NBA Draft 2012 Grades: Classes That'll Make Fans Bang Their Heads Against a Wall
They picked who?!
The 2012 NBA draft was flooded with selections that warranted that type of reaction. Coincidentally, just a few franchises managed to claim the vast majority of the evening’s bone-headed picks. Here are the fan bases that’ll bang their heads against the wall for years to come as they watch their favorite team’s draft class in horror.
3. Toronto Raptors
Toronto could be sitting high and mighty right now with Austin Rivers and Quincy Miller. Instead, they selected Terrence Ross and Quincy Acy. Ross and Acy aren’t bad prospects. They just aren’t on the same level as players that they should’ve chosen.
Rivers’ killer instinct sets him apart and his unrivaled work ethic almost guarantees him NBA success. Miller would’ve been a top-10 pick next year if he would’ve stayed in school. The Raptors were in position to catapult themselves back into playoff contention, but they blew it.
Twitter Reaction (via @ESPN_Colin)
"Listen Canada, we like you and everything but between Nickleback and the Raptors picks, some of us are losing patience.
— Colin Cowherd (@ESPN_Colin) June 29, 2012"
The last thing the 76ers needed was another wing that can’t shoot. Naturally, Philadelphia drafted a wing that can’t shoot. Moe Harkless is a solid prospect, but he was a huge reach at No. 15 when Tyler Zeller and Terrence Jones were still on the board, and he doesn’t fill a need.
Philadelphia attempted to salvage their night by trading up for Arnett Moultrie, who fell further than he should have. While Moultrie is a quality pickup that actually fills a need, they sacrificed a future first-round pick to do so.
And considering that the 76ers are a potential lottery team next year with Lou Williams and Spencer Hawes headed to free agency, they’ll regret that decision—especially because the Miami Heat are the team they gave that potential lottery pick to.
Twitter Reaction (via @johnhollinger)
"Because what Philly really needs are more non-shooters, even if they have to reach to get one.
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) June 29, 2012"
With a need for depth galore, Dallas traded down with the Cleveland Cavaliers to acquire more picks. While that was a wise choice, they really it blew it from there. The Mavericks ended with selecting Jared Cunningham at No. 24, Bernard James at No. 33 and Jae Crowder at No. 34.
Crowder wasn’t in Chad Ford’s top 45 prospects and James wasn’t in his top 70. Dallas could’ve left the draft with a combination of Tony Wroten/Marquis Teague, Quincy Miller/Draymond Green and Doron Lamb/Will Barton.
Instead, they left the draft with a gaping hole at the point guard position and because of that, they’re absolutely screwed if they fail to sign Deron Williams.
Twitter Reaction (via @netw3rk)
"*googles Jared Cunningham*
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"— netw3rk (@netw3rk) June 29, 2012"
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David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
