2012 NBA Draft Prospects

The NBA Draft is tonight. The 2012 draft class is one of the deepest for talent in recent years. The only certainty is that Anthony Davis will be the first pick in the draft by the New Orleans Hornets. Beyond that, given the diverse talent available and needs of the higher drafting teams, it is anyone’s guess. Here are my reflections on some of the big names and where they could land.


Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky – Davis is a freak of a physical specimen with a sky high basketball IQ and limitless potential. He will come in and immediately be able to play competitive defense in the NBA. His offensive game needs a little work, but from all accounts about his work ethic and coachability, he will learn anything that he can be taught.

Possible destination(s): New Orleans Hornets

FEAR THE BROW! 1

Bradley Beal. SG, Florida – Beal’s stock has soared since the end of the last college basketball season. Beal’s stats were solid, but not stratospheric because he had to share the ball with upperclassmen guards Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker. As the season progressed his tremendous shooting talent became evident. The comparisons to Ray Allen have been rampant in the media during the past week.

Possible destination(s): Charlotte Bobcats, Oklahoma City Thunder

2

Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas – Looking at his body, one could say that basketball met football. Robinson is a superb physical specimen. He will be a menacing post presence at both ends of the court. His perimeter shooting could use a little work, but how many big men don’t need work in that area?

Possible destination(s): Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trailblazers


Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky – Raw athletic power…. He will lock his opponents down on defense and under the glass on both sides of the court. He will make an instant impact in those areas. His only downside is that he can’t shoot the broad side of a barn from point blank range, let alone from the perimeter.

Possible destination(s): Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trailblazers


Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina – CRAZY potential…. Barnes can put it in the hole from anywhere on the court and was very tough as a one-on-one defender. He is a little smallish for the 3 position in the NBA, which will affect his rebounding and post play. Still, the game is won by the team that scores the most points, not the team grabbing the most rebounds. Barnes will expand those possibilities for any team.

Possible destination(s): Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Hornets

He can put it in your grill, too. 3

Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky – A big man who is a scoring machine…. He is going to be a dangerous offensive weapon for any team that drafts him. He needs to work on his “hustle factors” – rebounding, transition, post play, to be a star at the NBA level. No player is guaranteed to be a star, but with his dimensions and shooting range, he is guaranteed not to be a bust.

Possible destination(s): Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic


Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State – Sullinger is a living embodiment of the life lesson, “Strike while the iron is hot.” Sullinger easily would have been a lottery pick, possibly a top five pick, had he declared eligible for the draft in 2011. His status plummeted to that of a low first round pick in part because of the large crop of talented players declaring eligible this year and a red flag during medical evaluations regarding his back.

Sullinger has all of the tools and is a good shooter for a power forward. He was never the greatest player in transition and with the back issues that may not improve quickly. When you have a lottery ticket, cash it immediately.

Possible destination(s): Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks

I am sure his agent made the same face. 4

Austin Rivers, SG, Duke – I have heard nothing but Austin Rivers hatred in recent weeks. Here’s what you need to know. He is the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers. He has a blue blood basketball pedigree. He was on a completely different, higher mental basketball level than his Duke teammates. He could have gone directly to the NBA if allowed.

Rivers equals instant offense and can put the ball in the hole from anywhere. He is not the greatest passer in the world and, while at Duke, his defense was touch and go. Much like Terrence Jones, the team drafting him may not hit the bull’s eye, but they won’t miss, either.

Possible destination(s): New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic

Austin Rivers (right) to his critics: "Do you know who my dad (left) is?" 5

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Prelude to a Championship

The Final Four has begun. The three semifinal games are over. We are down to two teams vying for One Shining Moment. As promised last Thursday, the Hat Trick will preview the championship game.

The last time Kentucky cut down the nets was under Coach Tubby Smith in 1998. (Trophy presentation and One Shining Moment in the video from You Tube).

KENTUCKY

Kentucky’s path to the National Championship Game was an extremely straightforward one. The best players on any one team played exceptionally as a team, did not make mistakes, and stayed healthy. The Louisville Cardinals, UK’s bitter intrastate rival and opponent in Saturday’s first National Semifinal, threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Wildcats.

They forced a tie in the second half. They never make Kentucky sweat. Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino’s composed and accepting demeanor after the game signaled to me that Pitino knew he was playing with house money, made the most of it, but couldn’t beat the odds, which always favor the house.

Seeing Anthony Davis reject people in the lane is the epitome of ESPN's SportsCenter's Stuart Scott's trademark "GANGSTA SLAPPED!" exclamation. FEAR THE UNIBROW! 1

KANSAS

The Kansas Jayhawks faced a scare in their first Final Four matchup. Ohio State controlled the first three quarters of the game, leading by as many as 13 points in the second half. Alas, college basketball games are 40 minutes long and the team that leads during the game is irrelevant, just the team ahead after the second half buzzer. Kansas led for less than four minutes, but the bulk of that time was near, and included, the end of the game.


KENTUCKY WINS IF…

It shows up and plays its game to the best of its ability. Limit unnecessary turnovers. Take smart shots. Do not commit stupid fouls. In short, what they have done all year. The media has thrust Associated Press Player of the Year Anthony Davis (14 PPG, 10 RPG, 5 BlkPG) into our living rooms almost constantly since the beginning of the tournament. However, Kentucky needs forward Terrence Jones (13 PPG, 7 RPG) and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (12 PPG, 8 RPG) to play their “A” games to keep Kansas from threatening Kentucky’s very favorable chances of winning tonight.


KANSAS WINS IF…

The Kentucky players fill up on too much rich New Orleans food before the game and have stomach issues? I don’t know. It’s a L..O..N..G shot!

If the Jayhawks are aggressive about challenging Kentucky in the paint and can force Davis into some early foul trouble, Kansas could have a ray of hope. If Kansas can keep Kentucky out of the lane and force Kentucky into taking low percentage shots, the Jayhawks could have a second ray of hope. A few rays can begin to light a room.

If Thomas Robinson (18 PPG, 12 RPG) can get the better of Davis and UK’s post defenders and get to the free throw line, Kansas has another ray of hope. If Kansas big man Jeff Withey (9 PPG, 6 RPG, 4 BlkPG) can challenge Davis, get physical with him, and foul Davis at strategic moments in the game, Kansas has yet another ray of hope. Most importantly (and possibly the ray of hope that Kansas is hopeless without) point guard Tyshawn Taylor (17 PPG, 5 APG, 4 TOPG) absolutely has to make good decisions with the basketball and be all but turnover free in key moments of the Jayhawks’ rays of hope will go “lights out”.

Good news: Taylor stole the ball from William Buford in the final seconds against Ohio State, appearing to slam the door on Kansas' opponent.
Bad news: Taylor turned the ball back over almost instantly, giving OSU one last gasp, which would be extinguished. That cannot happen tonight if KU has a shred of a chance. 2

FINAL ANALYSIS?

Kentucky is too good. Kansas has to be just short of perfect AND Kentucky needs to make mistakes of proportions they have not experienced all season. Lightning seldom strikes in the same place twice.

Advantage: Kentucky

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