NBA Draft 2012 Grades: Teams That Passed with Flying Colors
The Detroit Pistons had the best picks of any team in the recent NBA Draft. They came away from the draft with two players that have an excellent chance to make an immediate impact with the team. They selected Andre Drummond with the No. 9 pick, and I have said for awhile that he was this class' most talented prospect.
He's only 18 years old, and with his size (6'11" 279 pounds) and athleticism, the sky is truly the limit. It will be a process, but he could be the best pro from this crop of rookies in three years.
I love the Kim English selection in the second round. He's the type of guy that isn't flashy, but he has a high basketball IQ, and he's a leader.
He is definitely a one-dimensional player, but in the second round, you're going to find specialist and role-players. English is a shooter and a willing defender with great intangibles. I believe he's going to make the roster and surprise some people.
Khris Middleton is a little more athletic, but similar to English. Honestly, I don't see both of them sticking, but Middleton has some role-player potential as well. I would give the Pistons an A-grade for the 2012 NBA Draft.
The Pistons have some financial flexibility in the future as well.
Because of the recently acquired expiring deal of Corey Maggette and with Will Bynum, Jason Maxiell and Austin Daye's contracts coming off the books, things are finally looking up in Motown.
Two other teams also hit home runs on Thursday night:
New Orleans Hornets
While I'm not sold on Anthony Davis' impending superstar status, I do recognize that he is a quality player. He will be a near automatic double-double and an instant impact player on defense.
Austin Rivers was also an excellent pick at No. 10.
I believe the Hornets are going to make every effort to re-sign Eric Gordon, and Rivers could either back him up or possibly play alongside him.
In the event the Hornets don't match the offer Gordon receives from another team, Rivers is a nice replacement.
Darius Miller could be a nice sleeper-pick in the second round as well. The Hornets are set up very nicely for the future, they would also get an A-grade for the draft.
Portland Trailblazers
The Blazers had four picks, and they made solid selections with each of them. Every player they selected was arguably a first-round talent, though two of them came in the second round.
They took the draft's most dynamic point guard in Damian Lillard at No. 6 and a very capable, but raw center in Meyers Leonard at No. 11.
In the second round, they really got great value. Some had Tyshawn Taylor of Kansas as a first-rounder, but the Blazers grabbed him at No. 41, and one pick before that, they grabbed another player thought by some to be a first-rounder, Will Barton.
Barton is an especially solid player and potentially high-volume scorer off the bench. The Blazers will have some cap space this year as well. They could very well be on their back to the playoffs.
Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay.net for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games
