Chad Ford 2012 Mock Draft: 5 Prospects Going Too High in Expert's Latest Draft
ESPN NBA draft expert Chad Ford recently released his latest mock draft, but some prospects are simply being selected too far above their level of value.
Sometimes it is worth taking a risk on a draft pick that might succeed down the road, but these men will not live up to the hype bestowed on them.
Andre Drummond to Portland Trail Blazers (No. 6)
There is little chance Andre Drummond falls out of the top 10 on draft day, but that is exactly where he belongs.
He will be drafted high because he has great size, is incredibly athletic and he put up solid numbers in his freshman year at Connecticut. The problem is that his statistics do not provide an accurate portrayal of his skill level.
Drummond survived in high school and college by simply jumping over smaller players, something he will not be able to do in the NBA. At this level, everyone is tall and athletic, plus they know how to defend and box out for rebounds.
The only advantage the forward had will be neutralized, and he simply does not have the skill to overcome it.
Dion Waiters to Golden State Warriors (No. 7)
Waiters quickly went from possibly the best value in the draft to overrated in a matter of weeks.
The Syracuse standout is a great scorer off the dribble and really knows how to use his body when he gets in the lane. Unfortunately, that is all he is able to do.
Waiters lacks a true position. He does not have the passing skills or vision to be a point guard, and he is too small to be a shooting guard with an inconsistent stroke from outside.
There is little chance the guard becomes more than a spark plug off the bench in the NBA, and that is not enough to warrant the No. 7 pick.
Austin Rivers to New Orleans Hornets (No. 10)
Most people assume that the son of Doc Rivers will have all of the intangible skills coaches would look for in a player, but that simply is not true.
Austin Rivers is quick to the basket and can be a solid scorer, but he is a terrible defender that does not pass well enough for a guard.
Assuming New Orleans selects Anthony Davis as expected with the first pick, this selection should go to a wing that could replace the departed Trevor Ariza.
Fab Melo to Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 18)
Not trying to pick on Syracuse, but Fab Melo is another player that is too one-dimensional to be selected this high in the draft.
Melo was a great defender in his college system because the zone allowed him to patrol the paint and wait to block shots. A good portion of his 88 blocks last season were against guards driving the lane and other off-ball help. He will not be able to do this in the NBA.
His size and timing will allow him to get drafted, but at this point he is a liability on the offensive end and is not even a good rebounder considering his seven-foot frame.
The center is more likely to go to a contender later in the first round that could use a big-body in small doses.
Evan Fournier to Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 28)
After reaching the NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder showed they are only a player or two from winning the entire thing. Evan Fournier, however, is not the man to put them over the top.
The French shooting guard is a decent scorer, but still has a lot of shortcomings in his game. He is not athletic enough for the NBA, needs to improve his outside shot and is not a very good defender.
At 19 years old, he still has time to become a great player, but the Thunder should be drafting for immediate impact. Fournier would be better served going early in the second round to a team that is currently rebuilding.
