2012 NBA Mock Draft: Projecting Where Thomas Robinson and Top Juniors Will Go
Freshmen and sophomores get all the attention in the NBA draft because they're usually the most precocious. Seniors get the spotlight from time to time, simply because so few of the top prospects play four years of college basketball.
But what about the juniors? You know, the guys who weren't quite good enough or didn't play enough to leave really early, but eventually came on strong, just in time to leave school before grabbing their degrees.
The ones who fall in that intriguing middle ground between upside and maturity, promise and polish.
Like the handful of three-and-done stars (in Italics) in this year's crop.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)
John Calipari would love to have Anthony Davis for another two years, though he's not about to keep the National Player of the Year from breakin' bread with the bumbling Bobcats.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)
Same goes for MKG, who will bring toughness and an impeccable work ethic to the woeful Wiz while serving as John Wall's running mate.
3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)
It wasn't until after the Morris twins left Lawrence that Thomas Robinson finally got the opportunity to shine at Kansas—and boy, did he deliver.
The Washington, D.C. native parlayed a starting role into a starring one this past season, showing off his incredible strength and surprising skill down low on the way to a spot on the AP All-American first team.
The Hornets could opt for another big man with more upside here (i.e., UConn's Andre Drummond), but they would be wise to go for a kid like Robinson, who brings it every night and knows how to win—especially if New Orleans can pair him with Eric Gordon for the foreseeable future.
4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut)
Andre Drummond's got a bit of a reputation as a knucklehead, which, alongside DeMarcus Cousins, could spawn a black hole of bad habits in Sacramento.
That is, assuming the Kings don't relocate first.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)
The Cavs upgraded their backcourt with a freshman last year. They'll do it again, this time around with Bradley Beal, the top guard in the draft.
6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)
You could argue that Harrison Barnes should've stayed in school for his junior year, especially after his underwhelming play in the NCAA tournament.
Still, it's tough to turn down being a Top 10 pick. The Raptors certainly won't turn him away if he's available, what with their need for perimeter scoring and all.
7. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)
Damian Lillard was smart to forgo his senior season at Weber State, given the dearth of quality point guards in this year's draft class. Lillard is more than capable of playing either backcourt position, with the ability to handle and distribute the ball, even though his best asset is his scoring touch.
The Trail Blazers might need him to play both spots at once, now that Raymond Felton and Jonny Flynn are headed for free agency and Jamal Crawford appears prepared to follow suit.
8. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)
Upgrading at point guard is a must for the Jazz, who are set with young talent at every other spot, but are still somewhat reliant on Devin Harris up top. Kendall Marshall should fit in just fine, given his pure-point skill set.
9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)
Jared Sullinger's game compares somewhat favorably to that of Kevin Love, given his size, skill and perceived lack of athleticism. The Pistons will be pleased to pair the sophomore with Greg Monroe in their frontcourt of the future.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)
The Hornets could reach for a guard here, given that they spent their first pick on a forward.
But more size couldn't hurt, could it? Especially not when it's a guy like Tyler Zeller, who's comfortable sharing the paint with another star as he did with John Henson at UNC.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)
Size matters (and always has) for the Blazers, for better or worse. PJ3 has the talent to be an All-Star partner for LaMarcus Aldridge—and the bust potential to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Sam Bowie and Greg Oden.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones, PF (Kentucky)
Another inconsistent sophomore stud, Terrence Jones is a versatile athlete who should fill in nicely when Ersan Ilyasova and Carlos Delfino hit free agency.
13. Houston Rockets: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)
Rockets GM Daryl Morey's been transparent about his desire for size up front, almost to a fault.
At least, if you consider his failed effort to land Pau Gasol and subsequent move for Samuel Dalembert as any indications.
John Henson is the best big man available at this point in the draft, and he happens to be a pretty good one at that. The reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year is a shot-blocking fiend with a blossoming offensive repertoire.
Henson's no Gasol, though he'd still be a solid start toward shaping a roster that can comfortably compete for the postseason, year in and year out.
14. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke)
Star power will be hard to come by in Phoenix once Steve Nash leaves, and Austin Rivers has plenty of it.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut)
The Sixers' second-half collapse has made it clear that they have some serious issues to sort out across the roster this summer.
Step 1: Upgrading at shooting guard with a smooth scorer like Jeremy Lamb.
16. Utah Jazz: Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)
The backcourt rebuilding project continues in Utah, this time with another sophomore in Syracuse scorer extraordinaire Dion Waiters.
17. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)
Size still matters for the Rockets, even after drafting John Henson. Arnett Moultrie's another big, athletic body who was something of a late bloomer in college, only coming on strong during his junior year at Mississippi State.
He'll need a bit more time to develop than will Henson, though Moultrie's physique is NBA-ready, and his upside is just as impressive.
18. Denver Nuggets: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
With Meyers Leonard, the Nuggets will have a promising, young center they can groom behind JaVale McGee—and eventually replace him with if Boy Blunder continues to fill YouTube blooper reels whilst in Denver.
19. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)
No more Delonte West. No more Vince Carter. And, perhaps, no more Jason Terry.
Clearly, the Mavs will need some backcourt scoring, even (and especially) if they land Deron Williams via free agency. Rumor has it, Terrence Ross can do that.
20. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
Is there any doubt that Dwight Howard's days with the Magic are numbered?
Even if they aren't, Orlando needs a dose of frontcourt depth. Fab Melo is no Superman, but the dude is a legit seven-footer who can block shots, rebound and score on put-backs and dunks.
21. Boston Celtics: Royce White, PF (Iowa State)
The range between risk and reward for Royce White is daunting, but with a stern hand like Doc Rivers' in charge, White could be a star at power forward once Kevin Garnett departs.
22. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)
The Grizz have the roster flexibility to take a chance on a talented combo guard like Tony Wroten, whom the team could groom as a backup to Mike Conley at the point and/or to Tony Allen at shooting guard, particularly if O.J. Mayo fields big offers as a restricted free agent this summer.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)
The Hawks have six (count 'em) players under contract beyond this season. As such, they'd do well to take the best player available, even if it means taking Jeff Taylor, another athletic wing in the mold of so many who've come before him in Atlanta.
24. Boston Celtics (via L.A. Clippers): Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)
Moe Harkless is a perfect fit for the C's: He's an athletic small forward who can score and defend, but is still a bit raw.
Give Harkless some time to ply his trade behind Paul Pierce, and he may well develop into a star—or, at least, into a Trevor Ariza clone.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via L.A. Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)
What better way to replace Antawn Jamison than with an inside-outside big man like Andrew Nicholson?
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)
Another year running the show at Kentucky, and Marquis Teague might easily have been a Top 10 pick.
As it stands, the Pacers probably wouldn't mind upgrading at the point with the Indianapolis native.
27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF (Michigan State)
If we've learned anything about the Miami Heat this season, it's that they need a guy like Draymond Green, who can do a little bit of everything and serve as a glue guy off the bench.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SF (France)
The Thunder have done well with international players (see: Ibaka, Serge; Sefolosha, Thabo) and are solid enough at just about every spot to let Evan Fournier develop overseas for another year or two.
29. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Tyshawn Taylor, PG (Kansas)
Believe it or not, the Dubs actually need a point guard—Steph Curry, he of the dodgy ankles, is the only one under contract for next season.
Tyshawn Taylor, while erratic, is an able playmaker who can provide some insurance at that spot.
30. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)
The more shooters with whom the Bulls can surround Derrick Rose, the better.
And, boy, can Doron Lamb shoot—especially on the grandest of stages.
