2012 NBA Draft: Ready For The Floor

Maybe it’s the lockout last year scaring freshmen from declaring, or maybe it’s just an incidental alignment of moons in the universe. For whatever reason, experts have hypothesized that 2012 will be a prolific draft class. Although I’m not sure how much weight does their opinion actually carry because 2007 was the last time they said the NBA will receive a strong influx of collegiate talent, and out of that draft class, Kevin Durant and Al Horford were the only all-stars.

Based on pure speculation, it does seem strong. We probably won’t get fourteen hall of famers in 2012. However, we do have a clear cut franchise centerpiece, maybe eight potential starters, and possibly twenty competent rotation guys. Regardless, it’s the NBA draft! It’s David Stern soaking up boos like he’s “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. It’s Jay Bilas saying “wingspan” on purpose to get his viewers drunk. It’s 19-year olds severely trying to get on the cover of GQ. And whether they’ll be good or not, it’s the first glimpse of the future of the NBA.

Here's (t5!)'s shakedown of the 2012 lottery picks:

1. New Orleans Hornets select… Anthony Davis, C, Kentucky

Upside Potential: Hakeem Olajuwon without a thousand post moves
Entrance Music: Lil’ Wayne – N.O. Nigga
Proposed Nickname: Anthony “Frido” Davis

This pick was so incontestable that I wrote this blurb about Anthony Davis before the draft even started. It's very rare that the league gets a player with Davis' uncanny defensive instincts. Not only can he protect the rim like a soccer goalkeeper, he also has the ability to go out on the perimeter and guard jump shooters. His offensive post game needs to be developed since he’s only been 6’10” for three years (he was 6’3” when he was a sophomore in high school), but this kid has such an admirable work ethic that I am certain he can develop two or three back-to-the-basket moves necessary to average 20 or more points in the NBA. At the very least, he should develop Tyson Chandler’s high alley oop IQ.

But aside from all the skills, what makes him a guarantee at #1 is that skilled NBA centers were recently declared extinct. If you can build a franchise around one, you have a chance to be a perennial contender.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!!!!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Anthony Davis

2. Charlotte Bobcats select… Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Upside Potential: sane Ron Artest
Entrance Music: Public Enemy – Rebel Without A Pause
Proposed Nickname: Michael “The Hyphen Machine” Kidd-Gilchrist

In spite of Davis' undeniable talent and physical gifts, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will probably end up being my favorite out of this draft class. I bounce for players who go hard, especially on the defensive side. Kidd-Gilchrist’s tenacity on defence can put him in an All-NBA Defensive Team as a rookie. He doesn't treat the offensive end of the court as a coffee break either. He constantly fills the wings on the fastbreak, crashes the boards, and dives for 50-50 balls. It won’t be easy to give it 110% in Charlotte for 82 games though; last year, they were the sorriest team the league has ever seen, posting a record low 0.119 winning percentage. But I'm confident that Kidd-Gilchrist has it in him, until his contract ends anyway.


(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!!!!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

3. Washington Wizards select… Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Upside Potential: Ray Allen on Paxil
Entrance Music: Santogold – Lights Out
Proposed Nickname: Bradley “Alley Mack” Beal

The Allen-Beal comparison is a bit ridiculous at first because Ray Allen is one of the five best shooters the NBA has ever seen. Even as college players, Allen averaged 0.466 from 3 while Beal only shot 0.339 from beyond the arc in Florida. However, after watching him shoot the ball 300 times during the days leading into draft, Beal’s shooting form does look as aesthetically pleasing as Allen’s. And there are similarities in their style, especially when Allen was still determined to drive to the basket. So I’m willing to give Beal the benefit of the doubt. This is an especially terrific pick for Washington because his presence will space out the floor for John Wall’s penetrations. Don't be surprised if Beal and Wall are a top backcourt in the NBA five years from now.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!!!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Bradley Beal

