2012 NBA Mock Draft: Predicting Where Top Scorers Will Land

Before the NBA draft, you'll read a lot about solid rebounders, shot-blockers, unselfish passers, excellent defenders, blah, blah, blah.

We all know what you're really interested in—the scorers.

We're always the most intrigued by the guys who can score the rock, can dominate the game by putting points on the board, can captivate the crowd with every shot or drive to the lane.

We love the scorers. On this list, we'll predict who those guys will be at the next level, and where they'll be drafted.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)

The decision to draft Davis for whoever holds the top pick will take all of two seconds. He's that good.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)

He has the ability to help a team in every conceivable way and be a high-character, team-first guy in the process.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)  

Drummond has more upside, but Robinson has a lot of athleticism of his own and has shown superior will and passion at the college level. He's a winner, and the Hornets could use those.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut) 

Alongside DeMarcus Cousins, Drummond could help form one of the game's most dominant frontcourts in a few years. Or, he'll just be a huge bust. The Kings will take the risk.

5. Toronto Raptors: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida) 

After only playing his freshman year, Beal enters the NBA a bit raw. But his talent is undeniable, and as he adds polish at the next level, he has the ability to be an electric scorer.

He did a little bit of everything for Florida last season, but in a more traditional two-guard offense in Toronto, he'll be able to focus his game. Don't expect him to be a dominant scorer right out of the shoot, but don't be surprised when he becomes one of the best scorers out of this draft in a few years.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)  

In two seasons at Chapel Hill, Barnes averaged 15.7 and 17.1 points per game.

In other words, scoring is what Barnes does.

The Cavaliers desperately need some help on the wing, and Barnes should provide that instantly. Plus, his ability to fill it up will give the team a scorer to take some pressure off of Kyrie Irving.

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

Lillard can score the rock, and don't you forget it.

For the Blazers, his ability to score, distribute and play either guard position will be a huge upgrade for an area of need. Lillard mixes a solid perimeter game with the ability to slash and finish at the bucket, bringing a well-rounded scoring game to the NBA.

He may surprise some people unfamiliar with him next season, that much is for sure.

8.  Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

Adding a high-character player who will rebound and block shots for your team is never a bad thing. His offensive game won't ever impress people, but he'll score plenty of ugly buckets.

9. Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)  

Utah really needs a point guard, and it'll reach ever so slightly to land the draft's top distributing point.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota):  Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)

Zeller won't be a stud at the next level, but his fundamentally sound play and work ethic will make him a solid addition.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor) 

He's risky, but his upside makes him a great value for the Blazers here.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

And just like that, the Bucks find their replacement for Andrew Bogut.

13. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke) 

I may be in the minority, but I love Rivers, and I think he'll be a stud in the NBA.

I think he'll need to move to the 2 to succeed at the next level, but his ability to shoot well from the perimeter, get to the bucket at will with his electric quickness and the fact that the NBA level won't intimidate him in the least—he's Doc Rivers' son, after all—all impress me.

Rivers will be a good one. With him and Marshall, the Jazz seriously upgraded their backcourt.

14. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut)

He has a ton of talent, but will he live up to it or play too soft to matter in the NBA?

15. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)

He has the potential to be a double-double guy at the next level, and he hasn't reached his upside even after averaging 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds this season. Houston could be getting a steal with this pick.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, PF (North Carolina) 

What this team really needs is an elite scorer. But since that isn't happening, it'll have to settle for some more help on the block. Henson will fit in with Doug Collins' system perfectly.

17. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Jones, PF (Kentucky)

He could be the next coming of Lamar Odom. No, I'm not sure if I just complimented or insulted him, either.

18.   New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Tony Wroten, Jr., PG (Washington)

He'll replace Deron Williams, because c'mon—there's no way Williams stays with the Nets, right?

19. Atlanta Hawks: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

The Hawks need a young point guard, and I think they'll reach slightly to snag Teague  Sharing the ball on an offense with as much firepower as Atlanta has won't be a problem for Teague, coming from the team-first style of play Kentucky utilized despite being littered with superstars.

20. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

The Celtics will love the defensive game of Melo, and he'll be a solid presence in the middle for the veteran club.

21. Houston Rockets (via Dallas):  Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse) 

He's shooting up the draft boards, and he may not be around this late. If he is, the Rockets will gladly snag him.

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Royce White, SF (Iowa State)

White has a ton of potential, and the Grizzlies can afford to let him develop it coming off the bench.

23. Indiana Pacers:  Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

The Pacers have built a solid roster and can afford to go with the best player on the board. I'm guessing they'll feel that player is Nicholson.

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)

He'll be drafted as the eventual replacement for Paul Pierce, giving him the time to develop.

25. Orlando Magic: Jeffery Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)

This pick just makes too much sense not to happen. He's big, plays solid defense and shoots well from the perimeter—sounds like the perfect fit in Orlando to me.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)

Between Barnes and Lamb, the Cavs certainly added some firepower in this draft.

27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)

He would be a nice replacement for Monta Ellis and has the upside to be a comparable scorer someday if his game continues to develop.

28. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF (Michigan State)

The versatile, playmaking Green would do a little bit of everything for Miami. This just feels like a natural fit to me.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: John Jenkins, SG (Vanderbilt)

A big man with an offensive game would be great, but not too many of those slip this late. The Thunder will add another shooter instead.

30. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG (Memphis)

Barton was fantastic this year as the Conference USA Player of the Year. His length and ability to finish in transition make him a nice fit for Chicago.

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