2012 NBA Draft

[El_Diablo]

The order has been set for the first fourteen picks of the NBA Draft:

1 Hornets
2 Bobcats
3 Wizards
4 Cavaliers
5 Kings
6 Blazers (via trade)
7 Warriors
8 Raptors
9 Pistons
10 Hornets (via trade)
11 Blazers
12 Bucks
13 Suns
14 Rockets

The woeful Jordan-led Bobcats lost out on the top pick despite having the worst record in NBA history, but they only fell to #2 overall. The Hornets will in all likelihood be selecting Anthony Davis with the top pick, and they also have the #10 overall selection. The Blazers also have two picks, at #6 and #11.

[CDu]

The order has been set for the first fourteen picks of the NBA Draft:

1 Hornets
2 Bobcats
3 Wizards
4 Cavaliers
5 Kings
6 Blazers (via trade)
7 Warriors
8 Raptors
9 Pistons
10 Hornets (via trade)
11 Blazers
12 Bucks
13 Suns
14 Rockets

The woeful Jordan-led Bobcats lost out on the top pick despite having the worst record in NBA history, but they only fell to #2 overall. The Hornets will in all likelihood be selecting Anthony Davis with the top pick, and they also have the #10 overall selection. The Blazers also have two picks, at #6 and #11.

The biggest losers in the lottery: the Nets. They had a top-3 protected pick this year that could have been a trade chip (or it could have been used on one of the four big-name prospects). Instead, they get the #6 pick and lose their pick to the Blazers.

The Hornets could really revamp their team with Anthony Davis and perhaps Terrence Ross. Their biggest needs appear to be at SF and PF, as they have a decent C (Kaman) and PG (Jack and Vazquez) and they'll get a good SG (Gordon) back from injury. Davis fits perfectly. Ross doesn't fit quite as well (he'll be a SG), but there isn't likely to be a good SF option at that point in the draft.

[ChillinDuke]

Does Prince Harry reunite with his "brother" Kyrie?

Just wondering...

- Chillin

[CDu]

Does Prince Harry reunite with his "brother" Kyrie?

Just wondering...

- Chillin

That's what Chad Ford predicts in his latest mock draft. If Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist, and Beal go in the top 3 then either Drummond or Barnes is the best fit for Cleveland (they already have Tristan Thompson so Robinson and Sullinger don't make sense). If Beal is available, I'd suspect the Cavs would take him over Barnes.

[superdave]

I was amused at how the article on the front page suggests Charlotte should trade down to get Sullinger. Uhm, no. You dont trade down to get an under-sized PF. You use your #2 pick and get the potential All-star in MKG. What a silly idea.

The only scenario where I'd trade down is if Portland gave me #6, #11 and a second round pick or two for the #2. But I still probably would not do that. Charlotte needs quality not quantity.

Super "Maybe Charlotte could trade the #2 for a new owner....hmmm..." Dave

[NSDukeFan]

I was amused at how the article on the front page suggests Charlotte should trade down to get Sullinger. Uhm, no. You dont trade down to get an under-sized PF. You use your #2 pick and get the potential All-star in MKG. What a silly idea.

The only scenario where I'd trade down is if Portland gave me #6, #11 and a second round pick or two for the #2. But I still probably would not do that. Charlotte needs quality not quantity.

Super "Maybe Charlotte could trade the #2 for a new owner....hmmm..." Dave

Minor correction. Charlotte needs both quality and quantity.

[roywhite]

I was amused at how the article on the front page suggests Charlotte should trade down to get Sullinger. Uhm, no. You dont trade down to get an under-sized PF. You use your #2 pick and get the potential All-star in MKG. What a silly idea.The only scenario where I'd trade down is if Portland gave me #6, #11 and a second round pick or two for the #2. But I still probably would not do that. Charlotte needs quality not quantity.

Super "Maybe Charlotte could trade the #2 for a new owner....hmmm..." Dave

Is there some general consensus that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a better prospect (or better fit) than Thomas Robinson of Kansas?

Kidd-Gilchrist had an excellent season, but gosh, as a high school junior, he wasn't even the best player on his team.

[Jderf]

Does Prince Harry reunite with his "brother" Kyrie?

Just wondering...

