Official 2012 NBA Draft Thread

[doublejs07]

Can't believe how low Royce White is being projected. I know he's got his anxiety issues, but he's a lottery-talent, IMO. His skill-set is

 

[pmatic]

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[table][tr][td]2012 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

[/td][/tr][tr][td]The Hornets hit it big Wednesday when they cashed in their 13.7 percent chance of winning the draft lottery, giving them the opportunity to select consensus No. 1 pick Anthony Davis. Beyond that one no-brainer, a lot will depend on next week's draft combine in Chicago and other workouts leading up to the June 28 draft. But with the draft order now set, here's our initial look at how the first round could unfold. (Note: Heights and weights are those listed by players' schools or club teams. Official measurements will come at the combine.) [/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]1[/td][td]

[/td][td]PF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Anthony Davis[/td][/tr][tr][td]Kentucky[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Fr.[/td][td]6-10[/td][td]220[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]The Hornets needed serious help, and boy did they get it (no, not from the NBA, for you conspiracy theorists). Davis has all the ability and size to be a transcendent player with a Kevin Garnett-like impact on the defensive end, not to mention a free-agent magnet for an organization that will have loads of salary-cap room this summer. New Orleans expects to re-sign restricted free agent shooting guard Eric Gordon, and the core will get yet another boost with the No. 10 pick.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]2[/td][td]

[/td][td]SF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Michael Kidd-Gilchrist[/td][/tr][tr][td]Kentucky[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Fr.[/td][td]6-7[/td][td]210[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]The early read is that it will come down to Kidd-Gilchrist or Kansas forward Thomas Robinson, and the truth is that the Bobcats would likely still be a lottery team even if they somehow nabbed both -- they need that much help. But those who know general manager Rich Cho say it's very possible he'll attempt to trade the pick and move back, perhaps hoping to land skilled perimeter help deeper in the draft while adding another young asset. If the Bobcats keep the pick, Kidd-Gilchrist can guard multiple positions and help tremendously with perimeter defense. He's also an effective scorer driving to the basket and was a respected leader as a freshman at Kentucky.
VIDEO: Behind the scenes with Kidd-Gilchrist as he trains for the draft [/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]3[/td][td]

[/td][td]PF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Thomas Robinson [/td][/tr][tr][td]Kansas[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Jr.[/td][td]6-10[/td][td]237[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]The Wizards might be tempted to reach for the poster boy of my "high-risk, high-reward" category, Connecticut big man Andre Drummond, and let him develop behind veteran center Nene. But the JaVale McGee experiment never paid off like they hoped in the three-plus years leading to his trade with Denver for Nene, so don't be surprised if they pass on him. I'm told the Wizards are big fans of Robinson, who could make an immediate impact in the frontcourt.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]4[/td][td]

[/td][td]SG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Bradley Beal[/td][/tr][tr][td]Florida[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Fr.[/td][td]6-3[/td][td]207[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]Things can always change in the weeks leading up to the draft, but Beal has clearly separated himself as the top shooting guard in what is a deep draft for his position. He is seen as a natural scorer and shooter with deep range who would fit beautifully with reigning Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving and help boost Cleveland's offense, which finished 24th in points per possession and is set to lose its second-leading scorer, Antawn Jamison, in free agency. [/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]5[/td][td]

[/td][td]SF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Harrison Barnes[/td][/tr][tr][td]North Carolina[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]6-8[/td][td]215[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]As potentially potent as a Drummond-DeMarcus Cousins pairing might be, I'm told the Kings are more likely to take a more proven player like Barnes. Free-agent small forward Donte Greene has never panned out like the Kings hoped, and the trade for veteran swingman John Salmons last summer didn't work either. Ditto for small forward Omri Casspi, the 23rd pick in 2009, who was traded to Cleveland last summer. Sacramento moved Tyreke Evans from point guard to small forward this season, but his long-term future with the team is uncertain (he has one season left on his rookie contract and could be a restricted free agent next summer). Barnes may not become an All-Star, but the consensus from personnel men I've spoken with is that he'll be a productive scorer and shore up a team's small forward spot.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]6[/td][td]

