NBA DRAFT 2012: POSITION BREAKDOWN: BIG MEN
I don't care if a guy is a center of power forward. If his job is to get boards, defend the post, block shot, protect the rim and score down low I consider him a big. This year's crop is very solid from top to bottom. Davis is a star in the making while Robinson should be a great player as well. After those two guys, then GM's will really be picking guys based on potential and need. Most will choose the player or players that best fit their system and compliment the pieces they already have assembled.
HERE ARE THE TOP BIG MEN:
ANTHONY DAVIS-PF-UK-Fr. 6-11/222/7-6
Last year's stats: 14.3ppg, 10.0, 4.7bpg (that is not a misprint, dude can block shots)
NBA comparison: Kevin Garnett/Marcus Camby/Serge Ibaka
Right now he's at Ibaka level, he will instantly be one of the best shot blockers in the league. In 2-3 years he should be at the level of Camby in his prime then he should have his offensive game good enough to be at KG level.
Likely career role: Starting PF with superstar potential, at the very least should be a perennial All-Defensive team player. At best, the KG of this generation
THOMAS ROBINSON-PF-KANSAS-JR 6-9/244/7-3
Last year's stats: 17.9ppg, 11.8rpg, 1.9apg
NBA comparison: Paul Millsap/more athletic Carlos Boozer
Like Millsap and Boozer, Robinson will hit the glass on every possession and should be a able to get 15-18 a night, with half of his points coming on hustle alone. He will be one of the strongest forwards in the NBA from day one.
Likely career role: Starting PF on almost any team. No superstar potential but could certainly become a 18 and 10 guy soon.
ARNETT MOULTRIE-PF-MISSISSIPPI ST.-JR. 6-11/233/7-2
Last year's stats: 15.8ppg, 10.6rpg, 1.2apg
NBA comparison: Jeramine O'Neal/Jordan Hill
A long, athletic big that can hit the glass, block shots with a good mid range jumper. His size permits him to play some center against smaller/average centers.
Likely career role: Solid starting PF on almost any team, backup F/C on a contender
ANDRE DRUMMOND-C-UCONN-FR. 7-0/278/7-6
Last year's stats: 10.2ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.7bpg
NBA comparison: DeAndre Jordan
Like Jordan, he's a MASSIVE, athletic big that is very raw. He will need a lot of time to develop. Drummond is the biggest boom/bust player in this draft
Likely career role: Starting C that would be at his best with a quality offensive power or stretch four.
TYLER ZELLER-C-UNC-SR. 7-0/247/7-0
Last year's stats: 16.5ppg, 9.3rpg, 1.5bpg
NBA comparison: Spencer Hawes
Like Hawes, Zeller is a fundamentally sound true seven footer that will do the best with what he has. He'll never make any All-Star teams but will be an important piece to any team that has him
Likely career role: Great role playing starting C that will do the little things and still give you 10-12 points per night.
MYERS LEONARD-C-ILLINOIS-SO. 7-1/250/7-3
Last year's stats: 13.6ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.9bpg
NBA comparison: Andrew Bogut/Bill Laimbeer
He may end up replacing Bogut in Milwaukee or he could be the next bad boy in Detroit. Leonard is massive and very athletic. Some may see it as a weakness, but I like that he plays with emotion and a mean streak.
Likely career role: Defensive starting C that would compliment a very good scoring PF.
JARED SULLINGER-PF-OHIO ST.-SO. 6-9/268/7-1
Last year's stats: 17.6ppg, 9.3rpg, 1.2apg
NBA comparison: Zach Randolph/Elton Brand/Dejuan Blair (due to injury red flags)
Like Brand and Randolph, Sullinger is a very skilled and strong low post player that will struggle against fours with great length. Brand and Randolph have had great careers despite lack of length and there's no reason to think that Sullinger can't be just as effective as a pro.
Likely career role: Starting PF on a solid/average team, you need to put the right length and guards around him for him to have success.
ANDREW NICHOLSON-PF-ST. BONAVENTURE-SR. 6-10/234/7-4
Last year's stats: 18.4ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.0bpg
NBA comparison: David West
Like West, he's got a very nice mid range jumper and solid post skills. He also has good size to play PF in the NBA for a long time
Likely career role: Starting PF 3rd/4th option on a solid team
JOHN HENSON-PF-UNC-JR. 6-10/216/7-5
Last year's stats: 13.8ppg, 10.1rpg, 2.9bpg
NBA comparison: Serge Ibaka/Ed Davis
I don't see him as a top 10 or even top 15 pick because he's a rail thin shot blocker that at the very best will be another Ibaka. The skinny UNC power forwards such as Ed Davis and Brendan Wright have done very little in their young careers. The NBA is a man's game and 216 pound power forwards usually have very tough time.
