2012 NBA Draft: 2nd-Round Prospects with 1st-Round Value

Where are the hidden gems in the 2012 NBA Draft? Who are the steals?

Why are we still watching if the first round is done with?

All of those questions arise on a year-by-year basis and fail to be answered until the regular season is truly in full swing. Fortunately for those impatient types, I'm right there with you and have taken it upon myself to find the answers before the questions begin to flow in.

Here's a list of six second-round players with first-round talent.

6. Mike Scott, Virginia Cavaliers

Position: PF

Age: 23

Height, Weight and Wingspan: 6'8", 237 pounds, 6'11" wingspan

Pros: Scott is a very good rebounder who can score from the paint to the three-point line. He's a high-character, high-motor player who's very strong and very physical. Scott thrived against the better competition.

Cons: Scott is undersized and will be turning 24 by the time the regular season begins. He also has a history of injuries. 

 

NBA Player Comparison: David West, Indiana Pacers

Scott is deadly from mid-range, can attack the basket off the dribble and excels in scoring from the post. By comparison, he's a slightly smaller version of the Pacers' star 4, David West.

It should be noted that Scott is the much better rebounder and West is the more dominant scorer. With that being said, both men utilize their strength and physicality to win interior battles. They also use their athleticism and quickness to create open looks for themselves from the high-post and beyond.

Scott and West also share a history of injuries.

Season Averages: 30.91 PER, 18.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.2 APG, 56% FG

5. Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas Jayhawks

Position: PG

Age: 22

Height and Weight: 6'3", 185 pounds

Pros: Taylor is an excellent perimeter defender, with blazing speed. He's a very good athlete who finishes well around and above the rim. Taylor can play the undersized 2 and is an intelligent player.

Cons: Taylor struggles with his jump shot. He also has disciplinary issues and can be reckless with the ball.

 

NBA Player Comparison: Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks

Taylor is an excellent athlete who thrives in finishing around the basket. His speed is unmatched, quickness unstoppable and big-play ability unparallelled.

In other words, he's a non-southpaw version of Brandon Jennings.

The separation for Jennings and Taylor rests on the perimeter, where Taylor is the much better defender. In fact, Taylor is more than capable of locking down an elite opponent. Both he and Jennings, however, thrive in forcing turnovers.

As for where Jennings holds an advantage, perimeter shooting has become his bread and butter. Just wait until Taylor becomes a better shooter, and you'll see what this kid can do: everything.

Season Averages: 20.73 PER, 16.6 PPG, 4.8 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG

4. Khris Middleton, Texas A&M Aggies

Position: SF

Age: 20

Height, Weight and Wingspan: 6'7", 215 pounds and 6'10" wingspan

Pros: Middleton is a long, lanky player with a consistent mid-range game. He sees the floor well and can defend the 2 or 3. Middleton is more athletic than his playing style would suggest, as he crashes the boards and is comfortable with the ball in his hands.

Cons: Middleton struggles from distance and could add some muscle to his frame. He missed 12 games in 2012 due to a torn meniscus that saw him go from preseason Wooden Award candidate to non-factor.

 

NBA Player Comparison: Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons

Middleton is a long and athletic player who has a killer mid-range game. He's also a solid defender who handles multiple positions, crashes the boards and creates scoring opportunities off turnovers.

While Tayshaun Prince is one of the league's elite perimeter defenders, a level Middleton would certainly fail to reach in his early playing years, he too has a strong mid-range game. Also like Prince, Middleton is a ball-handler who can finish well around the rim.

Season Averages: 18.72 PER, 13.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG

3. Jared Cunningham, Oregon State Beavers

Player Traits: Shooting Guard—age 20—6'4"—194 pounds

Pros: Excellent ball handler. Quick first step. Can finish around the rim. Consistently improving jump shot. Racks up the steals. Can defend both guard positions. Very good motor. Leader on the floor.

Cons: Undersized in height and build. Although improving, lacks a consistent jump shot. 

 

NBA Player Comparison: Leandro Barbosa, Indiana Pacers

Jared Cunningham is an unstoppable slasher who can get to and above the rim with the best of them. Credit this to his top-tier ball-handling and blazing quickness.

While Cunningham has never been the best shooter, he's improved tremendously since first entering the collegiate ranks. To make up for any deficiencies, however, Cunningham has become savvy in the use of his floater and up-and-under maneuvers.

Much like another lightning-quick guard, Leandro Barbosa of the Indiana Pacers.

While Barbosa may be the better jump shooter, Cunningham is certainly the better defender. The two's skill sets remain comparable and should be a great way to gauge Cunningham's upside.

Season Averages: 21.07 PER—17.9 PPG—3.8 RPG—2.8 APG—2.5 SPG

2. Scott Machado, Iona Gaels

Player Traits: Point Guard—age 21—6'0"—180 pounds

Pros: Absolutely outstanding as a facilitator. Quite possibly the best passer in this draft class. Very quick, very athletic. Drastic improvements in shooting percentages and ability. Strength advantage over the average point guard. Excellent ball handler.

Cons: Undersized at just 6'0" tall. Can be caught watching the ball and gambling on defense.

 

NBA Player Comparison: Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

A lofty comparison, indeed, but one that comes with good reason.

Scott Machado is, arguably, the best passer in this draft class. He turned sub-par players into NCAA tournament participants and made a stagnant Iona offense dangerous. That's before you acknowledge his shooting line of .495/.404/.811 and assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.0.

In terms of physical ability, Machado is just as quick and easily the stronger of the two. He's also an incredible ball-handler, well above-average rebounder and solid perimeter defender.

While Chris Paul holds the clear advantage in the scoring and defending categories, as well as possessing a mentality for basketball that cannot be compared to, Machado has the upside to reach his level. He's what Sebastian Telfair would have been had he attended four years of college.

Season Averages: 23.48 PER—13.6 PPG—9.9 APG—4.9 RPG—1.6 SPG—49.5% FG

1. Will Barton, Memphis Tigers

Player Traits: Shooting Guard—age 21—6'5"—165 pounds

Pros: A truly elite scorer. Excels in attacking the basket. Solid mid-range shooter. Has deep range on his J. Possesses the "killer instinct." Very good motor. Floor leader.

Cons: Needs to add muscle to his frame. Often struggles with his shot selection. Can force shots when struggling.

NBA Player Comparison: Nick Young, Los Angeles Clippers

Will Barton is a pure scorer. He can create off of the dribble, convert jump shots from anywhere on the floor and finish well around the basket. The separating flaw, if you will, would be Barton's average size in comparison to Nick Young's well-above average height.

With that being said, Barton has a much higher basketball IQ than Young and is far less prone to weak attacks of the basket and careless turnovers. Barton is the potential steal of the draft and has true franchise player ability.

Season Averages: 26.88 PER—18.0 PPG—8.0 RPG—2.9 APG—1.4 SPG