2012 NBA Mock Draft: Perfect Picks for Every Team
The talent in the 2012 NBA draft sets up for every team to have the ability to make the perfect pick for their situation.
Time will tell if these picks pan out. After all, the draft is certainly an inexact science. Injuries or just problems adjusting can and have derailed many a career, but that doesn't mean the drafting of those players was a bad decision. It is just a turn of bad luck.
In my first-round mock below, you'll find the perfect pick for each team. Picks that are especially ideal will be highlighted with extra attention.
Langford's 2012 NBA Mock Draft
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Davis is clearly the choice at No. 1. Regardless of which team lands the top spot in the draft, they'd be foolish to pass on this supremely talented player.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Kidd-Gilchrist's athleticism and poise make him way too valuable to pass on with the second pick.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andre Drummond, C, UConn
The Cavaliers can certainly use the interior presence. Drummond is raw, but he has all the tools to be a great center.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Why Robinson is the Perfect Fit for the Hornets
The Hornets have a ton of rebuilding to do. They failed to make much of an impact by trading away Chris Paul, and they have to find that impact in the draft.
They cannot afford to take a project player with big upside, but isn't ready to contribute right away. They need to find a player who can excite fans right off the bat.
Robinson is that kind of player. He has the body and strength to contribute right away. He will be an effective rebounder and scorer.
He has nice touch around the rim and solid post moves. He definitely could stand to improve his jumper, but this won't keep him from making an impact as a rookie.
5. Sacramento Kings: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Tyreke Evans is miscast as a go-to guy at shooting guard. Beal is a natural for the position and will be a great addition.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Why Sullinger is a Perfect Fit for the Blazers
The Blazers frontcourt needs major rebuilding. They struck out with Greg Oden and they parted ways with Marcus Camby.
They still have All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, and that is a great piece, but he is going to need some help.
Sullinger will help provide physicality that Aldridge does not have. Sullinger is not afraid to get his body on a player and keep them out of the paint.
The different skill sets of these players means they will have no problem fitting in.
7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Harrison Barnes will be give the Warriors an athletic and versatile play on the wing who has the potential to be a big-time scorer.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
The Raptors definitely can use a boost of scoring from the perimeter, and Lamb will bring that.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, SF, Baylor
The lengthy and athletic Jones has huge potential, and will be a nice fit for the Pistons.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Leonard needs to add some bulk, but he has solid touch and athleticism. He will be a nice fit with Robinson.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
Why Lillard is the Perfect Pick for the Blazers
The Blazers fell apart over the course of last year. Their ship sprung more leaks than anyone could have imagined.
One of the biggest problems from the onset was the disappointing and uninspired play of PG Raymond Felton.
The bottom line is that the Blazers need to find a replacement for him. Lillard is a great solution. He doesn't have a ton of buzz coming out of the small Weber State, but he has the skills to play in this league.
He is explosive, can get to the rack and can shoot from the outside. He also has tremendous court vision.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
The Bucks have some solid defensive pieces in their frontcourt, but they must find someone with some scoring potential. Moultrie has that.
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
With Steve Nash being a free agent and Shannon Brown not being the answer at SG, the Suns need to rebuild their backcourt.
14. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Houston has been trying to add length to their frontcourt. Zeller definitely has that.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Marshall will give the 76ers something they lack: a true point guard. He will be a nice piece for them to bring off the bench.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
The Rockets have talent in the backcourt, but the addition of Waiters will give them flexibility to pursue trades.
17. Dallas Mavericks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Henson can be the backup for Dirk Nowitzki that they hoped they were getting with Lamar Odom.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
The Timberwolves will benefit from Jones elite wing defense.
19. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
The Magic have outside shooting, but need someone that can penetrate. Lamb has the athleticism to do just that.
20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless is a long, athletic George Karl player if there ever was one. He will fit right into Denver's system.
21. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
Why Ross is the Perfect fit for the Celtics
Ray Allen is a free agent. His days in Boston may be numbered. And even if they do bring him back, he doesn't have many games left in that body.
While they have Avery Bradley to split the load with Allen at shooting guard, he is an incomplete player.
Ross will give them someone with much more length, and a sweeter shooting stroke than Bradley. Ross is also a solid defensive player, and he really knows how to play the passing lanes.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Melo has the potential to be an excellent defensive presence in the NBA, and Boston needs some frontcourt depth.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson will add athleticism and scoring potential to the Hawks bench.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
The Cavaliers have to try and find a longterm answer on the wing somewhere. Taylor has that potential.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
The Grizzlies don't need another shooting guard, but they will if they ever pull the trigger on an OJ Mayo trade.
26. Indiana Pacers: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas
Danny Granger needs a defensive-minded backup. The athletic and long Mitchell is definitely that.
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
Ezeli is a project pick that may never develop, but he has a high ceiling, and could develop into a longterm for the Heat at center.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington
Russell Westbrook needs a competent backup and Wroten's athleticism and fast-paced style of play fits right in with the Thunder.
29. Chicago Bulls: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State
Draymond Green is a Bulls type of player. He does a little of everything, and isn't afraid to do the dirty things.
30. San Antonio Spurs: Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia
The Spurs need added depth and length in their frontcourt.
