2012 NBA Mock Draft: Most Physically Talented Prospects in First Round
There's no question that it takes a lot more than athletic ability to succeed in the NBA. If anything, physical upside can be a false promise of a career that never quite materializes.
But while there is no substitute for understanding the fundamentals of the game, there's also no substitute for the physical attributes that allow the most elite players to do what they do. This summer's draft will have more than a few first-rate athletic specimens.
Here's a look at how the 2012 draft might shape up with an eye to each player's physical tools.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis (Kentucky)
Davis has the length, quickness and explosive ability to put most big men to shame. Davis stands at 6'10'' and has an even larger wingspan, but he also has the hops to make a serious impact in the paint. Davis' only physical drawback at the moment is a frame in need of some strength, but that's typical of young prospects and shouldn't remain a concern after a year or two of strength training at the pro level.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky)
Without a consistent perimeter game it's still too soon to know just how good Kidd-Gilchrist can be, but this much is certain: He has the athletic makeup to become an All-Star in relatively short order. At 6'7'' and 210 lbs, he has the ideal size to play on the wing as either a small forward or shooting guard, and he also has the tools to become a real difference-maker. Kidd-Gilchrist is strong, agile and has a first step that's difficult to contain. More importantly, he has the mental toughness to take advantage of those tools and play hard every night.
3. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond (UConn)
Drummond's physical gifts are the best things he has going for him at the moment. He has a pro body that just about anyone not named Dwight Howard would envy, and yet he's still a well-rounded athlete with the ability to run the floor and jump. Of course, Drummond has some nice skills too—he's more than just another lifeless giant patrolling the paint. Until he demonstrates proven consistency, however, his biggest asset remains his physical upside.
4. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson (Kansas)
With DeMarcus Cousins anchoring the center position and a young backcourt comprised of Tyreke Evans, Marcus Thornton and Isaiah Thomas, a team like the Sacramento Kings could sure use a quality power forward to complete the picture. Thomas Robinson may be that guy. He could be slightly undersized at 6'9'' but should be able to make up for it in a number of ways. He's already strong beyond his years, has impressive leaping ability and is more than willing to play the physical brand of basketball that NBA success requires.
5. Toronto Raptors: Bradley Beal (Florida)
We all know that Bradley Beal can shoot, but he also has the strength to take the beatings prolific scorers so often must take. He doesn't have the size some would prefer from a shooting guard, but he should be able to duplicate Eric Gordon's ability to quiet any doubters.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes (North Carolina)
Barnes certainly isn't a bad athlete—he has the length and size to hold up well against just about any small forward in the big leagues. Still, he's closer to following in the footsteps of Stephen Jackson or fellow UNC alum Marvin Williams than he is to becoming the next LeBron James. Barnes just doesn't have the elite first step or jaw-dropping hops that highlight enthusiasts might hope for. That shouldn't hurt his draft stock too much, though.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall (North Carolina)
Portland is in dire need of point guard help, and Kendall Marshall may be the best bet unless the Trail Blazers prefer Damian Lillard's overall game. Marshall is a phenomenal passer and may be the best available floor general this year, but aside from his decent size at 6'4'', he's not really a standout athlete. His lack of defensive quickness could hurt him early on, and his ability explode to the hoop remains in question for now.
8. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger (Ohio State)
What Sullinger lacks in height, he makes up for in strength. Like his potential counterpart Greg Monroe, Sullinger doesn't really play above the rim, but he's strong enough to create space on both ends of the floor. That makes him a natural rebounder, and it could enable him to develop a solid post-up game with a couple more years of polish at the pro level.
