NBA DRAFT 2012: POSITION BREAKDOWN: COMBO FORWARDS AND BIG WINGS

This year's wing/combo forward class is very good.  The guys at the top all have great versatility and length. Being able to do a lot of things on the basketball court and being long are two very important traits in today's NBA.  The guys that will be drafted towards the end of the first round and early in the second will be able to make a roster and be in a team's rotation due to a certain specialty whether it be defense, shooting or rebounding ability. 

HERE ARE THE TOP WINGS/COMBO FORWARDS  

MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST-SF-UK-FR. 6-7/233/7-0 
Last year's stats: 11.8ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.0apg
NBA comparison: Andre Iguodala/Gerald Wallace
It's tough to compare such a young kid to an All Star like Iggy so I am defiantly not ready to compare him to a Hall of Fame player like Scottie Pippen.  However that is the type of all-around talent that MKG is.  He's limited offensively now but he may develop into a star. At the very least, his heart, hustle and length will make him a Gerald Wallace type of glue guy role player.
Likely career role: Defensive compliment star to a great #1 superstar.

HARRISON BARNES-SF-UNC-SO 6-8/228/6-11 
Last year's stats:  17.4ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.0apg
NBA comparison: Rudy Gay/Danny Granger
Like both, he's a smooth slasher with great ball skills and great athletic ability    
Likely career role: Top Scorer on a low level playoff team, or 2nd/3rd option on a contender

MOE HARKLESS-SF-ST. JOHN'S-FR. 6-9/207/7-0
Last year's stats: 15.3ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.4apg
NBA comparison: Paul George/Kawhi Leonard
Like both, Harkless is a an ultra long slasher that can score.  Like both, he's also just touching the surface of his potential.  The NBA in 2K12 is a length league.  That is the reason why George, Kawhi and now Moe Hark are key role players to a team competing for a title.
Likely career role: Starting SF on a good team, a perfect role player to a team that has one stud big and/or a good PG.  

TERRENCE JONES-PF-UK-SO. 6-9/252/7-2 
Last year's stats: 12.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.3apg
NBA comparison: Lamar Odom
Like Odom, he's a lefty with PF size and the offensive skills to play on the perimeter.  Also like Mr Chloe, people may mistake his smoothness and calm demeanor for laziness.
Likely career role: 6th/7th man that can play both forward spots on a good team, a starter on a bad or average team

ROYCE WHITE-CF-IOWA ST.-SO. 6-8/261/7-0
Last year's stats: 13.1ppg, 9.2rpg, 5.1apg
NBA comparison: Anthony Mason
Like the former Knicks standout, White is an extremely versatile player that can be a point forward running an offense and at 261 pound can bang as a power forward.
Likely career role: A starting SF that would compliment a stretch four like LaMarcus Aldridge, Dirk, Danilo Galinari or Ryan Anderson perfectly

PERRY JONES-CF-BAYLOR-SO. 6-11/234/7-2
Last year's stats: 14.0ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3apg
NBA comparison: Channing Frye/Rashard Lewis
Like both, PJ III is a finesse big that would rather stroke it from the outside than bang on the interior.  Like both he's around 6-10, so when guys that are that big don't play big they can be very frustrating.  Like both he will be labeled as a soft player and I understand the label.
Likely career role: Good long starting SF or a stretch four on that would benefit by being surrounded by physical players

JEFFERY TAYLOR-SF-VANDY-SR. 6-7/213/6-6 
Last year's stats: 16.4ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.8apg  
NBA comparison: Wilson Chandler
Like Chandler, Taylor is a versatile talent that can have a very long career with his ability to do all the little things.
Likely career role: Starting SF, 4th/5th offensive option but a good defender as well

DRAYMOND GREEN-SF-MICHIGAN ST.-SR. 6-8/236/7-1
Last year's stats: 16.1ppg, 10.4rpg, 3.6apg
NBA comparison: Jared Dudley/Ryan Gomes
Like both, Green was a great college player that will have to adapt to being a versatile role player at the next level.  
Likely career role: Great versatile backup and glue guy on a good/solid team

JAE CROWDER-SF/SG-MARQUETTE-SR. 6-6/241/6-9 
Last year's stats: 17.4ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.1apg, 2.5spg
NBA comparison: Metta World Peace meets Kenneth Faried
Crowder will carve out a niche as a physical defensive shutdown player that can hit an open jumper. He was the strongest player at the combine and like Metta and the Manimal coaches will love his tenacity.  If he goes in the 2nd round he will be an absolute steal.
Likely career role: Defensive shutdown wing that can hit the open jumper

DARIUS MILLER-G/F-UK-SR. 6-8/233/6-9 
Last year's stats: 9.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.1apg
NBA comparison: Ronnie Brewer/Matt Barnes
Miller isn't as strong as Crowder but he can be a great defensive specialist and hustle player that has a similar body and skills as Brewer and Barnes.
Likely career role: Defensive shutdown wing that can hit the open jumper  

QUINCY MILLER-SF-BAYLOR-FR. 6-10/219/7-1 
Last year's stats: 11.0ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.5apg
NBA comparison: Nic Batum
Like Batum, Miller is insanely long and smooth for a wing that oozes with potential.  He's very skilled offensively but lacks elite athletic ability.
Likely career role:  Starting SF eventually, as he will need at least 3-5 years to develop

First Round Bubble/Second Round Guys: 

KHRIS MIDDLETON-TEXAS A&M-JR. 6-8/216/6-11 
KRIS JOSEPH-SYRACUSE-SR. 6-7/215/6-11 
ROBBIE HUMMEL-PURDUE-SR. 6-9/218/6-9 
HOLLIS THOMPSON-GEORGETOWN-JR. 6-8/206/6-10 
KIM ENGLISH-F/G-MIZZOU-SR. 6-6/192/6-6  
KEVIN MURPHY-G/F-TENNESSEE TECH-SR. 6-6/194/6-7 
JOHN SHURNA-SF-NORTHWESTERN-SR. 6-10/212/6-9
ORLANDO JOHNSON-G/F-UC SANTA BARBARA-SR. 6-5/223/6-11 

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