[/td][td]C[/td][td][table][tr][td]Andre Drummond [/td][/tr][tr][td]Connecticut[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Fr.[/td][td]6-10[/td][td]270[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]Portland -- which acquired this pick from the Nets in the Gerald Wallace trade and has its own pick at No. 11 -- is a tough team to read. For starters, the Blazers are finalizing a general manager search that could change the decision-making process here (unless interim GM Chad Buchanan is able to win the job, which isn't outside the realm of possibility). Then there's the notion that Portland would take a gamble of any kind on a big man after suffering through the Greg Oden experience in 2007, when he was taken with the first pick. Portland, like most teams, has a wide-open view at this point and Drummond has to be intriguing if he gets this far as a frontcourt partner to the franchise centerpiece, power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]7[/td][td]

[/td][td]PF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Jared Sullinger[/td][/tr][tr][td]Ohio State[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]6-9[/td][td]280[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]While the Warriors are thrilled that a top-seven slot means they don't have to send the pick to Utah, I'm sensing a collective apathy regarding the depth of the talent pool at this point. As such, it is entirely possible that they trade the pick and possibly move back. Still, Sullinger would help the Warriors with their longs-tanding rebounding problem while adding another capable scorer behind David Lee and Andrew Bogut down low. Sullinger improved his physique last offseason but conditioning remains a concern. He averaged 17.5 points and 10.2 rebounds as a sophomore, nearly identical numbers to his freshman season. Kentucky forward Terrence Jones is considered a candidate here as well.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]8[/td][td]

[/td][td]PG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Damian Lillard[/td][/tr][tr][td]Weber State[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Jr.[/td][td]6-2[/td][td]185[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]Having seen one of Lillard's workouts in Oakland, Calif., recently, I can almost guarantee that he'll be impressing a lot of people as he continues to make the rounds before the draft. He'll have to work his way up draft boards to overcome the doubts about coming from the mid-major Big Sky Conference. He has a great motor and underrated athleticism, he is a creative and reliable scorer, and he would give Toronto's offense some punch as part of the team's possible post-Jose Calderon plan (the veteran point guard has one year left on his contract, worth $10.6 million). The Raptors are looking to upgrade that offense, which ranked 29th in points per possession, so Syracuse's Dion Waiters or one of the many other top-notch shooting guards will be worth considering. If the Raptors wind up going that direction, it wouldn't speak well of their view of third-year shooting guard DeMar DeRozan after his production slipped this season.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]9[/td][td]

[/td][td]C[/td][td][table][tr][td]Tyler Zeller[/td][/tr][tr][td]North Carolina[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Sr.[/td][td]7-0[/td][td]250[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]The Pistons need a defensive-minded big man to pair with emerging center Greg Monroe, and the top prospect for that position is North Carolina forward John Henson. But he's also very thin, with no guarantees that he'll put on the kind of weight necessary to avoid being pushed around in the NBA. Zeller, meanwhile, is a safer bet whom most talent evaluators expect to be a solid player on both ends. He averaged 16.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks as a senior while earning the ACC Player of the Year award. Terrence Jones will also likely be considered, or Detroit could reach for 7-foot defensive specialist Fab Melo of Syracuse.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]10[/td][td]

[/td][td]PF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Perry Jones[/td][/tr][tr][td]Baylor[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]6-11[/td][td]235[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]If the draft were this week, the Hornets would be expected to grab Lillard if available. But in the absence of a possibility for a Lillard-Eric Gordon backcourt, the chance to pair a seemingly sure thing like Davis with a wild card like Jones might be too much to pass up for general manager Dell Demps. Jones has teams questioning his passion because of his inconsistent intensity, but he's also a physical specimen and superb athlete with top-five talent. And if the reward wound up winning out over the risk, the Hornets could have one of the league's best young cores.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]11[/td][td]

[/td][td]SG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Dion Waiters [/td][/tr][tr][td]Syracuse[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]6-4[/td][td]215[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]Once you get past Beal, opinions differ greatly on who's next at shooting guard. But Waiters' efficiency and ability to get to the rim and create his own shot are seen as major positives for his projection, and could give him the nod over the likes of Connecticut's Jeremy Lamb, Duke's Austin Rivers or Washington's Terrence Ross. Veteran combo guard Jamal Crawford, Portland's second-leading scorer, has made it clear that he will opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer. Raymond Felton will also be a free agent this summer after his disappointing season, leaving an opening at point guard. Waiters doesn't fill that void, but the Blazers are expected to go for the best available player and he just might be it. Pass-first North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall or athletic, up-tempo Washington point guard Tony Wroten will likely get a look here too.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]12[/td][td]

