From the Draft Team: Official BobcatsPlanet 2012 Mock NBA Draft 2.0

[SWedd523]

1. New Orleans Hornets Anthony Davis (6’10? PF, Kentucky, Freshman)
Breakdown: The people in New Orleans are rejoicing at winning the Anthony Davis Sweepstakes. There really isn’t much that needs to be said here as he’s the clear #1 guy in the draft. If Eric Gordon stays, they all of a sudden have a scary duo that is the great starting point for the future. They also have the 10th pick, so they could still add another talent on the wing or at the point to help them out. A guy like Kendall Marshall, for example, would really look nice playing next to Davis and Gordon. Weakness: lack of ideal bulk to consistently bang with NBA big men
2. Charlotte Bobcats Thomas Robinson (6’9″ PF, Kentucky, Junior)
Reasoning: The Bobcats and Bobcats fans were bummed to miss out on Anthony Davis, but the addition of Thomas Robinson will still result in a great improvement to the worst roster in the NBA. The Bobcats need help at basically every position so they are free to take BPA without worry. Robinson is a physical specimen that plays with heart and hustle. Robinson should start from day 1 and immediately help the NBA’s 2nd worst rebounding team. The only concern with Robinson is his height, if he measures a legit 6’ 9” or 6’10” at the Chicago combine, I believe the #2 pick is his to lose.
3. Washington Wizards Bradley Beal (6’4″ SG, Florida, Freshman)
Reasoning: John Wall and the Wizards desperately need a guy like Beal to help space the floor. They could also do well with his leadership and toughness as the Wizards have been floundering for a long time now. His relative lack of height is mitigated by the size and athleticism of Wall, and they could potentially have the best young backcourt in the league. Weakness: Does he have the height or length to consistently get his shot off?
4. Cleveland Cavaliers Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (6’7″ SF, Kentucky, Freshman)
Reasoning: The Cavs are thrilled to see MKG still available. Kidd-Gilchrist is both strong and athletic and plays with boundless energy. MKG has future All Defensive Team SF written all over him, he has both the ability and the desire to be a shutdown perimeter defender. With Kyrie Irving running the break and MKG finishing the Cavs have the chance to create some Top 10 Highlight Moments this season. Weakness: Doesn’t have a natural shooting motion and his jumpshoot will most likely be broken down and reconstructed by a shooting coach.
5. Sacramento Kings Andre Drummond (6’11″ PF/C, Connecticut, Freshman)
Reasoning: The Kings are another team that has been floundering, but have amassed a good number of talented youngsters. DeMarcus Cousins has shown that he can be a first scoring option for a team and they really seem to be a fan of the Thomas/Thornton backcourt, despite issues with their combined size. They might be better off going with a safer prospect like Barnes, but Drummond probably has too much potential to be passed on at this point. Weakness: high risk, high reward player… he could become the steal of the draft (even at 5) or he could be out of the league after his rookie deal
6. Portland Trailblazers Damian Lillard (6’2″ PG, Weber State, Junior)
Reasoning: Portland is in desperate need of a new backcourt and in an ideal world Bradley Beal would still be available. With Beal gone, the Trailblazers choose to upgrade the PG position with the explosive scorer from Weber State. Lillard has great size (6’2” & 190) for the PG position and is a deadly shooter with great range, knocking down 41% of his 3 point attempts and is an 89% shooter from the strip. With LMA drawing double teams in the post, Lillard has the deep range to make teams pay. Weakness: Not a “true” pg but, I think a lot of this is the inferior talent he played with in college.
7. Golden State Warriors Harrison Barnes (6’8″ SF, North Carolina, Sophomore)
Reasoning: This pick makes too much sense. Barnes is a great fit for the type of offense the Warriors run and slides in at that open SF position to create a deadly offensive team. Barnes provides steady production on both sides of the court and is probably better suited to play off the ball anyway so he can develop. If Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut can stay healthy, they have a team with a ton of size that is a playoff contender. Weakness: does he have the desire to be great?
8. Toronto Raptors Perry Jones III (6’11? PF, Baylor, Sophomore)
Reasoning: Outside of Andre Drummond this may be the biggest boom or bust pick in the draft. PJIII has the size, athleticism, and explosiveness to challenge Davis as the top prospect in the entire draft but, doesn’t have the heart and desire to match his genetic gifts. I think that Toronto will be enamored by his physical gifts and he will remind them of another young prospect they drafted with a similar skill set that was also labled as soft and not competitive but, ultimately became a star- Tracy McGrady. I think PJIII will be a SF in the NBA and will team in Toronto with Ed Davis and Andrea Bargnani to form maybe the longest 3-5 lineup in the league. I think all 3 of those players skill set complement each other pretty well. Weakness: Does he want to be great or will he be satisfied with being a pretty good pro?

