2012 NBA Mock Draft: Overrated Stars Whose Stock Is Dropping

A lot of prospects will see their stock rise and dip dramatically in the three weeks leading up to the 2012 NBA draft. There are numerous reasons for that, such as how they perform at today’s combine, various workouts and interviews.

One of the worst things for a player's stock is a poor showing at those events, and it seems that, every year, a number of them slip because of some sort of failure during this crucial time period.

Let’s take a look at the latest first-round mock with a focus on some guys who are currently slipping down the big boards.

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

Barring an insane injury or serious felony, Davis is going to be the No. 1 pick in the draft. He’s earned the right, and his stock could not be any higher.

2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Scouts are high on Beal because of his ability to make any shot on the floor, create his own looks and get to the basket. He had a slow start to his freshman season, but he put it all together come tournament time. His stock could not be higher.

3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

MKG solidified his status as a great teammate and versatile forward during the Wildcats' tournament run. He makes perfect sense as a starting 3 for Washington. 

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Cleveland direly needs a scorer to pair with Kyrie Irving. Barnes is the best one on the board, and he will continue to prove that when he takes the stage at the combine today. The guy can simply make baskets.

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson dragged his underwhelming Kansas team into the championship game and solidified his status as one of the best PF prospects in the nation. He can do everything that a big should, and he possesses a solid jumper to boot.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, C, UConn

There are some concerns about Drummond and his ability to play at the NBA level. Those worries were legitimized after his poor tournament performance. But while that may hurt his stock, teams know that they cannot teach size and will still gamble.

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

PJIII has to work on his motor, but the basketball skills are certainly there. If the Warriors can coax those out of him, they’ll have a steal on their hands at No. 7.

8. Toronto Raptors (23-43):  Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Toronto needs an elite scorer like Rivers. They have a bunch of mediocre 2s and 3s, but no real future stars. The Duke product is a beast when he is on the ball and will soon develop into a force off of it.

9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger isn’t close to being the best athlete in the draft. You could say he plays below the rim. He’s a decent post-up scorer, but there isn’t much to like about his game outside of it.

After showing almost no significant improvements from his freshman to sophomore year with the Buckeyes, Sullinger’s stock definitely dropped.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Marshall is valuable because of his elite passing ability. He may not have insane upside, but he has good size for his position and the know-how to run an offense.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38):  Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

Jones is one of the more head-scratching prospects in the class. Scouts aren’t sure if he will play the 3 or the 4 in the NBA, but they do know he’s got some incredible skills when he is on the floor. He needs to work on his consistency if he ever wants to be a truly great player.

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Milwaukee cannot be expecting a future Hall of Famer if they take Zeller, but they’ll get a solid big man who can run the floor and finish at the rim. They are severely lacking size, and this pick just makes sense.  

13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Damian Lillard, G, Weber State

Lillard doesn’t seem like a starting point guard. He hasn’t had to run an offense during his college career and has been a primary scorer who doesn’t rack up too many assists.

He looks like he will be better suited to an energy role off the bench playing off the ball, which is not what teams are usually looking for in the lottery.  

14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Terrence Ross, G, Washington

Ross is one of the better all-around shooting guards in the class. He’s been slowly clawing his way up the big boards as people see more of his game. The Huskies product is likely to fall into the lottery when all is said and done.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Elton Brand is too old, unathletic and slow to keep starting at the 4 in Philly. Henson is an ideal replacement and can be a great defender because of his long length and size.  

16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Leonard is a big body who will take time to develop into a serviceable center in the league. But he’ll still be able to log some minutes as a rookie to give fouls and help cover some of the taller bigs.  

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30):  Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller seemed to be feeling lingering effects of a high school ACL injury during the season, but he could impress scouts by showing he is healthy and confident during workouts. He’s got a lot to like about his game and could be an top-notch scorer in the near future.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb was supposed to be the leader of the defending champion UConn Huskies during his sophomore season. Instead, he seemed complacent and uninspiring, despite having the best basketball skills of anyone on the roster.

The SG has to show more intensity when he plays and less complacency, or he will never amount to much at the next level.  

19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Waiters is incredible at slashing to the hoop, has a decent mid-range game and can even play some point guard. He’s still extremely raw, but good interviews and workouts will have him closer to the lottery.  

20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's 

Speaking of raw prospects, Harkless has a ton of skills to hone, and his upside is tremendous. He’s got to work on his jumper if anyone is ever going to respect his athleticism, though.

21. Boston Celtics (39-27):  Royce White, PF, Iowa State

White is an absolute beast, but he has a crippling fear of flying and an anxiety disorder. If he is able to overcome these things, and they are sometimes treatable with medication, the C’s would be getting an elite player for a pick that most elite players do not usually come from. 

22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson has experience, a mid-range game, a knack for rebounding and a commitment to defense. Sounds like a perfect replacement for Kevin Garnett at the 4 in Boston.

23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie is a lengthy, hyper-athletic forward in the Josh Smith mold. Which is great, because the Hawks would be able to jettison Smith out of his unhappy situation if they develop Moultrie properly.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers):  Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb is a solid shooter, although a bit undersized for his position. He’s still the most complete player available to round out the Cavs' backcourt.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

Wroten has insane court vision, passing ability and size for the point guard position. However, his shot is awful. He could not hit water falling out of a boat, and that is being kind. There are also whispers that he is not the best teammate, which is a large reason why he’s not projected to go earlier.

26. Indiana Pacers (42-24):  Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague’s not going to be a starter in the NBA, but he knows how to push a fast break and could inspire energy from a second unit. Indiana is where he is from, and it would be a perfect place for him to land.

27. Miami Heat (46-20): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Melo is the most skilled bigs remaining in the class, and the Heat direly need a center. Anyone who has watched them play in the postseason the past two years can clearly see this.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Green can play both forward positions, has three-point range and a knack for rebounding. He’s a born winner and loves to hustle, making him a nice option for OKC Thunder.

29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt 

Jenkins might be the best pure shooter in this draft class. Considering that the Chicago backcourt is going to be direly thin and Rip Hamilton can’t seem to stay healthy, adding someone like the Vandy senior should come in handy.

30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The other Commodore star will not fall out of the first round. He’s too gifted of an athlete and has a decent jumper as well.