This 2012 NBA redraft features how the top ten would be selected if teams had another chance to pick.
If you haven’t done so already, check out my 2010 and 2011 redrafts.
- Anthony Davis, PF/C, Kentucky
Achievements: 3x NBA All-star (2014-2016), All-NBA First Team (2015), NBA All Defensive Second Team (2015), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013)
Since New Orleans drafted him first overall, Anthony Davis hasn’t disappointed. He was already a great all-around player in college, but he has upped every aspect of his game over four seasons. Davis is one of the best defenders in the NBA; he led the league in blocks in 2014 and 2015, and his athleticism combined with his strength allows him to defend wing players and big men. He scores 20.8 points per game on 52% shooting, and can score in a variety of ways. He converts on 70% of his shots at the rim, and shoots 40% on jump shots. Davis worked on his range last summer, and as a result is shooting 32% from three this year, which isn’t bad for a 7 foot, 253-pound guy. However, he has had injury problems, which have caused him to miss 68 games over four seasons, and was recently shut down for the season. Davis can do everything at a high level, which puts him at first overall, but he needs to get healthy if he wants to stay among the hierarchy of the NBA.
- Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
Achievements: 2x NBA All-Star (2014, 2015), All-NBA Third Team (2014), NBA Rookie of the Year (2013), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013)
Damian Lillard is one of the best offensive players in the league, averaging 21.4 PPG for his career. Over his four years in the NBA, Lillard has been very clutch, delivering countless big shots. One of his best attributes is durability; outside of seven games this season, he hasn’t missed a single game. Although his defense isn’t that great, it isn’t as bad as you may think. However, this season he’s showing why he’s the real deal. After the Blazers lost starters LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, and Wesley Matthews to a trade and free agency, nobody expected Portland to be in the playoff picture. He is leading his team to the 6th seed out West while putting up 25.5 points and a career-best 7 assists per game. Lillard is an extremely talented player and is proving to be a leader, which puts him at two.
- Andre Drummond, C, UConn
Achievements: NBA All-star (2016), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013)
Andre Drummond was primarily a defensive presence early on, but he expanded his offensive game, and finally got a chance to be the main big man in Detroit after Josh Smith and Greg Monroe left. He currently averages 16.7 points per game, which allows the shooters around him to get open looks, because he commands so much defensive attention as a proven low-post threat. Drummond grabs a league-leading 15 rebounds a game, and leads the NBA by far with 5 offensive boards per game, which creates more opportunities for his team’s offense. However, his best attribute is his defense; Drummond anchors the Pistons defense with a 98.2 defensive rating, good for 6th in the NBA. Most importantly, he and teammate Reggie Jackson are leading Detroit to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Chauncey Billups, who won a championship with the Pistons in 2004, made Drummond’s abilities clear: “He can be the Moses Malone of our era.” [http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2016/02/chauncey_billups_declares_pist.html – incart_most-commented_pistons_article]
- Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State
Achievements: NBA Champion (2015), NBA All-Star (2016), NBA All-Defensive First Team (2016)
Although Stephen Curry is the best player on the Warriors, Draymond Green isn’t far behind in terms of importance. He opens up the entire offense for the Warriors; he shoots 38% from deep, which makes the pick-and-roll with Curry unstoppable. He also dishes out 7.4 assists per game, so the Warriors have the option to run their offense through him and have Curry play off-ball. This stat says it all: the Warriors have an offensive rating of 119.1 when Green is on the court compared to 105.6 when he’s off. Not to mention, this man can guard every position, and grabs 9.6 rebounds per game despite being severely undersized. His confidence is his best aspect. He is the epitome of a winner, and deserves to be top four.
5. Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Achievements: NBA Champion (2015), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013)
Don’t let the stat sheet fool you. Harrison Barnes is overlooked because he’s on a team with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. He plays very well within his role, scoring 10.1 points on an efficient 48.2% in just 28 minutes per game throughout the Warriors 2014-15 championship season. He shot 37% from 10 to 16 feet and 39.4% from three last season, which makes him an integral part of the Warriors small ball lineup, because he pulls opposing fours out of the paint, but has the athleticism to defend opposing bigs. His durability puts him over Beal. If Barnes was on a team where he could play a bigger role, he would prove his sixth overall ranking, but for now he is just proving that he can succeed in any system.
- Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Achievements: NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013)
Bradley Beal forms one of the best backcourts in the NBA with John Wall. He is a talented scorer and has great athleticism. He has averaged 16.7 points per game since his 2013-14-sophomore campaign, and upped his efficiency by shooting 45.3% this year, despite having an increased usage percentage. Beal was an integral part of the two Wizards squads that went to the second round each of the past two seasons, averaging 21.2 points in 41.7 minutes per game. In order to become a better two-way player, he has committed himself on the defensive end:
Beal: “I want to be 1st team All Defense” #WizardsTalk @CSNWizards #NBA
— J. Michael (@JMichaelCSN) October 5, 2015
However, Beal needs to get healthy. He has missed 79 games in just four seasons, and eventually his fragility will catch up to him.
7. Jae Crowder, SF, Marquette
Achievements: None Noteworthy
Jae Crowder’s impact goes way beyond the box score. Isaiah Thomas is the Celtics’ best player, but Crowder could be their MVP. He is everything that the Celtics embody: fearless, tough, all heart. Crowder is an important part of the defense that forces a league-best 15.8 turnovers per game, as he can guard both forward positions due to his quickness and strength. On the other side of the ball, Crowder’s versatility makes him valuable. Since he can play some small-ball four, he forces opposing bigs out of the paint because they must respect his 35% three-point shooting, which opens the lane for Thomas and Evan Turner. He proved his impact when the Celtics went 0-4 against the Rockets, Pacers, Thunder, and Raptors, who all have star wing players.
- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Achievements: None Noteworthy
Since the start of his sophomore year when he started getting significant minutes, Jared Sullinger has been a crucial part of the Celtics rebuild. He has averaged 12.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in just 26.2 minutes per game. He has such a large body frame and great hands, which allows him to box out and grab many rebounds; he has a rebound rate of 18.9, good for 4th among all power forwards. That large body frame isn’t all positive though. Some of it is fat, which caused back and foot problems that ended Sullinger’s rookie year, and caused him to miss significant time in 2014-15. However, he slimmed down in the offseason, which helps his future.
9. Evan Fournier, SG, France
Achievements: None Noteworthy
Fournier deserves more attention than he receives in Orlando. He plays with young guys such as Aaron Gordon, Victor Oladipo, and Elfrid Payton, so he is often overlooked. However, he has arguably been the Magic’s most important player this season. He scores 14.8 points a game on 45%, and shoots 40% from long-range. His points come from a variety of places. He hits 38.3% of his jumpers, and finishes 62% of his shots at the rim. Magic coach, Scott Skiles, has a lot of praise for Fournier, calling him a “good defender,” and “[the Magic’s] best finisher.” He is still young, and can definitely move up on this list if he continues to improve.
- John Henson, PF/C, North Carolina
Achievements: None Noteworthy
John Henson is a tremendous defender and an efficient offensive player. He has a career defensive rating of 104, and scores 8 points a game on 54.2% throughout his career. Henson can continue to improve, and will one day be a quality starting big man.
