2012 NBA Draft Top Ten Recap – A Rundown Of The Top Picks
With the 2012 NBA Draft complete its time to take a look at the first round of players who realised a childhood dream by being selected to play on the biggest stage of all, the NBA.
1. New Orleans Hornets
No surprises here with the Hornets going with the consensus choice for number one. Davis is a 6’10″ Power Forward/Centre known for his defensive prowess.
Has great length and is a phenomenal shot blocker. Can run the floor well and defends on the perimeter as well as he does in the paint.
Some question marks over his ability to dominate on the offensive end due to a lack of size at only 222lbs.
Overall the best player available in the Draft and a franchise changing player.
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2. Charlotte Bobcats
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Kentucky
The first time in the history of the game that the number one and two picks in the draft come from the same school.
There were many rumours floating around pre draft about the Bobcats plans for the number two pick. Many believed they would trade the pick but in the end Kidd-Gilchrist was chosen.
MKG is a 6’7″ 233lb Small Forward with a great work ethic and an NBA ready body. A wing type player who loves to run the fast break, has the ability to score at the rim as well as having an adequate post up game.
Is known to be a hustle player with a will to win.
Needs to work on his mid range and three point shooting but is a big step in the right direction for the struggling Bobcats.
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3. Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal – Florida
A player that many teams were very high on after his pre draft workouts, Beal is a 6’5″, 202lb shooting guard who is a dynamic scorer.
He possesses a great jump shot with near flawless mechanics and will be the perfect backcourt partner for John Wall.
Beal has great fundamentals, a high basketball IQ, is an above average defender and whilst not known as having a great ability to get to the rim he projects as one of the better scorers to come out of the draft.
With many comparing Beal to Ray Allen its safe to say he will be a hit in the NBA.
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4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Dion Waiters – Syracuse
A surprise pick at number four, Waiters is a 6’4″, 221lb combo guard who wasn’t projected to go this high.
The Cavaliers have certainly gambled on a player who has a good pick and roll game and is a good finisher in transition but where he struggles is in the half court. He doesn’t have a true go to skill when the defense is set and is prone to errant decision making when pressured to make a play.
His aggressiveness and size make him a valuable and versatile guard to partner last years Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving.
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5. Sacramento Kings
Thomas Robinson – Kansas
With many mock drafts having Robinson in the top three the Sacramento Kings must have been quite happy to see his name still on the board when it was their turn on the clock.
As one of the steals of the draft Robinson is most dangerous when posting up his opponents. He can shoot the jump hook with either hand, face up and explode to the rim or shoot the jump shot.
He is a great defender and with his 6’9″, 244lb frame he is more than capable of muscling up against most Power Forwards in the NBA.
His jump shot needs work and he needs to extend his range but he should make an immediate impact in the league and will make a formidable frontcourt with DeMarcus Cousins.
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6. Portland Trailblazers
Damian Lillard – Weber State
The number one Point Guard prospect in this years draft had been on Portland’s radar for some time and with many mock drafts having still on the board at six there was little doubt the Trailblazers would take him.
Lillard is a great ball handler, excellent three point shooter and a player with which Portland can look to rebuild with.
He stands at 6’3″ and weighs in at 189lbs and is projected as a point guard even though he was relied upon to be the primary scorer at the college level and was used more as a two guard.
A great pick for Portland and a big time scorer but his defense is questionable as is his play making ability.
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7. Golden State Warriors
Harrison Barnes – North Carolina
Like the Kings with the fifth pick the Warriors would have been delighted to see Harrison Barnes name still on the board when it came time to pick.
Barnes was seen by many as a top three pick and one of the best small forwards in the Draft. With the Warriors shopping their pick pre draft and looking for a small forward they literally hit the jackpot by keeping the pick.
Barnes is a polished player offensively, great footwork which he uses to create space for his jumpshot but he does struggle to score at the rim.
Defensively his 6’8″, 228lb frame is perfectly suited to his position and he understands the importance of positioning and contests shots very well.
The Warriors are a perfect fit for Barnes and if he can learn to not settle for the jump shot so much he could be a very dominant player in the years to come.
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8. Toronto Raptors
Terrence Ross – Washington
The Toronto Raptors have had a fair amount of experience with the NBA Draft in recent years. In 2012 they look to Terrence Jones to improve their struggling franchise.
Jones is a versatile swingman, he stands at 6’7″ and weighs 197lbs. Playing at both the two guard and small forward he is known as more of a catch and shoot player rather than a guy who can create his own shot.
He lacks a decent handle and isnt great at finishing at the rim but his defensive prowess is what many find to be his biggest asset.
The Raptors have gained a good shooter and defender who has a fair amount of upside.
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9. Detroit Pistons
Andre Drummond – Connecticut
Andre Drummond is a 7 foot, 280lb Centre with a penchant for rebounding. His prowess on the glass befits someone of his size and strength.
Offensively the Pistons have a lot of work on their hands though as Drummond is a poor shooter and for a man of his size he struggles with his post up game.
Where Drummond does shine is in transition and defensively. He can run the fast break as well as any Centre that is currently in the NBA and he finishes well at the rim.
Defensively he will be a nightmare for many opposing big men as he is a great shot blocker and solid post up defender.
Detroit have a big man who can contribute immediately defensively but will need a lot of help with his post game and free throw shooting.
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10. New Orleans Hornets
Austin Rivers – Duke
Rounding out the top ten the Hornets chose the 6’5″, 205lb shooting guard Austin Rivers.
A crafty ball handler and good scorer, Rivers was a prospect that divided many opinions pre draft. He is a good perimeter shooter, has a great dribble-drive game and is a go to scorer.
He will need to learn to be more selective in the NBA with his shooting and needs to look to involve his team mates more often than he did at Duke but he is a great pick at number 10.
The Hornets have gained a big scoring threat to complement the defensive minded Anthony Davis. A huge step in the right direction for New Orleans.
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What do you think of the top ten picks in this years draft?
Anyone who you think should have gone top ten that didn’t?
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