2012 NBA Mock Draft: Andre Drummond and More Busts Waiting to Happen

Declaring a player a bust before he ever steps foot on the court doesn't seem to make sense, but one look at the 2012 NBA draft class presents a lot of players with enough red flags to wonder how they will handle the adjustment. 

Busts are always going to happen; it is just the nature of the draft process. Talent is great, but there is a lot more that goes into making it at the next level. 

Here is a look at our 2012 NBA mock draft, with a look at the players who have bust written all over them. 

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

For so many reasons, the Bobcats need Davis to become the superstar that he was in college. Given his knack for blocking shots and always-improving offense, I wouldn't bet against him being at least a very good player. 

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

John Wall was supposed to be the franchise player for the Wizards. Kidd-Gilchrist is a more polished shooter and much better all-around player than Wall, so don't be shocked if he steps in right away and is the best player for this franchise in his rookie season. 

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Cavaliers are hoping beyond hope to get their hands on Beal. He is going to be the best rookie in the NBA next season thanks to his combination of touch on the outside, aggressiveness in the lane and fierce competitiveness. 

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

Robinson just keeps getting better, which is exactly what you want to see from a player who entered college with a mountain of potential but rough around the edges. His stock continues to soar, and he will be an All-Star.  

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

We keep hearing about all the talent that Drummond has. Certainly, he has the look of a star in the NBA, but there is a world of difference between looking the part and acting the part. To date, there has been a lot more of the former than the latter. 

When you are 6'11", 275 pounds with a big frame and enough muscle to overpower anyone at the college level, you should be averaging more than 10 points per game. Drummond needs to play more physical down low instead of letting the game come to him. 

The talent is too great for the Kings to pass up at the No. 5 spot, but Drummond needs to make a lot of adjustments to come close to reaching his potential. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

An underrated player by virtue of where he played in college, Lillard has the strength and toughness to play both guard positions at the next level. While he doesn't have star potential, Lillard's versatility will give him a long and prosperous career. 

7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

The Warriors love scorers, even when they know that defense has to be the priority. Barnes isn't going to give them much on the defensive side of the ball, but he is as pure a shooter as anyone available in this class. 

At the very least, Barnes will turn into one of the best role players in the NBA when he gets experience and adds muscle to his frame. 

8. Toronto Raptors: Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

Of all the point guards in this class, Marshall has the best chance to turn into a Rajon Rondo type. He doesn't like to shoot, but when he does, he hits a high percentage and can hit from beyond the arc. 

Marshall's passing ability is as good as anyone in this class. Given the lack of talent on the Raptors, they need someone who can set the offense up for easy baskets. 

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF, UNC

Henson has the defensive prowess to make an impact at the next level, but his frame is really small for the power forward position. That is not to say it is impossible for him to become a star, but until he adds muscle, there are a lot of things we don't know. 

Plus, telling Henson to add muscle could affect the way he plays the game. Not only does he have to get used to the extra weight for a 48-minute game, but it could affect his stamina and ability to control the ball down low. 

There are too many "what-ifs" associated with Henson right now to think he is going to be anything more than a back-up power forward. 

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

Arguably the most unstable player in the draft, there is no denying the talent that Jones has when he is on the court. He has the size, length and shot to be a dynamic offensive player at the next level. 

However, Jones also lacks that extra something to succeed in the NBA. Whether you want to call it mental toughness or inconsistent play, Jones has to figure out how to get out of his own head before he can make it in this league. 

Given that he couldn't overcome these roadblocks in college, don't count on Jones suddenly figuring it out against better competition. 

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

It might be an easy comparison to make for a lot of reasons, but Zeller is going to turn into a Tyler Hansbrough at the next level. He is going to be a serviceable player who will have occasional moments where he shines. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

One of the biggest names in college basketball the last two years, Sullinger made some adjustments to his game and training regimen from 2010 to 2011. Some of them worked well, particularly adding muscle to his slight frame. 

Unfortunately, the flaws in his game are still very evident. He is an undersized power forward who wore down at the end of the college regular season and is still too passive with the ball. 

With the Bucks trying to find names, Sullinger is a perfect fit. But he is a project who has to be groomed delicately in order to reach his full potential. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Coming into the season, Rivers was the most hyped college player in the country. Part of that can be attributed to his pedigree, but in high school, he was a dominant superstar in the making. Things did not go as planned at Duke, however. 

