2012 NBA Mock Draft: Harrison Barnes and More Overrated Prospects
As great as many of the prospects are this season, there are some overrated players (in Italics) whom will teams will reach on. While these players will be successful, it will take time, and it won't warrant where they will be picked.
Note: NBA mock draft standings are fluid—from lottery teams to playoffs, things will change. The below order is based on mix of current standings and projected finishes.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
The question is not which player will go No. 1, it's which team will win the draft lottery and take Anthony Davis.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
If the Wizards can snag Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to partner up with John Wall, they will be as dangerous a pair in the NBA as anyone within a few seasons.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
My pick to be Rookie of the Year and the biggest star out of this draft will find his way to a team that desperately needs the help. Thomas Robinson and the Cavaliers are a perfect match.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
While the New Orleans Hornets are in a transitional period, they will be drafting a throwback player in Jared Sullinger, who will fit with the team in much the same way that David West did.
5. Sacramento Kings: Bradley Beal, Florida
With Tyreke Evans on the trading block, the team will look to draft the long-term answer at shooting guard with Florida star Bradley Beal.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut
While the need for a center is clear, the Portland Trail Blazers would make a huge mistake taking UConn star Andre Drummond.
This isn't a Greg Oden bad mistake, but it’s not great.
Drummond proved in the NCAA tournament that he comes up small when pressured, so NBA teams must be skeptical of his ability to transfer his talents over to the big leagues. If he can add some bulk and prove that he can take the body and still be effective, Drummond will be a real NBA star.
The problem is, his success is no guarantee, and the Blazers needs certainty at No. 6 overall.
7. Golden State Warriors: Austin Rivers, Duke
With Monta Ellis out of town, the Golden State Warriors need to fill their reckless shooters quota.
That’s where Austin Rivers comes in.
8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
The problem for UNC small forward Harrison Barnes isn't a lack of talent or effort—it's a lack of first-step speed and the ability to make his own shots that make this pick risky.
If Barnes goes to a team like the Toronto Raptors, who have no standout point guard, he will be forced to make his own shots, and that’s not where he has been successful.
While there is no question he has the upside and ability to improve, Barnes needs a point guard or ball-handler who can find him on his spot where he can drain it. He has the shot, he just needs the help.
9. Detroit Pistons: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
The need for a real center has been there for years, and the addition of UNC star Tyler Zeller will fill the Detroit Pistons' void for the long term.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
With the trade of Chris Paul, Kendall Marshall will walk into New Orleans and bring the most all-around talent to the PG position they could expect.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Weber State
The most offensively gifted point guard in the NBA draft, Damian Lillard led the league in per-game scoring and will make an amazing NBA player.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, North Carolina
John Henson is another UNC star who will walk onto the Milwaukee Bucks and be the kind of leader on the court whose effort will spark the team. Henson goes hard all the time.
13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
With the likely departure of Steve Nash, the Suns will have to find an offensive threat with the ability to make his own shots. UConn's Jeremy Lamb will be their man.
14. Houston Rockets: Tony Wroten, Washington
The Houston Rockets need help in their backcourt with depth and skill.
Tony Wroten brings both to both guard positions.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky
The 76ers' love for tweener forwards will continue as they take Kentucky's Terrence Jones. The hope is that a coach like Doug Collins can turn this No. 15 pick into a Top Five-worthy player.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, Illinois
The Houston Rockets' offseason rebuild will continue with their selection of raw center prospect Meyers Leonard. This pick will take a few years to pay off, if it ever does.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrell Stoglin, Maryland
While Terrell Stoglin is a bit of a reach for the Mavericks at No. 17, there is no doubt he has the talent to be a great point guard for the system Dallas runs.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross, Washington
The Timberwolves need to find themselves a player just like Terrence Ross who can play shooting guard or small forward, depending on the lineup. This is a perfect fit.
19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
With the probable departure of Dwight Howard, drafting a center with as much upside as Arnett Moultrie is a no-brainer for the Magic.
20. Denver Nuggets: Perry Jones III, Baylor
After opting to return to college for another season, Perry Jones blew his stock by letting his numbers slip in almost every major statistical category.
While there is no doubting the ability the young star has, he is so raw and his effort has been questioned so heavily that he needs to drop into the second round before realizing that he needs to take the NBA seriously.
While the Nuggets can get the most out of their players, if Jones falls to a team with a lack of leadership, there is no chance that he doesn't struggle.
21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, Baylor
Built from the same mold as Paul Pierce, Quincy Miller has the ability and potential to be a star for the Celtics for the next 10 seasons or more.
22. Boston Celtics (via L.A. Clippers): Fab Melo, Syracuse
The need for a center has been evident since the Kendrick Perkins trade, so Boston wises up and takes a defensive stud in Fab Melo.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, Syracuse
With Joe Johnson and Josh Smith looking for a point guard who can make big plays, Dion Waiters will the Hawks' solution.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via L.A. Lakers): Royce White, Iowa State
Quite possibly the best all-around player in the NBA draft, Royce White will give the Cavaliers depth and talent to seriously contend in a few seasons.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Moe Harkless, St. John's
With a need for a viable backup and eventual successor to Rudy Gay at the small forward position, Moe Harkless has the right size and skill set for the Grizzlies.
26. Indiana Pacers: Jeff Taylor, Vanderbilt
Danny Granger has emerged as a solid player at the small forward position, but the Pacers lack elite depth behind him.
That's where Jeff Taylor steps in and makes the team that much better.
27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, Michigan State
The Miami Heat will find a solid leader for a team that is full of players looking to each other instead of taking on the role themselves. Draymond Green will outwork every member of the Heat and lead by example.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas
The Oklahoma City Thunder are still very young, so taking a risk with Tyshawn Taylor this late is a solid choice for the long-term goals.
29. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague, Kentucky
The need for a backup point guard like Marquis Teague has become blatantly obvious this postseason.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
David Lee's time on the Warriors may be over, and the era of the more defensive-minded Andrew Nicholson will be ushered in.
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