2012 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects Complete with Character Concerns
Every year, there are those prospects who have immense upside, but unfortunately round out their abilities with character concerns.
One of the most difficult decisions for NBA general managers is deciding whether these prospects are worth the trouble or if it is best to stay away.
Here's my latest 2012 NBA mock draft, complete with prospects holding character concerns (in italics).
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
The Bobcats need a power forward of the future, and Anthony Davis has basically become the unquestioned top prospect in that class. He's an explosive scorer inside who has improved his mid-range game and he's the premier shot-blocker of the draft. A superstar-in-the-making.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
The Wizards need a small forward, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a player who will do everything for them including scoring, rebounding and defending multiple positions. He has the motor and energy that has the ability to single-handedly lift a team.
3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
The Hornets have been looking for their next star power forward since David West left town. Thomas Robinson, with his explosiveness at the rim and rebounding ability, would be a great addition. He posted 18 points and 17 boards against Kentucky in the national championship game.
4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
The Kings need a center of the future and Andre Drummond has tremendous potential. He's a physical specimen who has the ability in the paint as a scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker. The only problem is, his motor ran hot and cold at UConn and there are questions about his desire.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Bradley Beal is largely considered to be the best shooting guard in this class. He's an electric scorer, both inside and outside, he's a great rebounder for his position and he's a strong defender. He would look nice alongside Kyrie Irving.
6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
The Raptors need another scorer beyond Andrea Bargnani and Harrison Barnes that can flat-out score the basketball. There are questions about his overall game, but it's hard to ignore such an explosive scorer who can also defend with his length and athleticism.
7. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
The Trail Blazers need to find their point guard of the future and Damian Lillard has the ability to be a star at the next level. Lillard averaged 24.5 points last season for Weber State, and that was not a fluke. He's a dynamic scorer who will break more than a few ankles slashing to the rim with his speed and he has the ability to open up the floor for his teammates. He does need to work on his vision, but with some grooming he figures to be a fun player to watch.
8. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor
Perry Jones is one of the most explosive and athletic players in the draft. He has the ability to be a handful in scoring the basketball and crashing the boards. However, he was inconsistent at Baylor and many attributed that to a lack of heart. It's going to be interesting where he lands. He would look nice paired up with Greg Monroe if he can stay focused.
9. Utah Jazz (via GS): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
The Jazz need an impact point guard since Deron Williams left town. Kendall Marshall is an excellent prospect. Marshall, with his vision and passing, makes everyone around him better and he's improved his perimeter game. He plays well beyond his years.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via MINN): Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky
After landing Thomas Robinson, it would be nice to grab a player like Terrence Jones, who the Hornets can insert at small forward. He's matured on the court since early troubles at Kentucky and he has the ability to be a Lamar Odom-type player in the NBA.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
Pairing up Jeremy Lamb with Damian Lillard would point the Trail Blazers in the right direction. Lamb is a silky-smooth shooter who glides across the floor and will disrupt on defense with his length and athleticism.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Tyler Zeller continues to be my pick for the Bucks. He fills a need at center, and his athleticism and soft touch at the rim will make him a good fit teamed up with speedsters Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis.
13. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
There's no question that Austin Rivers needs some grooming, especially after his disappointing display in the NCAA tournament. But, the fact of the matter is, he has immense upside as a dynamic scorer and the Jazz need a shooting guard. Perhaps pairing him up with a pure point guard like Kendall Marshall will guide his transition.
14. Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Dion Waiters may be a bit high at No. 14 overall, but he does have the ability of a lottery pick. He's an explosive scorer who attacks the rim with confidence and creates havoc defensively. He does need to work on his shot selection and mid-range game, however.
15. Houston Rockets (via NY): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Meyer Leonard is a bit raw, but he has starter potential. His size, athleticism, interior scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking ability will make it hard for the Rockets to pass him up if he lands here.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Jared Sullinger's questions surround his lack of explosiveness and athleticism at the next level, but he has a solid post game, plays beyond his years and knows how to rebound the basketball. At No. 16 overall, he's a good value pick and he could develop into the 76ers' next power forward of the future.
