2012 NBA Mock Draft: Ferocious Players Who Will Own Glass at Next Level

Rebounding is one of the most underrated aspects of the NBA.

Sure, watching a player drop 30 points in a row is nice, but either he'll be trading baskets with the opposition or he'll never actually get the ball if someone doesn't rebound for him.

Dominating the glass is essential for NBA teams if they hope to compete, and luckily for GMs, this draft is full of solid rebounders.

So, with the draft order officially set, let's take a look at my newest mock draft, which focuses on the players who will make a Kenneth Faried-type impact on the glass from day one. 

Note: These players are in italics

Also note: All following stats come from draftexpress.com

1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

People are all ready to anoint Davis' defensive skills, and while he deserves it, we forget to mention how good he is on the glass—especially for a guy who was a guard during his junior year of high school.

Davis uses his tremendous length to pull down rebounds at the very top of his jump, and because he does it this way, no one can really compete with him down low. 

During his only year with Kentucky, Davis averaged 12.9 rebounds per 40 adjusted minutes, and that number is fourth best in the draft class.

More importantly, Davis also hit the offensive glass very well, and that will help score buckets as he continues to develop his offensive game.

The Hornets are a franchise-changer in Davis. 

2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Bobcats missed out on Anthony Davis, and since the franchise is in such a dire situation, it needs to go with the surest thing.

To me, that's Thomas Robinson, who also happens to be the best rebounder in this draft.

Not only is he tremendously athletic, Robinson has a relentless motor and perfect positioning that helped him pull down 14.6 rebounds per 40 adjusted minutes, which is first in the draft class. 

Some people worry about his size for a power forward, but he's too smart and too hard of a worker to let that affect him. 

Putting Robinson next to Bismack Biyombo gives the Bobcats a formidable frontcourt duo for the future. 

3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Andre Drummond has a scary combination of size and athleticism, and the Wizards aren't going to risk missing out on him.

Putting the big man next to John Wall gives Washington an exciting future. 

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

The lottery may have dropped the Cavs one spot in the order, but they will still get their man in Kidd-Gilchrist.

Not only is MKG a former high school teammate of Kyrie Irving, he's a winner in every sense of the word. This will be a steal of a pick.

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Kings don't need a shooting guard, but they'll go with best available here. Beal is a terrific scorer and provides good value at No. 5.

Additionally, Sacramento now has the freedom to shop Marcus Thornton or Tyreke Evans more freely. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Blazers could go a lot of different ways here, but I think their No. 1 priority will be point guard.

Raymond Felton just doesn't look like the future.

It will be interesting to see whether they go with Lillard or Kendall Marshall, but Lillard's stock is rising and he'll be the guy. 

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The Warriors are going to jump all over Barnes here, as he has the talent to potentially go in the top three. 

8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb is an incredibly smooth shooter, but his length also makes him a force on the defensive end. He'll strive next to a pass-first point guard in Jose Calderon.

Additionally, this lets the Raps move DeMar DeRozan to small forward.

9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

Jones has some big question marks, but it will be hard to pass up his length and athleticism. 

He can either serve as a nice compliment down low to Greg Monroe or he could play small forward and give teams matchup problems. 

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

The Hornets have their big man of the future in Davis, so I think they'll simply try to get a shooter at No. 10.

Eric Gordon's future in New Orleans is uncertain, so Rivers serves as insurance while at the same time giving them a capable backup point guard. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

After grabbing a point guard with their first pick, the Blazers will go after a true center.

Zeller, who stands at 7'0" tall with a good offensive game, is a solid pick to round out Portland's starting lineup. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

The Bucks have solid players down low, but Ersan Illyasova is hitting free agency, and who knows how much longer Drew Gooden will produce.

As a result, they'll go with Henson, who is a terrific defender and just as good rebounder.

In addition to being able to defend the rim better than anyone not named Anthony Davis, Henson's length, athleticism and jumping ability make him effective on the glass. 

Henson averaged 12.4 rebounds per 40 adjusted minutes in his junior year for the Tar Heels, and he will be able to do the same in the NBA.

Henson has a very similar skill-set to Anthony Davis, and he is even more far along in his offensive post skills, but he's older and therefore doesn't have the potential Davis has.

