2012 NBA Mock Draft: Over-Hyped Prospects Sure to Disappoint Fans

With just four teams remaining in the NBA playoffs, anticipation is certainly mounting for next month's draft. While several players like Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal are considered can't-miss studs by many, there are plenty of others who are sure to fall flat.

No matter how much scouting and analysis is done, there are bound to be quite a few busts in this year's draft. It's difficult to find star players in the middle and later parts of the first round of the NBA draft, and that makes it even more important for teams that are picking early to hit on their selections.

Unfortunately, swinging and missing on picks is the nature of the beast in the NBA draft, and not every organization is going to be able to avoid it.

Along with a full, first-round mock draft, here is some further analysis on highly-touted prospects who will fail at the next level and leave many fans sorely disappointed.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, F (Kentucky)

There isn't always a consensus top pick in the draft, but Anthony Davis is most certainly that this year and whichever team gets the first selection will have a legitimate stud on their hands.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F (Kentucky)

The Wizards would be in a tough spot at No. 2 as they would have to choose between three good prospects, but Kidd-Gilchrist's all-around skill set will win out.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, G (Florida)

Cleveland is on the road to success thanks to the selection of Kyrie Irving last year, and adding Beal to that backcourt will give the Cavs one of the league's most talented tandems.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, F (Kansas)

There appear to be four prospects in this draft who have separated themselves from the rest, and the Hornets wouldn't be upset at all if they had to "settle" for Robinson.

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut)

Connecticut center Andre Drummond is the classic case of a player who had to decide between staying in school and improving or taking the money and bolting to the NBA. Drummond entered UConn as a top prospect this past season and showed flashes as a freshman with averages of 10 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. He simply wasn't the dominant force many expected, though.

Drummond would have really benefited from another year with the Huskies, especially since he would have been the go-to guy. Drummond never really took over a game this past season, and he isn't going to be able to step into the NBA and suddenly become a top guy. It's going to take a lot of work and there is no guarantee that he'll ever reach his potential.

Drummond has always been used to being the biggest and strongest guy on the floor, but he found out in college that it wasn't always the case and it certainly won't be in the NBA either. Drummond has a lot of promise, but I feel like entering the draft too early will rob him of a great career.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Kendall Marshall, G (North Carolina)

Few prognosticators have Marshall ranked this high, but he is clearly the best point guard in the draft and he would be an ideal fit for the Blazers.

7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, F (North Carolina)

There isn't another wing player in the 2012 draft with as much offensive ability as North Carolina forward Harrison Barnes. That doesn't necessarily always translate to success in the NBA, though. Barnes showed flashes of greatness at the collegiate level as he averaged over 17 points per games as a sophomore last season, but there were some warning signs as well.

When point guard Kendall Marshall went down due to injury in the NCAA Tournament, Barnes looked completely lost. He's supposed to be a player who uses his 6'8", 215-pound frame to create his own shots, but he was essentially incapable of doing so. Rather than going to the basket and getting to the foul line, he decided to shoot ill-advised, contested three-pointers.

Barnes was a combined 2-of-14 from downtown in a near NCAA Tournament loss to Ohio and an eventual defeat against Kansas. He also shot 37 percent or worse in three of his four tourney games this past season. Barnes simply doesn't appear to have good shot selection skills and that is going to sink him in the NBA.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, G (Connecticut)

Lamb stepped up in a big way this past season as he became UConn's main offensive threat and he will do wonders for the Raptors as a threat from beyond the arc.

9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, F (Baylor)

Had Baylor forward Perry Jones III entered the NBA draft after his freshman season, he may very well have been a top-three selection. Jones opted to attempt to refine his game with the Bears, though, but he didn't make the strides many hoped he would.

Jones' scoring average dropped from 13.9 to 13.5 points per game while his shooting percentage plummeted .549 to .500. That type if regression has to be troubling for NBA teams.

