2012 NBA Draft Preview – Top 5 Players Not Named Anthony Davis: While the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate a national title and the 2012 NCAA tournament remains fresh in the mind of fans, it’s time to take a look a quick look at the top NBA prospects before putting it on the back burner until June’s draft draws closer. The elite prospects have all decided whether to enter the draft or return to school next season, and with Kentucky’s Anthony Davis all but a lock to be the top pick, the real question is which players have a chance to become the second pick in the 2012 NBA draft. Granted, the ping pong balls will have something to say about it when the draft lottery decides the order, but regardless of which franchise lands the No. 2 pick, the handful of players being considered isn’t going to change.
2012 NBA Draft Preview – Top 5 Players After Anthony Davis(Projected #1 Pick)
1. Andre Drummond, Center, Connecticut
While Drummond doesn’t have the freakish skill set of Davis, he does have an NBA-ready body. In fact, he could probably snap Davis in half. Drummond has the size and physique that no coach can teach, and he has all the physical tools to be a successful center at the next level. Like most young big men, he still has a lot of work to do on the offensive end of the court. He needs to develop a back to the basket game and to get more comfortable scoring in the post in general. Still, he should be able to rebound and defend at a high level immediately, as well as finish easy shots around the rim. No general manager wants to be the guy that passes on the big man that develops into the next dominant center.
2. Harrison Barnes, Small Forward, North Carolina
He never quite lived up to the hype at North Carolina, but there is no denying Barnes’ ability to score. He is an excellent shooter and has plenty of range, but he can fall in love with the jump shot at times. Barnes also seemed reluctant to take over games when playing alongside his talented Tarheels’ teammates. That being said, his natural scoring ability is going to translate at any level, and he is probably the most NBA-ready scorer in this year’s draft. Yes, Barnes needs to develop an all-around game, but at the very least, he is going to provide someone with a lot of offensive firepower from the day he steps on the court.
3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Small Forward, Kentucky
Although he is going to play second fiddle to his teammates Davis on draft day just as he did much of his lone season at Kentucky, Kidd-Gilchrist has plenty to offer NBA teams, as well. His non-stop motor and effort on both the offensive and defensive glass will keep on him on the court as he develops the rest of the game. Not to mention the fact that he is by no means a one-dimensional player. Kidd-Gilchrist is a superb athlete and has above average strength for a small forward. He has an excellent shooting touch for a player that likes to attack the rim and throw his body around in the post. He is going to make an immediate impact and has a ton of upside. Kidd-Gilchrist is the low risk, high reward option that general managers love.
4. Perry Jones III, Power Forward, Baylor
In terms of pure talent, Jones is probably the only player in this year’s draft that is anywhere close to matching Davis. He handles the ball exceptionally well for a player with his size, and he can step away from the basket and knock down jump shots like a guard. Jones is long and athletic and has the potential to be an absolute matchup nightmare. However, there is one little issue. He doesn’t really seem to care about basketball. Jones never took control of a game at the college level, and he has been far too passive for his skill set. Still, the upside is obvious, and there are going to be plenty of teams out there that are convinced they can get Jones to focus and allow him to unleash his true potential.
5. Bradley Beal, Shooting Guard, Florida
Beal’s fate probably depends mainly on how the draft lottery plays out. After all, big guys and point guards are usually the players being picked early on because of their potential impact. However, there a few teams out there that need a quality shooting guard, and Beal is by far the top option at the position. He has a smooth stroke with range to spare, and since he was just a true freshman, he has plenty of time to improve. He is such a good athlete that he actually spent a lot of time at forward for Florida this past season, averaging almost seven rebounds. Beal probably isn’t going to develop into the next Dwyane Wade or Kobe Bryant, but there is nothing wrong with being the next Ray Allen. It is worth noting that Beal has yet to officially declare for the draft, and if he does opt to return, North Carolina’s John Henson moves up the draft board.
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