2012 NBA Mock Draft - Kevin Hanson
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Updated: Monday, June 25th
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The 2012 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, June 28th in Newark, NJ.
More NBA Mock Drafts: Kyle Baillargeon | Brendan Donahue | Mock Draft Database
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For my 2013 NBA Mock Draft, click here. For my 2013 NFL Mock Draft, click here.
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Keep track of our site updates via Twitter: @HitTheBoards (NBA), @EDSFootball (NFL), @EDSBaseball (MLB)
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Pick
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Team
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Player, Position, School
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1.
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New Orleans Hornets
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Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
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Although the regular season has ended, it feels as though the Bobcats have extended their losing streak to 24
(by losing the lottery). Moving up from the No. 4 spot, the Hornets will undoubtedly select Anthony Davis. Plus,
they have the No. 10 pick in the first round as well.
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2.
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Charlotte Bobcats
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Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
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In a previous mock update, I had UConn's Andre Drummond, who I believe has a higher ceiling, going before
Robinson. Both players have good strength, size and athleticism. Unlike with Drummond, however, there is no
questioning Robinson's motor and his offensive game is much more advanced.
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3.
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Washington Wizards
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Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
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Aside from outside shooting, there are virtually no holes in Kidd-Gilchrist's game. MKG is a tough-minded,
versatile defender with good size and strength on the wing. With intangibles, leadership and a great feel for the
game, MKG will make his teammates better.
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4.
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Cleveland Cavaliers
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Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
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By selecting the sharp-shooting Gator here to join forces with Kyrie Irving, the league's reigning Rookie of the
Year, the Cavs will have built a formidable backcourt duo for years to come. One unnamed NBA team official
said (via David Aldridge of NBA.com): "I'm not comparing him to Ray (Allen), but he's the best I've seen since
Ray in terms of being able to catch and shoot."
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5.
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Sacramento Kings
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Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
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Barnes did himself no favors in the tournament, but I don't have him slipping as far as Kyle has in his mock.
Barnes has plenty of offensive skill, but often settles for jumpers and does not get to the line as much as you
would expect for a wing player with his size and strength.
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6.
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Portland Trail Blazers (via NJN)
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Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn
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Drummond has the ability and physical tools to dominate yet the propensity to disappear at times as well. With
plenty of upside, Drummond has the size, strength and athleticism to contribute right away on the defensive end
but is a work-in-progress on the offensive end.
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7.
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Golden State Warriors
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Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
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A skilled seven-footer, Zeller improved his game in all four seasons in Chapel Hill posting career highs across
the board last year: 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 0.9 steals per game with 55.3 percent from the
field and 80.8 percent from the line.
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8.
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Toronto Raptors
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Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
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An unnamed NBA general manager told ESPN's Chad Ford: "There are really only two potential superstars in
this draft. One is a sure thing -- freshman Anthony Davis. The other one is Waiters. He can be an electric scorer
in the NBA. There's some Dwyane Wade in him."
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9.
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Detroit Pistons
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John Henson, PF, North Carolina
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Although he needs to add strength and bulk to his frame, Henson is an NBA-ready defensive player with the
wingspan (7-foot-4) and athleticism to alter, affect and block plenty of shots. While his game is more advanced
on the defensive end, he has continued to improve his offensive game during his time at Carolina as well.
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10.
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New Orleans Hornets (via MIN)
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Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
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Adding Anthony Davis and Kendall Marshall in the lottery to play along side Eric Gordon will give the Hornets a
nice nucleus to build around. Many consider Marshall to be the best point guard in this year's draft class.
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11.
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Portland Trail Blazers
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Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
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Rivers, the son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers, can provide the Blazers with instant offense. Many of Portland's
guards become free agents or can opt out this year: Nicolas Batum, Jamal Crawford, Raymond Felton and
Johnny Flynn.
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12.
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Milwaukee Bucks
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Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
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Despite inconsistency at the collegiate level, Leonard is an intriguing prospect with a rare combination of
athleticism for someone with his size (7-1, 245 pounds) and is a prospect moving up in many mock drafts.
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13.
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Phoenix Suns
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Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
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With Steve Nash, the former "MP3," (potentially) about become a free agent, the Suns may need to find his
replacement. Lillard is more of a scorer than a true point guard, but he can potentially fill the void that might be
created. Then again, many project that Lillard will be gone before the Suns are on the clock.