- Chillin

Strangely, I think that would actually be one of the better places for him to land. He'd have a superb point guard setting him up, and his only competition for for playing time would be the likes of Daniel Gibson, Manny Harris and Anthony Parker.

[sagegrouse]

Strangely, I think that would actually be one of the better places for him to land. He'd have a superb point guard setting him up, and his only competition for for playing time would be the likes of Daniel Gibson, Manny Harris and Anthony Parker.

Plus, as a rookie, Kyrie will ensure Barnes has plenty of Duke apparel. -- sage

[UrinalCake]

Does Prince Harry reunite with his "brother" Kyrie?

I really, really hope not. That's a no-win situation for us as Duke fans. Either a.) Barnes is a bust, in which case Kyrie doesn't gain any help, or b.) Barnes does well, in which case we don't get to make fun of him any more.

I'd rather they go a different direction, draft someone who turns out to be really good, and allow the team to develop into a contender with Kyrie at the helm.

[delfrio]

The biggest losers in the lottery: the Nets. They had a top-3 protected pick this year that could have been a trade chip (or it could have been used on one of the four big-name prospects). Instead, they get the #6 pick and lose their pick to the Blazers.

The Hornets could really revamp their team with Anthony Davis and perhaps Terrence Ross. Their biggest needs appear to be at SF and PF, as they have a decent C (Kaman) and PG (Jack and Vazquez) and they'll get a good SG (Gordon) back from injury. Davis fits perfectly. Ross doesn't fit quite as well (he'll be a SG), but there isn't likely to be a good SF option at that point in the draft.

At the end of the regular season, the common belief was that the Hornets were trying to get rid of Kaman. Not sure if they'll still try to do so or for who, but I wouldn't consider him a solid option there yet.

[CDu]

At the end of the regular season, the common belief was that the Hornets were trying to get rid of Kaman. Not sure if they'll still try to do so or for who, but I wouldn't consider him a solid option there yet.

Fair enough. Maybe they go with Davis and Zeller? That's a great pairing if they get rid of Kaman; Davis provides the defense and Zeller provides the offense.

[blazindw]

At the end of the regular season, the common belief was that the Hornets were trying to get rid of Kaman. Not sure if they'll still try to do so or for who, but I wouldn't consider him a solid option there yet.

Kaman, to my knowledge, is an unrestricted free agent and it sounds like the Hornets would let him go. So, maybe they do go after their future frontcourt in Davis and another PF or C.

[BD80]

I love the prospect of MJ screwing up this draft. The only "sure-fire" pick is Davis, and every other pick has a down-side. I agree that MKG is the second best prospect from the perspective of All-Star potential, but there are 6-8 players that could prove to be better pros.

My dream scenario has MJ picking HB, who crashes and burns in specacular fashion.

[Starter]

I love the prospect of MJ screwing up this draft. The only "sure-fire" pick is Davis, and every other pick has a down-side. I agree that MKG is the second best prospect from the perspective of All-Star potential, but there are 6-8 players that could prove to be better pros.

My dream scenario has MJ picking HB, who crashes and burns in specacular fashion.

I was thinking that too, with Barnes. It seems logical as an MJ pick in terms of potential for unintentional hilarity. I think it helps Jordan's cause, though, to have Rich Cho apparently with at least some influence. He was responsible for Biyombo last year, I believe, which could very well work out okay. If the Bobcats end up with Kidd-Gilchrist or Beal, or perhaps Robinson, either Jordan has made a rare solid pick, or he's taken a proverbial back seat and is rubber-stamping Cho's informed selections.

[Olympic Fan]

I was thinking that too, with Barnes. It seems logical as an MJ pick in terms of potential for unintentional hilarity. I think it helps Jordan's cause, though, to have Rich Cho apparently with at least some influence. He was responsible for Biyombo last year, I believe, which could very well work out okay. If the Bobcats end up with Kidd-Gilchrist or Beal, or perhaps Robinson, either Jordan has made a rare solid pick, or he's taken a proverbial back seat and is rubber-stamping Cho's informed selections.

I'd also love to see Jordan and the Bobcats crash and burn (as if they haven't already).

Realistically, I don't think there is a chance in the world that the team could be so stupid to use the pick on Barnes. Although that would be ideal.

