Official 2012 NBA Draft Thread

[osh kosh bosh]

http://insider.espn.go.co...nba-mock-draft-version-4

help us non playoff teams survive the summer.

 

[proshares]

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Now that the NBA regular season has ended, the draft order from 15-30 is finally set and the NBA's deadline to declare for the draft has passed, it's time to check back in with our fourth Mock Draft of the season.

(If you want to see what your team would do with the No. 1 pick, check out our Lottery Mock Draft with more than 2,000 scenarios).

Here's our best stab at a first-round mock draft after taking into account team needs.

[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Charlotte
[/td][td]

Anthony Davis
[/td][td]Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 220 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Bobcats have a 25 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: Well, that 23-game losing streak combined with the worst winning percentage in the history of the NBA better pay off. If the Bobcats land Davis, they have their frontcourt of the future and a young point guard, Kemba Walker, to start building around. If they miss out on Davis, the task becomes much more difficult.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Washington
[/td][td]

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
[/td][td]Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 18
School: Kentucky[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Wizards have a 19.9 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Wizards desperately need Kidd-Gilchrist's leadership, toughness and work ethic. But they could also really use Brad Beal's shooting ability. I think the Beal versus Kidd-Gilchrist scenario is a toss-up right now, but I'd be surprised if there's anyone else seriously in the mix for the Wizards at No. 2.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Cleveland
[/td][td]

Bradley Beal
[/td][td]Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 195 pounds
Age: 18
School: Florida[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Cavaliers have a 13.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: If the Cavs can stay in the top 3, it's a huge outcome for them. The Cavs scored big time when they landed Kyrie Irving last year. They would complete their backcourt overhaul if they could put Beal next to him. That would give them two high-octane scorers who can both handle the ball, get to the rim and shoot it -- an ideal scenario for the Cavs.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

New Orleans
[/td][td]

Thomas Robinson
[/td][td]Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 237 pounds
Age: 21
School: Kansas[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Hornets have a 13.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Hornets need both size and a point guard. But since there isn't really a point guard worthy of going this high in the draft, their choices are Robinson or Drummond. While Drummond might be the sexy pick here, Robinson is more of a sure thing and brings a toughness that the Hornets value.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Sacramento
[/td][td]

Andre Drummond
[/td][td]Position: C
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 275 pounds
Age: 18
School: UConn[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Kings have a 7.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: I can't really think of a more ideal pick for the Kings. Every year they tend to get the really huge upside guy who other teams pass on because of major red flags. In Drummond's case, the red flags are production. He has the physical talent to be a dominant pro, but only showed it in flashes as a freshman. If he puts it together, Drummond and DeMarcus Cousins would be a devastating front line.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Portland (via Nets)
[/td][td]

Harrison Barnes
[/td][td]Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: North Carolina[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Blazers have a 7.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Blazers grabbed this pick from the Nets as part of the Gerald Wallace trade. It's top 3 protected so if the Nets win one of the top three spots in the lottery, the pick will revert back to New Jersey/Brooklyn.

The Blazers need help at both backcourt positions and at center. Not sure that Barnes really qualifies as a 2-guard and, in some ways, he duplicates what the team has in Nic Batum. But Portland needs shooters and players who can score the basketball and Barnes is terrific at that.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Golden State
[/td][td]

Perry Jones III
[/td][td]Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 20
School: Baylor[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Warriors have a 3.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Warriors dodged a huge bullet on Friday when they won the coin toss and landed the No. 7 pick. Unless a team ranked No. 8 or below leapfrogs them in the lottery (there's roughly a 29 percent chance of that) they won't have to send this pick to the Jazz. I guess tanking pays off sometimes.

