NBA Draft 2012: Owners That Are Desperate for Outstanding Drafts

With the endless pressured heaped upon coaches and athletes alike, it's easy to forget that ownership shares in the blame game from time to time.

Draft night is certainly one of those times.

After all, when fans aren't pleased, it's the owners who ultimately bear the brunt of their ire—either by reduced tickets and merchandise sales, or simply with a healthy dose of media scrutiny. Just ask the Clippers' Donald Sterling how that's worked out for him.

Here are some owners who will find themselves on hot seats come June 28's draft.

Michael Jordan, Charlotte Bobcats

You shouldn't need anyone to tell you this draft could go a long way in either making or breaking the Charlotte Bobcats. If this season's 7-59 record isn't enough to create some desperation in Charlotte's front office, not much will.

This draft could serve Charlotte's interests in a number of ways. The Bobcats have apparently tried to use the pick in a bid to land a more established young veteran who could help turn the franchise around. It could also try to turn it into multiple first-round picks to build some depth in the young rotation.

Of course, it could also opt to keep the pick. Kansas' Thomas Robinson may be the most likely choice at this juncture, but guys like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bradley Beal, Andre Drummond and Harrison Barnes are also options. 

A lot will hinge on making the right choices here, and there are no shortage of choices to make.

Leslie Alexander, Houston Rockets

Houston owns the 14th and 16th picks in the draft, and Leslie Alexander will have to make the most of them with a restless fanbase wondering why their team can't get over the hump. The Rockets are never bad enough to swing one of those prime top-five picks, but nor are they good enough to make the playoffs.

The last thing a middling team of this order needs is a couple of middling draft picks. Still, some of the league's best players have fallen to the late lottery or farther. Kobe Bryant was selected with the 13th-overall pick, and he seemed to turn out alright.

The Rockets already have a nice combination of youth and depth on the roster, so they may be better served by attempting to trade up or otherwise landing a veteran ready to contribute right away. Finding the right piece or using these draft assets to land a legitimate star could be the difference between more of the same in Houston and a long-overdue renaissance.

Tom Benson, New Orleans Hornets

It will be pretty hard for Tom Benson to mess up that first-overall pick. Even if Anthony Davis somehow became a flop down the road, no one would blame New Orleans for taking him.

The bigger question is what will become of that second lottery pick, the 10th overall. 

The Hornets could hold on to it and snag some pretty good value–perhaps a point guard like Damian Lillard to one day replace Jarrett Jack or maybe a forward to help offset the loss of Trevor Ariza. The Hornets have some options, but that's always a double-edged sword. 

With a golden opportunity to build around superlative talent like Davis and Eric Gordon, the Hornets don't want to mess this one up. And with new ownership running the show, a strong first impression would go a long way with Hornets fans.

Robert Sarver, Phoenix Suns

The Suns find themselves in a situation similar to that of the Rockets. This team is close to being good, but it has a ways to go before becoming great. Like Houston, they'll also have to do their damage with a late-lottery pick (13th overall), either via trade or simply making a prophetic decision.

Phoenix has loads of cap room and the potential to re-sign Steve Nash and surround him with some serious talent. That's easier said that done, but a good decision here wouldn't hurt that effort.

Paul Allen, Portland Trail Blazers

Portland raised some eyebrows when it traded Gerald Wallace to the Brooklyn Nets, but now it has the sixth-overall pick in the draft to show for it. That all sounds well and good, but botching that pick is the last thing Paul Allen needs at the moment.

Not only did the pick cost a solid piece in Wallace, but Portland is still reeling from the loss of potential stars like Greg Oden and Brandon Roy to serious injuries.

It goes without saying that Allen could use a little luck, but no amount of luck will compensate for a bad decision. And, those decisions could get pretty difficult. 

Should Portland keep the picks or move them for a veteran? Should it use the first pick on something of a gamble like Andre Drummond, or should the Blazers play it safe? 

Stay tuned to see what happens with this club.