The draft lottery for the 2012 NBA Draft was held on Wednesday, with the New Orleans Hornets receiving the top overall pick and the Charlotte Bobcats coming in second. In a draft filled with uncertainty and divisive prospects, the one note that virtually every fan and analyst agrees on is the inevitability of Kentucky forward Anthony Davis' top overall selection. After that, however, it gets murkier, with several players in line for consideration by the Bobcats. Which of these do you think will end up being the second overall pick in the draft?
Following the Hornets' lottery win, ESPN.com's Chad Ford published his newest mock draft, which includes a handful of interesting scenarios, including Dion Waiters jumping to eighth overall and Austin Rivers slipping to 18th. With less than four weeks until draft day, Ford continues to talk to sources and visit workouts to get a better sense of how things will play out on June 28th. His latest draft blog (Insider link) explores potential options for the top 10 picks and is chock-full of interesting tidbits. Let's round up some of the highlights….
The Bobcats set an NBA record for futility during the 2011/2012 season as the team finished the year with the lowest winning percentage in league history. Fast forward to earlier this evening and the Bobcats, with the best chance to secure the top spot in the NBA draft, lost out on the opportunity to select consensus first-overall pick Anthony Davis to the Hornets, who are partying like it's Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Instead of having the chance to stock the roster with a seemingly sure-fire franchise player, owner Michael Jordan and his front office will have to continue the rebuilding process by finding the best fit with the second pick. Here's the latest news and happenings from the Bobcats…
Here's the latest news and headlines out of Cleveland from The News-Herald's Bob Finnan…
- While much of the buzz surrounding Andrew Nicholson has the former St. Bonaventure star heading to the Celtics or the Thunder, the Cavs are giving the 6-foot-9 power forward a hard look as they determine their plans for the No. 24 pick in the draft, reports Finnan. The team visited Nicholson at his college campus and worked him out to see if he would be a good fit for the rebuilding squad. Checking in at 240 pounds, the big bodied Nicholson has been compared to former Xavier star David West.
- Finnan says the Cavs would love to have former Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal if they end up with the No. 3 pick in the draft especially considering their lack of depth at the position. While listed at 6-foot-5 and a lot closer to 6-foot-3, Beal makes up for a lack of ideal height for a shooting guard with his athleticism that translated to 6.7 rebounds per game for the Gators. Ryan Blake, senior director of NBA scouting operations, predicts that if the Cavs draft Beal, he'll fit in perfectly as the starting two guard for the Cavs to form an imposing backcourt with Kyrie Irving.
- The evolution of Irving as an NBA player excites all those involved with the Cavs organization especially considering he's already one of the top point guards in the league, writes Finnan. "I was always such a shy guy," Irving said. "I came to practice three hours early getting my shots up because I was so nervous to come in, and I wanted to make everything perfect. Everybody knows I am the hardest critic on myself." While winning Rookie of the Year honors may lead to a celebratory offseason for some players, Irving plans to come into camp in even better shape than last season with hopes of taking his game to the next level.
Determining the potential success of an NBA prospect continues to be a great enigma. In 2005, David Lee went from being an unknown at the 2005 Chicago Pre-Draft camp to an eventual NBA All-Star in 2010. Joe Alexander, who wowed scouts as arguably the best athlete in the 2008 Pre-Draft Camp, struggled to find a niche in the NBA after being selected eighth overall. Even with the uncertainty that comes along with talent evaluation, the importance of teams doing their homework on players is highly-emphasized. Here are a few links to keep you oriented and familiar with the top names you'll be hearing about in late June:
- Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated understands the risk of drafting on potential, but identifies his list of "jackpot" players, namely those whose talent and upside are trustworthy. In descending order, Amick highlights Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Bradley Beal.
- Speaking of potential, Sam Amico of FoxSports Ohio looks at the question marks associated with potential lottery-pick Andre Drummond. The former UConn Husky stands at 6'10'' and boasts a 260-lb frame, and although he arrived as a prized recruit for Jim Calhoun last year, Drummond disappointed many with his inconsistent play. One scout believes that his upside is his selling point, and his mobility and skill set have reminded some people of Andrew Bynum.