Jones still needs to fill out his 6'11" frame as he is just 235 lbs., but he still should have been able to physically dominate more opponents than he did in college. Jones is a finesse player, and while that can work at times, there have been far too many players like him who have entered the NBA and flopped. Two players who immediately come to mind are Brandan Wright and Anthony Randolph.

Somebody like the Detroit Pistons at No. 9 is going to take a chance on Jones, but unless he learns to do the dirty work in the paint and stops wilting when it matters most, he is never going to be a big-time player.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via MIN): Damian Lillard, G (Weber State)

The Hornets would love to find a replacement for Chris Paul, and while Lillard is a different player, he can bring some offensive flair back to the point guard position.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jared Sullinger, F/C (Ohio State)

Portland needs a guy who can play next to LaMarcus Aldridge at center, and while there is some question as to whether Sullinger can play in the middle, his wide frame will allow him to.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

Because of a lack of true centers in this draft, Leonard's value is a bit inflated, but he has a lot of potential and would be a good fit for the Bucks.

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)

The Suns are going to have to replace Steve Nash, but since there isn't a point guard worth taking at this spot, they'll nab another skilled backcourt player in Rivers.

14. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, F/C (North Carolina)

Houston has been searching for somebody to take the place of Yao Ming, and while Zeller isn't comparable, he will be a good offensive presence in the paint.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, F (North Carolina)

The Sixers have had a great season in spite of their deficiencies in the post, but Henson would give them a nice, athletic contributor on both ends of the floor.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York): Terrence Jones, F (Kentucky)

Since the Rockets don't really have a ton of depth, taking Jones would be wise as he can step in and be a strong rebounder at three different positions.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Arnett Moultrie, F (Mississippi State)

Moultrie has enough ability to be taken in the top 10, but his late-season drop off will cost him and work in the favor of the Mavericks as they net Dirk Nowitzki a nice complement.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah): Terrence Ross, G (Washington)

The Timberwolves are pretty thin in the backcourt, especially with Ricky Rubio injured, so they'll take Ross and hope that he doesn't pull a Wayne Ellington.

19. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, G (Kentucky)

Lamb really improved his draft stock with a strong national championship game, and he would be a great outside complement to Dwight Howard if the Magic don't trade him.

20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)

Denver is stacked with tons of depth, and Waiters would fit in quite well since he is an explosive combo guard capable of running the point or playing off the ball.

 21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, F (St. John’s)

It's no secret that Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce probably don't have much time left in the NBA, so the Celtics would be wise to grab an athletic, young forward in Harkless.

22. Boston Celtics (via L.A. Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

He certainly entered the draft too early and may never develop an offensive game, but Boston needs a stout defender in the middle and Melo may be able to become one.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, F (Iowa State)

The Hawks are dealing with the harsh reality that Josh Smith may be entering his final season in Atlanta, so they'll have a contingency plan by taking White.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via L.A. Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, F (St. Bonaventure)

Cleveland has a couple of decent interior players in Anderson Varejao and Antawn Jamison, but it lacks depth, making Nicholson a very logical pick.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, G (Washington)

The Grizzlies have a couple good specialists at the shooting guard position, but nobody who can excel in every area, however, Wroten would be an extremely nice fit.

26. Indiana Pacers: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

Indiana had a fantastic season and has a very bright future, but it is extremely important to get some center depth behind Roy Hibbert and Ezeli will provide that.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F (Michigan State)

With the only worthy remaining big man going in front of them, the Heat will take the safe route by taking a strong leader and versatile forward in Green.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Jones, F (West Virginia)

Oklahoma City's front line is excellent defensively, but lacks offensive pop, so Jones would be a nice player to bring off the bench when a little more scoring is needed.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, G (Vanderbilt)

Derrick Rose's injury is obviously a concern, but when he returns he needs a good shooter to play next to him, and Jenkins may be the best pure shooter in the draft.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Marquis Teague, G (Kentucky)

Overall lack of need drops Teague to this spot and the Warriors will be glad to take him as it will allow them to play Stephen Curry at shooting guard a bit and take some of the ball-handling burden off him.

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