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Hoopstuff 2012 NBA Mock Draft

Mike Elworth (Publisher at Hoopstuff)

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1. Charlotte Bobcats- Anthony Davis- PF- Kentucky

- Davis is clearly the top prospect in this draft and has the talent to help turn the Bobcats around. Already a dominant defensive player, Davis has a solid jump shot and a developing low post game. He has the talent to be a top ten player in the NBA.

2. Washington Wizards- Bradley Beal- SG- Florida

- The Wizards are awful and could use talent everywhere, but what they could really use is a go to player and Beal could be that and more. Beal is an elite shooter and scorer and can also ball-handle and distribute. He has the talent to be one of the best guards in the NBA and the best player on the Wizards.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers- Michael Kidd Gilchrist- SF- Kentucky

- The Cavaliers have nothing on the wings and would have the opportunity to choose between the scoring of Barnes or the energy and potential of Kidd Gilchrist. MKG has the leadership, motor and intangibles of a star, as well as a developing offensive game. He is an elite athlete who can do a bit of everything. If his play ever matches his intangibles he will be a star.

4. New Orleans Hornets- Thomas Robinson- PF- Kansas

- The Hornets are officially in a rebuilding faze and should take the best available player, which is Robinson. He may be a little undersized, but he is an elite rebounder, a great athlete and can dominate the paint on offense. He is a franchise caliber big and would go a team that needs one.

5. Sacramento Kings- Harrison Barnes- SF- UNC

- Barnes can score at an elite level and the Kings could use an upgrade at small forward, which would make this a great match. Barnes may have disappointed in his sophomore season, but is still a star talent and can average 20 points per game.

6. Portland Trailblazers (From NJ)- Andre Drummond- C- UCONN

- The last time the Trailblazers took a chance on a potential franchise center, they lost a lot of time and energy. Drummond may not have the talent of Greg Oden, but he is a fantastic athlete and could become one of the best defensive players in the league. He is extremely raw, but his potential is too much to pass on. Up front he would bring the defense, while Aldridge provides the offense.

7. Golden State Warriors- Perry Jones- PF- Baylor

- Jones has underwhelmed at college, but he seems to be worth the risk at this point, as he could be a star in the NBA. He plays like a guard and has a great feel on offense and because of his athleticism, he has a lot of potential on defense. He could be a bust, but Jones is pure potential and after trading Ekpe Udoh, the Warriors could use depth up front.

8. Toronto Raptors- Damian Lillard- PG- Weber State

-The top point guard prospect in the draft, Lillard was second in the nation in scoring and could become one of the best point guards in the NBA. He needs to work on his distribution skills, but should be a top-notch scorer from day one. The Raptors could use an upgrade at the position, which makes this a great match.

9. Detroit Pistons- Jarred Sullinger- PF- Ohio State

- The Pistons need a frontcourt mate for star center Greg Monroe and Sullinger would be a great fit. Monroe has a game based around finesse and skill, while Sullinger is all about strength and power. Monroe is great in the high post, while Sullinger is best down low, which would make this a great fit. This would be another great step back to respectability for Detroit.

10. New Orleans Hornets- Kendall Marshall- PG- UNC

- No, Marshall is not Chris Paul, but he would be a great point guard going forward for the Hornets. Marshall is a brilliant floor general and can run a team to perfection, but has also showed the potential to be a very capable scorer. Marshall is the rare player that could average over 10 dimes per game and would be another great piece along towards their rebuilding efforts.

11. Portland Trailblazers- Jeremy Lamb- SG- UCONN

- Lamb is a top five talent, but may fall because of inconsistencies on the court and a lack of effort at times. However he is a very talented scorer and is a jack-of-all-trades on offense, as he can shoot, ball-handle, drive to the hoop and distribute. The Blazers need a starting shooting guard and Lamb could step in and start from day one.

12. Milwaukee Bucks- Tyler Zeller- C- UNC

- The Bucks are desperate for a center after trading Bogut and the Bucks cannot go another season with Drew Gooden as the team’s starting center. Zeller is solid, but unspectacular, but should be a starting center for the next 10-15 years.

13. Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters- SG- Syracuse

- Some have likened Waiters’ game to Dwayne Wade. This is not saying that he will ever become Wade, but he has a very similar skill-set on offense. Waiters is a dynamic offensive talent and could become a 20 point per game scorer.

14. Houston Rockets- Meyers Leonard- C- Illinois

- The combined age of the Rockets’ two centers is 68, which means that the team really needs a young, potential franchise center. Leonard has a very solid offensive game, but is soft and will need to add strength. Regardless, he has the talent to be a very good starting center.

