The 2012 NBA Draft included some of the best players in the league today, but after the top 4 there is a tremendous drop-off in talent. Here is a re-draft of the top 10 selections:
1) New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis (1) – The Pelicans took Davis first overall back in 2012, and they certainly hit the jackpot with this pick. Davis is the perfect player to build a franchise around, as supported by former NBA coach, George Karl, who claimed he’d take the Brow over LeBron James. Before you know it, the face of the Pelicans will soon become the face of the entire NBA. The original pick: Anthony Davis
2) Charlotte Hornets: Damian Lillard (6) – Yes, the Hornets had Kemba Walker taking care of the point guard duties, but Lillard is just too good to pass up on. Walker and Lillard could have started alongside each other and formed one of the quickest and best backcourts in the NBA. Too bad they took the lowly Michael Kidd-Gilchrist instead. The original pick: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
3) Washington Wizards: Andre Drummond (9) – Drummond has quickly developed into one of the best rebounders and shot-blockers in the NBA. His offensive game is still very raw, but he has shown excellent progression overall in his first two and a half seasons. Drummond could have provided a better and cheaper option for the Wizards in the frontcourt, which would have allowed them to spend the money currently owed to Marcin Gortat and Nene on other positions. Even though they didn’t take Drummond, Washington’s selection of Bradley Beal has helped them reach the postseason and become a contender in the East – not too shabby. The original pick: Bradley Beal
4) Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal (3) – Beal is one of the smoothest shooters in the NBA and has been a perfect compliment in the backcourt to Wall in Washington; his pairing with the other elite point guard of the East, Kyrie Irving, in Cleveland could have led to a few more wins in the past few seasons. As for this season, Beal could essentially provide the Cavaliers with shooting and scoring like Dion Waiters does, except Beal is less erratic, more efficient, and more reliable on a consistent basis. The original pick: Dion Waiters
5) Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger (21) – Sullinger has quietly averaged 11.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in Boston over the course of his young career. I remember that concerns regarding his health caused him to slide on draft day, but he has stayed relatively healthy so far (he played in 74 of the 82 games last season). With 1.2 three pointers made per game this season, the former Ohio State Buckeye has significantly improved his jumpshot, too. Sullinger’s capability of playing inside and outside at the power forward position seems to make him the ideal frontcourt compliment to Kings center DeMarcus Cousins. The original pick: Thomas Robinson
6) Portland Trailblazers: Draymond Green (35) – Green was the 8th small forward taken in the real draft, but he is the 1st one off the board here. He is a versatile, unselfish, and intelligent combo forward, who was clearly undervalued on draft day. In fact, I believe he is still underrated today; Green’s impact on the success of the Warriors is prodigious. The Blazers fortuitously landed All-Star point guard Damian Lillard in 2012, but with him off of the board, Green would have been a great addition to a loaded frontcourt that already had Nicolas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge at the time. The original pick: Damian Lillard
7) Golden State Warriors: Dion Waiters (4) – The former Syracuse standout never started in college, which is why I was surprised that he started so quickly once he entered the NBA. Waiters would have served as a fantastic scoring and shooting punch off the bench for Golden State when either of the Splash Brothers needed a break. Waiters is a very streaky player, but when he gets hot, watch out. The original pick: Harrison Barnes
8) Toronto Raptors: Terrence Jones (18) – Jones certainly benefits from the lack of attention defenses give him due to James Harden and Dwight Howard’s presences in Houston, but his stats have been impressive nonetheless. He could have brought more versatility and offensive firepower to the Raptors’ frontcourt. His ceiling isn’t very high; however, Jones is a quality NBA player who fits in well with Toronto’s identity. The original pick: Terrence Ross
9) Detroit Pistons: Terrence Ross (8) – Ross is probably the best athlete of his draft class that isn’t 6-10 or taller. He is an explosive leaper who has had a highlight reel of dunks early on in his career. The swingman out of Washington has also proven to be a good shooter from the outside. The draft choice of Andre Drummond in 2012 was one of the few bright spots for the Pistons, who have struggled mightily as a franchise ever since they traded away the core players from their 2004 championship team. Detroit got it right when it mattered, but with Drummond getting re-drafted into the top 3, I feel that Ross is a quality choice here. The original pick: Andre Drummond
10) New Orleans Pelicans: Harrison Barnes (7) – I can’t remember the last time that New Orleans had a decent small forward, which makes Barnes a good fit. Barnes was placed with superstar-level expectations coming out of high school which he has clearly not lived up to in the NBA. He is currently in a tough situation in Golden State in which I don’t think his talent is being fully utilized. In the Big Easy, the UNC product could have had a greater opportunity to thrive alongside Anthony Davis. The original pick: Austin Rivers
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