NBA Draft 2012: Breaking Down Prospects Who Landed in Perfect Situations
The success of a prospect heading to the NBA isn't about talent alone.
While having ability obviously helps, landing with a team that best fits the player's skill set and has a clear path to playing time maximizes the chances of a draft pick reaching his potential.
Let's examine three players who should quickly fall in love with their new surroundings. Landing where they did should give them a great chance to have productive rookie seasons and eventually long careers in the NBA.
Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
The Wizards probably sweated it out for a while as the Charlotte Bobcats decided what to do with the second pick, but the front office had to be ecstatic after it found out Beal was still available.
The team needed a shooting guard and got the best one available.
Beal should immediately step into the starting lineup alongside John Wall to give Washington an explosive backcourt duo. The Florida product averaged 15 points and seven rebounds while knocking down nearly two three-pointers per game in his only college season.
He shifted around the lineup a lot with the Gators. Sliding into a defined role with the Wizards should allow him to find a better comfort level, and with Wall delivering pinpoint passes, he should be a terrific asset right out of the gate.
Kendall Marshall (Phoenix Suns)
Since Steve Nash is an unrestricted free agent, it's no surprise the Suns selected a point guard in the opening round. They got a good one in Marshall, who regularly made North Carolina's other top prospects look even better than they already were.
Marshall averaged eight points and 10 assists in his second season with the Tar Heels before declaring for the draft. He's clearly a pass-first player, but he should become a more well-rounded offensive player over time, just like Nash did during his career.
It's become increasingly difficult to find reliable young point guards, making a player like Marshall even more valuable. The Suns should give him plenty of time on the floor right away to endure some rookie mistakes, and that will help him greatly over the long haul.
Jones probably has mixed emotions on the day after the draft. He was once projected to go in the lottery, but concerns about the ability of his game to translate to the next level and a knee injury caused his stock to plummet.
The Thunder took a chance on him at No. 28.
While he would have liked to go higher, over time, he'll come to realize joining Oklahoma City was the best possible landing spot for him. The Thunder love to use their athleticism to get up and down the floor, and that's exactly the style of play where Jones will excel.
It also puts him right into the championship hunt.
Players drafted by cellar dwellers early in the round will wait years before that becomes a realistic goal. Jones has a legitimate chance to play in the NBA Finals next year. So the slide isn't all bad by any means.
