2012 NBA Mock Draft: Breaking Down 1st Round After Anthony Davis Goes No. 1

One thing is for sure, and that is that there will be more attention paid to the NBA lottery this season than the No. 1 overall pick.

Assuming he comes out of school, Kentucky’s Anthony Davis has been a lock for the No. 1 overall selection for quite some time now, taking any possible drama away from who will become the top selection.

After Davis goes No. 1, practically anything can happen. Let’s take a look at how the rest of the draft could play out in my latest mock draft.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Davis has length and explosiveness and, quite frankly, is one of the best big man prospects in quite some time.

His ability to block (4.7 BPG) and change shots can make him a star, but he’s got a good offensive game as well with the ability to finish around the rim effectively, shooting over 62 percent from the floor as a freshman. Davis is a guy you just can’t pass on.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Some see Robinson standing at 6'9” as a drawback, but he’s the ideal power forward in Washington. He’s athletic enough to run the floor well and plays a very physical brand of basketball that should translate nicely to the NBA level.

Paired with point guard John Wall, the Wizards may finally have some pieces in place to build with.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

The Hornets can’t pass on Kidd-Gilchrist at No. 3. He’s got the mental makeup and the talent to become an NBA All-Star.

Kidd-Gilchrist has the size to play on the wing at 6’7” and the talent to become a difference maker. The Kentucky product has a great first step and the athleticism to get to the rim effectively. MKG shot a solid .491 from the field as a freshman and is also a very solid rebounder, pulling down 7.6 boards per game.

His perimeter shot is a concern, shooting only .255 from behind the arc, but scouts rave about his work ethic, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Kidd-Gilchrist turn his perimeter shot into a strength before long.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut

With a world of good, young talent already in place, the Kings need to add a quality power forward to round out their lineup.  By pairing Drummond with DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento could have a pair of beasts down low.

No team in the NBA allows more points than the 104.3 that the Kings allow. Drummond can rebound and block shots, averaging 7.7 RPG and 2.7 BPG as a freshman at UConn.

Some may look at the fact that Drummond didn’t post big offensive numbers at UConn, but he’s got a good feel for the game and showed the ability to finish, shooting 54 percent from the floor.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

Cleveland has problems scoring and Beal has the ability to become the best scorer in this class, after averaging 14.8 PPG during his freshman season at Florida.

He doesn’t have great size at only 6’3”, but has the strength to split double-teams and absorb contact, as well as a smooth stroke from the perimeter, connecting on 34 percent of his shots from behind the arc.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Damian Lillard, Weber State

It’s a slight reach for Lillard, but this high in the draft, Portland will be reaching for a big that it can ultimately get at No. 11. The Blazers can fill the need at the point guard position with Lillard.

He’s a high-volume scorer, averaging 24.5 PPG, and has the ability to play either guard spot. 

7. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes shot only .327 from the floor during the NCAA tournament, but he’s got the talent to become a No. 1 scoring option in the NBA and the Raptors have a need for a small forward that can score consistently.

Despite his struggles to close the season, Barnes has shown the ability to score, averaging 15.7 PPG as a freshman and 17.1 as a sophomore.

8. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

If the Golden State Warriors keep losing and this pick falls into the top seven, it becomes Golden State’s pick and that would be huge for the Warriors.

For now, though, it’s Utah’s, and it has to draft for need here. Taking Marshall at No. 8 is a bit high, as there are questions about his athleticism and his ability on the defensive end of the floor and his limited offensive game.

But Utah needs a point guard and there may be none better in the draft than Marshall, so it almost has to reach on him here. Marshall makes passing the ball look effortless and his court vision and basketball IQ are off the charts, averaging 9.8 APG and posting an outstanding 3.48 assist-to-turnover ratio.

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Detroit needs to get bigger and more athletic and Sullinger doesn’t exactly fill that need, as the Ohio State product isn’t a great athlete. But he is productive (17.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG), and paired next to Greg Monroe, the Pistons could have a productive frontcourt.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): John Henson, North Carolina

The Hornets added a nice wing player in Kidd-Gilchrist and add another exceptional athlete in North Carolina’s Henson.

Henson may be a bit of a reach at No. 10, but his athleticism is off the charts and has a world of upside.

While his offensive game is raw, he’s an explosive leaper who can block shots (2.9 BPG) and rebound well (10.1 RPG). Henson’s outstanding court coverage allows him to make up for teammates mistakes defensively. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller is a legitimate center prospect and while he may never be a star in the NBA, he could turn himself into a productive center, something the Blazers really need.

He’s a good athlete and has solid leaping skills. Zeller will be able to rebound, pulling down 9.6 RPG during his senior season at North Carolina.

He likely won’t average the 16.5 PPG he did this season, but he’s got good footwork and a soft touch around the rim, shooting 55 percent on the season.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Milwaukee needs to come out of this draft with a quality big, and Moultie’s ceiling is as high as anyone’s in the draft class.

The Mississippi State product has the size and the strength to play either the 4 or the 5, but also has the quickness and agility that some guards possess. Within time, Moultire could develop into an explosive scorer and rebounder at the NBA level.

He had a big season, averaging 16.4 PPG and 10.5 RPG and is only getting better.

13. Utah Jazz, Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers falls to Utah at No. 13, and added to the earlier pick of Marshall, the Jazz will now have a solid young backcourt to go along with their already productive frontcourt.

He averaged 15.5 PPG as a freshman and has the ability to become a natural scorer. Rivers needs to develop some consistency on his jumper and must learn to play better without the ball, but the talent is without a doubt there.

