2012 NBA Mock Draft: Overrated Players Who Will Quickly Be Exposed as Busts
Busts are extremely prevalent in the NBA draft, especially after the first few "sure-things" are off the board.
Usually, top-tier talent tails off toward the middle of the lottery, but this draft is exceptionally deep, and there are going to be a number of solid players found in the 2012 class.
Regardless, there are still going to be busts, and teams need to be careful with their choices.
Let's take a look at the latest first-round mock, with an eye toward players who most likely will not pan out in the NBA.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
The UK product is the prize all the lottery contestants are hoping to obtain. Davis is cut from the same cloth as LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard, and he just has the look of someone who is going to come into the NBA and make an immediate impact after being selected No. 1.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
MKG has prototypical size and athleticism for a SF playing professional basketball. What is uncommon about him is his tenacity on defense at this young age. The kid simply works his butt off on every possession and takes pride in shutting down his man.
He'll be a perfect fit for a defense-lacking Wizards squad.
3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
The Hornets need a player who can bang down low and could double as a proven winner ready to turn their franchise around. Robinson is that guy, and he'll be a perfect complement to Eric Gordon in the Big Easy.
4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut
Bust alert.
The UConn big man never figured out how to use his immense size to dominate smaller and weaker opponents in college, and it's highly doubtful he's just going to figure it out just because he declared pro.
Size is a commodity in the NBA, but it means nothing without skill. Drummond will go too early.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida
Beal can simply shoot the lights out of the gym, and he has nice size and strength to complement his range. He's everything the Cavaliers are looking for as a backcourt complement for future star Kyrie Irving.
6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
While he's being labeled as a one-dimensional scorer, Barnes will still be a valuable asset for the Raptors if that tag proves to be true.
Toronto needs a player who can put the ball in the basket and create his own shot—that is exactly what Barnes was born to do.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
It would be highly surprising if Jamal Crawford exercised his player option to stay in Portland, meaning the team will have a huge hole to fill at the 2-guard position.
Lamb is the most talented on the board, and when he finally gets mentally focused, watch out.
8. Utah Jazz: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Sullinger is an NBA-ready big who will immediately jump into Utah's rotation and log meaningful minutes for a playoff-ready team.
9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina
Henson isn’t going to be a star, but he has the tools to become a solid player who will have a long and steady career. He's a perfect complement to Greg Monroe in the emerging Pistons frontcourt.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Damian Lillard, Weber State
New Orleans is still seeking a replacement for Chris Paul at the point guard position, and Lillard might be its guy. While he's never going to be the elite setup artist that CP3 is, the Weber State product has extreme athleticism, good size and the ability to play either guard spot.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
Zeller has to hope his career turns out better than the recently cut Greg Oden's if he is selected by the Blazers. The team desperately needs a big after cutting Oden and trading Marcus Camby, and Zeller is a decent option.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, Illinois
Bust alert.
Leonard is simply a big, uncoordinated body who hasn't shown that he can hack it in the NBA. Look for him at the end of the bench and in the D-League for his career, seeing the court only to give fouls and not much else.
13. Utah Jazz: Tony Wroten Jr., Washington
Wroten's got a ton of potential, great size and decent passing ability. He meshes nicely with what the Jazz are trying to do with their youth movement in Salt Lake City.
14. Houston Rockets: Perry Jones III, Baylor
Houston loves taking the best player available, and that would have to be PJIII at this point. He could become an absolute superstar in this league if he ever plays up to his God-given athleticism and talent.
15. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Steve Nash might leave this summer, and even if he stays, there isn't much left in his tank. Marshall is a pass-first point guard who would eventually assume the reins of the team in Nash's place.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky
Jones could be one of the best players in the class if he becomes more consistent. He's extremely talented—when he wants to be. If he showcased it on a regular basis, Jones would be a Top Five pick.
17. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, Duke
Rivers is another high-profile selection for a Rockets team that needs some superstars.
Since Yao Ming retired and Tracy McGrady fell off, the team hasn't had a notable player. Rivers is a great SG who possesses a lot of talent and has a good chance at becoming a star.
18. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington
The Mavericks aren't getting any younger, and they need to get ready for a rebuilding effort.
Ross could become a key member of that movement if they take him here.
19. Denver Nuggets: Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt
Taylor has supreme athleticism and a developing jump shot. He'd make a great reserve for the upcoming, run-and-gun Nuggets.
20. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, St. John’s
Harkless can play great defense and shoot the three. He's also athletic enough to run up and down the floor with Rajon Rondo, which is why the Celtics should be interested in taking him here.
21. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, Kentucky
Memphis needs some depth in the backcourt, and Teague would provide that from Day 1. He can push the ball in transition with the best of them, and Teague can get this team running when he is on the floor.
22. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, Kentucky
Lamb's stock went through the roof with his play in the NCAA tournament that ended with a National Championship. He can make big plays in big moments, which is the type of player the Magic are lacking right now.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, Iowa State
If White didn't suffer from a treatable anxiety disorder, he'd be much higher on many big boards.
Regardless, the Hawks won't let him fall past this spot. The Cyclones star could back up a number of players and eventually could become a great starter.
24. Boston Celtics: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
The Celtics are going to need size, and Moultrie is the best available big. Kevin Garnett may be on his way out of Beantown, and the rest of the PFs and Cs on the roster are mediocre at their best.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers: Fab Melo, Syracuse
Bust Alert.
Melo killed his stock and proved he doesn't care by getting himself disqualified from the NCAA tournament. The big man was never that good and is only getting a look in the first round because of his size.
26. Indiana Pacers: Dion Waiters, Syracuse
Waiters' ability to get to the cup is his best asset, and he might do it better than anyone in this class. If he can keep working on the rest of his game, he'll be looked at as a steal this late.
27. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson has been playing collegiate ball for a while, and that experience will help him nab a roster spot if the Heat take him. He could be a solid backup for Chris Bosh because of his nice defense and mid-range game.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State
Green is a senior who has plenty of intangibles. He cares about winning and getting his teammates involved. He can also play both forward positions.
Sounds like a perfect member of the OKC Thunder.
29. Golden State Warriors: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt
The Warriors are trying to get big and tough on the interior. They traded for Andrew Bogut and can add some depth by selecting a project like Ezeli here.
30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt
Jenkins is a lights-out shooter, and that is something the Bulls require from their 2-guards.