Rivers had moments of brilliance with the Blue Devils—the first game against North Carolina comes to mind—but for the most part, he was just an overrated recruit whose last name made him bigger than he really is. 

He doesn't pass the ball, his shot selection is horrendous and he can only move to his right. Other than that, he is a great prospect. Playing with Steve Nash, if the Suns are able to re-sign him, could be the best thing that happens to Rivers. 

14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

Jones has star potential thanks to a great shot and some of the best ball-handling skills of any power forward in the draft. He is going to be a great value for the Rockets at this spot. 

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

Ross is a one-dimensional player who fits the 76ers perfectly. As long as he learns to make better decisions with the ball, his shot is so good that he can give this franchise the offensive boost it needs. 

16. Houston Rockets (via Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

One of the best pure athletes in this class, Moultrie keeps making waves for his improved play on the court during his two years at Mississippi State. He needs to get a lot more aggressive and use his size, but the raw potential is huge. 

17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse

Waiters is the perfect combination for the aging Mavericks, who are desperately seeking help this offseason. He is young, quick and can shoot the lights out to take pressure off Dirk Nowitzki. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Jazz): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

An inconsistent shooter throughout his college career, Lamb might be the best value pick of the first round. His style doesn't do him a lot of favors, but he can flip the switch in an instant and turn into a dominant scorer and lockdown defender. 

19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

If you are looking for Meyers to be the next Dwight Howard, you are going to be sorely disappointed. If you look at him as a raw, athletic big man who can play defense and is getting better on offense, he is going to be a good NBA center. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten, G, Washington

Wroten will make the Nuggets already athletic offense even more dynamic. His selfish attitude could make him a bust, but on talent alone, he is going to be a star. His shot selection and passing ability make him the most complete point guard available. 

21. Boston Celtics: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

With White, the questions about his mental stability are going to push him down draft boards. On talent alone, he is a top 10-15 player in this class. He sees the floor well, doesn't get overwhelmed by the stage he is on and is an underrated rebounder. 

22. Boston Celtics (via Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

The Celtics love tough, hard-nosed defenders. Nicholson earns high marks for his length, ability to block shots and go after the ball at all costs. Add to that an evolving offensive game that can contribute 12-15 points per game, and you have a long, prosperous NBA career. 

23. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Considering that Harkless won't have to carry the load with the Hawks, his skills as a shooter and on-ball defender are going to make him look even better than he did during his St. John's days. 

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Lakers): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller could have used more college seasoning, but it is hard to look past a 19-year-old small forward who showed an advanced feel for the game, has the size to be a great rebounder right away and an improving shot. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

As long as the Grizzlies don't look for Melo to become a two-way star, he will be exactly what they need. He has a toughness in the paint, especially on the defensive side of the ball, that will make him a valuable NBA player. 

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

No playoff team needs more help at the point guard position than the Pacers. Teague is an ideal fit because he has a great feel for running an offense, passing the ball and has some of the best shot selection of anyone in this draft. 

The Pacers need a player like Teague to fall into their laps if they want to take the next step in 2012. 

27. Miami Heat: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Versatile defenders who can shoot the lights out are rare commodities in the NBA. It is even more rare to find that kind of player sitting at the 27th pick. Taylor may not fill the biggest need the Heat have—size in the paint—but he is the best player available. 

His star is going to keep rising as the draft process continues. Taylor might be the best of the non-lottery players available in this draft based on performance. 

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

Considering how loaded the Thunder roster is right now, Fournier is exactly the kind of prospect they can afford to go after. He is incredibly raw and has to get used to playing against the best talent in the world, but an athletic scorer with the ability to drive the lane is worth gambling on. 

29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb is not exactly the missing piece the Bulls need to get to the NBA Finals. He doesn't have superstar potential, but he can shoot the lights out with his touch and ball-handling skills. 

Given the problems the Bulls have had scoring the ball without Derrick Rose, Lamb will give them a solid back-up plan should something happen to their superstar. He can't carry the load on his own, so someone else has to set him up. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via SA): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

The Warriors often look for offensive standouts to push the ball up the court. It is a fun style to watch, but not conducive to long-term success. Green is not a high-upside prospect, but he does so many things well that he can be a solid player for a long time. 

It will be difficult for Green to succeed because he is undersized, but given the way he played at Michigan State, I would not be willing to bet against him. 

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