NBA Draft 2012 Results: First-Round Picks with a Shot at Starting Role
First-round picks in the NBA are supposed to make a fairly large impact during their rookie seasons at the next level, particularly in a deep 2012 NBA Draft.
After the first 30 picks of the draft are in, there are seven players who have emerged as candidates to start quite a few games during their first seasons in "The Association."
Not all of them will begin the season in the starting lineup, but they'll all end up hearing their names called out by announcers before the start of games more often than not.
These are the seven. For the full results of the first round, click here.
New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, Kentucky (No. 1)
Anthony Davis doesn’t just have a shot at a starting role. He’s virtually guaranteed to hear his name called in the opening day lineup.
The New Orleans Hornets dealt Emeka Okafor to make room for The Unibrow, and he’s going to seize the opportunity from Day 1.
Although he’ll need to add strength and work on his offensive game to reach his potential, Davis should be able to swat away at least a few shots during the Hornets’ first game of the season.
Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky (No. 2)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and his unbelievable motor are going to the Charlotte Bobcats, where he'll be contributing right away.
The Bobcats don't have much talent at all at small forward, especially after dealing Corey Maggette to the Detroit Pistons for Ben Gordon. Despite MKG's glaring weakness shooting the ball, he'll be inserted right into the starting lineup.
Fresh out of Kentucky, MKG is already going to be one of the better defenders in this class, especially because he can make a big impact guarding multiple positions.
Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, Florida (No. 3)
The Washington Wizards got their coveted shooting guard prospect at No. 3, and he just happens to be Bradley Beal, the No. 1 player at his position in this draft class.
With his outside shooting and all-around offensive game, Beal will be counted on to score as the Wizards look to make a run to the postseason this next season.
Beal is quick and athletic enough to play in transition with John Wall, and he's got the perimeter-shooting ability to prevent defenses from collapsing around the point guard during his inevitable drives to the basket.
Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, Kansas (No. 5)
Thomas Robinson was the most NBA-ready player in this draft class, and he'll most likely be inserted right into the starting lineup.
Alongside DeMarcus Cousins, Robinson won't draw quite as much defensive attention, and he'll be in prime position to continue throwing up double-doubles, just like he did on a nightly basis as a Kansas Jayhawk.
Robinson's physical tools—ridiculous speed, quickness, agility, athleticism, strength, stamina, motor, whatever attribute you want to describe—will help ease the transition to the next level. In this situation, expect Robinson to compete for Rookie of the Year.
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Weber State (No. 6)
Without Raymond Felton or Jamal Crawford next year, the Portland Trail Blazers desperately needed a point guard. To remedy the situation, they managed to draft the best floor general in this draft class.
Damian Lillard's transition from Weber State to Portland is going to be difficult, but his offensive talent is great enough to help ease that transition.
The point guard was use to running the pick-and-roll in college, and he'll form a potent duo with LaMarcus Aldridge sooner rather than later. He'll have to temper his instinct to shoot first, but Lillard's passing skills are good enough for that to happen.
Defense is going to be a struggle, but he'll make a big offensive impact.
Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina (No. 7)
Harrison Barnes needed to wind up on a team with a hole at small forward and a creative point guard who can create shots for him.
With the Golden State Warriors, both of those criteria have been met.
The Dubs don't want to keep throwing out Dorell Wright at the 3 and Stephen Curry, when healthy, is that creative force at floor general that Barnes needs.
Golden State doesn't exactly need more scoring power, but Barnes makes this offense even more potent.
Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, Phoenix (No. 13)
There isn't a better replacement for Steve Nash than Kendall Marshall, the best pure passer in this year's draft class. I'm giving him the slight nod over Scott Machado in that category.
Marshall wasn't really the beneficiary of playing with great players at North Carolina, rather those players were the beneficiaries of playing with him. His court vision gave Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller so many easy opportunities.
His scoring touch is a bit underrated, even if it still lags behind where it should be, but his ability to play in Phoenix's uptempo offense will give him the starting nod before too long.