9. Detroit Pistons John Henson (6’10″ PF, North Carolina, Junior)
Reasoning: Detroit is ecstatic to get a guy like Henson. They already have a potential 20/10 player in Greg Monroe, so all they need is someone to cover his weaknesses on the defensive end of the floor and crash the boards. Henson does that in spades and is exactly the type of player they need. Weakness: Can he continue to bulk up without hampering his athletic ability?
10. New Orleans Hornets Kendall Marshall (6’4″ PG, North Carolina, Sophomore)
Reasoning: Best Passer in College Basketball since Jason Kidd was a Golden Bear in California. Marshall makes up for his lack of athleticism with his deep understanding and “feel” for the game. Marshall never takes an unnecessary dribble and always seems to place the ball in the perfect position for the recipient to score or get a clean shot off. Marshall is unselfish and understands the role of a PG. Adding this type of PG will make life easier for #1 pick Anthony Davis to adjust because Marshall will create easy shots and be the perfect pick and roll / pick and pop partner. Weakness: Jumpshot and Foot speed.
11. Portland Trailblazers Meyers Leonard (7’0″ C, Illinois, Sophomore)
Reasoning: Portland has already added the PG for the future in Lillard. They still have a hole at the other backcourt spot and could be looking hard at a guy like Jeremy Lamb. But bigs always get taken high and Leonard is a great fit next to Aldridge. He’s very athletic and has all of the physical tools necessary to be a special player on the next level. Weakness: He has yet to put all of his natural talents together, which raises questions about his motor
12. Milwaukee Bucks Jared Sullinger (6’9″ PF, Ohio State, Sophomore)
Reasoning: With the addition at the trade deadline of Monta Ellis, the Bucks have a formidable backcourt full of high volume shooters. The drafting of Sullinger will give the team a young true back to the basket post threat on Offense to balance out the jumpshot happy backcourt. Sullinger is also a great rebounder. Sullinger could have been a possible top 5 pick in last year’s draft and while he improved his body and shed the “baby fat” this years draft is much deeper and causes him to slide almost out of the lottery. Weakness: Will be only an average athlete and may not have the quickness to guard the new generation “Stretch 4’s”
13. Phoenix Suns Jeremy Lamb (6’5″ SG, Connecticut, Sophomore)
Reasoning: Phoenix is a hard team to figure out. They haven’t done much to build a strong team around Nash and seem to do nothing but let their best players walk. They really need to blow it up and go the rebuild route so Lamb is the type of versatile player they could really use moving forward. He’s uber talented and provides insane value this low in the draft. Weakness: there are questions about his motor and desire to be a first option
14. Houston Rockets Tyler Zeller (7’0″ PF/C, North Carolina, Senior)
Reasoning: Zeller is an intelligent player with great size and athleticism. Tyler is skilled both facing and with his back to the basket. A true 7 footer with a tough to block jump hook that will allow him to get his shot off with ease in the NBA. Tyler also is an underrated jumpshooter showing range out to 18 feet. Improved his numbers every year at UNC (Pts, Reb, Ast, Stls, Blks FG%). Weakness: Strength- can he hold his defensive position against stronger players?

[SWedd523]

