2012 NBA Mock Draft: Highlighting Studs and Sleepers for First Round
The 2012 NBA draft is loaded with talent. There are a number of players who will be taken in the back half of the first round who would go in the lottery in most other drafts.
Finding studs to highlight is an easy task. Another thing that everyone looks for in the draft are sleepers. You know, those players with upside who slide for one reason or another.
Here is our last look at the 2012 NBA draft, with a special look at some of the sleepers and studs available.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
No one can deny the amazing talent that Davis has. What's more impressive is how quickly he has developed those skills. Most incoming freshman aren't able to bring all of their skills to the table as quickly as he is, leaving most observers to dream on their potential.
In Davis' case, he has shown everyone what he is capable of right now and why there is more to come. Defensively, he is a monster. He is going to wreak havoc on the opposition right away with his long limbs and incredible instincts.
His offensive game is still progressing, though he did make strides as the season went along. Davis will start from day one and will be a star very soon.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Robinson doesn't have as much ceiling as some of the players around him, but his floor is very high, and he is not far from reaching his peak.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Beal can shoot the lights out and is not afraid to drive the lane with the ball in his hands. The Wizards desperately need a backcourt mate for John Wall, and Beal is the best player available at this spot.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
While they probably covet Bradley Beal more, the Cavaliers will luck out by getting the second-best player in this draft with the No. 4 pick.
Kidd-Gilchrist could easily have been overshadowed at Kentucky playing alongside Davis, but he proved his worth by giving his all every game he played. His skills are off the charts, though he does have work to do before reaching his peak.
Playing with an All-Star point guard like Kyrie Irving will help Kidd-Gilchrist get to his ceiling sooner rather than later.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Barnes strikes me as a bit overrated. He is a solid player with good offensive upside. He just isn't a star.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond, C, UConn
If Drummond were taken in the teens, he would be considered a sleeper in this draft. When you are a high lottery pick, it is hard to slap that label on you. He needs to use his off-the-charts physical attributes to dominate down low to be the star everyone assumes he can be.
7. Golden State Warriors: Dion Waiters, PG/SG, Syracuse
Waiters is one of the best pure shooters in this class. He could end up being a very good point guard if given the opportunity. As a shooting guard, I like him slightly less, though he is a good value pick right here.
8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
For the Raptors, point guard has to be a priority, either in this draft or through free agency. While there are some tempting names in free agency, this team needs to concentrate on building through the draft.
Lillard fits into the stud and sleeper category. He flew under the radar all year because he played at Weber State. After people saw him on tape, his stock skyrocketed, and with good reason.
His passing needs some work, but he has such a commanding presence on offense, a great shot and is so aggressive on defense that teams will fall in love with him as soon as he steps on the court.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
With the red flags about his knee, Jones could be in for a long wait on draft day. Given his upside and strong season at Baylor, someone is going to take a chance on him.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC
Marshall is one of my favorite players in the draft, and he would make a perfect bookend for the Hornets' lottery picks.
After landing the inside presence they so desperately needed, the Hornets will find the point guard they should covet.
While he may not be more than a 10- to 12-point scorer in the NBA, Marshall has such great passing skills that he doesn't need to score to be a superstar. Getting him at No. 10 would be a gift.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
Despite some inconsistencies with Connecticut, Lamb has the size and shooting touch to be a star with the right development.
12. Houston Rockets: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
For the record, I don't think the Rockets make three first-round picks. Since they are here, I think they will go after Sullinger.
Despite his possible back issues, Sullinger was as productive as any power forward in college basketball over the last two years. He can shoot, rebound and play good defense. He is not a superstar but is a relatively safe pick, all things considered.
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Rivers is going to go right about where his talent suggest he should. Since he played at Duke, everyone will bash him, but he has good all-around skills and isn't afraid to take the last shot.
14. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Zeller has a very good shot, with range and speed to handle himself against more physical big men in the NBA. I see him as more of a valuable sixth man but wouldn't be surprised if he turns into a solid starter.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
Ross is the perfect fit for what the 76ers need. He is an aggressive, attacking guard who can put the ball in the basket. Even if the team has to sacrifice a little on defense, Ross will make up for it with 15-20 points per game.
16. Houston Rockets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless has fallen under the radar, but his talent is worthy of a lottery selection. He has tremendous length and athleticism. He explodes off the ground when attacking the basket.
He will need time to develop, as he is very thin and has not figured out how to consistently hit shots. Still, the potential for stardom is clearly there, and teams need to go after ceiling at this spot in the draft.
Give Harkless two or three years to fill out his body and he can become a very good small forward at the next level.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky
Jones gives the Mavericks another tall, athletic stud who can play multiple positions. He should mesh well with Dirk Nowitzki.
18. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Moultrie is a defensive monster right now. He is long and will be a disruptive presence in his rookie season. Depending on how his offensive game develops—I am skeptical—his upside is limited.
19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Another defensive stalwart, Leonard would have the unenviable task of taking over Dwight Howard's spot when he leaves, either via trade or free agency. He is more of a specialist than a true NBA starting center.
20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG, Washington
Wroten could turn out to be a steal right here. Given all the problems he had shooting the ball at Washington, I don't feel confident in putting him in the sleepers or studs category, but I can see him working with the coaching staff to figure out what happened last season.
21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Melo is basically a better version of Leonard. He isn't going to do anything on offense but can rebound and block shots. He could turn out to be the new version of Kendrick Perkins.
22. Boston Celtics: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
If the Celtics lose Ray Allen, Taylor would be a strong replacement. He is not an elite athlete, though he does have a great shot and plays strong defense.
23. Atlanta Hawks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Henson probably doesn't slide this far. If he does, the Hawks would love to add his size, length and shot-blocking to balance their young, offensive-oriented nucleus.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Unlike other players who come into the draft with injury concerns, I have no problem including Miller on the stud list.
Miller is a 6'10" small forward, with incredible athleticism and enough upside to go in the lottery if he were completely healthy. The Cavaliers need more athletes to put in their lineup if they want to compete for a playoff spot.
Adding Miller to the mix gives the Cavaliers a strong nucleus of Kyrie Irving, Kidd-Gilchrist and Miller.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Royce White, SF, Iowa State
White's personal issues severely limit the expectations that anyone can put on him right now. The upside is there, so the Grizzlies should take a chance on him.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Given the need the Pacers have at the point, Teague would be the perfect pick. He would help them solidify their starting rotation.
27. Miami Heat: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Jenkins' game is all about shooting. He would be going to an ideal situation in Miami, as the defending champions need players who can drain shots from beyond the arc when Dwyane Wade and LeBron James kick it out.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
There is a lot to be said about a 6'10" power forward with length, touch, power and an incredible feel for the game.
Nicholson needs to more consistent under the basket, as he tries to back down everyone and throw the ball in the hoop. If he can develop a short hook shot, he will become a star.
This would be a perfect pick for the already-loaded Thunder to make. Plus it would give them some versatility to make a move, if they wanted to.
29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
For Lamb to fall in the Bulls' lap here, they need a lot of things to go right. They need exactly what he offers: a two-guard with athleticism and the ability to create his own shot.
30. Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Green is not the most gifted athlete, nor does he have a lot of great skills. He is undersized, though he does have a good shot.