- Starting Blocks of Cleveland.com gives a brief rundown of what various mock drafts have been projecting for the Cavaliers, who will have the 24th pick in the draft along with their lottery selection. The team currently has the third-best odds to win the number one selection.
Warriors guard Stephen Curry had shown to be one of the league's most promising young talents after two years into his NBA career, but was limited by lingering ankle injuries during his third season. Rusty Simmons of SFGate reports that the former Davidson star views his recent ankle surgery as a relief and that he fully expects to be ready for training camp in October. Curry, who feels that backup power forward and depth are the team's biggest needs, also wants to be more involved with Golden State's draft process and plans to attend prospect workouts over the next two months (Sulia link). Here are the other significant links we've gathered up this evening:
- Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe tweeted that Bradley Beal from Florida has signed with Mark Bartelstein and Priority Sports. Beal is projected to be a top five pick in next month's NBA Draft.
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist announced via his Twitter account that he has signed with Creative Artists Agency.
- Following a season that likely included an innumerable amount of facepalms compared to high-fives, the Bobcats are now focused on adding a new head coach after recently parting ways with Paul Silas. Mitch Lawrence of the NY Daily News hears that Charlotte might try to pursue Jerry Sloan as a possible replacement, citing GM Rich Cho and Michael Jordan's admiration for the former Jazz coach. He also mentions that Sloan turned down six head coaching offers last season (among them Golden State and Detroit), which would imply that it will take a compelling proposal to convince him to join the league's biggest re-building project.
- Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas briefly touches base on the possibility of Rick Carlisle becoming a free agent this summer. Carlisle is finishing up his last year of a four-year contract, and despite president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson continually saying that the Mavericks coach isn't going anywhere, there has been no mention of talks regarding a new deal. Owner Mark Cuban declined to elaborate on the situation today, saying that he "doesn't talk about free agent coaches or otherwise." In a separate article by Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas, Cuban insists that he does not regret letting Tyson Chandler leave because of the financial flexibility he was able to preserve.
- David West has been one of the NBA's most significant free agent acquisitions from last year's offseason, helping the Pacers secure the third seed in the Eastern Conference and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld discusses how West's presence has benefited the culture and confidence of the team.
- Despite a second straight lottery season for the Cavaliers, owner Dan Gilbert remains a popular figure in Cleveland, writes Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston. With such a close connection to the team's fan base, Livingston sees Gilbert as a more wealthy, modern-day version of legendary baseball owner Bill Veeck.
The latest news and notes regarding the NBA Draft on Tuesday evening:
- SI.com's Sam Amick says that Kentucky's Anthony Davis has drawn high reviews from scouts and general managers. Davis is expected to be drafted first overall.
- Amick also says there is plenty of talent in the draft beyond Davis, singling out Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson, and Andre Drummond as names to watch.
- CBSSports.com's Jeff Goodman has posted his latest mock draft. Goodman has Davis going first and Florida's Bradley Beal going second.
There aren't a lot of quality young shooting guards in the NBA right now, especially given the injuries Eric Gordon has endured this year. There's also only one shooting guard projected as a surefire lottery pick in this year's draft, so that player, Bradley Beal, could be even more valuable than his ability would otherwise suggest.
Even if he weren't playing at a sought-after position, the freshman from Florida possesses plenty of appealing attributes. His high basketball IQ is something both ESPN.com's Chad Ford and Jonathan Givony of Draft Express agree on. He can play the point as well, and his showing down the stretch for the Gators and his ability to handle traps and double teams have already caught the eye of the Wizards, who are "enamored" with him, writes HoopsWorld's Steve Kyler. Ford points to his rebounding prowess, as he averaged 6.7 RPG this year, and Givony likes the advanced fundamentals and maturity he shows at just 18 years old.