4. Cleveland Cavaliers select… Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Upside Potential: proletariat Dwyane Wade
Entrance Music: Big Boi f. Gucci Mane - Shine Blockas
Proposed Nickname: Dion “Garçon” Waiters

This pick was baffling. I watched Waiters in the NCAA tournament, and I’ve read every mock drafts available in the Internet, and no one had this Orangeman sixth man going this high. I'm guessing it's because the last time a college bench player was picked in the lottery, it was when Atlanta picked Marvin Williams second in 2006, and they're still they’re still begging for a mulligan on that one. But who knows, he may be coming off the bench due to Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim's system, and he wasn't given a chance to showcase his entire skill set. His game does somewhat resemble that relentless way Wade attacks the rim, which is a plus in my book.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Kyrie Irving’s best friend, Harrison Barnes

5. Sacramento Kings select… Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Upside potential: middle class man’s Blake Griffin
Entrance Music: Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come
Proposed Nickname: Thomas “The Assault” Robinson

The one reason why I love this draft class is that there are a lot of kids who are willing to sweat in the basketbal court. Robinson is a beast that will go after every ball available and will take that aforementioned ball and drive hard to the rim every time. He and DeMarcus Cousins' rebound percentage will add up to 100% for Sacramento next season.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!!!!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Thomas Robinson

6. Portland Trail Blazers select… Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Upside potential: humble Steve Francis
Entrance Music: The Streets – Weak Become Heroes
Proposed Nickname: Damian “Demon Child” Lillard

The Trail Blazers needed a point guard, and the Trail Blazers get the best point guard in this draft class. Unfortunately for the stinky hairy hipsters of Portland, the point guards of this 2012 draft class weren’t as strong as it were in previous years. Even more unfortunate is the fact that Lillard were ankle-breaking the mildly athletic underclassmen of the Big Sky Conference. He never played against a Top 25 team and Weber State never qualified for the tournament. It will be interesting to see if he can do the same against Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, and Russell Westbrook.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Damian Lillard

7. Golden State Warriors select… Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Upside potential: perimeter Jeff Green
Entrance Music: The Tough Alliance - A New Chance [Juan Maclean Remix]
Proposed Nickname: Harrison “Noble” Barnes

If Golden State is getting the high school version of Barnes, then there's valid reasons to be excited. Back when Barnes was picking out a tux for the prom, college scouts were saying that he’ll be the next Kobe Bryant. Then he underwhelmed in his two years in Chapel Hill. Now experts are saying that he will be a better pro than a college player, so Bay Area fans better hope that the expert's tea leaves are right this time. In any case, his style is an ideal fit for the Warriors' system. Barnes is a terrific shooter and he’s joining a team that was 2nd in the NBA in three-point shooting.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Harrison Barnes

8. Toronto Raptors select… Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Upside Potential: Morris Peterson with longer wingspan
Entrance Music: Jackson 5 – Who’s Lovin’ You
Proposed Nickname: Terrence “Glengarry Glen” Ross

Toronto is about to bring in last year’s draft pick, Jonas Valanciunas, a formidable post presence that could attract double teams, so they’re about to get rewarded with wide open perimeter shots next year. But the problem is that they were 19th in three-point shooting last year. So instead of taking the best player available, they boldly took the highest rated shooter available in Ross, ignoring the fact that he was projected to be selected in the late teens. The pick makes sense in theory, but this is a classic example of how teams usually get burned in the draft.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !
(t5!) Correct Pick: Austin Rivers

9. Detroit Pistons select… Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Upside Potential: Amare Stoudemire if Steve Nash never existed
Entrance Music: Wilco – Please Be Patient With Me
Proposed Nickname: Andre “Hum” Drummond

Meet the biggest wildcard of the 2012 NBA Draft. On one hand, he possesses the build and raw athleticism of someone that can duplicate the career of Dwight Howard. On the other hand, he possesses the motivation of The Dude from The Big Lebowski. He's more than capable of dominating on both ends of the court, but he’d rather not. Of course, he could very well prove his pundits wrong, but, meh, it's too much work.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Andre Drummond, reluctantly

