Jun
05
Trail Blazers TV Analyst Mike Rice gives his 2012 NBA draft predictions. You can view his full mock draft here and complete your own to enter the Mock Draft Contest for a chance to win a night with the broadcasters during the televised Draft Night Special.
1.) New Orleans: Anthony Davis All 30 GMs would take him number one. Anthony has the skills of Kevin Durant on offense and has the defensive skills of Kevin Garnett when he was young.
2.) Charlotte: Thomas Robinson A lot of teams mention different names here, but his 7-11 wingspan and his great energy put him at the number two pick. He will start from day-one for the Bobcats.
3.) Washington: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist The Wizards might pick Andre Drummond but he has a history of not working as hard as he should (he just lost 30 pounds for the draft.) So my pick here is Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, a 6-7 small forward with a 7-foot wingspan and a shut-down defender.
4.) Cleveland: Bradley Beal The number four pick will depend on team needs , it could be Harrison Barnes or Andre Drummond but my guess is Florida two-guard Bradley Beal will be the 4th pick. He can shoot off the dribble and can pass to open shooters and will be perfect with Irving.
5.) Sacramento: Andre Drummond Now the 5th pick will depends on if you need a big or a guard scorer, Jeremy Lamb or Austin Rivers, but my pick here is Andre Drummond and he is too talented to fall below here. The question is can he exist next to DeMarcus Cousins.
6.) Portland: Damian Lillard The Blazers will most likely trade this pick for a point guard or a big man, but if they don’t they will pick Damian Lillard of Weber St., a scoring point guard. But the Blazers wont want to use a 6th pick on Lillard or Zeller—maybe an 11th pick, but not the 6th. Jared Sullinger might be a long shot pick here since Blazers do need a banger inside.
7.) Golden State: Harrison Barnes Anyone else picking here would take one of the talented guards, Rivers or Lamb, but Golden State has guards so they will take Harrison Barnes if he is there.
8.) Toronto: Perry Jones Now the next group of players all have warts of some kind. In this group it’s Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, John Henson and Tyler Zeller. My 8th pick is Perry Jones of Baylor, but he hasn’t improved from his freshman year. The Raptors also like Lamb.
9.) Detroit: Jeremy Lamb From UCONN, he needs to become more aggressive both physically and mentally. The Pistons may go big here if Jones is still on the board.
10.) New Orleans: John Henson From North Carolina, he will be picked up before teammate Tyler Zeller. He has good length at 6-10 and is a solid rebounder. New Orleans also likes Terrence Ross of the Washington Huskies.
11.) Portland: Kendall Marshall If it’s the Blazers then they will take Kendall Marshall here. He averages nine assists a game though he’s not a great athlete. If they don’t take Lillard at six it’s Marshall at 11.
12.) Milwaukee: Tyler Zeller The Bucks will take Tyler Zeller here to help replace Andrew Bogut. He can run for a big man.
13.) Phoenix: Austin Rivers Someone who has moved up with great workouts is Weber State’s Damian Lillard, a 6-2 point guard, but if he is gone they will take Kendall Marshall or Austin Rivers.
14.) Houston: Jared Sullinger Someone who has dropped might get picked here—Jared Sullinger of Ohio State. His lack of speed and athleticism has pushed him here. If it’s not him then it will be Austin Rivers.
15.) Philadelphia: Terrence Ross Terrence Ross of Washington. He doesn’t have much respect but is having good workouts. He would fit the 76ers system.
16.) Houston: Meyers Leonard Maybe Meyers Leonard has more upside than Zeller. He is 19-years-old. He could be a real find or a bust if he turns out to be too soft for the NBA.
17.) Dallas: Terrence Jones Dallas will be looking to spend money on Deron Williams so here they need a big to rebound for them. If Leonard, Zeller and Sullinger are gone they could take Terrence Jones of Kentucky.
18.) Minnesota: Dion Waiters If the Wolves don’t trade Beasley then they could use someone who can get their shot off the dribble. That could be Rivers if he’s there or Dion Waiters of Syracuse. He has great strength but is not a point guard.
19.) Orlando: Moe Harkless The Magic are not sure if Howard will be there so they could trade him for bigs and draft Moe Harkless of St. Johns. He thought he was not used properly at St. Johns so he came out after his freshman year. He has talent and upside.
20.) Denver: Fab Melo Denver and George Karl always surprise you with picks. If Terrence Jones is here they like him. If not maybe a surprise with Fab Melo of Syracuse.
21.) Boston: Royce White The Celtics like Meyers Leonard but he won’t be available here so they get Royce White from Iowa St. who had a great NCAA game against UCONN.
22.) Boston: Andrew Nicholson The Celtics get to pick again here and if they break up their team of vets they may go with Andrew Nicholson of St. Bonaventure. He is a four-year senior that has offensive potential at 6-9. They also like Evan Fournier from France.
23.) Atlanta: Jeff Taylor If the Hawks trade Joe Johnson because of money they could take Jeff Taylor of Vanderbilt. He is 6-6 and can play defense.
24.) Cleveland: Arnett Moultrie The Cavs may go big here with Arnett Moultrie of Mississippi State. He is 6-11 and is coming out of his junior year. They also like Fab Melo.
25.) Memphis: Marquis Teague They like both Marquis Teague and Tony Wroten at the point spot to back up Mike Conley. I think they take Teague of Kentucky, a freshman point guard.
26.) Indiana: Doron Lamb Larry Bird loves shooters and would like Jeff Taylor here but if he’s gone then Doron Lamb the two-guard from Kentucky.
27.) Miami: Quincy Miller If they go small Tyshawn Taylor, but I believe they will go big with Quincy Miller of Baylor. He was a great high school player who is a big small forward.
28.) Oklahoma City: Evan Fournier They go to France to take Evan Fournier. He started early in France and can be stashed for a couple of years.
29.) Chicago: John Jenkins They like 6-4 John Jenkins of Vandy. He will give Korver a rest. Jenkins is the best outside shooter in college this year.
30.) Golden State: Festus Ezeli They might go big with Festus Ezeli the big center from Vandy. He is a banger that will set great picks for Golden State guards.