2012 NBA Mock Draft: Highlighting First Round's Biggest Question Marks

There are some tempting players with big potential but equally big question marks in this draft. These are the boom/bust picks in this draft; the kind that can make or break the careers of executives and scouts. 

We can all sit and speculate as to whether or not these guys will pan out, but the fact of the matter is, no one really knows. It is all just a large crapshoot. 

These guys will be singled out with extra attention in my first mock draft following the lottery. 

Langford's 2012 NBA Mock Draft

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

The New Orleans Hornets didn't win the top spot in the NBA draft; they won Anthony Davis. 

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

The more I think about it, the more this pick makes sense. MKG has a lot of Jordan in him. The athleticism and competitive drive could lead him to amazing things. 

3. Washington Wizards: Andre Drummond, C, UConn

Why is Drummond a Question Mark?

Andre Drummond is a freak of nature. He is 6'11" and 275 pounds and he can really move. He can run the floor and he is light on his feet. 

What he is not, is polished. He needs a ton of work on his fundamentals in almost every area of the game. He is not that adept at boxing out, and his post moves and footwork are terrible. 

He also needs to improve his touch. If he can do these things, he will be a dominant force in the NBA for years to come. 

If he can't, he won't be much more than a serviceable big man that can get points off of offensive rebounds and clog the middle on defense. 

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson is a polished player. He is a great rebounder and adept scorer. He will contribute in a big way right from the start. 

5. Sacramento Kings: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Kings need a true shooting guard, and there is not a better one in this draft than Beal. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State 

Sullinger's physicality and post game will be a nice complement to LaMarcus Aldridge. 

7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Why is Barnes a Big Question Mark?

Harrison Barnes is a silky-smooth athlete. He has the length and explosiveness to be a star in the NBA. He also has a beautiful shooting stroke. 

However, he is a streaky shooter, and he struggles to create his own shots. This could doom him in the NBA. 

He will have to improve one of these areas to be a solid starter, and he will have to improve in both areas if he wants to be an All-Star. 

He didn't show much improvement in these areas in his two years at North Carolina. Can he start that process in the pros? 

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Toronto needs someone on their perimeter that can score buckets. Lamb will be able to do that.  

9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, SF, Baylor

Why is Jones a Big Question Mark?

Jones is loaded with potential. He has the height and length of a power forward, but he moves like a small forward.

He also has a well-rounded game. The problem is that there is no one area in which he excels. His skill set in every area is simply passable on the NBA level.

He is going to have a hard time finding a go-to move or finding his role in the NBA until he develops a skill where he is dominant.  

If he does develop some phases of his game to an elite level, he will be a special and unique player.  

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Hornets will land some length with the No. 1 pick. With this pick they will find someone that can get him the ball. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

The Blazers must upgrade the point guard position. Marshall is the kind of table-setter they need. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State 

The Bucks need an big man that can bring a little scoring punch. Moultrie will be a nice fit. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

The Suns will have to rebuild their backcourt with Steve Nash likely departing. Rivers will bring the shooting that leaves with Nash. 

14. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Houston has been on a quest to add length to their frontcourt. Leonard has plenty of that.  

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, PF, North Carolina 

Henson will give the 76ers needed frontcourt depth and intensity. 

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

Waiters will join a crowded Rockets frontcourt, but this will give them a ton of versatility and allow them to freely explore trade options. 

17. Dallas Mavericks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina 

The Mavericks badly need frontcourt depth. Zeller is raw, but he has a nice scoring touch.  

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Minnesota will greatly benefit from Jones' defensive excellence. He will be a nice fit with the more offensive-oriented Kevin Love. 

19. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb is a nice slasher. The Magic have shooting in their backcourt, but they lack penetration. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless is long, athletic and not afraid to play defense. He will be an excellent fit in Denver. 

21. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington 

Ross will fit in well with the Celtics' defensive scheme, and he will bring some of the shooting that they may lose with Ray Allen. 

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Celtics are in dire need of frontcourt depth. Melo will bring that and a defensive attitude that Doc Rivers loves. 

23. Atlanta Hawks: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson will help the Hawks get up and down the court and be a nice addition on their bench. 

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas

Mitchell is an athletic and versatile. He can block shots and run the court. He will be a nice fit on the wing for the Cavs. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt 

O.J. Mayo is good enough to start in this league, but he won't get that chance in Memphis. The Grizzlies will be free to trade him with added depth. 

26. Indiana Pacers: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is an athletic, team-oriented player. He will provide nice depth for Danny Granger. 

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

The Heat can afford to go for broke with this pick. Ezeli has a lot of work to do, but he has the body to be a true center. 

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

Wroten is bursting with potential but he needs time to develop. He will be able to do that as Russell Westbrook's backup. 

29. Chicago Bulls: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State

Green is custom-made for the Bulls. He is smart and can do a little of everything. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

The Warriors need added depth in their frontcourt. Jones has the potential to be a solid sixth man.