2012 NBA Mock Draft: Defensive Studs Who Will Be Great Role Players

No matter how great an offensive star is, his team won't win a championship without defense and role players. Guys that provide these qualities are essential components when assembling an effective and balanced team.

In the 2012 NBA Draft, there are a few players that hang their hat on the defensive end. Many of them will be valuable role players for a NBA team next year, and into the future.

Here is a full first-round mock draft with a concentration on these players.

(Spotlighted players and teams will be italicized)

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis looks like the top pick right now; I believe Andre Drummond has a higher ceiling and is a potential superstar, but Davis will be a good pro. If the Bobcats take him, he upgrades their defense immediately. 

2. Washington Wizards: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

Drummond is the player whose package of size and athleticism screams superstar more than any player in the draft. The Wizards may hesitate to take him because of the issues they had with JaVale McGee, but they would be missing out on a special player.  

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Being a role player doesn't mean you're a reserve, or any other potentially demeaning label. So everyone who thinks that term is beneath MKG has a misunderstanding of the role he could potentially play.

He reminds me of Shawn Marion—without the weird form on his jump shot. He is 6'7", with long arms and great athleticism. He's a SF that rebounds like a PF, and he excels in transition. Defensively, he can take the most difficult assignment almost every night.

He won't become a great scorer unless he improves his outside shooting (25 percent from three-point range in 2011-2012). MKG's best quality right now is his defense and tenacious approach. He has the athleticism to become more, but for now he is the premier defensive role player in this draft.

He is a great fit for the Cavs—placing him on the wing would give Cleveland a defensive-stopper and a high character, team-first presence. 

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

Robinson is my early choice for NBA Rookie of the Year. His skill set and work ethic will allow him to be productive from Day 1. The Hornets have multiple lottery picks, so they can go for a sure thing here while rolling the dice a bit more with their second pick. 

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Barnes is a solid outside shooter who will defend and rebound, but he isn't going to be a No. 1 option for a good team. If the Kings take him, he would be an ideal third option behind Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins.

6. Portland Trailblazers (Via Brooklyn Nets): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida  

Beal is getting a lot of love right now (via ESPN), but I am not sold on him. If he measures out at 6'3" in pre-draft workouts, I will really have concerns about his ability to create his own shot. The Blazers could take him to play the SG with Nic Batum at SF.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor

PJ3 has tons of talent, but many, like ESPN, wonder if he'll ever reach his potential. He is the only prospect whose upside is anywhere near Drummond's. If the Warriors took him, they would have an interesting mix of young talent with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson already on board.

8. Toronto Raptors: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Marshall is clearly the draft's best pure point guard. He is a strong leader and a solid outside shooter; he shot 35 percent from the three this past season, while leading the nation with 351 assists (9.8 per game). The Raptors could have their floor general if they draft Marshall.

9. Detroit Pistons: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb is a long and athletic SG; he reminds me of Eddie Jones. He can be a terror defensively with his length and athleticism, despite his slender frame.

His prowess on that end of the floor should earn him playing time early, and his ability to finish and knock down the three (33.6 percent from three in 2011-2012) makes him a very solid role player.

He'll probably never be a star, but he could be a valuable second or third option. If Detroit selects Lamb, he and Brandon Knight would make a great young backcourt. He would represent an instant upgrade at the SG position and make Ben Gordon expendable—if they could find a taker for his horrible contract.

10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

I'm convinced Rivers' game is made for the NBA. He had a solid freshman season, but I believe the best is yet to come from him. The Hornets need a star to boost the overvalue of the franchise, and Rivers has tons of star power.

11. Portland Trailblazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Zeller is a legit seven-footer with athleticism and passion for the game. The Blazers desperately need a big man to play alongside LaMarcus Aldridge, and Zeller would be a great selection.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF/C, North Carolina

Henson is developing a nice 15" jump shot, but his specialty is defense—shot-blocking to be exact. He averaged over three blocks per game during his three years at North Carolina. His commitment on that end of the floor would endear him to Bucks' coach Scott Skiles.

He has great length, but more importantly, Henson possesses great timing. This is perhaps his greatest asset. He is a bit thin, but as he adds bulk, he will become an even better defender.

