2012 NBA Draft Preview: Top 5 Second Round Steals: While all the talk leading up to the 2012 NBA Draft centers around the top picks, there are a few gems that slip all the way into the second round. Even in the last 10 years, players stars like Gilbert Arenas, Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer and Monta Ellis have been second-round picks. Looking back a bit further, names like Manu Ginobili and Dennis Rodman have gone off the board after the first round was in the books. While the second-round gems aren’t exactly regular occurrences, they do happen. Here is a look at a handful of players projected to slip outside the first round that could make an impact in the NBA.
2012 NBA Draft Preview: Top 5 Second Round Steals
1. Drew Gordon, Power Forward, New Mexico
Things never quite worked out for Gordon at UCLA, but he ended up having a productive career at New Mexico. He averaged more than 11 rebounds per game last season and expanded his offensive game by adding a mid-range jump shot. His biggest asset on the next level will be his rebounding. Both on the defensive and offensive glass, Gordon knows how to position himself and is a relentless worker. He is a bit undersized for his position at 6-9, but his wingspan and hustle will allow him to be a contributor. At worst, he is an added force on the boards, but he could end up being much more.
2. Scott Machado, Point Guard, Iona
Playing against lesser competition will cause Machado to slide into the second round, but he has quality backup point guard written all over him. Last season, he averaged almost 10 assists compared to just over three turnovers, and he is a natural distributor. Although Machado has a quality shot, he lacks the explosiveness to be an effective scorer. That being said, he is the type of player that can control an offense and make life easier for the players around him because of his passing ability and knowledge of the game.
3. Tyshawn Taylor, Point Guard, Kansas
Taylor is on the opposite end of the spectrum of Scott Machado. He is an athletic, explosive scorer that can attack the rim or knock down shots from the perimeter. On the downside, he was a turnover machine throughout his college career, and his decision-making skills aren’t where they need to be to thrive in the NBA. As a result, he has seen his stock slowly plummet. The good news for Taylor is that he has the size to shift to shooting guard and the offensive game to make the transition. He is a perfect fit for a team looking for some instant offense off the bench.
4. Kim English, Shooting Guard, Missouri
He doesn’t explode to the basket or create his own shot, but English can absolutely knock down shots from the perimeter. He has one of the best 3-point strokes in the draft, and he will be added firepower for whatever team snatches him up. Any team that likes to play through the post or needs to stretch opposing defenses would benefit from adding English. He will slide into the second round because he is a one-dimensional player, but the dimension he will add to an offense is a useful one. English shoot his way to a long career in the NBA.
5. Kevin Jones, Power Forward, West Virginia
Although he doesn’t wow with his size or his athleticism, it’s tough to argue with Jones’ numbers. Playing in the deepest conference in the country, he averaged 19.9 points and 10.9 rebounds last season. There is no denying he got the most out of his ability at West Virginia, and he is going to bring that dedication to the NBA. Jones just doesn’t have the explosiveness to be a dominant big man, but he does possess an excellent mid-range game for a power forward. His high motor and ability to stretch defenses will allow him to carve out a role with whatever team drafts him. Jones could be the next Udonis Haslem.
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