NBA Draft 2012 Start Time: Coverage Schedule for Entire Draft
Anthony Davis established himself as the top prospect in this year's NBA draft during a championship-winning season at Kentucky. After the talented forward, things start to get more intriguing with no player standing out as a clear No. 2.
Along with the selection of what each franchise hopes will be future stars, draft night usually features a flurry of trade activity as general managers begin figuring out the direction they want to go and target players that will help them reach those goals.
All told, it should be an exciting night for fans around the league. Here's a look at all the television information for the draft along with some prospects to watch on Thursday night and moving forward.
Where: Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
When: Thursday, June 28
Start Time: Preview Show at 7 p.m. ET and Draft at 7:30 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN3.com
Prospects to Watch
Anthony Davis
Davis will become a defensive force from the moment he walks on to an NBA court. He has a tremendous combination of size, athleticism and natural instincts that should allow him to protect the paint like few other players can.
What doesn't get mentioned enough is how well he handled the pressure at Kentucky. Davis was in the spotlight every game and teams built their entire game plan to stop him. He handled it all like a true professional and those experiences will really help him at the next level.
The only potential concern would be the lack of bulk on his frame. But in today's NBA with team nutritionists and more well-rounded workout regiments, he should be able to add a more power within a year or two, making him a complete player.
Thomas Robinson
Since he plays the same position as Davis, it shouldn't be a major surprise that Robinson has been overshadowed during the draft process. Although he doesn't provide as much upside as the Wildcats star, he's more polished at this stage and should make an immediate impact.
The most impressive part of his breakout season at Kansas was his efficiency. He averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the floor in 32 minutes. He even improved his free-throw shooting by 17 points, a big key for someone who gets to the line quite a bit.
Unlike most of the other top prospects, he doesn't have one area of his game that stands out. Instead, he relies on his versatility to make plays on both ends of the floor. It shouldn't take him long to prove he was worthy of a high pick.
Harrison Barnes
The variety of different opinions about Barnes' future is pretty astonishing. A lot of that has to do with the amount of attention he received at North Carolina. He never became the unstoppable star many were expecting, but he still had a successful two-year run.
His main asset will be his pure scoring ability. He has one of the most reliable jump shots in the class and would thrive playing alongside a pass-first point guard. His quickness should eventually allow him to become more comfortable creating his own offense, as well.
Barnes can also hold his own on the other end of the court. He's not an elite defender, but his length and athletic ability should ensure he doesn't become a liability. When you add it all up, he should have a long, successful NBA career.
Bradley Beal
Even though Beal had a solid freshman season at Florida, he has only begun to tap into his potential. Within a few years, there's a good chance he will develop into one of the most dangerous shooting guards in the NBA.
He showed flashes of brilliance with the Gators but, as with many young players, consistency was an issue. The Missouri native has a quick, accurate jump shot and also excels when attacking the rim, with the ability to finish in traffic.
Beal will need to become a better passer because NBA teams will start selling out to stop him if he doesn't improve his passing. Otherwise, he's a star in the making and should be a defense's nightmare once he gets a few years of experience under his belt.