Jones has the talent to be a top 3 pick and many scouts believe his best pro position will be at the 3, which is a need for Golden State. If he lives up to his potential, this is a home run of a pick. But the Warriors have had their share of athletic, underperforming tweeners (Anthony Randolph, Brandan Wright) in the past.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Toronto
[/td][td]

Damian Lillard
[/td][td]Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 21
School: Weber State[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Raptors have a 3.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Raptors need help at both the wing and the point. Lillard can play some of both. His versatility and ability to shoot and score the basketball should serve them well.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Detroit
[/td][td]

John Henson
[/td][td]Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 21
School: North Carolina[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Pistons have a 1.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Pistons really need both length and athleticism in their frontcourt. We've had Jared Sullinger in Detroit the past few mock drafts, but I'm getting a sense that a player like Henson, or even Arnett Moultrie or Meyers Leonard, may have a better shot. All three seem like a bit of a reach at No. 9, but long athletes don't grow on trees and the Pistons might have to just take a risk here.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

New Orleans
(via Wolves)
[/td][td]

Kendall Marshall
[/td][td]Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 188 pounds
Age: 20
School: North Carolina[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Hornets have a 1.1 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: We have the Hornets taking a power forward with their first pick (No. 4). The question here is whether they go for a point guard like Kendall Marshall or whether they add some help in the middle. Marshall is a pass-first point guard who makes everyone around him better.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Portland
[/td][td]

Tyler Zeller
[/td][td]Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 22
School: North Carolina[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Blazers have a 0.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Blazers don't have much of anything in the middle. Although Zeller doesn't project to be a star, he is big, runs the floor well and has a soft touch around the basket.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Milwaukee
[/td][td]

Jared Sullinger
[/td][td]Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 280 pounds
Age: 20
School: Ohio State[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Bucks have a 0.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: Ersan Ilyasova had a breakout year for the Bucks at the power forward position this season, but he's a free agent and Milwaukee may not be able to afford to keep him. Sullinger might be a terrific alternative. He's a bit undersized, but his rebounding ability and offensive prowess make him a very attractive option at this point in the draft.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Phoenix
[/td][td]

Austin Rivers
[/td][td]Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 199 pounds
Age: 19
School: Duke[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Suns have a 0.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Suns need a little bit of everything, but what they really need is star power. With Steve Nash possibly on the move this summer, someone has to sell tickets. If Rivers ever lives up to his potential, he could be a great get this low. He's going to have to rein in his game and get comfortable with who he is at the NBA level, but the talent is definitely there.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Houston
[/td][td]

Terrence Jones
[/td][td]Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 244 pounds
Age: 20
School: Kentucky[/td][/tr][/table]
(The Rockets have a 0.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Rockets drafted in the same spot last year and came away with Marcus Morris. Jones has some similar talents, but with more upside. At this point, the Rockets take the player with the most upside.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Philadelphia
[/td][td]

Terrence Ross
[/td][td]Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 21
School: Washington[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: Jodie Meeks is the closest thing the Sixers have to a great 3-point shooter right now. Adding Ross would be an instant upgrade at the backup shooting guard spot.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Houston (via Knicks)
[/td][td]

Arnett Moultrie
[/td][td]Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 21
School: Mississippi State[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: Moultrie has been steadily rising on draft boards the past few weeks as GMs and scouts go back and look at tape. His size, elite athletic ability and rebounding prowess make him worth the risk. In fact, I wonder if he'll really go this low. The Pistons could grab him at No. 9.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Dallas
[/td][td]

Jeremy Lamb
[/td][td]Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 19
School: UConn[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: This would be a very surprising slide if Lamb drops this far. A few GMs believe he's a top 7 or 8 talent. But his laid-back nature and so-so shooting ability have given some teams pause. If he went 10 spots higher I wouldn't be surprised. But if he slipped this low I wouldn't be shocked, either. With the Mavs looking to shore up young talent just about anywhere on their roster, Lamb is a great get at 17.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Wolves (via Jazz)
[/td][td]

Dion Waiters
[/td][td]Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 pounds
Age: 20
School: Syracuse[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: The Wolves' biggest need is at the 2-guard spot right now. While I'm sure they'd prefer a better shooter, Waiters' ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket should make him a coveted pick here. Like Moultrie, Waiters has been moving up draft boards the past few weeks. I could easily see him in the lottery by draft night.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Orlando
[/td][td]

Meyers Leonard
[/td][td]Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 20
School: Illinois[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: The Magic are in serious danger of losing Dwight Howard in the next year. Leonard is a far cry from Howard, but he's big, he's athletic and he has shown some raw promise, especially on the defensive end.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Denver
[/td][td]

