turn into a big weapon.

3. Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers is a natural scorer with a streaky jumper and the ability to get to and finish around the rim.

He needs to learn to play without the ball better, but there’s no knocking his talent as he could become a big time NBA scoring threat.

2. Damian Lillard, Weber State

Lillard’s the top point guard on most boards and with good reason.

He’s an explosive scorer, averaging 24.5 PPG and also has the ability to distribute and run an offense. The impressive part about Lillard’s game is that he doesn’t force anything and gets his shots within the natural flow of the offense.

Lillard has the ability to play either guard spot, but looks to be a point guard at least initially in the NBA.

1. Bradley Beal, Florida

Beal might be the most natural scorer in the draft after an impressive freshman season at Florida where he averaged 14.8 PPG.

He’s a good shooter who can shoot it effectively off the dribble, off screens or spotting up. Beal can score at all three levels, shooting 45 percent from the floor, as well as 34 percent from behind the arc.

The Florida product is without a doubt a high lottery pick when June rolls around.