[/td][td]C[/td][td][table][tr][td]Meyers Leonard [/td][/tr][tr][td]Illinois[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]7-0[/td][td]240[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]The Bucks dealt center Andrew Bogut to Golden State in mid-March, and Leonard could provide a younger, more athletic version of the Australian big man. He averaged 13.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for Illinois after a freshman season in which he barely played. Zeller and Melo will likely be considered.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]13[/td][td]

[/td][td]SG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Terrence Ross [/td][/tr][tr][td]Washington[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]6-6[/td][td]195[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]There are rumblings that Ross is moving up the shooting guard ranks, and he could eventually be dynamic enough to qualify as the Suns' star for the post-Steve Nash era (whether that starts this summer or not). Ross, who averaged 16.4 points and shot 45.7 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three-point range last season, is very athletic and more than capable of becoming a good NBA defender.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]14[/td][td]

[/td][td]SG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Jeremy Lamb [/td][/tr][tr][td]Connecticut[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]6-5[/td][td]185[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]Rockets shooting guard and leading scorer Kevin Martin has one more year left on his deal, and the fact that he was all but traded to New Orleans in December could have an effect on whether he wants to return (if he's not traded, officially, by then). Martin, who was part of the deal that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers and Pau Gasol to the Rockets, might have competition if Houston grabs one of the many top-tier shooting guards remaining. (Reserve shooting guard Courtney Lee, by the way, will be a restricted free agent.) Lamb could wind up being a top 10 pick, but the smooth scorer would be phenomenal value here. [/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]15[/td][td]

[/td][td]PF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Terrence Jones [/td][/tr][tr][td]Kentucky[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]6-9[/td][td]252[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]Veteran power forward Elton Brand is on the downside of his career and entering the final year of his contract, while free-agent center Spencer Hawes' future in Philadelphia is uncertain. In other words, it's time to get some help in the frontcourt. While Jones may wind up being a small forward in the NBA, he is a skilled, if inconsistent, big man who can stretch the floor. Jones could go much higher than here, too.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]16[/td][td]

[/td][td]PF[/td][td][table][tr][td]John Henson [/td][/tr][tr][td]North Carolina[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Jr.[/td][td]6-11[/td][td]220[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]There's a bit of a logjam here, as the Rockets have a high-level power forward in Luis Scola and power forward Patrick Patterson showed some progress in his second season. But defensive difference makers are tough to come by, and Henson, who averaged 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks last season, would be a great get in this post. Shot-blocking Rockets center Marcus Camby will be a free agent this summer, and fellow big man Samuel Dalembert is owed $6.7 million for next season but can be bought out for $1.5 million.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]17[/td][td]

[/td][td]PG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Kendall Marshall [/td][/tr][tr][td]North Carolina[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]6-4[/td][td]180[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]He's no Deron Williams, but he might have to do for the Mavs. With Jason Kidd becoming a free agent and so much uncertainty at the position, Dallas could use the point guard who is considered the best passer in the bunch by far. [/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]18[/td][td]

[/td][td]SG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Austin Rivers[/td][/tr][tr][td]Duke[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Fr.[/td][td]6-4[/td][td]203[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]His swagger is seen as a positive by some and a turnoff by others, but it's undeniable that Rivers is the sort of scorer whose skills should translate at the next level. The Wolves, who saw Wes Johnson continue to struggle at shooting guard/small forward this season, would make their compelling roster even more interesting with this addition.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]19[/td][td]

[/td][td]PF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Arnett Moultrie [/td][/tr][tr][td]Mississippi State[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Jr.[/td][td]6-11[/td][td]230[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]The forecast is cloudy for the Magic's frontcourt, with the possibility that Dwight Howard could be traded back in play. And while Ryan Anderson and Glen Davis bring very different skills to the table, Moultrie's athleticism and ability to have a consistent impact on both ends would be worth investing. [/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]20[/td][td]

[/td][td]PG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Tony Wroten[/td][/tr][tr][td]Washington[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Fr.[/td][td]6-5[/td][td]208[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]As good as the point guard combo of Ty Lawson and Andre Miller was for the Nuggets, Miller is a free agent and may not be back. Wroten has been criticized for his decision-making and ability to play under control, and he shot only 16.1 percent from three-point range last season. But he's also a potent player who has drawn comparisons to Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook for his aggressive style.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]21[/td][td]