Still, there are question marks involved. Ford writes that the only concern scouts have is his relatively poor shooting this year, when he connected on 44.5% of his field goal attempts, including 34% from three-point territory. Those are disappointing numbers from someone who, according to Ford, evoked comparisons to Ray Allen coming out of high school. While Givony believes he will never shoot so poorly from behind the arc again, he also points to a need for him to finish better on his attacks at the rim, as well as defensive inconsistencies. ESPN has him listed at 6'5", while he checks in at 6'3.5" at Draft Express. NBADraft.net splits the difference and has him at 6'4". Givony expressed concerns about his height, and if he's closer to the shorter side of his measurements, that's a legitimate worry.
Size matters less in a wide-open transition game, and he's been effective playing that style, according to Givony, creating looks for himself and his teammates with smooth ballhandling and an ability to change speeds. He'd fit a team looking for an up-tempo attack, and the Wizards notion holds water here, as they could go with a small lineup of John Wall, Beal, Jordan Crawford, Jan Vesely and Nene Hilario. He'd be a tougher fit with a team like the Raptors, who have a defensive-minded coach in Dwane Casey and DeMar DeRozan occupying the two-guard spot. Still, ESPN's latest mock has him going to Toronto at No. 5. Draft Express has him going fifth as well. Ford believes he could go as high as No. 2, but much of that will depend on how he compares to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, another sought-after wing player.
It all comes down to the right fit with a player like Beal, unlike a must-have top pick like Anthony Davis. If a team needs a versatile guard who can make quick decisions and, at worst, take nothing away from you with his shooting, Beal is the guy. If a team is worried about size and wants to play a halfcourt game, they'll shy away from him.
9:45am: Beal has made his decision official, informing coach Billy Donovan and the Gators he won't be returning, according to Chris Harry of GatorZone.com.
"It’s my dream and it’s sitting right here in front of me," Beal said. "God has put me in this situation and I have to take advantage of it. I think I’m ready to realize this dream, so now I have to go and pursue it."
7:51am: Freshman guard Bradley Beal will forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility and enter the draft, reports Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com. The Florida Gator, who projects as a potential top-five pick, will announce his decision later this morning, says Goodman.
Beal, who averaged 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in Gainesville this season, was said to be on the fence about the decision shortly after the Gators were eliminated from the NCAA tournament. His father Bobby told Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun: "Some people say (leaving) is a no-brainer, but I know that he loves college, loves the atmosphere down there."
Ultimately, the chance to be a lottery pick likely convinced Beal to leave school early. DraftExpress.com calls him the fifth-best prospect in this year's draft, while ESPN.com's Chad Ford ranks him third.
You can check out Hoops Rumors' complete list of early entrants for the 2012 NBA draft here.
Anthony Davis was named the AP's college basketball Player of the Year today, and is a near-lock to be picked first overall in June's draft. The only question left for Davis at this point is whether his left knee is healthy enough to help lead Kentucky to a national title. The Wildcats are set to take on Louisville in the Final Four tomorrow night, and Davis says his knee is at "about 90%." Here are a few more of today's draft-related updates:
- Arkansas freshman B.J. Young has decided to enter the draft, tweets Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com. Young, who is ranked 47th among DraftExpress' top 100 prospects, has yet to hire an agent.
- Another freshman who ranks significantly higher on DraftExpress' board (fifth), Florida's Bradley Beal has yet to decide about his future. "I know it’s going to be a hard decision for him," Bobby Beal, Bradley's father, told Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun. "Some people say (leaving) is a no-brainer, but I know that he loves college, loves the atmosphere down there."
- Don't count on local favorite Jared Sullinger becoming a Cavalier, says Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio. Amico hears from a number of insiders that it would take a "perfect storm" for the Ohio State forward to end up in Cleveland.
- ESPN.com's Chad Ford (Insider link) takes a look at the top prospects in the Final Four, while Doug Smith of the Toronto Star focuses on how Canadian players' stocks have been impacted by the NCAA tournament.