2012 NBA Mock Draft: Highlighting Best Defensive Prospects in First Round
If defense wins championships, then several prospects in the upcoming NBA draft can bring teams one step closer to a title.
Teams that struggled to stop opposing offenses will be targeting players that stood out in college with their play on the defensive end on the floor.
Whether the prospect is a feared shot-blocker or pesky perimeter defender, these players will be valued for doing the dirty work.
Here are my predictions for every first-round pick, highlighting the best defensive players available.
Note: these defensive players are in italics
Note II: all measurements courtesy of CBSSports.com
1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Antony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Davis is not just the best overall prospect in the draft, but is far and away the best defensive player available.
His 7’3” wingspan and explosive leaping ability makes him an elite shot-blocker at any level. He led the nation with 4.7 swats per game in his lone season at Kentucky.
Davis protects the rim like few college prospects ever have. He shows promise on the offensive end, but it is his defensive talents that make him so valuable.
He has an incredible motor and all the qualities to be an elite defender. NBA All-Defensive Team selections and Defensive Player of the Year awards are likely in his future.
2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
The Bobcats appear unable to make up their mind with this pick and have reportedly shopped around for a trade, according to Kurt Helin of NBCSports.com.
If they do not find any takers, they will go with Robinson, who is the most complete prospect worthy of a top-five pick. He scores and rebounds at an elite level and is incredibly athletic. He will help the team improve in a number of areas.
3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
The Wizards recent trade to acquire Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza makes Beal a perfect fit for their roster.
Beal is a talented scorer and teaming him up with John Wall would give the team a potent backcourt. Okafor and Ariza’s defensive talents would be an excellent complement to Wall and Beal’s scoring capabilities.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
The Cavs badly need help at small forward, and they will be thrilled if Kidd-Gilchrist falls to them at No. 4.
Kidd-Gilchrist is the best perimeter defender in the draft and can be a destructive force on the wing.
He is 6’7.5” with a 7’0” wingspan, and is a dynamic athlete. His strength and quickness make him a lock-down on-ball defender.
But his best defensive attribute is his motor. Few prospects put forth the effort that Kidd-Gilchrist does, and the Cavs will be getting a player that gives his all at every moment of every game.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Andre Drummond, PF/C, Connecticut
Drummond would give the Kings a talented but risky frontcourt. He has the size and skills to be an elite big man, but was inconsistent during his freshman year, and put up just 10.0 points and 7.6 rebounds.
Pair him with the volatile DeMarcus Cousins and the team could either have one of the top frontcourts in the league in a few years, or both players could be busts.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
Lillard is an incredible talent who never got the chance to be in the spotlight in college. He played at tiny Weber State and finished second in the nation with 24.5 points per game.
He has all the tools to be an elite point guard in the NBA and is the only small-school prospect worthy of a lottery pick.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Barnes has an excellent all-around game and will help the Warriors in several areas.
He has a fantastic midrange game and is a solid defender on the perimeter. He does not have great quickness and can struggle to create his own shot, but he is a smart, mature player who can be consistently productive for Golden State.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Henson is a lanky forward with fantastic leaping abilities. These qualities make him a dangerous shot-blocker.
He was measured at 6’10.5” at the combine and has a ridiculous 7’5” wingspan. He blocked 2.9 shots per game last season.
His lack of bulk is concerning, but he was able to make up for that in college with constant effort. His non-stop motor and incredible length allows him to guard multiple positions effectively.
Henson is the kind of athlete that can be a dominant defender in the NBA, and he will go early because of his potential on the defensive end of the floor.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Waiters has the ability to score effectively despite lacking a consistent outside shot and standing just 6’4” tall.
This is because of his fearlessness and aggression when he gets into the lane. No player in the draft attacks the rim with the combination of grace and power that Waiters displays. It is something that cannot be taught, and he is a unique talent.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
The Hornets would be smart to add a player that both Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon will want to play with.
Any NBA player would love to have a point guard like Marshall. He was second in the nation with 9.7 assists at UNC, and he is always looking to make a play for one of his teammates.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
The Blazers will be targeting a defensive-minded big man with this pick, and Leonard has been shooting up draft boards since the combine
He was measured at 7’1”, and his height, along with his penchant for protecting the rim, will make him an ideal pick for Portland.
Leonard grabbed 8.2 rebounds and blocked 1.9 shots this past season at Illinois, and his length and athleticism give him the talent to be productive in those categories at the pro level.
Meyers showed great hustle and determination on defense in college, and the Blazers will ask him to do the same as they hope their troubles with drafting big men are over.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
After trading away Andrew Bogut, the Bucks will also be looking for a big man. Zeller is the best option available and can contribute on both ends of the floor.