9. Utah Jazz: Damian Lillard (Weber State)
With the draft short on elite point guard talent, the Jazz are likely to select whichever point guard Portland opts to pass on. If Portland winds up taking Lillard, Marshall could go here, and vice versa. Lillard has the quickness and end-to-end speed that Marshall lacks, but at the moment he doesn't have the same ability to distribute the ball as effectively. As a result, Lillard could have a rough start in the NBA (a la Johnny Flynn), but teams won't want to pass up such a promising athlete who can score.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Terrence Jones (Kentucky)
Assuming the Hornets take a big with their first selection, they might have some interest in grooming Terrence Jones to become Trevor Ariza's eventual replacement. Thanks to his quickness and agility, Jones can guard multiple positions and remain a versatile option on offense. The 6'8'' forward boasts a wingspan of over 7'2'' along with the strength needed to put that body to use. Jones is talented, to be sure, but the real attraction here is a physical makeup that could develop more skills in time.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller (North Carolina)
With the Greg Oden era coming to a close and with Marcus Camby shipped out to Houston, Portland should be in the market for a young center to take over duties in the paint. If Andre Drummond somehow falls to Portland's first selection, the second pick is likely to be spent on a point guard. Otherwise, though, Zeller could be a good fit at center. While the seven-footer moves well in the paint and can run well for a big, he's not especially explosive. He's talented to be sure, but not a phenomenal athlete.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones III (Baylor)
There remains a good chance that some impressive workouts could propel Jones to a higher draft position, but his uneven performances in his second year at Baylor could cause him to slip. If that ends up being the case, count whichever team that gets a hold of him a lucky bargain shopper. Jones is just about as complete an athlete as you'll find at 6'11''. He's long, fast and can jump with the best of them. If Jones can get his head in the game and improve his fundamentals, he could very well become a legitimate star in this league.
13. Utah Jazz: Jeremy Lamb (UConn)
Like Jones, Lamb could very well end up higher in this draft—especially if teams prioritize pure talent and upside over the chance to draft a highly touted big man. While Lamb can score inside and out, his athleticism is equally impressive. Despite standing at only 6'5'', Lamb features an unbelievable 7' wingspan. He's also a first-rate athlete in just about every other dimension. His only physical shortcoming for the time being is the need to add some muscle to his Jamal Crawford-like frame. Then again, the slender Crawford has managed to get by just fine in his time in the league.
14. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Ross (Washington)
The Suns could use just about anything, and Terrence Ross might have as much upside as anyone not selected with the first 10 picks. He has an excellent first step and the ability to finish once he gets in the paint thanks to some impressive hops. Fortunately, he also has the shooting ability to make those driving skills an even more deadly weapon.
15. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers (Duke)
It's hard to imagine the Houston Rockets holding on to both Kyle Lowry and upcoming free-agent Goran Dragic. While Rivers has yet to demonstrate well-rounded point guard skills, he's just the kind of combo-guard who could give the Rockets some backcourt depth should Dragic find himself a lucrative contract on the open market. Rivers doesn't feature standout athleticism, but he knows how to use his quickness to his advantage and has the hoops IQ to compensate.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson (North Carolina)
The 76ers are already a deep team, but they need to start looking for a long-term solution at power forward with Elton Brand slowly nearing the end of a painfully inflated contract. Henson may not yet have the strength to make an immediate impact at the NBA level, but he's an otherwise outstanding athlete with the length to rebound and alter shots.
17. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr. (Washington)
With Andre Miller an unrestricted free agent and potentially on his way out of town, Wroten could be an attractive option to back up Ty Lawson at the point. His 6'5'' size would provide the Nuggets a different look when compared to the pint-sized Lawson, and his versatility makes him an ideal fit for an eventual sixth man role.
18. Dallas Mavericks: Fab Melo (Syracuse)
There's a good chance the Mavericks will use their amnesty clause on Brandon Haywood's lengthy contract, and Melo would be an instant addition to the depth to Dallas' front line. The seven-footer may be a ways away from making significant contributions, but he has the size and mobility to succeed in the NBA. If he continues to put those tools to good defensive use, a team like the Mavericks might be able to use him sooner rather than later.