Quincy Miller
[/td][td]Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 210 pounds
Age: 19
School: Baylor[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: The Nuggets don't have any real glaring needs right now, which gives them the luxury of taking the best player left on the board. Had Miller stayed in school another year, he would've likely been a top 10 pick in 2013. He's great value here.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Boston
[/td][td]

Fab Melo
[/td][td]Position: C
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 274 pounds
Age: 21
School: Syracuse[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: The Celtics are in desperate need of size. While Melo is miles away from being ready, he is big and can block shots and rebound. If he stays focused and in shape, he could be good value here.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Boston (via Clippers)
[/td][td]

Royce White
[/td][td]Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 20
School: Iowa State[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: White is an enigma. He's clearly one of the most talented players in the draft, but concerns about an anxiety disorder and fear of flying will lower his stock. Celtics president Danny Ainge hasn't been afraid to gamble in the past and White could be worth the risk at this point in the draft.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Atlanta
[/td][td]

Tony Wroten Jr.
[/td][td]Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 205 pounds
Age: 18
School: Washington[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: The Hawks have been cursed at the point guard position ever since they decided to pass on Chris Paul to draft Marvin Williams. Wroten is no CP3, but he may have the most talent of any point guard in the draft. He's big, he's athletic and he can get to the basket. If his shot wasn't broken and if he had a better rep as a teammate, he'd be a top 10 pick.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Cavs (via Lakers)
[/td][td]

Moe Harkless
[/td][td]Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 18
School: St. John's[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: Harkless reminds me a little of Trevor Ariza. He is a terrific scorer and defender who needs to get a more settled jump shot. Put him on the floor with Kyrie Irving, Brad Beal, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao and the Cavs suddenly have a team that should be fighting for the playoffs again.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Memphis
[/td][td]

Jeff Taylor
[/td][td]Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 22
School: Vanderbilt[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: Taylor is an elite athlete who can defend multiple positions. And this year he added a jump shot to top things off. With O.J. Mayo likely out the door, he's a good replacement.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Indiana

[/td][td]

Marquis Teague
[/td][td]Position: PG
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 178 pounds
Age: 19
School: Kentucky[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: Not only do the Pacers need more help at the point, but Teague is an Indy native who would be a great get here. He's not the pure point guard the Pacers really need, but he can push the ball effectively, get to the basket and create problems as a defender.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Miami
[/td][td]

Draymond Green
[/td][td]Position: SF
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 22
School: Michigan State[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: The Heat need players with experience who excel in bringing out the best in their teammates. Green can be a point-forward type who does a little of everything. Think of him as a better-passing Udonis Haslem.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Oklahoma City
[/td][td]

Evan Fournier
[/td][td]Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 206 pounds
Age: 19
School: France[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: This draft is pretty thin on international players, with Fournier the only player with a serious shot at landing in the first round. He's a scorer who is putting up impressive numbers in Europe at a young age, making him a nice pick-and-stash prospect for the Thunder.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Chicago
[/td][td]

Doron Lamb
[/td][td]Position: SG
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 195 pounds
Age: 20
School: Kentucky[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: The Bulls are always looking for shooters and would have a tough decision between Lamb and Vandy's John Jenkins here. Both are lights out from long range, but I give Lamb the nod because he has a little more versatility than Jenkins.


[table][tr][th=""]PICK[/th][th=""]TEAM[/th][th=""]PLAYER[/th][th=""]VITALS[/th][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][td]

Golden State
(via Spurs)
[/td][td]

Andrew Nicholson
[/td][td]Position: PF
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 222 pounds
Age: 22
School: St. Bonaventure[/td][/tr][/table]
Analysis: Nicholson has gotten dramatically better every season and has some David West to his game. He would be a good fit in Golden State as a backup to David Lee.


Next five in: John Jenkins, Festus Ezeli, Tyshawn Taylor, Scott Machado, Will Barton

 

[verdykt]

I hate the Warriors.

 

[Deleted member 38182]

Cheers bro!!

Who should the Kings be eyeing

 

[statis22]

2 power forwards? That would really be smart.

 

[scott frost]

It would be awesome if the Warriors drafterd Jones. Laughable franchise. Randolph, Wright, Udoh, Jones. Revolving door.