14. Phoenix Suns, Perry Jones III, Baylor

On talent alone, Jones should be selected with the first handful of picks in the draft, but he hasn’t been able to bring it out on a consistent basis.

Looking at his numbers (13.5 PPG and 7.6 RPG), you would contemplate if Jones were a late first-round pick or even a second-round guy.

But he runs like a deer and can jump through the gym. His inability to dominate consistently could lead him to drop toward the end of the lottery, but someone is going to get a potential star.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb has outstanding length and quickness and could become the No. 1 scoring option that the Sixers really need.

He averaged 17.7 PPG at UConn and has a great first step and outstanding mid-range game.

Lamb can score at all three levels, shooting 48 percent from the floor, in addition to 34 percent from behind the arc.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, Illinois

The Rockets need a big guy for the future and Leonard is a solid pick here with a ton of upside.

He’s a true seven-footer with outstanding length. Leonard’s not only big and can play on the block, but he’s got the agility and quickness to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim.

Leonard won’t be a star right away, but has the chance to become a solid player within time. 

17: New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones is very talented and if the Nets lose Deron Williams, they pretty much will have to start the rebuilding process over.

Jones is a very talented player who can guard multiple positions and should be a fixture on the wing in New Jersey for years to come.

He can score from any spot on the floor, shooting 50 percent from the floor on the season and 33 percent from behind the arc. Jones is also very talented at scoring and rebounding (7.2 RPG) in traffic, which should make him a solid NBA player.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington

Dallas could probably use a big here, but it needs to get younger and more athletic, so selecting the best player on the board makes sense.

Ross has ideal size to play the 2-guard spot at 6’6” and not only has the shooting ability (37 percent from three-point range), but also the ability to get to the rim as well.

Ross is not all offense, though, as he’s a pretty good defensive guard and a very good rebounder, averaging 6.4 RPG on the season.

19. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

The highest scoring team in the NBA could use another great athlete to fit into George Karl’s system, and Waiters will be a great fit.

He only averaged 12.1 PPG on the season, but Waiters has natural scoring ability. He’s got the quickness to get into the paint and create and while he needs to develop more range on his jumper, Waiters still shot a respectable 36 percent from behind the arc.

20. Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten has tremendous ability and could become an NBA star, but needs time to develop. Memphis is in a good enough place that it can afford to take its time on him.

He’s got scoring ability (16.0 PPG) and can facilitate, but must learn to take better care of the ball (3.8 turnovers per game) and develop a perimeter shot, shooting a woeful 16 percent from three-point range.

Regardless, Wroten has a ton of talent and is worth the risk this late. 

21. Atlanta Hawks, Royce White, Iowa State

White has tremendous ability, averaging 13.4 PPG and 9.2 RPG on the season and dishing out 5.1 APG in the process, which led the Iowa State team.

He’s got some off-the-court issues which include an anxiety disorder and a fear of flying, but White could become the productive small forward the Hawks really need.

22. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson could be the steal of the draft, and with Boston’s need for a productive big man, this could become a great pick.

There’s not much Nicholson doesn’t do well, as he can score, rebound and block shots effectively, putting up a solid stat line on the season, averaging 18.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 2.0 BPG, all while shooting 57 percent from the floor and 47 percent from behind the arc.

23. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, Syracuse

The Magic are eventually going to have to think about a replacement for Dwight Howard. Melo could be that guy.

He’s got a ways to go to become a productive offensive player, but should be able to impact the defensive end right away, as Melo is a very good shot-blocker, swatting away 2.9 shots per game. 

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb can be an assassin-like shooter from behind the arc, knocking down 47 percent of his attempts on the season. While he’s not the biggest guy in the world at 6’4”, Lamb has great length and a quick release to make up for that.

He could turn into the replacement for Ray Allen in Boston before long.

25. Indiana Pacers: Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt

Taylor has lottery-type talent, and his defensive ability makes him an interesting prospect and a good fit in Indiana.

He’s not only a great perimeter defender but he has scoring ability as well, averaging 16.1 PPG on the season, which is even more intriguing considering the fact that Taylor has developed a consistent perimeter shot, knocking down 42 percent of his attempts on the year.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, St. Johns

Harkless is a great athlete and that’s what the Cavs need the most. Getting him at No. 26 could turn into a steal, as in any other draft Harkless could be a lottery pick.

He has a ton of upside and could become a good NBA scorer, averaging 15.3 PPG as a freshman. Harkless has the ability to become not only a productive slasher, but a good defender (1.4 BPG) and a good rebounder (8.6 RPG) as well.  

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

The Heat need a big body and Ezeli is a solid pick here, although Miami will have to bring him along slowly.

Ezeli’s offensive game is raw, but he’s got talent, shooting 60 percent from the floor. He should be able to make an immediate impact on the defensive end, as he blocked 2.0 shots per game on the season.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: C.J. Leslie, North Carolina State

Leslie hasn’t decided yet whether or not to enter the draft, but if he does, he’s a perfect pick for Oklahoma City, who can take their time on developing him.

He showed in March what type of talent he has, as he became the Wolfpack’s go-to scorer, averaging 16.7 PPG during the ACC and NCAA Tournament’s.

29. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Draymond Green, Michigan State

Green isn’t the prototypical small forward, but he’s a playmaker and produces and the Warriors need production from the 3 spot.

Judging by his pair of double-doubles and a triple-double in the NCAA tournament, Green will find a way to be productive in the NBA. 

30. Chicago Bulls:  John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is the best shooter in the college game, knocking down the three at a 44 percent clip and you can never have too much shooting in the NBA.

He’s got unlimited range and down the road could take over for Richard Hamilton, taking some of the scoring pressure off Derrick Rose in the process.