He has a soft touch on offense and put up 16.3 points per game. He shows excellent hustle defensively and on the glass, and will fill a big need for the Bucks.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
Lamb has the potential to be a player who can be productive on offense and defense. He has a smooth jumper and his 6’11” wingspan makes him talented defender.
His lack of strength is concerning, and he can be too passive at times, but he certainly has the potential to be a solid starter.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
Jones has one of the biggest upsides in the draft due to his freakish athleticism. He is 6’11” but is smooth and quick enough to play small forward.
However, his athletic ability is the only elite part of his game. He does not excel as a shooter or in the post and can show inconsistent effort on defense. He is risky, but his potential is nearly limitless.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky
Jones is a terrific ball-handler for a 6’9.5” player, and he also shoots the ball very well. His body language has attracted plenty of criticism, but he showed in his sophomore year that he can be a valuable part of a championship team.
Jones is versatile player who can fit in multiple positions on both offense and defense. He would be an excellent addition to a young, athletic Philadelphia roster.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Jared Sullinger was given a medical red flag because of back issues, and this will cause him to slide out of the lottery.
The Rockets already have an insurance policy at power forward with Perry Jones III, so they can afford to take a risk on Sullinger. If he can stay healthy, he is a top-10 talent.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
Ross can be an electric scorer with his athleticism and outside shooting abilities, but he still needs to add versatility to his offensive game.
He does not handle the ball particularly well, and struggled to find quality opportunities for midrange jumpers. If he soaks up everything he can from the Dallas veterans, he could turn into an excellent player.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Rivers has the talent to turn into a dominant scorer, but he does not do much else well.
He was advertised as a complete prospect coming out of high school, but his defense and play-making abilities left a lot to be desired at Duke. However, Minnesota could use another scoring guard and that is what Rivers does best.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Melo is an athletic big man who can protect the rim. The Magic could be in desperate need of a player like him if Dwight Howard ends up leaving.
Melo is a true seven-footer and has plenty of potential, but also has a lot of work to do. He will be a work in progress upon his arrival, but will give Orlando a badly-needed backup plan.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi St.
Moultire has size, skill and athleticism. He is just under 6’11”, and can jump out of the building. He also has excellent range on his jumper.
He averaged a double-double for Mississippi St. in his junior season, and George Karl will be pleased to get a player with so much potential.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Moe Harkless, SF, St. Johns
Boston needs to get more athletic, and Harkless is one of the most dynamic athletes in the draft.
He has a raw offensive game, and his lack of effort on defense has raised concerns, but he is unstoppable in the open court and Rajon Rondo would love to have a running mate on the fast break.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
With the Celtics’ second consecutive pick, they will target a shooting guard as an insurance policy for losing Ray Allen.
Jenkins is a potent scorer who put up 19.9 points per game this past season and shot 43.9 percent from three-point range. He will give Boston exactly what they are looking for.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington
Wroten Jr. is a risky pick with exceptional talent. He is 6’6” guard with great handles and the ability to make incredible passes.
However, he struggles to shoot the ball and has a reputation for being difficult. His potential makes him an attractive option this late in the draft.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson could be the best player to come from a non-lottery pick.
He has range out to the three-point line and is tenacious in the post. He is unproven against top-level talent, but shows a lot of qualities that could make him successful in the pros.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Evan Fournier, SG, France
The Grizzlies will be looking to add a scoring guard off the bench in order to start separating themselves from O.J. Mayo.
Fournier can provide offense in the second unit and the Grizzlies will happy to grab him late.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Miller is one of the biggest unknowns in the first round. He is an athletic and versatile forward who failed to produce much in college.
He is 6’10” and can play multiple positions, and the Pacers will take a risk on his talent.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
The Heat need big bodies and Ezeli is the only center that will be worth taking at this point in the draft.
He is raw offensively, but has the potential to be effective on the glass and in the low post on defense.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Royce White, SF, Iowa State
White has a red flag on him due to character issues, but he is one of the most talented players in the draft.
If the Thunder can make him comfortable and get him to play to his potential, this will be the biggest steal of the first round.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Marquis Teague has the size and athleticism to fit well in Tom Thibodeau’s defensive system.
He will also be happy to get a chance to play alongside fellow John Calipari-recruit Derrick Rose.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Green has all the intangibles to be an NBA player. However, his athleticism is extremely questionable.
The Warriors could use a player with his maturity, and he is a good option with the last pick in the first round.