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14.
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Houston Rockets
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Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
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Lamb has all the physical tools to be successful at the next level and he led the Huskies in scoring with the
departure of Kemba Walker. That said, Lamb disappeared at times for a team that was a major
disappointment given its talent and expectations.
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15.
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Philadelphia 76ers
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Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State
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After sitting out a year since he transferred from UTEP, Moultrie averaged a double-double (16.4 points and 10.5
rebounds per game) for the Bulldogs last year. Athletic with a high motor, Moultrie would fit well with the athletic
Sixers squad.
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16.
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Houston Rockets (via NYK)
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Perry Jones, PF, Baylor
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One of the more naturally-gifted players in the draft, Jones has the length and athleticism you can't coach. On
the other hand, Jones has been often criticized, and rightfully so, for his inconsistent motor. At this point in the
draft, he's too much of a value to pass up.
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17.
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Dallas Mavericks
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Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky
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Jones, who was a point guard early in high school, has the versatility to play and defend a variety of positions
due to his length and athleticism.
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18.
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Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah)
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Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
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Miller lacks elite athleticism and needs to add some bulk to his frame, but he has above-average length (7-2
wingspan) and a well-rounded offensive game.
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19.
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Orlando Magic
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Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Washington
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Ross is an explosive athlete that finishes strong around the rim and has a nice outside shot.
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20.
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Denver Nuggets
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Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
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With good size (6-5+) and athleticism as a combo guard, Wroten is held back by his outside shooting (16.1%
on three's and 58.3% from the line) and left-hand dominance. Having just turned 19 in April, however, Wroten
has plenty of upside.
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21.
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Boston Celtics
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Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
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Returning for his sophomore season means Sullinger will likely be selected (much) lower than he would have
been in 2011, especially in light of a report about Sullinger being medically red-flagged due to back concerns.
While he is not the most athletic player (or tallest for his position), Sullinger has great strength, polished moves
in the post and was a dominant rebounder in college. Does he slip this far? Or even further?
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22.
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Boston Celtics (via LAC)
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Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
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Harkless, the Big East Rookie of the Year last season, may have benefitted from another year at St. John's. On
the other hand, his combination of height and athleticism at the wing may even push him into the end of the
lottery.
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23.
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Atlanta Hawks
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Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
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From an offensive standpoint, he's very raw, but he has the size and mobility to make an immediate contribution
on the defensive end.
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24.
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Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL)
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Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
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One of the best athletes in this year's draft class, Taylor is a lockdown defender with an improving outside shot.
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25.
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Memphis Grizzlies
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Andrew Nicholson, PF/C, St. Bonaventure
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With a strong post game already in his repertoire, Nicholson improved his outside shooting and knocked down
43.4 percent of his three's this past season. In fact, he made 19 of 30 three's down the stretch.
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26.
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Indiana Pacers
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Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
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Teague, the younger brother of Atlanta's Jeff Teague, has the explosiveness and quickness to penetrate and
finish or kick the ball out to his teammates. Teague is a local product that played his high school basketball at
Pike H.S. in Indianapolis.
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27.
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Miami Heat
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John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
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Jenkins is a cold-blooded sharpshooter. When he's on the court with D-Wade and LeBron, Jenkins will get a lot
of open looks and make teams pay with his deadly range.
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28.
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Oklahoma City Thunder
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Royce White, PF, Iowa State
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Despite his size (6-8 and 270 pounds), White is a versatile player that led the Cyclones across the board in
stats last year: 13.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.9 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. That said, White
previously had some off-the-court issues and was diagnosed with an anxiety order that led to his fear of flying.
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29.
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Chicago Bulls
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Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas
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Taylor is a great athlete with an improved outside shot (although he was only one for 21 from three-point range
in the tournament). Considering Derrick Rose may miss the entire 2012-2013 season after tearing his ACL in
the playoffs, Taylor would provide the Bulls with some insurance and/or depth.
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30.
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Golden State Warriors (via SAS)
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Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
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Lamb is a good outside shooter that knocked down almost 50 percent of his three's in his two seasons in
Lexington.
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More of my mock drafts: My 2013 NBA Mock Draft - My 2013 NFL Mock Draft
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More mock drafts: Our 2012 NBA Mock Draft Database - Our 2013 NFL Mock Draft Database
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