[/td][td]C[/td][td][table][tr][td]Fab Melo[/td][/tr][tr][td]Syracuse[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]7-0[/td][td]244[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]Big men tend to crawl up teams' boards as draft day nears, and Melo could be a prime candidate. His size and defensive instincts are legitimate, even if his offensive game is nearly nonexistent. The Celtics aren't nearly as formidable in the frontcourt as they used to be and could use a player like Melo.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]22[/td][td]

[/td][td]SF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Royce White[/td][/tr][tr][td]Iowa State[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]6-8[/td][td]270[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]The well-chronicled anxiety disorder that has hurt White's stock is a real factor, but it will be interesting to see if he can dispel some of those concerns during workouts and interviews with teams at the draft combine. There aren't many players with his all-around skill set.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]23[/td][td]

[/td][td]SF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Moe Harkless[/td][/tr][tr][td]St. John's[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Fr.[/td][td]6-8[/td][td]208[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]The athletic, versatile Harkless would give Atlanta another option at small forward, where shooting guard Joe Johnson started down the stretch this season while longtime starter Marvin Williams moved to the bench. The Big East Rookie of the Year averaged 15.3 points last season, but shot just 44.5 percent overall and 20.2 percent from three-point range. His impact elsewhere entices front-office types who watched him average 8.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.6 steals. [/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]24[/td][td]

[/td][td]PF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Andrew Nicholson [/td][/tr][tr][td]St. Bonaventure[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Sr.[/td][td]6-9[/td][td]225[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]Cleveland will lose a big chunk of its frontcourt scoring with Jamison's departure. Nicholson could provide some of that and help in other areas, too, after averaging 18.5 points (while adding a three-point shot) 8.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in leading St. Bonaventure to the Atlantic 10 championship and its first NCAA tournament appearance in 12 years.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]25[/td][td]

[/td][td]PG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Marquis Teague [/td][/tr][tr][td]Kentucky[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Fr.[/td][td]6-2[/td][td]189[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]The Gilbert Arenas experiment never paid off for the Grizzlies, but it did manage to expose their need for a reliable backup to point guard Michael Conley. Teague is an aggressive floor leader on the offensive end and a strong defender, meaning team leader and defensive specialist Tony Allen would approve. While his overall numbers weren't spectacular (10 points on 41.2 percent shooting, 4.8 assists and 2.7 turnovers), he produced better when it counted most (13.3 points on 45.9 percent shooting, 4.8 assists and 2.5 turnovers in six NCAA tournament games). [/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]26[/td][td]

[/td][td]SF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Jeff Taylor[/td][/tr][tr][td]Vanderbilt[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Sr.[/td][td]6-7[/td][td]225[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]The Pacers could use depth on the wing behind Danny Granger, especially considering dogged defender Dahntay Jones is a free agent. Taylor could be a perfect fit, not only because he's viewed as a tough and talented defender who can guard multiple positions but also because he could become part of the Pacers' balanced scoring effort. Most of Taylor's scoring came from attacking the rim in his first three seasons at Vanderbilt, but he started developing three-point range as a junior and made it a weapon as a senior when he shot 42.3 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 16.1 points.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]27[/td][td]

[/td][td]SG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Will Barton [/td][/tr][tr][td]Memphis[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]So.[/td][td]6-6[/td][td]175[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]With Mike Miller and Shane Battier falling short of expectations on offense, the Heat could stand to get lucky with a high-octane scorer this late in the draft. They might get that in Barton, who averaged 18 points (on 50.9 percent shooting and 34.6 percent from three-point range), 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals last season. His accuracy improved greatly from his freshman season, when he shot 42.8 percent overall and 26.5 percent from beyond the arc.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]28[/td][td]

[/td][td]PF[/td][td][table][tr][td]Draymond Green [/td][/tr][tr][td]Michigan State[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Sr.[/td][td]6-7[/td][td]230[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]Anyone who watched the first two games of the Western Conference finals knows that the Thunder need additional skilled big men who boast more than one specialty (see Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka). Green is that guy. He averaged 16.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a senior, including 17.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists in three NCAA tournament games. [/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]29[/td][td]

[/td][td]SG[/td][td][table][tr][td]Evan Fournier [/td][/tr][tr][td]Poitiers (France)[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]---[/td][td]6-7[/td][td]206[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]With point guard and 2010-11 MVP Derrick Rose sidelined 8-to-12 months after tearing his ACL in the playoffs, and with shooting guard Richard Hamilton showing his age (34) during an injury-filled season, the Bulls could use another scorer in their backcourt. There's no way of telling just yet whether Fournier can be the penetrating, playmaking perimeter threat in the NBA that he has been while playing for France, but he's worth gambling on here.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td][table][tr][td][table][tr][td]PICK[/td][td]TEAM[/td][td]POSITION[/td][td]PLAYER[/td][td]CLASS[/td][td]HEIGHT[/td][td]WEIGHT[/td][/tr][tr][td]30[/td][td]

