NBA Draft Lottery 2012: Who Hornets, Bobcats and Top Teams Must Select
While the NBA Draft Lottery took some of the guesswork out of draft prognosticating, there are still some stones left unturned, but it's clear who the top three teams must take to improve their squads.
The New Orleans Hornets secured the top pick, and this scenario played right into the hands of conspiracy theorist. The Hornets are still the league and David Stern's baby, and many will look at their good fortunes with a suspicious eye. Frankly, I don't blame them.
I am not a conspiracy theorist, but this equation is undeniable:
League ownership of the Hornets + the voided Chris Paul trade + new ownership for the Hornets + the No. 1 pick in the lottery = highly suspicious turn of events.
That said, the Hornets will select first and there is nothing anyone can do about it. With the top selection, their choice is clear, though I don't believe things will go as everyone believes they will.
Here are the clear choices for the top three teams in the NBA Draft.
New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis
The Hornets have to select Davis No. 1, even if they believe another player may have more upside, as I do. Davis is the popular pick, and he has all the momentum with tons of collegiate success in his one season at Kentucky.
If they take a chance on another prospect or trade this pick, it would be a monumental gamble. If they take Davis and he is solid but not spectacular, then the organization doesn't take as much heat.
They will have made the "smart" pick, and whatever happens, happens.
The Hornets will take Davis, and they will then have to try and retain restricted free agent Eric Gordon to make the best team.
Charlotte Bobcats - Andre Drummond
Some are calling the Bobcats one of the losers in this lottery process, but I disagree. The team that won the lottery would be almost forced to take Davis No. 1, because of his notoriety and the fear of the repercussions of passing on him if he goes on to greatness.
The Bobcats won't have that issue now, and I believe Drummond has the most superstar potential of any player in the draft. He's 6'10" 268 pounds with freakish athleticism.
Davis has to grow into an NBA body; Drummond already has one. Drummond is a center that a team can build around, and that is potentially more impacting than a defensive-wiz at power forward. I have my doubts about the offense many believe Davis will develop in the NBA.
Drummond's freshman season was obviously not as successful as Davis', but 10 points, seven rebounds and just under three blocks per game is a solid first year—especially considering it came in the Big East.
Big men develop at different paces, and if the Bobcats hire Jerry Sloan, Drummond would be coming into an environment with a coach that will teach him the path to success.
I hear the talk about Drummond being lazy, but I also know that he is only 18 years old, he lost 22 pounds since the end of the season and he's looking beastly in workouts.
"Drummond has lost 22 pounds since ending the season.He's at 268 now. He's very quick laterally for a big guy. VERY QUICK
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) May 29, 2012"
Check out this workout video and interview with ESPN's Chad Ford as well. He's only working on his left hand here, but he addresses many of the doubts.
This could be a blessing in disguise for the Bobcats.
Washington Wizards - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
The Wizards need a defensive presence, and a change of culture; MKG can help bring both of those things. He excels in the open court, which makes him a solid fit with John Wall.
He may be the draft's best one-on-one defender (although Vanderbilt's Jeffery Taylor may have something to say about that), and he's an overall stat-sheet stuffer.
MKG reminds me of Shawn Marion (minus the weird jump shot form). He has to work on his outside shot, the 25 percent he shot from three-point range isn't good enough, but he has great upside.
He would instantly make the Wizards better, and at the end of the day, that's what it's all about.
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