My realistic hope is that they use the pick on Drummond, a classic underachiever. Yeah, he has great potential, but I have my doubts that he ever achieves it.

My biggest hope is that they don't take Michael Kidd Gilchrist. I LOVE that kid. Obviously, everybody is a gamble (even Davis at No. 1), but I think MKG has all-star potential and all-star character. I hated the fact that he played for such a seazy program, but I love the kid.

Just hope he doesn't wind up on my least-favorite NBA team.

[superdave]

I was thinking that too, with Barnes. It seems logical as an MJ pick in terms of potential for unintentional hilarity. I think it helps Jordan's cause, though, to have Rich Cho apparently with at least some influence. He was responsible for Biyombo last year, I believe, which could very well work out okay. If the Bobcats end up with Kidd-Gilchrist or Beal, or perhaps Robinson, either Jordan has made a rare solid pick, or he's taken a proverbial back seat and is rubber-stamping Cho's informed selections.

I'd also love to see Jordan and the Bobcats crash and burn (as if they haven't already).

Realistically, I don't think there is a chance in the world that the team could be so stupid to use the pick on Barnes. Although that would be ideal.

My realistic hope is that they use the pick on Drummond, a classic underachiever. Yeah, he has great potential, but I have my doubts that he ever achieves it.

My biggest hope is that they don't take Michael Kidd Gilchrist. I LOVE that kid. Obviously, everybody is a gamble (even Davis at No. 1), but I think MKG has all-star potential and all-star character. I hated the fact that he played for such a seazy program, but I love the kid.

Just hope he doesn't wind up on my least-favorite NBA team.

MKG is the consensus pick here. He's at worst a. All-NBA defender and glue guy at the 3. He's at best a 10 time All-star who picks up a consistent outside shot sooner rather than later. They have Gerald at the 2, so they wont be picking Beal and they have Biyombo at the 4 so they dont need Thomas Robinson. Their biggest needs are at the 1, 3 and 5. They are not reaching for Drummond (I hope) or a PG at #2, so MKG is the pick. Barnes is a full step below MKG in the food chain.

[Starter]

MKG is the consensus pick here. He's at worst a. All-NBA defender and glue guy at the 3. He's at best a 10 time All-star who picks up a consistent outside shot sooner rather than later. They have Gerald at the 2, so they wont be picking Beal and they have Biyombo at the 4 so they dont need Thomas Robinson. Their biggest needs are at the 1, 3 and 5. They are not reaching for Drummond (I hope) or a PG at #2, so MKG is the pick. Barnes is a full step below MKG in the food chain.

I think when a team is the worst in NBA history, no player they have is an impediment for getting a potentially better player. As such, I could see them drafting either Beal or Robinson. I'd think Cho would keep them away from Drummond, who I think will be a horrific bust, but we'll see. I think they'll take Kidd-Gilchrist, or potentially Beal, but probably Kidd-Gilchrist.

[superdave]

I think when a team is the worst in NBA history, no player they have is an impediment for getting a potentially better player. As such, I could see them drafting either Beal or Robinson. I'd think Cho would keep them away from Drummond, who I think will be a horrific bust, but we'll see. I think they'll take Kidd-Gilchrist, or potentially Beal, but probably Kidd-Gilchrist.

What's the point in taking Beal when you have Henderson though? Henderson is young and getting better. Maggette and the other 3's on the roster are not, so I'd shore up the 3.

I think Charlotte mostly needs to stop making trades. They get taken on every trade. Just keep stockpiling young, talented players and wait for the payoff, a la OKC and Minny.

[Starter]

What's the point in taking Beal when you have Henderson though? Henderson is young and getting better. Maggette and the other 3's on the roster are not, so I'd shore up the 3.

I think Charlotte mostly needs to stop making trades. They get taken on every trade. Just keep stockpiling young, talented players and wait for the payoff, a la OKC and Minny.

If you think Beal is the best player available, you take Beal rather than someone you're not sold on at another position. Gerald's definitely made some strides, especially in the scoring department, but we're not exactly talking about Kobe Bryant here. Beal has All-Star potential right off the bat.

Since MKG will be available and would be my No. 2 pick regardless, I think it's all probably irrelevant. But Beal wouldn't stun me, is all.