15. Philadelphia 76ers Terrence Jones (6’9″ PF, Kentucky, Sophomore)
Reasoning: Elton Brand is getting on in age and the Sixers need to look for a replacement. They’re set 1-3 and seem to like Hawes and Vucevic at the 5 so they can really afford to go for a guy like Jones. He seems to be in that dreaded tweener territory but is versatile enough to be serviceable. He doesn’t have many holes in his game and can eventually step in to replace Brand. Weakness: Has a tendency to disappear in big moments
16. Houston Rockets Moe Harkless (6’8″ SF, St. Johns, Freshman)
Reasoning: A long athlete with good scoring and rebounding ability. Played only one season at St. Johns and didn’t show good %’s as a shooter he does have a great natural shooting motion and his %’s should rise with repetition from the 3 point line. Will be a good “garbage man” in the NBA, will score without having many plays ran for him. Weakness: Creating his own shot off the dribble and shooting.
17. Dallas Mavericks Dion Waiters (6’4″ SG, Syracuse, Sophomore)
Reasoning: The Mavericks need to find an eventual replacement for Jason Kidd. Dion Waiters, while not a true PG, thrives with the ball in his hands. He can make plays for others and has the ability to score on his own. Joining Beaubois in the backcourt creates a highly athletic and dynamic tandem for the future. Weakness: Is he capable of staying effective without the ball in his hands?
18. Minnesota Timberwolves Austin Rivers (6’4″ SG, Duke, Freshman)
Reasoning: Maybe the most gifted natural scorer in the draft. Rivers with great ball handling and quickness can create a shot for himself almost at will. Rivers lasted this long in part due to his struggles fitting into the team concept at Duke. Rivers is a great talent but, doesn’t make his teammates better. Playing alongside such a talented PG in Rubio will ensure team chemistry isnt compromised. Weakness: Doesn’t have a true position at the NBA level too small to guard SG’s and is not a true PG.
19. Orlando Magic Terrence Ross (6’7″ SF, Washington, Sophomore)
Reasoning: On the verge of a massive rebuild, Orlando needs to gather as many assets as possible. Terrence Ross this late in late in the draft is great value and, while not a first option kind of guy, can do a lot of things well. He can be the eventual replacement for either Richardson or Turkoglu and is versatile enough to do it. Weakness: lacks the ability to consistently beat his man off the dribble.
20. Denver Nuggets Arnett Moultrie (6’11? PF/C, Mississippi State, Junior)
Reasoning: After getting one of the steals of the draft in Kenneth Faried last year, the Nuggets follow up with a simlar player. A player with a relentless motor and exceptional athletic ability. Moultrie is a better offensive player facing the basket than Faried but they will combine to create a nice frontcourt in Denver. Weakness: Not a true Post player and lacks a post game.
21. Boston Celtics Quincy Miller (6’9″ SF, Baylor, Freshman)
Reasoning: Boston is teetering on the edge of a total overhaul. They could bring Garnett and Allen back for a last hurrah, but are perhaps better suited trying to maximize their assets for the future. Quincy Miller is a safe choice this far down the draft because he is supremely talented. He doesn’t seem to have fully healed from his knee injuries, but when healthy, he was a top prospect. His size at the 3 will do well to cover for the relative lack of height in the backcourt. He can potentially be a lethal scorer. Weakness: Will he come back fully healthy from his injuries?
22. Boston Celtics Fab Melo (7’0″ C, Syracuse, Sophomore)
Reasoning: Size, Size, Size is exactly what the aging Celtics Roster needs. KG was forced into playing heavy minutes at Center this season and is also a free agent. Melo gives the Celtics a nice anchor in the post that is effective defensively and rebounding but, his offensive game leaves something to be desired. Weakness: Very, Very Raw
23. Atlanta Hawks Jeff Taylor (6’7″ SF, Vanderbilt, Senior)
Reasoning: The Marvin Williams experiment isn’t working out so well. They need a guy who can come in, play his role, and provide a little bit of everything. That fits Taylor to a T and he can immediately step in and play like he’s been on the team for years. Weakness: He will be 23 on draft night
24. Cleveland Cavaliers Royce White (6’8″ PF, Iowa State, Sophomore)
Reasoning: The definition of Point Forward. Reminds me of a more athletic Anthony Mason. Highly Skilled and can literally do it all. Has a big body but, still maintains good quickness and his passing and ball handling ability is that of a guard. Weakness: Has anxiety disorder and has trouble flying
25. Memphis Grizzlies Doron Lamb (6’4″ SG, Kentucky, Sophomore)
Reasoning: OJ Mayo isn’t working out in Memphis and they can let him go if they can find a capable replacement. They sorely need guys who can spread the floor and Lamb was one of the best shooters in college. Weakness: Not an elite athlete
26. Indiana Pacers Festus Ezeli (6’11″ C, Vanderbilt, Senior)
Reasoning: With Roy Hibbert becoming an Free Agent and lack of quality big men in the NBA, a desperate team could come in an make a max or near max offer that Indiana chooses not to match. Ezeli offers some protection against that scenarion happening. At 6’11 and sporting a 7’3” wingspan he has the body to bang in the NBA and is an adept shot blocker. Weakness: No post game and only an average rebounbder for his size.
27. Miami Heat Andrew Nicholson (6’9″ PF, St. Bonaventure, Senior)
Reasoning: Miami is desperate for size. Their younger guys haven’t quite worked out and their older guys aren’t anything to write home aabout. They would’ve liked to have Ezeli fall, but Nicholson can do a lot of things they could use off the bench. Weakness: not an elite athlete
28. Oklahoma City Thunder John Jenkins (6’4″ SG, Vanderbilt, Junior)
Reasoning: OKC doesn’t really have many weaknesses on their roster, with speculation that James Harden could receive a max offer somewhere next offseason it would be a good insurance policy to add the drafts best shooter to groom as a possible replacement ( I think they match any offer but, a knockdown shooter is valuable to any team). Jenkins in 3 years at Vandy shot around 700 3 pointers and an incredible clip(48%, 41%, 44%). Weakness: Slow footed defensively and only an average athlete.
29. Chicago Bulls Marquis Teague (6’2″ PG, Kentucky, Freshman)
Reasoning: Derrick Rose’s injury is cause for concern. Reports are abound that they’ll be targeting some veteran points to cover for him, but they would be more than glad to take a guy like Teague just in case Rose can’t come back 100% Weakness: he isn’t a true point and is too small to be a combo
30. Golden State Warriors Tony Wroten (6’5″ PG/SG, Washington, Freshman)
Reasoning: The perfect combo guard to play along Stephen Curry. Wroten in one season at Washington avg’d 16/5/4 as a 6’5’ 205 lb guard. Tony has the ball handing & passing ability to compliment one of the leagues most deadly shooting PG’s. Wroten can also play spot duty as PG and offer some insurance against Steph’s lingering ankle issues.
31. Charlotte Bobcats TyShawn Taylor (6’3″ PG, Kansas, Senior)
Reasoning: Taylor is a big, physical guard that can play either position. He developed into a nice scoring PG by his Senior year at Kansas and is a tough defender. Having already picked up Robinson, drafting his PG would be a great way to make him comfortable. Having a guy like Taylor would mean the end of the Higgins Jr. experiment, something we would all be glad to see. Weakness: Age