 

[Animal Thug]

Bradley Beal

...


...him or MKG...and I'm happy.

 

[the wizard]

Someone will have to explain how Austin Rivers brings star power to Phoenix.

 

[buc em]

Terrence Ross would MAYBE be a good pick for us because of our lack of 3 point shooting...but we'd definitely have to trade atleast one of Iguodala, Thad or Turner. I think one of those guys is gonna have to go this summer regardless though.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Would love quincy at 8, if we get stuck there, lilliard would be fine i guess.

 

[pmatic]

From SI:

Better than KG? Davis draws raves as headliner of deep 2012 draft

When Jared Sullinger of Ohio State, Perry Jones of Baylor and Harrison Barnes of North Carolina surprised the NBA world by staying in college a year ago, the already-building buzz about the 2012 draft only grew louder.

Could this be one of the best of all time, the kind of crop that would rival the legendary likes of 1984 (Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton among them), 1996 (Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen and Steve Nash) or 2003 (LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh)? That much won't be known for years, when the All-Star appearances are tallied and -- should projections prove true -- the MVP trophies are counted.

But there is serious potential here beyond consensus No. 1 pick Anthony Davis of Kentucky, from Wildcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, to brutish big men Andre Drummond of UConn and Thomas Robinson of Kansas, to a host of other players who might have been in the top 10 had they been part of what was considered a weak 2011 draft. Front-office executives knew that much even before the unexpected additions of Sullinger, Jones and Barnes, and some of them went to great lengths to make sure their team didn't miss out on this particular prospect party on June 28. New Orleans' insistence on landing the Clippers' first-round pick (from Minnesota) in the Chris Paul trade in December, and Golden State's shameless tanking down the stretch of this season -- in which it feared picking lower than seventh and thereby losing its protected pick to Utah -- were but a few of the examples.

But as sure things go, the five executives polled by SI.com for this story agreed that the 6-foot-10 Davis stands alone. The 19-year-old freshman, who led the Wildcats to a national title and 38-2 season while averaging 14.2 points (on 62.3 percent shooting), 10.4 rebounds, 4.7 blocks and 1.4 steals, is seen by most as the kind of transformative player who even the worst of talent evaluators couldn't miss on.

Charlotte, which just completed the worst season in NBA history based on its .106 winning percentage, has a 25 percent shot at the top pick. Washington (19.9 percent), Cleveland (13.

, New Orleans (13.7), Sacramento (7.6) and New Jersey (7.5) have the best odds of landing Davis after the Bobcats.

After Davis, though, one cautious Western Conference general manager said talent remains and uncertainty reigns.

"It's a good draft, but it's also a mistake draft," he said. "There will be guys who go from three or four down to 12 where you'll make a mistake on them, and guys from 15 to 30 who will be pretty good. It's deep, but it's also tricky."

Another West GM said "there will be good talent down to the 40 or 50 range, and some good bets the whole way along. It feels like there are three to five potential All-Star-type guys, but I'd probably bet against all of them -- not because of the players, but just the reality is nobody knows anything [for sure]."

Said another West executive: "How many guys have a chance to be stars? Probably six."

For all the reluctance to handicap the whole lot, Davis is inspiring some bold predictions from men who typically resist hyperbole. An Eastern Conference executive noted that the 220-pound Davis will need to get stronger to assert himself at the next level, but that was the closest anyone interviewed came to criticizing him.

One of the West general managers said Davis "is probably going to be better than Blake Griffin," and his GM colleague upped the ante by saying he expects him to be better than 14-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett.

"There's not one doubt in my mind that he's going to be way better than Blake Griffin," the second GM said. "I don't even think it's going to be close. I think he might end up being a little better than KG.

"He may be the quiet, humble [player] who's not as great as Tim Duncan, but [he'll be] that kind of a person, and maybe have the game to back it up. I don't think he gets to that [Duncan] level, but he's going to be pretty good."

One of the West executives wasn't ready for such ambitious comparisons.

"I have times when I wonder, 'Is he Marcus Camby, a great defensive player who alters the game defensively' " but doesn't have much offense? he said. "And then there are days when I say, 'Oh, no, he has much more offense to his game. He has this, he has that.' Plus, I think Anthony Davis is a pretty cool kid."

