Prospecting: 2012 Is the NBA's Power Forward Draft

The NBA's deepest position is about to get better.

The power forward is of increasing importance in today's game. If a team's power forward can pick-and-pop with a guard, the offense will hum. If he can cover wide swaths of the floor like a KG prototype, the defense will smother. 

Fortunately, this draft is replete with these lanky, versatile individuals—especially because I believe Anthony Davis to be more a power forward than a center. According to Jonathan Givony's Draft Express, four out of our top picks are frontcourt guys—players who can conceivably play the 4. NBADraft.net projects five power forwards in the top 10. 

But it isn't about the number of power forwards, it's the talent that they promise. Anthony Davis epitomizes that promise with his length, athleticism and defensive instincts. The position is currently offense-heavy, thanks to net-shredders like Nowitzki, Aldridge and Love.

Davis can redefine the position as defense-first like a young KG once did. The rangy kid could be the check on all the offensive power forwards who take 20-footers with impunity. 

That being said, there are certainly offensive talents at the 4. Thomas Robinson is explosive with his drives and put-backs. Jared Sullinger is methodical and crafty with his post game. Perry Jones is, well, nobody really knows what to make of Jones yet. The same could be said of Terrence Jones, though I believe him to be the next Josh Smith in all the good and bad senses of that characterization. 

Power forwards are versatile and flexible, but this draft is not. It's stacked with frontcourt specimens.