[dnbman]

Great read, Swedd.

Though, I would never say that a guy is the definition of point of forward and then immediately compare him to Anthony Mason. He had respectable assist numbers, but a pretty bullish game. Though, I could have been just focusing on how big his shoulders were.

[DashGlobal]

Man I want Portland's picks and another mid 1st!

Come on Cho! Make this ish happen!

6th - Lillard
11th - Leonard
Mid 1st -Harkless / Miller / White
31st - Jenkins / Wroten / Taylor

[Mustachio]

Man I want Portland's picks and another mid 1st!

Come on Cho! Make this ish happen!

6th - Lillard
11th - Leonard
Mid 1st -Harkless / Miller / White
31st - Jenkins / Wroten / Taylor

Not sure why we would take Lillard. I know that no single position is safe on this roster, but why would they take another scoring point guard? And I know we are talking about projection out of college but Kemba projected better out of college. Kemba won a national championship as a scoring point guard almost single handedly...you dont project much better than that. I just see the one position we are set at is scoring point when this draft has so much to offer.

[DashGlobal]

Not sure why we would take Lillard. I know that no single position is safe on this roster, but why would they take another scoring point guard? And I know we are talking about projection out of college but Kemba projected better out of college. Kemba won a national championship as a scoring point guard almost single handedly...you dont project much better than that. I just see the one position we are set at is scoring point when this draft has so much to offer.

Um Kemba is VASTLY undersized with an average jumpshot.

Lillard has good size, great jumper, better scorer in every sense, and is far more athletic than Kemba.

I like Kemba, but he is in no way comparable to Lillard as a NBA PG prospect.

[Black]

Not sure why we would take Lillard. I know that no single position is safe on this roster, but why would they take another scoring point guard? And I know we are talking about projection out of college but Kemba projected better out of college. Kemba won a national championship as a scoring point guard almost single handedly...you dont project much better than that. I just see the one position we are set at is scoring point when this draft has so much to offer.

Agreed. People are way too quick to write off Kemba. He was a rookie, without a training camp, with no talent around him. No way am I interested in Lillard.

As for the mock, I like it. I think there are a million different ways to go with the second round pick, so a tall, backup point guard who played with Robinson is definitely not a bad option.

[DashGlobal]

Agreed. People are way too quick to write off Kemba. He was a rookie, without a training camp, with no talent around him. No way am I interested in Lillard.

As for the mock, I like it. I think there are a million different ways to go with the second round pick, so a tall, backup point guard who played with Robinson is definitely not a bad option.

No one is writing off Kemba. I actually think he will he a good starter or a great 6th man.

But to pass on a player like Lillard who is vastly superior to Kemba is just stupid.

[Black]

No one is writing off Kemba. I actually think he will he a good starter or a great 6th man.

But to pass on a player like Lillard who is vastly superior to Kemba is just stupid.

To each his own, I want Robinson at 2.

[Mustachio]

No one is writing off Kemba. I actually think he will he a good starter or a great 6th man.

But to pass on a player like Lillard who is vastly superior to Kemba is just stupid.

Vastly superior? Hes one inch taller. One inch. 6'2" to 6'1" same weight, same body fat%. Lillard has a better reach and Wingspan. And Fyi Lillard is only 2 months younger than kemba. The stats are very similar in college with Lillard getting a slight edge his senior season. If we are comparing full careers the nod goes to Kemba. The only real glaring difference in the two is that one of those guys drug his team to a national championship ring.

Lillard is a fine prospect, but he is so similar to Kemba in every department it would be a waste of a pick in my opinion. And in my opinion Kemba projected MUCH better out of college for his command of the team. There is no vastly superior to it. And did I mention that Kemba is only 2 months older?