10. New Orleans Hornets select… Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Upside Potential: second unit Kobe Bryant
Entrance Music: Wolf Parade – You Are A Runner And I Am My Father’s Son
Proposed Nickname: Austin “The Nepotee” Rivers

One of the benefits of being an NBA coach's son is that you get access to the coach's tapes. As a young man, Rivers spent hours in the video room so that he can pattern his game after Kobe Bryant. He was able to mimic his intricate footwork, pull up fadeaways, and reckless drives to the basket. What is alarming however is that he doesn’t have Kobe’s physical tools, his vertical explosion, his perimeter shooting touch, or his perfectionist mentality. The bigger problem is that Rivers is unaware of these shortcomings and thinks he’s the best player on the court at all times, which is why he was often seen monopolizing possessions and taking ill-advised shots at Duke. If he somehow figures it out though and willingly downgrades himself into a role player, he can still be an effective sixth man in the NBA.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!!!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Austin Rivers

11. Portland Trail Blazers select… Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Upside Potential: taller Tyler Hansbrough
Entrance Music: Gold Panda – Vanilla Minus
Proposed Nickname: Meyers “Quimby” Leonard

Leonard may have the ability to run the floor and bang bodies in the paint, but let’s face it, the league has never been kind to white American centers who are lottery picks. You can point out my racial insensitivity here, but I can point out that the last white all-star American seven-footer that was picked this high was when Jack Sikma was picked eighth in 1977.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !
(t5!) Correct Pick: Jeremy Lamb

12. Houston Rockets select… Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Upside Potential: sleep-deprived Kevin Martin
Entrance Music: Belle And Sebastian – We Are The Sleepyheads
Proposed Nickname: Jeremy “Love.Angel.Music.Baby” Lamb

If Lamb is fortunate enough the share the court with someone that can get him open shots—like a drive-and-kick point guard or a dominating post presence—he could succeed in the NBA. Unfortunately, Houston doesn’t have either of these players, unless they somehow get Chris Paul and/or Dwight Howard in 2013. At least Kevin Martin can be used as trade bait now since him and Lamb are basically the same player.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Terrence Jones (whom they picked at no. 18, so no big deal)

13. Phoenix Suns select… Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Upside Potential: Boring Mark Jackson
Entrance Music: The Roots – The Next Movement
Proposed Nickname: “Superstar” Kendall Marshall

Now that Steve Nash is given the opportunity to run pick-and-rolls with his new best Pau Gasol in Los Angeles, this is a terrific pick for the Suns. Marshall most likely won’t outscore this year's sixth pick Lillard, but if they duel each other in a passing contest or a "slowest man wins" contest, then Kendall Marshall will win hands down. His dreams can only dream about filling Nash’s shoes, but under Alvin Gentry’s run-and-gun system, he can be among the league leaders in assists once Goran Dragic becomes an unrestricted free agent. Sadly though, he’ll do nothing else.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Kendall Marshall

14. Milwaukee Bucks select… John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Upside Potential: Manute Bol who isn’t 7’6”
Entrance Music: Birdy – Skinny Love
Proposed Nickname: John “Wipeout” Henson

6’-11” and 220 lbs is perfect if you’re a Bikram Yoga instructor but not if you’re a power forward in the NBA. Henson does have an elongated wingspan that should allow him to block a bucket full of shots, but you can’t use him to guard bulky bigs like Andrew Bynum or Dwight Howard. I guarantee though that he’ll be considered for an all-NBA Defensive Team spot someday and it will anger basketball nerds everywhere. Somewhere, Kevin Pelton is already writing an article pointing out Henson’s low defensive Win Shares.

(t5!) Level Of Excitement: !!
(t5!) Correct Pick: Royce White


Until next year!