NBA Draft Analysis: 10 Players Set Up to Fail on First NBA Team

The wait is over, the night is done and the 2012 NBA draft is officially in the books.

From chants of "USA!" as Bernard James walked across the stage to be welcomed into the NBA, to chants of "Two Bros!" as Chris Broussard ate a slice of pizza during the commercial break, the night was filled with it's great moments.

But if we're being honest, it's not about the fans.

It's about the young men who are about to embark on a journey through the ranks of the most competitive league in the world: the NBA.

Some will rise, some will fall and others will find themselves stuck in the middle. With each passing day, every player drafted will be evaluated under a tight scope. The question is, who will rise above the hype and prove they're worth?

While that question could be answered with a few short sentences about each player, it's important for fans to remember what the truth is: not everyone will pan out.

Here's a list of 10 players whose current teams will hold them back from doing so.

Evan Fournier, Denver Nuggets

Drafted: First Round, No. 20

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: N/A

Age: 19

 Height, Weight, Wingspan

6'7", 206 pounds, 6'8" wingspan

Reason for Failure

Evan Fournier is the type of player that the Denver Nuggets needed; a slasher who can get to the basket and score in the half court. Unfortunately, his playing style won't translate to the NBA successfully due to his limited athletic ability

Normally, a slashing guard has a solid combination of quickness, foot speed, leaping ability and athleticism. Fournier is lacking in each of those categories, making the comparisons between him and Manu Ginobili null and void.

At best, Fournier will be a decent rotational option. His finding time in front of Arron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler and even Jordan Hamilton is unlikely.

2012 Season Averages

22.05 PER, 13.4 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Maurice Harkless, Philadelphia 76ers

Drafted: First Round, No. 15

Position: Small Forward

Class: Sophomore

Age: 21

Height, Weight, Wingspan

6'8", 261 pounds, 7'0" wingspan

Reason for Failure

Should the Philadelphia 76ers pull the trigger on a potential trade of Andre Iguodala, all of this could change. Until they do so, the situation Maurice Harkless is entering cannot be considered friendly.

Harkless enters a situation in which Andre Iguodala has the top spot locked down. He also enters a lineup where Thaddeus Young is a valuable asset as a flex 3/4 and Evan Turner splits time between the 2 and 3.

All things measured, the chance that Moe Harkless finds playing time early in his career is slim to none. Just don't think he can't rebound from a slow beginning, as the former St. John's star is just 19 years old and ready to reap the benefits of a defense-first approach to the game.

Oh, and did I mention the kid doesn't play defense? Doug Collins will have a blast.

2012 Season Averages

22.05 PER, 13.4 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Orlando Johnson, Indiana Pacers

Drafted: Second Round, No. 36 (traded via Sacramento Kings)

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Senior

Age: 23

Height, Weight, Wingspan

6'5", 224 pounds, 6'11" wingspan

Reason for Failure

The popular misconception in Indiana is that their team lacks a consistent scorer from the perimeter. The fact of the matter is that the team has more than enough scorers from the perimeter with Danny Granger, Paul George and now, Orlando Johnson.

What they don't have is a direction on offense, a direct result of their possession of two point guards who are better fit for the 2.

Due to that, Orlando Johnson will find himself struggling to develop a role within the Pacers' offense. Much like Leandro Barbosa in 2012, Johnson will be limited to taking opponents off of the dribble and forcing up shots late in the shot clock.

Considering his playing time will be scarce as a rookie, that does not bode well for the early years of his career. The only way this might change is if Danny Granger is dealt, Paul George is moved to the 3, Johnson sees playing time at the 2 and Indiana finally finds a pure point guard.

Season Averages

25.20 PER, 19.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Terrence Jones, Kentucky Wildcats

Drafted: First Round, No. 18

Position: Power Forward

Class: Sophomore

Age: 20

Height, Weight, Wingspan

6'8", 52 pounds, 7'2" wingspan

Reason for Failure

Kevin McHale is a real stickler when it comes to young players seeing playing time. Due to Terrence Jones' supposed poor body language, which is truly just passion that hits highs and lows, McHale is likely to send Jones to the end of the bench before he takes Luis Scola off of the floor.

A disappointing situation for such a promising player.

Nevertheless, Terrence Jones will have a great career. He's just as versatile as fellow Houston draftee Royce White; he can play the role of facilitator, take over in the post or score from the perimeter.

He's also an elite rebounder and top tier shot-blocker, making his status as a respected two-way player virtually set in stone.

Just don't expect anything too soon.

2012 Season Averages

24.83 PER, 12.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.8 BPG, 1.3 SPG

Quincy Miller, Denver Nuggets

Drafted: Second Round, No. 38

Position: Small Forward

Class: Freshman

Age: 19

Height, Weight, Wingspan

6'10", 219 pounds, 7'1" wingspan

Reason for Failure

Quincy Miller is an immensely talented player with enough upside to one day be a Kevin Durant-type player. Unfortunately, he's entering a situation in which he sits behind a highly-paid Wilson Chandler and the key to the Carmelo Anthony trade, Danilo Gallinari.

Try to find Quincy Miller some playing time.

While it's easy to believe the 19-year-old will find success in the NBA, it just won't come in a Denver Nuggets uniform. Instead, Miller will find sporadic playing time and contribute well enough in his time to land a decent deal once his rookie contract is up.