19. New Jersey Nets: Meyers Leonard (Illinois)
Whether or not the Nets are ultimately successful in their pursuit of Dwight Howard, some depth in the middle can't hurt. Leonard isn't the strongest prospect, but he's moves incredibly well for a seven-footer and is well-adept at using his length to his advantage defensively and on the glass. That athletic ability alone could very well convince a team to take a chance on Leonard before he reaches the Nets' pick.
20. Boston Celtics: Arnett Moultrie (Mississippi State)
At 6'11'' Moultrie has the size to play center at the pro level, but he also has more than enough athletic ability to play power forward. With or without Kevin Garnett on board, the Celtics could certainly use that kind of versatility. Moultrie can run the court end to end and has the kind of explosive ability that makes scouts take a second look. While he's still a raw product, he could surprise some people after a couple of years honing his craft in the NBA.
21. Orlando Magic: Jeff Taylor (Vanderbilt)
Taylor is one of the best defensive prospects in the draft, and his versatility on the wing could be incredibly valuable to a team making due with aging veterans like Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu. Taylor can do more than defend, though—he's quick, explosive and has a wingspan that makes his exceptional defensive skills look even better. In any other draft, Taylor could make his case as a late lottery pick.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: C.J. Leslie (NC State)
The Grizzlies are a deep team without any glaring needs at the moment, but Leslie could instantly become a versatile forward capable of backing up Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph alike. Few draftees approach his sheer athletic ability, which is multidimensional to say the least. He could stand to add some muscle—especially if he's to compete for playing time at power forward—but otherwise, Leslie is incredibly fast and one of the best leapers in the draft. Should he develop skills commensurate with his physical prowess, Leslie could be quite the steal.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters (Syracuse)
Atlanta could use some backcourt depth capable of scoring, and Waiters just might be their guy. He was born to penetrate the paint thanks to his quickness and leaping ability. And though he may be a bit undersized to play shooting guard, he's harnessed his athletic ability to compensate pretty well.
24. Boston Celtics: Royce White (Iowa State)
While White's issues with anxiety could scare some teams away, he certainly has the skill set to make an impact in the NBA. His strength and ability to pass make him the kind of forward who can almost do it all—a more formidable Boris Diaw, if you will.
25. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague (Kentucky)
If Teague is still on the board at this point—which is no guarantee—the Pacers would have a tough time passing up this homegrown freshman. Teague had a solid NCAA tournament, and like his brother Jeff, he's as quick as they come. His speed alone could help him jump to a much higher draft position if a team deems itself desperate enough for a point who can get to the rim and cause some havoc.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Moe Harkless (St. John's)
Harkless could be a nice addition for a team like Cleveland, especially if it loses Alonzo Gee to free agency. His length and jumping ability give him the ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor, and he'd instantly give Kyrie Irving the kind of athletic complement he's sorely missing.
27. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson (St. Bonaventure)
It should almost go without saying that Miami will take the best available big that it can get its hands on. If any of the previously mentioned centers fall this low, pencil them in for the Heat. Nicholson wouldn't be a bad fit, though. He's not the most impressive athlete but he can score, rebound and block shots—what's not to like?
28. Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green (Michigan St.)
Green won't wow anyone with his athleticism, but he can shoot and pass the ball well enough to provide a team like the Warriors some help off the bench. With a forward's disposition, it's not entirely clear how the 6'6'' Green's skills will translate into a league where his size typifies most off guards. Still, there's enough talent there for someone to take a look.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier (France)
Fournier doesn't have the strength or quickness to excite anyone right off the bat, but he could serve as depth on the wing for an already established team like the Thunder. What he lacks in athletic ability he makes up for with his shooting and solid instincts.
30. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb (Kentucky)
Lamb could go higher in this draft if teams bail on Royce White or determine Draymond Green to be too much of a tweener for a consistent NBA role. There's no question Lamb can shoot, and that may be good enough for a lot of teams. Currently, Lamb lacks some needed muscle, and he isn't big enough to get many minutes at the two—at least not right away. Between his disproportionately long wingspan and some time spent improving his defense, he could certainly become a viable sixth man.
