2012 NBA Mock Draft: Final Edition
By Staff
11. Portland Trail blazers – SG Austin Rivers, Duke
ripcityproject.com
Rivers’ confidence is through the roof. He truly believes that he can score from anywhere on the court, and his propensity to spread that confidence amongst his teammates is something the Blazers desperately need.
12. Milwaukee Bucks – PF Perry Jones III, Baylor
behindthebuckpass.com
The Bucks need talent. On skills alone, Jones is way ahead of most of the other players available in the late lottery. He does best off cuts and in transition, according to Draft Express. If that’s the case, he will fit right in with the motion offense Scott Skiles had in place last season. He is nearly 7 feet tall in shoes, with a ridiculous 38.5-inch vertical leap.
13. Phoenix Suns – PG Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
This one is pretty obvious. The Suns need a replacement for Steve Nash and Marshall is the best pure point in the draft so we went with him.
14. Houston Rockets – PG Damian Lillard, Weber State
spacecityscoop.com
I made the decision to select this player for two reasons. He was projected to go #6 to the Portland Trail Blazers but fail all the way to #14 for the Rockets which is a major steal. Lets face it, Kyle Lowry is going to be traded soon, and after that their will be a glaring hole behind new starter Goran Dragic.
15. Philadelphia 76ers – SG Terrence Ross, Washington
thesixersense.com
Rod Thorn: “Essentially, You Draft for Talent and You Trade for Need” In accordance to that quote, Ross seemed to be the best talent at the time. The thought here is that you can trade Andre Iguodala for a needed big man, plus picks and other pieces for salary matching.
16. Houston Rockets – SG Dion Waiters, Syracuse
spacecityscoop.com
I also made the decision to draft this kid for two reasons. Most importantly he was a steal. Waiters was projected to go 7th overall to the Golden State Warriors but fail to 16th for the Rockets, so i didn’t hesitate to select Dion. My other reason to draft Waiters is for his aggressive defense. Kevin Martin will be gone just as soon as Kyle Lowry will, and one thing Martin obviously lacked was defense. Waiters changes that.
17. Dallas Mavericks – PF Terrence Jones, Kentucky
Jones is a talented forward who can do a lot of things. That’s exactly the kind of player we need in Dallas for next year.
18. Houston Rockets – C Meyers Leonard, Illinois
spacecityscoop.com
I selected Leonard for one reason, he brings exactly what the Rockets need, youth and interior defense. He was also projected to go to the Rockets at the 14th pick but after a couple of steals i got another steal with Meyers still being on the board. Marcus Camby is a free agent who will most likely come back, but is 38 years old. Samuel Dalembert looks like he is on his way out which would make room for another center.
19. Orlando Magic – SF Moe Harkless, St. John’s
howardthedunk.com
The future or the Magic roster is uncertain with the Dwight Howard situation. Harkless is a good talent to fall to this number and we couldn’t pass on him.
20. Denver Nuggets – PF Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
nugglove.com
There is no secret that Sullinger has some health issues that will make him slide in the draft, but being a 6-foot-9, 268-pound big man that can score and rebound makes him worth the gamble with the 20th pick. Not to mention he is only 20 years old.