17. New Jersey Nets (via HOU): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
John Henson's defense, shot-blocking ability and rebounding could make him a starter in no time in the NBA and his length and leaping ability make him dangerous around the rim.
18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Washington
George Karl loves depth and he could use Terrence Ross at shooting guard or small forward. Ross is an electric scorer, as he showed in the NIT tournament this year, and his athleticism and explosiveness also makes him a terror on defense. He should fit in rather nicely with the Nuggets.
19. Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington
Tony Wroten is still raw—he needs to play better within the game and become more consistent. But he has immense upside. He's a powerful guard who finishes strong at the rim and has displayed spectacular passing ability. He could be Jason Kidd's successor in Dallas.
20. Memphis Grizzlies: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
The Grizzlies could use some depth behind Marc Gasol and Fab Melo has the ability to be a game-changer on defense, as he showed at Syracuse. Melo's a premier shot-blocker who plays solid man defense.
21. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, F, Iowa State
Royce White certainly has his fair share of character concerns, but he's also a dynamic talent. He dominated against UConn and Kentucky in the NCAA tournament and he's a legit point-forward type of player who will help you in multiple areas. On the other hand, he was charged in a shoplifting case and suffers from anxiety, specifically flying in an airplane.
22. Orlando Magic: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
Festus Ezeli has the ability to be a solid starter in the NBA and, let's be honest, Dwight Howard isn't going to be in Orlando for much longer. Ezeli needs a little work improving his post moves and playing within the game, but he has great size and length, which allows him to crash the boards and block shots. He also runs the floor well for his size (6'11", 255 pounds).
23. Boston Celtics: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
Jeff Taylor is the kind of tough defender the Celtics love and he's backed up his ability to crash the paint with an emerging perimeter game. It's hard for me to see him not becoming a fan favorite in Boston.
24. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Doron Lamb, with his silky-smooth shooting, would be a nice successor to Ray Allen in Boston. He showed up big-time in the NCAA tournament and he plays like a veteran.
25. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Moe Harkless is a long, athletic, explosive swingman. He's great in transition, explodes to the rim and is a solid rebounder and shot-blocker. He does need to work on his mid-range game, but he should still make an impact off the bench for Indiana in the meantime.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
With the backcourt set up, the Cavaliers could look for a small forward here, but they could also add depth in the frontcourt. Arnett Moultrie's potential here is enormous. Moultrie has the explosiveness and athleticism to create havoc on both sides of the floor, and he shot 44 percent from three-point range last season with Mississippi State.
27. Miami Heat: Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas
It's going to be hard for the Heat to find an impact player at center here if Festus Ezeli is swiped earlier in the draft. In that case, they may reach for a point guard like Tyshawn Taylor, who showed flashes of pro ability at Kansas, but still needs to learn the game and become more consistent.
28. Golden State Warriors (via SA): C.J. Leslie, SF, N.C. State
Dorell Wright has been disappointing for the Warriors this season, and they have the other four starting spots locked up for next season. In that case, grabbing C.J. Leslie could prove to be a great move. Leslie has the explosiveness and athleticism to slash to the rim and create havoc on defense. He's also improved his mid-range game.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
The Thunder are just looking for depth at this point and Andrew Nicholson is a length, rangy big man who attacks the rim and has range out to the three-point line. He's also a good shot-blocker and rebounder and every contender could use more of that.
30. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis
Will Barton is a player who I feel is underrated. Most draft experts have him as a second-round prospect, but I disagree. Not only did Barton show leadership qualities in an eye-opening season at Memphis, he also vastly improved his perimeter game and his length and athleticism should allow him to translate nicely to the pros. He's also an excellent rebounder for his position. I like him alongside Derrick Rose in Chicago.