A promising talent with a not-so-friendly situation.

Columnist Note: Very nice kid. Came over and signed autographs for remaining fans towards the end of the draft.

2012 Season Averages

24.4 MPG, 19.85 PER, 10.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Andrew Nicholson, Orlando Magic

Drafted: First Round, No. 19

Position: Power Forward

Class: Senior

Age: 22

Height, Weight, Wingspan

6'10", 234 pounds, 7'4" wingspan

Reason for Failure

The Orlando Magic have quietly forgotten about Glen Davis' 19.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game from their series against the Indiana Pacers. Just don't think that Glen Davis has forgotten about that series.

Andrew Nicholson is going to have a fine career and may even re-sign with the Orlando Magic upon completion of his rookie contract. Until that day comes, Nicholson will struggle to overcome the newly found trust that his teammates have in Big Baby.

Position battles are never easy, and even with a new coach and management, Davis should have the upper hand.

2012 Season Averages

22.05 PER, 13.4 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Kyle O'Quinn, Orlando Magic

Drafted: Second Round, No. 49

Position: Center

Class: Senior

Age: 22

Height, Weight, Wingspan

6'10", 241 pounds, 7'5" wingspan

Reason for Failure

Normally I wouldn't include a player taken this late in the draft, but let's not forget what Kyle O'Quinn is about to encounter. In an offseason in which Dwight Howard will have trade rumors circulating throughout the NBA, the Orlando Magic have opted to draft a center in the second round.

A center who proved himself to be a true star-in-the-making during the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

Due to that, Kyle O'Quinn will come under the most scrutiny of any second-round draft pick in league history. Comparisons between him and Howard will quietly grow, and as soon as the Norfolk State alum comes out and plays a solid game, questions will arise about the future of the Orlando Magic.

Kyle O'Quinn will not escape this spotlight until Dwight Howard is gone and his rookie contract is up.

2012 Season Averages

27.97 PER, 15.9 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 2.6 BPG, 0.7 SPG

Marquis Teague, Chicago Bulls

Drafted: First Round, No. 29

Position: Point Guard

Class: Freshman

Age: 21

Height, Weight, Wingspan

6'2", 180 pounds, 6'7" wingspan

Reason for Failure

First and foremost, let it be known that Marquis Teague will have a fine NBA career. He's a passionate player who pushes the pace, gives his all on both ends and showed improvement in every facet of his game as the season progressed.

He just so happens to be entering a situation where, if he doesn't win right away, the Chicago media will have his head on a platter.

With Derrick Rose set to miss at least half of the NBA season, Teague will likely see a great deal of playing time as a rookie. The difference between Teague and the other rookie point guards, however, is the fact that the former Kentucky Wildcat is on a team that is expected to win an NBA Championship.

If their play isn't at that level during the regular season, questions will immediately arise as to why the team had more success with C.J. Watson running the point in Rose's absence during the 2012 season.

A tough situation for a tough kid. Just don't expect him to play championship-caliber basketball from day one, which is what is being asked of him.

2012 Season Averages

12.41 PER, 10.0 PPG, 4.8 APG, 2.5 RPG, 0.9 SPG

Royce White, Houston Rockets

Drafted: First Round, No. 16

Position: Small Forward

Class: Sophomore

Age: 21

Height, Weight, Wingspan

6'8", 261 pounds, 7'0" wingspan

Reason for Failure

Royce White is an outstanding talent with the upside to be a Paul Pierce-type player. Unfortunately, he's going to spend the first few years of his career under a head coach who is not afraid to send a promising first-round draft choice to the bench or D-League.

Just ask Marcus Morris.

While Royce White is clearly a hard worker, questions about his personality go beyond his fear of flight and severe anxiety. It's quickly forgotten that White was kicked off the Minnesota basketball team after a freshman year filled with legal issues.

Once an issue of personality or legalities arises with the Rockets, or they realize how poor Royce White's 49.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line really is, the Iowa State star will kiss his season goodbye.

Even the good kids can suffer Kevin McHale's wrath.

2012 Season Averages

22.05 PER, 13.4 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Tyler Zeller, Cleveland Cavaliers

Drafted: First Round, No. 17 (Traded via Dallas Mavericks)

Position: Center

Class: Senior

Age: 22

Height, Weight, Wingspan

7'0", 247 pounds, 7'0" wingspan

Reason for Failure

I don't believe that Tyler Zeller will struggle with the Cleveland Cavaliers; I believe Tyler Zeller will struggle with the NBA.

Many will cite Zeller's solid numbers from college, as well as the system he played in, as a reason for future success. What many seem to forget is that Zeller was bullied in the paint by stronger opponents and bailed out by John Henson's elite shot-blocking abilities on numerous occasions.

He just so happened to put up a monster NCAA Tournament game and saw his stock rise as a result.

Tyler Zeller will struggle on the offensive end of the floor, where the Cavaliers are in need of the most help when it comes to their frontcourt. While he may be mobile, he's not a great athlete and is far from the most polished low-post scorer.

Regardless of how you cut it, the aspects of the game that Zeller struggles with are the ones that translate most significantly for a 5.

2012 Season Averages

30.33 PER, 16.3 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 0.9 SPG