The combination of Davis' two-way talents and his commitment to team basketball have impressed executives who are always eager to add versatile and selfless players. Talent evaluators have fallen in love with his back story, too. Davis spent most of his prep years going unnoticed in one of the country's basketball meccas, attending Perspectives Charter School in Chicago and playing in a lackluster league that was largely ignored by local media and college scouts. He grew seven inches from the end of his freshman year to the beginning of his junior season, standing 6-7 with a wingspan that reached much farther (it's 7-3 now). But even after that, when the attention finally started coming and the heads of most young men in his position would have swelled along with his frame and his fame, Davis continued to play the right way. He kept setting screens, blocking shots, finding his teammates for open looks -- making the proper basketball play, whether it paid off or not.

The talent around him improved in a big way at Kentucky, and his performance in the Wildcats' victory over Kansas in the national championship game last month showed why many consider him special. Despite hitting just 1-of-10 shots and scoring six points, Davis was named the Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four because of all the other ways he made an impact. He finished with 16 rebounds, six blocks, five assists and three steals against the Jayhawks.

"He had only six points, but he still controlled the game," one of the West GMs said.

He'll be controlling the draft order, too. And if the rest of the prospects pan out like so many expect that Davis will? This could be a draft to remember after all.
Link

NBA Draft Key Dates

The NBA this week is expected to announce the official list of early entrants for the 2012 draft. Here are other dates to keep in mind:

May 3: Teams can begin individual workouts with prospects, according to a front-office source.

May 30: Draft lottery

June 6-10: NBA predraft camp in Chicago

June 18: Early-entrant withdrawal deadline

June 28: NBA draft

 

[sohi 23]

I would cry real tears if the Warriors drafted Perry Jones.

idk tho, they're due to get a good drawing in the lottery w/ a top 3 pick sooner or later

 

[pmatic]

