Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Top 8 Slashers in the 2012 NBA Draft

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the best slasher in the 2012 NBA Draft. But he's not the only one. 

The Kentucky forward is expected to go in the top five on Thursday.

A great finisher can get to the rim at ease and is almost impossible to stop on the fast break.

Having a great driver, like LeBron James, makes an offense very dangerous. The slasher can create for himself, or dish to a teammate for an open look. 

There are a number of players who fit this role. 

We'll tell you which slashers are the best and why you want them on your team. 

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is projected to be a top five pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and it's easy to see why.

Kidd-Gilchrist is one of the best at scoring in transition. He scored on 71 percent of his field goals on the fast break while he was at Kentucky.

Quite simply, Kidd-Gilchrist is going to find a way to get to the rack. His elite combination of size and speed make him nearly impossible to defend on the move.

Look for Kidd-Gilchrist to produce some highlight-reel plays in transition during his first season in the pros. 

Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb is an explosive scorer who can finish with the best of them.

His unique combination of size, speed and athletic ability makes him almost impossible to stop in the open court. 

He also has a good pull-up shot, making his drives even more dangerous.

Lamb is inconsistent, but as he grows into his body, he will be more of a regular player. 

Lamb projects as a high-octane scorer in the pros and he'll score a lot of points slashing towards the basket. 

Royce White, PF, Iowa State

Royce White is a unique point forward prospect.

The 6'8" White can handle the ball very well and is explosive off the dribble.

He's a nightmare for opposing power forwards to guard off the bounce. Additionally, he's too big and powerful to be covered by guards.

White is a lottery-type player whose stock has been falling due to a well-documented fear of flying.

White is a downhill player who is almost impossible to stop heading to the rim. He'll make any team very happy. 

Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Marquis Teague is lightning fast and almost impossible to defend on the fast break. His mind-blowing speed will make him fun to watch for many years in the NBA.

He'll provide end-to-end baskets, blowing by defenders and throwing it home for the slam. 

If Teague lands on an up-tempo team, he could put up a lot of points early in his career. He has other areas to work on, but on the fast break, he's good to go. 

Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Austin Rivers can be tough to defend going towards the basket. He has great ball-handling skills and gets into the hole with ease. He's also developing more moves at the rim and the addition of a pull-up jumper makes him even more dangerous. 

Defenders can't just back off to defend the dribble, as Rivers will be able to blow right past them.

Rivers is still young, but as he bulks up, he will become one of the better slashers in the league. 

Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Dion Waiters uses power and strength to get to the hole. He's not the quickest to the rim, but he's also an excellent shooter, making his drives even more dangerous. 

Waiters also has a complete inside-out game that makes it hard for opponents to defend him. His aggressiveness and tenacity will continue helping him make daring drives to the hoop during his time in the NBA.

Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Terrence Jones is a small forward in a power forward's body and uses that size to get to the rim.

He is an explosive athlete who is dangerous off the dribble, has good moves in the post and is a descent shooter.

On the fast break, Jones is tough to stop as he uses his size and speed to get to the hole.

Jones can play either small forward or power forward at the next level. Wherever he plays, he's going to get to the rim and finish with a splash. 

Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

When he wants to be, Perry Jones is one of the top finishers in this year's draft.

The problem is, he doesn't always play that way.

When he's on his game, Jones uses his size and incredible athletic ability to get to the rim with ease.

He can also finish on the fast break and runs the floor very well for someone his size.

If Jones can find more consistency, he'll be an elite finisher in the NBA. Until then, he will only provide flashes of greatness, nothing more.