[/td][td]C[/td][td][table][tr][td]Kyle O'Quinn[/td][/tr][tr][td]Norfolk State[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td]Sr.[/td][td]6-10[/td][td]240[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][tr][td]O'Quinn, who worked out for the Warriors last week, may not make the first-round cut. But he has improved his stock significantly in recent months, and Golden State is seeking depth down low (though the team may go in a different direction with this pick if Sullinger is, in fact, its choice at No. 7). O'Quinn first made headlines as the classic March Madness darling, getting 26 points and 14 rebounds to lead No. 15 Norfolk State past No. 2 Missouri in the first round. O'Quinn kept it going in April at a heavily scouted tournament for college seniors, the Portsmouth Invitational, where he was named MVP and showed off the skills that helped him average 15.9 points and 10.3 rebounds as a senior. Not bad for a player who received a scholarship offer only from Norfolk State and didn't play until his junior year in high school. [/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table]

Link

 

[scott frost]

Are there official height measurements for Thomas Robinson?

 

[finallyfamous]

BEAL & IRVING

skeeeeeeeet

 

[scuse7]

Originally Posted by FinallyFamous

BEAL & IRVING

skeeeeeeeet

Yeaaa that'd be nice.

I don't know how I feel about Lillard yet, playing for Weber st gives me some concern.

 

[Animal Thug]

Right now the Cleveland Cavaliers have the No.4 overall pick but that could change if the Cavaliers can make a deal to move up in the draft, writes Jason Lloyd on Ohio.com.

The most likely team that could make a deal with the Cavaliers are the Charlotte Bobcats (No. 2 overall).

That leaves the Bobcats, who are so good at losing that they even lost the draft lottery after finishing the season with the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Their roster is in desperate need of an overhaul and one player – even a player they deem the second-best in this draft – won’t come close to solving all of their problems.

Teams are still in the early stages of compiling their draft board, but if the Bobcats believe there isn’t much of a drop between their second and fourth choices, they could entertain offers from the Cavs for their pick.



What could happen, writes Lloyd, is that the Cavaliers could try to package their two first-round picks (Nos. 4 and No. 24) as a starting point to move up to No. 2.

“With our ownership group, they like being aggressive and we like being aggressive,

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Originally Posted by DoubleJs07

Can't believe how low Royce White is being projected. I know he's got his anxiety issues, but he's a lottery-talent, IMO. His skill-set is

Really it says a lot high ceiling level of talent in the mid to late rounds.

Guys like

Royce White
Q Miller
John Henson
Myers Lenord
Tony Wroten (if you're in to that sort of thing)


but the guy is afraid of flying man, I would take a risk on him at 8 if I were that raptors, If you aren't that good, and theres high ceiling talent in the late loerry you roll the dice on higher ceiling talent.

 

[buc em]

I would +%*$$$% throw things at the nearest TV if the Sixers selected Terrence Jones with the #15 pick. Rivers, Moultrie, Jeremy Lamb or Nicholson better be the pick if we stay at 15.

 

[manamazing55]

time will tell regarding MKG. It's hard for me to project a guy on the next level as an "elite defender" when hes played 30 games of COLLEGE basketball.

On another note, it is sometimes easier for kids who play hard, to play hard and tough when theyre winning, lets see if he can keep that mentality up when his team is losing 50 or 60 games a year.

again, time will tell

 

[finallyfamous]

#4 AND #24 for #2 ?

I don't like it..

Worst case we take Barnes at 4, or gamble with Drummond ... I say we stay.

 

[senorroboto2k5]

Lottery was obviously a fix. Monty Williams showed up in a decent-looking suit... which begs the question, what was he preparing for?

 

[the wizard]

Originally Posted by SenorRoboto2k5

Lottery was obviously a fix. Monty Williams showed up in a decent-looking suit... which begs the question, what was he preparing for?

 

[ValarMorghulis]

Originally Posted by DoubleJs07

Can't believe how low Royce White is being projected. I know he's got his anxiety issues, but he's a lottery-talent, IMO. His skill-set is

I'm with you, anybody #20 and lower should be lining up for this guy

 

[dior paint]

Originally Posted by manamazing55

On another note, it is sometimes easier for kids who play hard, to play hard and tough when theyre winning, 

This is most certainly not true.