USA Today Mock Draft

[table][tr][td]Pick[/td][td]Team[/td][td]Pos., Player[/td][td]
Ht., Wt.
[/td][td]
School or country
[/td][td]
Comment
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]1[/td][td]Charlotte [/td][td]F Anthony Davis [/td][td]
6-10, 220
[/td][td]
Kentucky
[/td][td]
The top overall draft prospect. Long and athletic. An impact player without the basketball. Great feel for the game.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]2[/td][td]Washington [/td][td]F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist[/td][td]
6-7, 228
[/td][td]
Kentucky
[/td][td]
Extremely athletic. Solid defender. Can guard multiple positions. Excellent in transition. Active rebounder.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]3[/td][td]Cleveland [/td][td]G Bradley Beal[/td][td]
6-4, 201
[/td][td]
Florida
[/td][td]
Impact scoring guard. A little undersized, but has almost perfect shooting mechanics. Can also rebound and create.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]4[/td][td]New Orleans[/td][td]F Thomas Robinson[/td][td]
6-9, 240
[/td][td]
Kansas
[/td][td]
Physically dominating. Prototype power forward. Relentless in the paint. Polished player with proven ability.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]5[/td][td]Sacramento[/td][td]F Harrison Barnes[/td][td]
6-8, 223
[/td][td]
North Carolina
[/td][td]
Aggressive scorer with a reliable jump shot. Solid feel for the game and explosive at times.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]6[/td][td]Portland (from NJ)[/td][td]C Andre Drummond[/td][td]
6-10, 251
[/td][td]
Connecticut
[/td][td]
Likely the best pure center prospect. Big frame. Great wingspan. Moves well for his size. Solid rebounder and shot blocker.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]7[/td][td]Golden State [/td][td]F Terrence Jones[/td][td]
6-9, 249
[/td][td]
Kentucky
[/td][td]
Solid all-around player with decent range and prototypical size. Good defender with high basketball IQ. Left handed with a solid feel for the game.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]8[/td][td]Toronto[/td][td]F Perry Jones[/td][td]
6-11, 220
[/td][td]
Baylor
[/td][td]
Crazy athletic. Can score from almost anywhere on the floor. Extremely long and agile. Explosive at the rim.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]9[/td][td]Detroit[/td][td]C Jared Sullinger[/td][td]
6-9, 280
[/td][td]
Ohio State
[/td][td]
Big, dominating, inside player with a knack for creating space and scoring the ball. A solid and physical rebounder.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]10[/td][td]New Orleans (from MIN via LAC)[/td][td]G Damian Lilard[/td][td]
6-2, 185
[/td][td]
Weber State
[/td][td]
A prolific scorer with a consistent jump shot. Arguably the top point guard prospect in the draft. Impressive character.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]11[/td][td]Portland [/td][td]G Tony Wroten[/td][td]
6-5, 180
[/td][td]
Washington
[/td][td]
Extremely athletic combo-guard who can run the point. A dominating left-handed scorer. Great in transition and at changing directions.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]12[/td][td]Milwaukee [/td][td]F John Henson[/td][td]
6-11, 220
[/td][td]
North Carolina
[/td][td]
Extremely long. Amazing and effective shot blocker. Disruptive defensively. Improved offensive skill set.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]13[/td][td]Phoenix [/td][td]G Austin Rivers[/td][td]
6-4, 203
[/td][td]
Duke
[/td][td]
Prolific scorer. Decent athlete with a knack for scoring. High basketball IQ. Very creative with his ball handling.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]14[/td][td]Houston[/td][td]C Tyler Zeller[/td][td]
7-0, 250
[/td][td]
North Carolina
[/td][td]
Experienced low post player with solid size. Smart player with a good feel for the game. Decent rebounder and shot blocker.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]15[/td][td]Philadelphia[/td][td]F Moe Harkless[/td][td]
6-8, 208
[/td][td]
St. John's
[/td][td]
Great length and athleticism. Solid foot work and size. Effective with the ball in his hands. Prefers facing up offensively.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]16[/td][td]Houston (from NYK)[/td][td]C Arnett Moultrie[/td][td]
6-11, 220
[/td][td]
Mississippi State
[/td][td]
Smooth power forward with solid size and length. Capable shooter all over the floor. Extremely agile.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]17[/td][td]Dallas[/td][td]G Kendall Marshall[/td][td]
6-4, 180
[/td][td]
North Carolina
[/td][td]
A natural floor leader with great feel for leading a team. A solid offensive player with decent range and size.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]18[/td][td]Minnesota (from UTA)[/td][td]G Jeremy Lamb[/td][td]
6-5, 185
[/td][td]
Connecticut
[/td][td]
Explosive athlete with a crazy wingspan. Has great range out to the three-point line. Wiry frame with an explosive first step.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]19[/td][td]Orlando[/td][td]G Marquis Teague[/td][td]
6-2, 179
[/td][td]
Kentucky
[/td][td]
Amazingly fast with a great first step. Can really penetrate and get deep into the paint. Solid basketball IQ.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]20[/td][td]Denver[/td][td]C Fab Melo[/td][td]
7-0, 250
[/td][td]
Syracuse
[/td][td]
A true 7-foot center with prototypical length. Still developing offensively. Solid shot blocker and rebounder.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]21[/td][td]Boston[/td][td]F Quincy Miller[/td][td]
6-9, 200
[/td][td]
Baylor
[/td][td]
A wiry scorer with a tremendous wingspan for a forward. Slightly undersized but effective from the perimeter. Somewhat streaky with huge upside.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]22[/td][td]Boston (from LAC via OKC)[/td][td]C Meyers Leonard[/td][td]
7-0, 240
[/td][td]
Illinois
[/td][td]
Long and athletic. Solid post player with a great feel for the game. Decent shooter. Extremely agile for his size.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]23[/td][td]Atlanta[/td][td]C Festus Ezeli[/td][td]
6-11, 255
[/td][td]
Vanderbilt
[/td][td]
Prototypical NBA size and athleticism for a center. Solid physical tools. Can hold his own on both ends of the floor.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]24[/td][td]Cleveland (from LAL)[/td][td]G Will Barton[/td][td]
6-5, 165
[/td][td]
Memphis
[/td][td]
Solid scorer with decent NBA range. Long and athletic. An aggressive, attacking player with a knack for scoring.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]25[/td][td]Memphis[/td][td]F Terrence Ross[/td][td]
6-7, 197
[/td][td]
Washington
[/td][td]
Big enough to play either wing position. Solid shooting form with a great first step. Gifted scorer who can create space.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]26[/td][td]Indiana [/td][td]F Royce White[/td][td]
6-8, 270
[/td][td]
Iowa State
[/td][td]
A versatile attack-the-rim forward who is big and physical. Good rebounder with great court awareness.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]27[/td][td]Miami [/td][td]F Andrew Nicholson[/td][td]
6-9, 220
[/td][td]
St. Bonaventure
[/td][td]
Experienced big man. Can score inside and outside. Solid shot blocker and rebounder.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]28[/td][td]Oklahoma City [/td][td]F Evan Fournier[/td][td]
6-7, 206
[/td][td]
Poitiers
[/td][td]
Excellent NBA size with a mature body. High skill level with solid scoring instincts. Deceptively athletic.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]29[/td][td]Chicago [/td][td]G Dion Waiters[/td][td]
6-4, 210
[/td][td]
Syracuse
[/td][td]
Solid combo-guard with good athleticism. Can play without the ball but is an instinctive scorer. Above average shooter with NBA range.
[/td][/tr][tr][td]

