2012 NBA Mock Draft: Elite Scorers Who Will Make Immediate Impact

When we watch NBA games, we really want to see what players can do with the ball in their hands. Specifically, we are interested in how they are able to score. 

As trite as this sounds, the sole object of the game is to score more points than the other team. In order to do that, you must have players who can put the ball in the bottom of the basket from anywhere on the floor. 

Here is a look at our latest mock draft, with a special emphasis on those elite scorers who will dominate right away. 

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis is the most complete player in this draft class, but his offensive game is not nearly as advanced as his defense. 

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

As far as ceilings go, Kidd-Gilchrist's is as high as anyone in this draft. He just has a long way to go before he reaches his full potential. 

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

Robinson's calling card is his defense and rebounding, though he has improved as a shooter in his three years at Kansas. 

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, UConn

Like Kidd-Gilchrist, Drummond has a lot of untapped potential that is preventing me from saying he will make an immediate impact on the offensive side of the ball. 

5. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

One of the best all-around players in this draft, Barnes is the best pure shooter. He has incredible length and sees the court so well that he can score from anywhere on the floor. 

Barnes is able to do all that despite not having a lot of muscle on his frame. He will have to get stronger to be a great defender, but his natural scoring ability is going to take over in his rookie season. 

6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal is on the list of great scorers despite not having great overall numbers at Florida last season. 

It was a bit surprising to see that he only shot .445 percent from the field, mainly because his shot is so pretty. He has a smooth stroke and isn't afraid to shoot from anywhere on the court. 

Playing alongside Kyrie Irving is going to make Beal an odds-on-favorite to win Rookie of the Year. 

7. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St

Unlike a lot of great scorers in this draft, Lillard doesn't have a great shooter's touch. Instead, he uses his speed and ability to penetrate the lane to put the ball in the basket. 

Lillard is as quick as any point guard in this draft. If he can develop any kind of consistent jump shot, he is going to be a superstar at the point for the Blazers, or whatever team he goes to. 

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

Sullinger is a solid player who can do a lot of things but nothing really stands out as explosive. 

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

If we were making a list of the best passers in this draft, Marshall would definitely get his own wing. His shot still needs to get more consistent before he can be considered an elite scorer. 

10. New Orleans Hornets (via MINN): Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

If I had more confidence in Jones' ability to take charge of a game and not be so passive, he would be in the elite scorers group. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Zeller is going to be a better NBA player than people think, but he is still going to max out as a bench/role player. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

For the offensively-challenge Bucks, Jones is going to be a welcome addition. He not only has the size and length to be a dominant power forward inside, he also has the touch from the outside to be a jump shooter. 

There are very few true power forwards that possess the skills Jones already has. As long as he keeps working on his outside shot, he will be a dominant scorer for a long time. 

13. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Leonard is a defense-only player at this stage of his development. 

14. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, G, Duke

I want to call Rivers an elite scorer, but there were times last year when he took shots that made you scratch your head. There's a difference between scoring a lot of points and being a great scorer. 

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Ross is on the brink of becoming an elite scorer. He made great strides in his second year at Washington. He is just a year away from really tapping into his full potential.

16. Houston Rockets (via NY): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Rebounding and defense are the keys to Henson's success. He can score enough, but it will never be the best part of his game. 

17. Utah Jazz: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

For someone who is "only" 6'5" to have the wingspan of a 7-footer is scary. It also helps you do things most players your size wouldn't be able to. 

Lamb has the quick first step to drive the lane, or he can stop and pull up over a defender. There are so many ways he can attack on the offensive end it is scary. He would step in right away and be Utah's best offensive weapon. 

18. Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG, Washington

Wroten's athleticism is second to none in this draft. His shooting and scoring ability are still works in progress. 

19. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Despite needing more offensive firepower, the Magic have to start thinking about what they are going to do inside with Dwight Howard's future so uncertain. Melo is a defensive stalwart but adds little on offense. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi St

Moultrie is going to be one of the most exciting dunkers in this rookie class. 

21. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

One of the most underrated aspects of being able to score the ball is being able to control the ball on the dribble.

Lamb is not likely to be a star because he doesn't have the size for the position, but his ability to create open shots with the ball in his hands is going to help him play above his potential. 

22. Atlanta Hawks: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor's offensive potential went up following a breakout season with Vanderbilt, but I want to see more before I declare him ready for big things. 

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse

Waiters has to become an elite scorer in order to have a lot of value in the NBA, because he isn't going to  provide a lot of value anywhere else. 

24. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Royce White, F, Iowa State

White's got a very vanilla style, with his only real way of scoring coming from his ability to get close to the basket. 

25. Indiana Pacers: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Ezeli is all-defense right now, but his length could help him develop at least an adequate offensive game. 

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s

Harkless needs to use his length more to get close to the basket and reach his full scoring potential. 

27. Golden State Warriors (via SA): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

There doesn't seem to be a lot of hype surrounding Nicholson right now, but he has the potential to be one of the most exciting players in this class. The fact that he was able to add range to his shot this season should tell you that he can be a great scorer. 

As long as Nicholson doesn't get too post-happy in the NBA, he could be a 20-25 points per game scorer. 

28. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

Green's going to earn high marks for his character and work ethic, but he doesn't have that knockout skill to make you take notice. 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SG, France

Fournier's youth and lack of experience against elite competition makes me pause before putting him in the "elite" category. 

30. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague's inability to hit shots from beyond 12-15 feet makes me think he won't develop into a great scorer. 

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