15. Philadelphia 76ers- Quincy Miller- Forward- Baylor

- Miller was a last minute declarer for the NBA draft and should be drafted somewhere in the middle of the first round. He is a lottery talent, but struggled at times at Baylor. He is young and raw, but if he develops he could become one of the best players in this draft class. The 76ers need a young power forward to develop, as Brand will not be in Philadelphia much longer.

16. Houston Rockets (From NYK)- John Henson- PF- UNC

- Henson is already a strong defensive presence and has developed his offensive game over his three years at UNC. He needs to add mass, but is NBA ready and would be another great piece for the Rockets, who may lose Luis Scola in a year or two.

17. Dallas Mavericks- Terrence Jones- SF- Kentucky-

- Jones is a top ten talent, but his poor effort at times and his reputation of having a poor attitude could cause him to drop. However, he is a very gifted combo forward, who could be the next Lamar Odom. It is unsure if the Mavericks would want another Lamar Odom, after their experience this year, but Jones is worth the risk

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Utah)- Austin Rivers- Guard- Duke

- The Timberwolves have needed a shooting guard for years and Rivers is one of the most talented offensive players in the draft. He may be best suited off the bench, but would be a dynamic asset to the team. If he were taller and more athletic he would be a top ten pick.

19. Orlando Magic: Marquise Teague- PG- Kentucky

- Jameer Nelson has been better over the last few months and is a quality starting point guard, however he is not getting any younger. The team could use a young point guard to groom behind Nelson and Teague has the talent to be a great one.

20. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross- SG- Washington

- The Nuggets have the most explosive offense in the NBA, but lack quality outside shooting outside of Gallinari and Afflalo. Ross would be a nice addition off their bench and would give the team another gifted scorer.

21. Boston Celtics: Arnett Moultrie- PF- Mississippi State

- The Celtics should take the best player available, which is Moultrie, who is a high potential big man who could become one of the better in players in the draft. He dominated the SEC this year and looks to be NBA ready.

22. Boston Celtics (From LAC)- Jeff Taylor- SF- Vanderbilt

- The direction of the team is currently unknown, as they are still very good, but they could start rebuilding sometime soon. Taylor is a gifted scorer and shooter and could take over for Paul Pierce one day. But if the team is kept in tact next season, he could be a valuable scorer off the bench, which is something the Celtics currently need. He is NBA ready and fills a massive need.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr.- PG- Washington

- Jeff Teague has proven to be a solid point guard, but his inconsistencies are troubling. Wroten is a top ten prospect who is hurt by off the court issues, which means that if he gets his act together, he could be the point guard the team has long hoped for.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (From LAL): Doron Lamb- SG- Kentucky

- In this mock draft the Cavaliers got their small forward in MKG, but are still very weak at shooting guard. Lamb’s stock is all over the place. He is a fantastic offensive player, but often got lost in the shuffle on a great Kentucky team. He would have been the best player on most college teams, but never truly had a chance to shine. He could start in Cleveland immediately and in this draft, would be able to play with teammate, Michael Kidd Gilchrist.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Fab Melo- C- Syracuse

- The Grizzlies are a deep team, but still do not have a decent backup to All-Star center, Marc Gasol. Melo may not be a skilled offensive player, but is one of the best defensive players in the draft and is extremely athletic. He may be raw, but could make a difference and would immediately improve the team’s already good defense.

26. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless- SF- Temple

- Danny Granger and Paul George are both great players, but the team does not have much depth behind them. Harkless is a great prospect and has flown up draft boards. He is very young, but is a great scorer and athlete. He would make a good addition to the Pacers.

27. Miami Heat: Royce White- PF- Iowa St.

- Besides Bosh, the Heat do not have a big man who can put the ball in the basket with consistency. White is a lottery talent, but his personal issues have caused his stock to drop. He would be a great value this low and could become an immediate fixture in the Heat’s rotation.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder- Evan Fournier- SG- France

- The Thunder have no real needs and no spot in their rotation for a rookie, so they would be wise to take the top international prospect from this draft and stash him in Europe for a few years. He is definitely starter material and if he keeps devolving overseas, he could become another difference maker for the Thunder.

29. Chicago Bulls: William Buford- SG- Ohio St

The Bulls simply do not have any glaring needs and should take the best player on their board. Buford fits the range and is NBA ready after 4 solid years at Ohio State. The Bulls could use an extra bench scorer and shooter and Buford could bring that. He is the rare rookie that could actually find playing time on the Chicago Bulls.

30. Golden State Warriors (From SAS)- Scott Machado- PG- Iona

- Without Curry the Warriors truly struggled to get solid production out of the point guard spot. The problem is that they had scoring guards but not another true point guard. Machado is one of the best pure point guards in the draft and would make a great backup and emergency starter if Curry keeps getting beat up.

Second Round Coming Soon

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