The Bucks need a big man after sending Andrew Bogut to Golden State, and Henson could be the guy to replace him.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Lillard is an explosive scoring combo guard. He averaged 24 points per game in his senior season at Weber State. The Suns could be looking for a replacement at point guard if Steve Nash leaves in free agency. Lillard would be an exciting selection. 

14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

Moultrie reminds me of Taj Gibson. He is a hard-working big man with length, athleticism and passion for the game. He runs the floor well, and he displays impressive leaping ability.

Big men with this skill set will always be popular on draft day, and Moultrie will be no exception. The Rockets need a big man badly; I'm not sure if Moultrie's ideal NBA position is center, but I know he could offer the Rockets a solid defensive presence in the middle.

That is something they haven't had since Yao Ming used his big body to clog the lane.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger can score the ball, and he is a brute with excellent footwork in the post, but he's a bit short for the power forward spot, and his issue is compounded by his lack of athleticism. The Sixers need scoring and Sully fits the bill there, and he could ultimately be Elton Brand's replacement.

16. Houston Rockets (from N.Y. Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Waiters is a solid isolation player, but he's a little undersized for the SG position. That said, adding a dependable jump shot could make Waiters a formidable offensive player. The Rockets could move Kevin Martin if they draft Waiters.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, SF, Washington

Ross is a terrific athlete with a nice shooting stroke. The Mavericks need youth and athleticism throughout the roster, and Ross would be an excellent addition.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Jones reminds me a lot of Al Harrington; he has the body of a PF, but his game is perimeter based. He would fit in well with Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love as a wing-scoring option. 

19. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Melo has good size and he is a good shot-blocker (2.9 blocks per game in 2011-2012). The Magic need some insurance at the C position in case Dwight Howard bolts. If Howard stays, Melo would be a great backup. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller has a ton of talent as a ball-handler and scorer. At 6'8", he is an exciting talent, but I think he needed another year in school. Nonetheless, he could add depth and upside as a reserve for the young Nuggets.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson's game isn't fancy, but its full of substance. He has great footwork and a soft touch, and those skills make him a solid low-post scorer. The Celtics may be rebuilding the core of their team, and Nicholson could give them a young scorer in the post.

22. Boston Celtics: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Jenkins can shoot it as well as any player in this draft. He shot 43.9 percent from three in 2011-2012. The C's will have back-to-back picks and Jenkins could help them continue the rebuilding.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Jeff Taylor is one of the more underrated scorers in this draft. He raised his scoring average every year he was at Vanderbilt, topping out at 16 points per game in 2011-2012. The Hawks should be ready to part ways with Marvin Williams; the No. 2 pick in the 2005 draft never lived up to his potential.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Leonard is a solid athlete and he's a legit seven-footer, but he needs to get stronger. Right now he could be a decent backup for Anderson Varejao, if the Cavs select him. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

Wroten has a ton of upside; he is 6'5" with the handle of a PG. His biggest issue is his outside shooting; he shot only 16 percent from three in 2011-2012. The Grizzlies could use him as a backup for Mike Conley and at the SG position.

26. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, SF/PF, St. John's

Harkless' game reminds me of a more athletic version of Shareef Abdur-Rahim. He can play away from the basket, but he is also a solid rebounder. The Pacers could move Danny Granger to give the team younger and more athletic wing players. Harkless and Paul George is an exciting combination at SG and SF.

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Ezeli is a solid athlete, but most of all he's a big body. He'll play physical and challenge shots. Those are the exact qualities the Heat need on their roster. Drafting Ezeli would make Miami tougher and deeper in the frontcourt. 

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky 

Teague is very quick and explosive, but he needed another year to refine his point guard skills. The Thunder need depth at the position, and it would be hard for them to pass on Teague because of his upside.

29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb can score the ball in bunches. He shot 47 percent from three and 81 percent from the free-throw line in his college career. The Bulls desperately need a scorer from the SG position. If Lamb's stock rises, the Bulls needs to consider trading up to get him.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Draymond Green, PF/SF, Michigan State

Draymond Green is like the Tim Tebow of the 2012 NFL Draft. He has tons of intangibles, but he has some deficiencies that will scare some teams away. He is a bit of a tweener at 6'8".

The Warriors need a versatile glue guy, and that is exactly what Green is; he's the type of player that can change the culture of a team for the better.

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