2012 NBA Mock Draft: Underrated Prospects Who Will Dominate

Before the biggest stars of tomorrow get drafted into the NBA, we must mock them, and we must mock them well. 

Here is a mock draft with the latest draft order, and symbolizes our best estimation of where these guys are being valued as well as team needs. 

Some franchises will go for straight value, and other will get the most obvious need filled. Either way, they are all getting quite the treasure trove, because this draft is stacked. 

This is a mock draft with those underrated few that will shine in the future. 

Here is that order from the official NBA page. 

For a breakdown of the NBA order, visit Chad Ford's page at ESPN. 

Standings are fluid—from lottery teams to playoffs, things will change. 

1. Charlotte Bobcats—Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Meet the Andrew Luck of the basketball world. He is the presumptive first-overall pick, and for a great reason. 

He is the most dominant "big man" on the board, and he is not near done improving his game. With a touch more bulk and more offense, he can become the best center in the league. 

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

This is still my pick largely for what Kidd-Gilchrsit brings in intangibles and all-around talent. This isn't a player that is about to rest on his laurels. 

3. Cleveland Cavaliers—Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Cavs would love to solidify a top-three pick, simply because Bradley Beal would be a certainty at that point. He is a pure shooting guard that loves to score, and would make a brilliant partner in crime for Kyrie Irving. This would be a scary backcourt in just a couple years' time. 

4. New Orleans Hornets—Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

He is big and tenacious on both ends of the court. He would muscle around NBA talent tomorrow if it was mandated.  

5.  Sacramento Kings—Andre Drummond, C, UConn

He is big, bad and will only get better on the offensive end, but that's not why I like him here. This would give the Kings a great front-court tandem of DeMarcus Cousins and Drummond. Yikes.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (Via NJ)—Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

He is an all-around player with a terrifically balanced game. I like his shot on the perimeter and think he can work his way into becoming a shutdown defender.   

7. Golden State Warriors—Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

This continues to be a reach when you consider other mock drafts, but I am sold on Jeremy Lamb being a top-10 pick, and being the perfect star for the Golden State Warriors.

Monta Ellis leaves a huge hole that no other player on the roster is able to fill. Lamb has the promise of an elite player that will fit in perfectly here.

He has a pure knack for scoring, and his shot will come with extended NBA practice. This is the right kind of gamble.     

8. Toronto Raptors—Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.

He is underrated for his passing and pure point-guard skills. What real makes him valuable is his proven ability to score. 

9. Detroit Pistons—Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

I know, it's hard to call Jared Sullinger underrated, but he continues to lose media attention to the other big men in the draft.

The fact is, Sullinger has as close to a complete game as you will find at this point in the draft process.

He is a born leader that plays with passion. I love his versatility and ability to hit consistently from up to 18 feet.   

10. New Orleans Hornets (via LAC from MIN)—Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

Marshall plays the game the right way, and that is still saying way too little. There isn't a guard with better court vision in the draft.  

11. Portland Trail Blazers—Tyler Zeller, C, UNC

He may not have the upside of a Perry Jones III, but he is a balanced player that is ready to make an immediate impact. He runs the floor very well despite his size.  

12. Milwaukee Bucks—Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Rivers is as much underrated as misunderstood. The knock on him is that he is coming out way too early, but he will be fine in Milwaukee, working on getting a consistent perimeter game.  

13. Phoenix Suns—Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Here is another player that is getting lost in the shuffle. Jones may not be the biggest name out of Kentucky, but his game is deadly. 

He can guard multiple positions, can pass exceptionally well and can hit from beyond the arc. Add to that his work ethic, and you have a player that is guaranteed to be a hit at the next level. 

The last thing to add to his game would be a solid post game. 

14. Houston Rockets—Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

He certainly has the size and stature to be a top-10 pick in the draft. His talent is through the roof, but he can get lost on both ends of the court, submitting to a back-up role far too often.

15. Philadelphia 76ers—Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

I am going to say that Leonard comes off the board around this time for a couple reasons. He is big and he handles his body frame very well. 

He commands the paint with authority and can score close to the basket, but needs to add a consistent shot from outside. 

16. Houston Rockets (via NYK)—Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

He is underrated simply because he hasn't found his niche on the inside. Moultrie is already a great perimeter player, and that's a blessing considering his size.

Most men with his stature would settle for an inside game, but Moultrie is the other way around. He needs to committee to a post game, and will finally take advantage of his dominant size.  

17. Dallas Mavericks —John Henson, PF, UNC

Henson has a balanced game on offense, but his real value is as a defender. He can guard multiple positions, and he can do it quite well. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah)—Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is also a gifted defender on the wings, and he finally put together a consistent offensive game. That will be more than enough to keep him in the top 20.  

19. Orlando Magic—Royce White, SF, Iowa State 

There is a ton to like about White, who can score from anywhere and is an excellent rebounder. There is genuine fear, though, about his anxiety disorder and fear of flying. 

20. Denver Nuggets—Tony Wroten, G, Washington

Wroten is a great point guard that can be elite, at times. He shows flashes but has failed to put together a long string of dominant games. 

21. Boston Celtics—Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

This is the perfect project for a team that is slowly retooling the roster. He has immense talent, but he needs time to infuse some poise and patience to his game.  

22. Boston Celtics (via LAC from OKC)—Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

I am convinced that Melo will rise up the boards and soon be considered a possible lottery pick, because he is that gifted. 

The real joy would be to see him on the Celtics, a team that craves a player of his talents. He is big and passionate on defense. 

The Celtics need a post player with a mean streak that can change shots and rebound, and that's Melo. 

23. Atlanta Hawks—Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague may drop to the later end of the first round for the simple fact that he forces issues and can get sloppy with the ball.

I can look past that when you see all his positives. He is an underrated defender and has the best first step in the draft.

With explosion and ability to finish, Teague will be a star that is exciting to watch nightly

.  

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL)—Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure 

We like his soft hands and great passing ability, but he needs to add a lot more bulk to be considered any higher.  

25. Memphis Grizzlies—John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is teetering on the first and second-round fence. I have him fully on the good side for the fact that he is lights out from anywhere on the floor.

26. Indiana Pacers—Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s

Harkless could very well be gone by this point for what he gives as a wing player that plays big. He can rebound and defend with power and tenacity.  

27. Miami Heat—Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

I am hoping the Heat get Ezeli because he addresses a specific need. He gives them depth in the paint with a player that is solid as a rebounder and shot blocker. 

28. Oklahoma City Thunder—Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

Hooray for intangibles. Draymond Green doesn't have elite-level athleticism, but he more than makes up for it with grit and hard work, a born leader. 

29. Chicago Bulls—Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb is exactly who I want as a shooting guard. He plays with fearlessness and wants the ball when it matters. 

30. Golden State (via SA)—Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

I am erring on the side of versatility with the last pick. Jones is a big man that can rebound, but he can also hit the deep shot. 

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