[/td][/tr][tr][td]30[/td][td]Golden State (from SAS)[/td][td]G Tyshawn Taylor[/td][td]
6-3, 180
[/td][td]
Kansas
[/td][td]
Solid floor leader who can be explosive at times. Can score and penetrate with decent range.
[/td][/tr][/table]

 

[finallyfamous]

Beal & Barton?. Idk how I feel about that

 

[Animal Thug]

I'm really hoping Quincy Miller falls to us at the 24th, if we keep that pick,

Only thing that concerns me with Beal is his size. They have him listed at 6'4; but he's more like 6'2....that's a undersized SG

.

 

[buc em]

I'd be down to pick up Moe Harkless. If we trade Iguodala for a big man like I'm sure we will, then Harkless would be a pretty natural fill-in for what Iguodala does. He could be one of the best defensive players in the league at his position.

 

[pmatic]

I dislike the idea of two guards that will (likely) have to dominate the ball to produce.

 

[Sonny Corinthos]

Originally Posted by Animal Thug1539

Only thing that concerns me with Beal is his size. They have him listed at 6'4; but he's more like 6'2....that's a undersized SG

.

   Beal isn't that small , he has to be a legit 6'4 with shoes on .

 

[finallyfamous]

I think Beal & Kyrie would do work.. We draft him , is he allowed to wear his college #?

 

[dacomeup]

Originally Posted by JoeClear

Originally Posted by Animal Thug1539

Only thing that concerns me with Beal is his size. They have him listed at 6'4; but he's more like 6'2....that's a undersized SG

.

   Beal isn't that small , he has to be a legit 6'4 with shoes on .

6'4 isn't ideal SG height.

 

[ValarMorghulis]

Jeremy Lamb taking a fall? I love his game, Phoenix and Portland should take a good look at 11 and 13

 

[Sonny Corinthos]

Originally Posted by DaComeUP

---

6'4 isn't ideal SG height.



 I know it isn't , but he played the 3 in college and  wasn't bad on defense. His release speed and handle are the things he needs work on.

 

[kevi]

really mad we gave our draft picks for melo. we could use them in this deep draft

 

[kingzarus]

.. I'm so torn. Eric Gordon can be a star, if he stays healthy. Austin Rivers is tempting for our second first rounder. Nabbing Thomas Robinson and Austin Rivers while trading EG... eh. That's why I'm not a GM. Decisions, decisions..

 

[airmaxpenny1]

Originally Posted by DaComeUP

Originally Posted by JoeClear

Originally Posted by Animal Thug1539

Only thing that concerns me with Beal is his size. They have him listed at 6'4; but he's more like 6'2....that's a undersized SG

.

   Beal isn't that small , he has to be a legit 6'4 with shoes on .

6'4 isn't ideal SG height.

Considering the lack of talent at the SG position in the league right now, I don't think its much of an issue either.  I mean Randy Foye and OJ Mayo have done decent jobs this playoffs and they are not bigger than 6'4 either.