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

Originally Posted by manamazing55

time will tell regarding MKG. It's hard for me to project a guy on the next level as an "elite defender" when hes played 30 games of COLLEGE basketball.

lol,wut.

 

[bhzmafia14]

I remember reading an article about how the owner wanted to add more vets to the team after getting Nene.

THe team is already stockpiled with youth (singleton, wall, seraphin, vesely, crawford). Do they really want to keep adding youth or a veteran that can make them a playoff team this year and give their youth time to develop? If they use their pick this year, they will still be a year or two from even making the playoffs and I'm not sure if that franchise can go that long with no success.

 

[manamazing55]

Originally Posted by DIOR PAINT

Originally Posted by manamazing55

On another note, it is sometimes easier for kids who play hard, to play hard and tough when theyre winning, 

This is most certainly not true.

You're not qualified to make a statement of fact on an issue such as this

  

 

[manamazing55]

Originally Posted by dreClark

Originally Posted by manamazing55

time will tell regarding MKG. It's hard for me to project a guy on the next level as an "elite defender" when hes played 30 games of COLLEGE basketball.

lol,wut.

  
Dre
What I am saying is, just because player A does something for 30 games in college, does not automatically mean he CAN and WILL do that on the NBA level

 

[dacomeup]

Defense is a translatable quality my dude. It's not like scoring.

I can't fathom why anyone would take Austin Rivers over Dion Waiters or Terrence Ross.

DoubleJs, you DO NOT want Ben Gordon's contract. Y'all are finally heading in the right direction. That'd be a horrible contract to bring on.

 

[raw120]

Originally Posted by Buc Em

I would +%*$$$% throw things at the nearest TV if the Sixers selected Terrence Jones with the #15 pick. Rivers, Moultrie, Jeremy Lamb or Nicholson better be the pick if we stay at 15.

Why would you want Rivers on the Sixers?  (just wondering)

  

 

[al3xis]

Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh

Andre Drummond is growing on me, I'm looking at tape, and his stats, everything things seems so...fixable. 

Yes. this idea that he's immature is foolish. His game is immature - but it can be polished. He is too big and too athletic to not have value in this league. 

 

[Animal Thug]

Austin Rivers should be a late-first rounder or early 2nd.

His game looks no where near 1st round worthy.

I didn't see it.

 

[ValarMorghulis]

Originally Posted by bhzmafia14

I remember reading an article about how the owner wanted to add more vets to the team after getting Nene.

THe team is already stockpiled with youth (singleton, wall, seraphin, vesely, crawford). Do they really want to keep adding youth or a veteran that can make them a playoff team this year and give their youth time to develop? If they use their pick this year, they will still be a year or two from even making the playoffs and I'm not sure if that franchise can go that long with no success.

MKG is a rookie you cant help but build around. You package everyone BUT Wall for the right veterans. 
A Wall-MKG-Nene core is something to be positive about. 

 

[buc em]

Originally Posted by raw120

Originally Posted by Buc Em

I would +%*$$$% throw things at the nearest TV if the Sixers selected Terrence Jones with the #15 pick. Rivers, Moultrie, Jeremy Lamb or Nicholson better be the pick if we stay at 15.

Why would you want Rivers on the Sixers?  (just wondering)

  

We have absolutely nobody that wants to shoot the ball most of the time, and Lou (the only guy who would shoot) is opting out of his contract. He'd fit in real nice with Jrue and Iguodala if we decide to keep Iggy. Doug Collins being a great friend of Doc Rivers would also tempt him I'm sure.

 

[airmaxpenny1]

Originally Posted by Al3xis

Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh

Andre Drummond is growing on me, I'm looking at tape, and his stats, everything things seems so...fixable. 

Yes. this idea that he's immature is foolish. His game is immature - but it can be polished. He is too big and too athletic to not have value in this league. 

I'm coming around to him as well, I think if I'm the bobcats I even take a chance on him at #2 cause kids like him simply don't grow on trees.  But my boy was on the UCONN squad this year and he told me Drummond was wild immature...but then again he is 18 years old so there is that as well, can't really blame him all the way there.

Manamazing, remember a kid named Kyrie Irving? He only played 10 college games...How'd that workout? MKG will be an absolute beast in the league.