Still, this looks to be a nice bargain for the Bucks.

13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

The Suns desperately need some youth and athleticism on the wing.

Terrence Ross, the best dunker in the draft, is the easy pick to fulfill those needs. 

14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Samuel Dalembert and Marcus Camby are not the future for Houston, so they would do well by taking a future center.

Leonard is a bit of a project, but he has good athleticism for a seven-footer. This pick makes a lot of sense.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Some still see Sullinger as a top 10 pick, but I think his lack of athleticism will hurt his stock a bit.

Still, Sully is a terrific low-post scorer, and that's exactly what Philadelphia needs.

16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Whether it's Kyle Lowry or Goran Dragic, the Rockets will likely be losing one of their top guards. Waiters is a pure scorer and is a good replacement to add instant offense from the bench. 

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Jason Kidd isn't the youngest guy around, and it seems like the Mavs don't have a ton of trust in Rodrigue Beaubois.

I've had Marshall in the top 10 in some of my other mock drafts, but if a few picks go a certain way, he could drop simply because teams don't need a pure point guard.

This would be a stellar pick for Dallas. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

I love Harkless' game. He struggles shooting from the outside, but he can do just about everything else.

The Big East Rookie of the Year is good at getting to the basket, he rebounds and he has the length to play tremendous defense.

He will remind a lot of people of Josh Smith, and the Timberwolves need a small forward. Win-win. 

19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller is a little raw, but he is a solid scorer who can play shooting guard or small forward. The Magic need some youth on the perimeter, and Miller is a good way to change that. 

20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

The one question around Jones is simple: What position will he play?

His size is more small forward, but he is used to playing power forward. Nonetheless, he has the quickness and shooting to probably play the "3" and cause matchup problems.

The Nuggets will jump on Jones, who some people have going in the lottery. 

21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie is seriously talented, but I question his basketball IQ just a little bit. Other than that, he has impressive size, athleticism and offensive skills, so it's hard not to like this guy.

His stock is rising, and it's unlikely that he falls this far, but the Celtics would be happy to see it. 

22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Without a doubt, Jenkins is the best shooter in the draft. 

The C's will eventually need a replacement for Ray Allen, and Jenkins is absolutely the perfect fit for that job. 

23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Royce White, SF, Iowa State

White has a little bit of baggage, but he is without a doubt the best point-forward in this draft.

He's 6'8" with a lot of muscle and bulk, but he often ran the offense at Iowa State, where he led the Cyclones in every major stat. 

I like White as a prospect, and I think he'll out-produce his draft position.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

Wroten is a terrible shooter, and he often loses focus, but other than that he's the perfect prospect.

He's big for a point guard (6'5"), he's athletic, he's quick and he has vision that you probably wouldn't think possible.

He'll take a year or two to develop, but Wroten is going to be a great player. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

After Mike Conley, the Grizzlies don't come close to having a consistent point guard.

Marquis Teague is a John Calipari point guard, so you know he'll be solid. The Grizzlies shouldn't pass up Jeff's brother. 

26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb is the second-best shooter behind John Jenkins.

He's a little small and will struggle on defense, but that shouldn't be a huge problem if he comes off the bench as a role player.

That's exactly what he'll do for the Pacers.

27. Miami Heat (46-20): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson is another one of my favorite prospects. He doesn't have ideal size for a power forward (6'9", big woop), but he's incredibly smart and incredibly efficient on offense.

Not only does the former Bonnie have great footwork and a soft touch in the post, he can step out and hit the mid-range jumper.

A big man who can score. Nicholson is just what the Heat need. 

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Evan Fournier, SF, France

The Thunder don't really need any immediate help so they can afford to take on a project in Fournier.

The Frenchman is a good scorer, but he's only 19 and is likely a year away from playing in the NBA. 

29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

I called Royce White the best point-forward in the draft, but Draymond Green comes close to that title.

Much like White, Green is big, can handle the ball, does everything on the court and has a color for his last name. 

"Yes please," said the Bulls. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

I worry a bit about Melo's maturity level and his ability to contribute on the offensive end, but there's no arguing the type of impact he will make on the defensive end.

Andrew Bogut's health is far from 100 percent, so it would be smart of the Warriors to grab a big man. 

Follow @t_keen