NBA Draft 2012: Projecting When Anthony Davis and the Biggest Names Will Start

As the 2012 NBA draft draws closer, speculation is abound as to when the most notable players in the pool will become regulars on their new teams.  Most of this speculation surrounds Kentucky forward Anthony Davis (pictured), who is expected to be the first overall pick on Thursday night.

However, as we all know, being a first-round pick doesn't mean a guaranteed starting job.  Just ask Philadelphia 76ers guard and 2010 second overall pick Evan Turner, who only has 34 starts among his 143 career games.

With all of the speculation surrounding Davis and his draft classmates, let's have a look at the biggest names in the draft and try to guess when they'll become starters.

Jared Sullinger, F, Ohio State

Once thought to be a surefire lottery pick, Sullinger's draft stock has started to fall since doctors uncovered and subsequently red-flagged a nagging back injury.  Now, his NBA future is mired in uncertainty.

Still, the fact remains that Sullinger has great size at 6'9", 265 pounds and put up great numbers for the Buckeyes last season, averaging 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds.  He'll definitely get drafted on Thursday, but almost definitely not in the lottery.  That said, chances are he'll ride the pine for most, if not all, of his rookie year.

Prediction: 2013-2014 Season

Tyler Zeller, F/C, North Carolina

Zeller has a decent NBA size at 7'0", 250 pounds and will definitely be drafted in the first round.  Yet, despite averaging 16.5 points and 9.3 rebounds his senior year, he doesn't yet have the athleticism required of an NBA center or power forward.

Most of his scoring comes on the inside and depending on which team takes him, he's probably going to have to work on his jump shot.  His being an extremely coachable player will help him in that regard, and in due time, he'll crack the starting lineup.  In terms of when, I'll just say sooner rather than later.

Prediction: February

Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

Jones definitely has the talent to be a star in the NBA, but his lackadaisical approach on defense lowers his value.  Scoring power forwards in the NBA need to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack, and the 6'11" Jones just isn't that player yet.

Thus, with his commitment to offense and seeming disinterest in playing defense, it's going to be a while before Jones becomes a starter.  It all depends on which team takes him, but I just don't see him getting major minutes as a rookie.

Prediction: 2013-2014 Season

Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Marshall averaged 9.7 assists as a freshman, a number that's going to jump out at all scouts.  Yet, when he becomes a starter will depend on which team takes him.

Given his great leadership abilities and the teams that need help at the point, I'm going to peg Marshall as one who will become a starter fairly soon.

Prediction: Mid-late December

Jeremy Lamb, G, Connecticut

Lamb is a great shooter and can also dunk, but he still has a lot to learn when it comes to playing on the professional level.  He's a bit skinny at 6'5", 180 pounds and needs to add about 20 pounds of muscle if he's going to be anything more than a scorer.

Still, he's talented and may get some spot starts should someone get injured.

Prediction: Early January

Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Rivers is a shooter a la Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, who luckily got inserted into the starting lineup last year after Monta Ellis was traded.  Yet, something tells me Rivers won't have the same fortune.

He's the kind of player who seems to heavily rely on the three-pointer and until his game fully develops, he'll come off the bench as a long-range threat.  Given how he only has one year of college ball under his belt, it'll be a while before he starts.

Prediction: 2-3 years

Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Drummond is 6'10", 270 pounds and his greatest strength is his shot-blocking.  Yet, therein lies his greatest weakness.

The team that drafts Drummond, a projected lottery pick, is going to want him to be able to score points as well as he plays defense, and that facet of his game is salmonella-inducing raw.  Throw in the fact that he's a bit slow on his feet, and chances are he'll receive extremely limited minutes as a rookie.

Prediction: March

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

In this writer's opinion, Kidd-Gilchrist is the most NBA ready out of the entire 2012 draft class.  He has a great work ethic and is great on both ends of the hardwood, something all coaches dream about.  On top of that, he has an NBA body at 6'7", 232 pounds.

Simply put, I watch MKG and see the second coming of Andre Iguodala.  He has become a fine player in his own right, so there's no reason to believe that a similar player in Kidd-Gilchrist won't accomplish the same.

Prediction: Immediately

Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

I look at Robinson, and I see a more athletic Amar'e Stoudemire.  He already has great size at 6'10", 237 pounds and showcased great versatility in averaging 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds for the Jayhawks last year.

That said, will Robinson start immediately?  Well, that remains to be seen.  He's definitely a top-five pick, so it all depends on which team takes him.  Thus, I think this is a fairly conservative guess.

Prediction: Early December

Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

I know I'm going to get a lot of hate mail and criticism in saying this, but Anthony Davis is a project player.  Yes, he had a great freshman season at Kentucky when he averaged 14.3 points, 10 rebounds and an astounding 4.7 blocks, but hear me out.

The way I see it, Davis is a bit undersized at 6'10" and a spindly 220 pounds.  If he's going to dominate the low post and block shots in the NBA, he's going to have a lot of trouble going up against bigger guys unless he hits the weight room fast.

That said, while I don't think the man will be a bust at all, I don't think he's ready to be a starter from the get go.  Yet, assuming the New Orleans Hornets take him with the first pick and given their needs at power forward, chances are Davis will be thrust into the spotlight from day one.

Prediction: Immediately