2012 NBA Mock Draft: Rookies That Will Be Utter Busts
Basketball isn’t played with a measuring stick.
It happens every single year—the inevitable gaffe: teams reach on prospects with loads of potential. And naturally, the inevitable consequence is that those players bust. Here’s a 2012 first-round NBA Mock Draft highlighting the league’s future busts.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis (PF, Kentucky)
If they miss out on the first overall pick and Davis, Charlotte would be devastated.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF, Kentucky)
With Jordan Crawford and Chris Singleton, Washington has the worst pair of wings in the league.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal (SG, Florida)
Cleveland needs a superstar, and Beal is one of the class’ few players with that level of potential.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson (PF, Kansas)
Robinson is a solid starting block for a team that will potentially be forced to start from scratch without Eric Gordon.
5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond (C, UConn)
Despite being a 6’11”, 275-pound physical force, Drummond only averaged 10.0 points and 7.6 rebounds with the Huskies last season. That’s inexcusable for a big with his ability.
Drummond is simply too inconsistent to succeed at the next level. He’s passive and fails to assert himself on the offensive end. And despite his size, he doesn’t impose his will on his opponents in the paint.
If Drummond were drafted by a ball club with a strong coaching staff, he’d be fine. But that isn’t going to happen. Paired with DeMarcus Cousins, Drummond is never going to get the coaching attention that he needs to develop. He’s bound to follow in Hasheem Thabeet’s footsteps.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Perry Jones III (PF, Baylor)
Jones’ case is even more puzzling than Drummond’s. Why isn’t the athletic freak that’s 6’11”, 235 pounds, capable of playing either forward position and possesses a sweet stroke the consensus No. 2 selection? He defines inconsistency.
With his combination of physical ability and skill set, Jones should dominate anyone that matches up with him. But he doesn’t, not even close. Jones averaged 13.5 points and 7.6 boards last season.
Jones finished five games last year with over 20 points. He failed to score more than five points in the same amount of contests. Like Drummond, he’s too passive, and his poor motor screams bust.
7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes (SF, UNC)
Dorell Wright took a step back this season, and he's the weak link in the Warriors' starting five.
8. Toronto Raptors: Dion Waiters (SG, Syracuse)
Toronto will never win anything with James Johnson/Rasual Butler in their starting lineup.
9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger (PF, Ohio St.)
Jason Maxiell isn’t the future down low next to Greg Oden.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Jeremy Lamb (SG, UConn)
Scouts expected Lamb, with an unmatched combination of range, length and athleticism, to emerge as one of nation’s top scorers. He failed to do so. Lamb began the season as a top-five lock, but now he isn’t even in the discussion.
His inconsistency plagued him more and more as the season progressed. His 25- and 22-point efforts in the Big East tournament were followed by a 10-point performance against Syracuse, leading to UConn's elimination. His 6-15 outing from the field against Iowa State led to the Huskies' demise in the NCAA tournament.
Elite scorers don’t disappear in games. Lamb makes a habit of disappearing. He’s nothing but a role player at the next level.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard (PG, Weber St.)
The Raymond Felton experiment is a failure, so the Trail Blazers need to a new starting point guard.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller (C, UNC)
Milwaukee doesn’t have a capable starting center on their roster.
13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall (PG, UNC)
Marshall is the closest thing to Steve Nash that’s entered the draft in years.
14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross (SG, Washington)
Kevin Martin won’t play a game in a Rockets uniform past the 2012-2013 campaign.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones (PF, Kentucky)
If you couldn’t tell, Philly is desperate for an offensive spark.
16. Houston Rockets: John Henson (PF, UNC)
Patrick Patterson isn’t the long-term answer at power forward.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Austin Rivers (SG, Duke)
Jason Terry is a free agent, and Rivers is practically a clone of the Jet.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Quincy Miller (SF, Baylor)
Ricky Rubio would love to swing the ball to the wing, but there’s nothing there right now for the Timberwolves.
19. Orlando Magic: Tony Wroten Jr. (PG, Washington)
Wroten is a high-potential point that the Magic would be able to rebuild around.
20. Denver Nuggets: Marquis Teague (PG, Kentucky)
Andre Miller is a free agent, so a backup point guard is their greatest need.
21. Boston Celtics: Arnett Moultrie (PF, Mississippi St.)
Boston needs depth everywhere, but Moultrie is the best player on the board.
22. Boston Celtics: Meyers Leonard (C, Illinois)
The biggest difference between the Celtics’ championship contending teams and their current squad is size, so their future would brighten with back-to-back bigs.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless (SF, St. John’s)
Marvin Williams is an amnesty candidate because he needs to be replaced.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Fab Melo (C, Syracuse)
Cleveland doesn’t have a true center on their roster after passing on Jonas Valanciunas.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Andrew Nicholson (PF, St. Bonaventure)
Memphis’ only big man capable of producing quality minutes off the bench is Marreese Speights.
26. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb (SG, Kentucky)
Leandro Barbosa is a free agent, and the Pacers’ second unit failed to help keep pace with the Heat.
27. Miami Heat: Will Barton (SG, Memphis)
Barton is an explosive scorer and an instant upgrade to Mike Miller, whose solid outings are few and far between.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tyshawn Taylor (PG, Kansas)
Derek Fisher isn’t going to last much longer as the Thunder’s backup point guard.
29. Chicago Bulls: Evan Fournier (SG, France)
Chicago won’t contend without Derrick Rose, so they should be willing to wait for Fournier to develop because he’s their best shot to fill their need at the 2.
30. Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green (SF, Michigan St.)
Golden State needs an athletic power forward, and Green is versatile enough to come off the bench and spend time at the position.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