Likely career role: Role playing defensive shot blocker and rebounder. He's would be a good guy to come off the bench to help the defense of the second unit
FESTUS EZELI-C-VANDY-SR. 6-11/264/7-6
Last year's stats: 10.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.0bpg
NBA comparison: Jason Collins
Very similar size, solid rebound skills and ability to defend very large offensive bigs, a la the Andrew Bynum's and Roy Hibberts of the world. The Heat should try to get him.
Likely career role: Role playing rotational C
FAB MELO-C-SYRACUSE-SO. 7-0/255/7-2
Last year's stats: 7.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.9bpg
NBA comparison: Kendrick Perkins/Brendan Haywood
Like both, Melo will be a long, strong space eater that will provide little offensively. He should end up being a better shot blocker than both guys though.
Likely career role: Role playing rotational center
MILES PLUMLEE-C-DUKE-SR. 7-0/252/7-1
Last year's stats: 6.7ppg, 7.2rpg
NBA comparison: Marcin Gortat (pre-Steve Nash)
Remember when Gortat was just a very big, very athletic big man that would back up Dwight Howard and get garbage baskets. Then he went to Phoenix and Nash turns him into a 15ppg scorer. That is the type of player I see Plumlee becoming. He can come in from day one and be a quality back up center on a good team. FYE: Word to the wise, avoid drafting Gortat in all fantasy league's if Nash leaves. Gortat will one day be a punchline when arguing Nash's greatness "the dude made a Polish guy 15ppg scorer."
Likely career role: Role playing rotational center
First Round Bubble/Second Round Guys:
KYLE O'QUINN-C/F-NORFOLK ST.-SR. 6-10/241/7-5
KEVIN JONES-PF-WVU-SR. 6-8/251/7-2
DREW GORDON-NEW MEXICO-SR. 6-9/239/6-11
QUINCY ACY-BAYLOR-SR. 6-8/224/7-3
MIKE SCOTT-VIRGINIA-SR. 6-9/241/6-11
JAMYCHAL GREEN-ALBAMA-SR. 6-9/217/7-2
ROBERET SACRE-GONZAGA-SR. 7-0/263/7-0
FURKAN ALDEMIR-TURKEY-INT. 6-10/230
BERNARD JAMES-FSU-SR. 6-10/230/7-3
HENRY SIMMS-GEORGETOWN-SR. 7-0/241/7-4
HERE ARE THE TOP BIG MEN:
ANTHONY DAVIS-PF-UK-Fr. 6-11/222/7-6
Last year's stats: 14.3ppg, 10.0, 4.7bpg (that is not a misprint, dude can block shots)
NBA comparison: Kevin Garnett/Marcus Camby/Serge Ibaka
Right now he's at Ibaka level, he will instantly be one of the best shot blockers in the league. In 2-3 years he should be at the level of Camby in his prime then he should have his offensive game good enough to be at KG level.
Likely career role: Starting PF with superstar potential, at the very least should be a perennial All-Defensive team player. At best, the KG of this generation
THOMAS ROBINSON-PF-KANSAS-JR 6-9/244/7-3
Last year's stats: 17.9ppg, 11.8rpg, 1.9apg
NBA comparison: Paul Millsap/more athletic Carlos Boozer
Like Millsap and Boozer, Robinson will hit the glass on every possession and should be a able to get 15-18 a night, with half of his points coming on hustle alone. He will be one of the strongest forwards in the NBA from day one.
Likely career role: Starting PF on almost any team. No superstar potential but could certainly become a 18 and 10 guy soon.
ARNETT MOULTRIE-PF-MISSISSIPPI ST.-JR. 6-11/233/7-2
Last year's stats: 15.8ppg, 10.6rpg, 1.2apg
NBA comparison: Jeramine O'Neal/Jordan Hill
A long, athletic big that can hit the glass, block shots with a good mid range jumper. His size permits him to play some center against smaller/average centers.
Likely career role: Solid starting PF on almost any team, backup F/C on a contender
ANDRE DRUMMOND-C-UCONN-FR. 7-0/278/7-6
Last year's stats: 10.2ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.7bpg
NBA comparison: DeAndre Jordan
Like Jordan, he's a MASSIVE, athletic big that is very raw. He will need a lot of time to develop. Drummond is the biggest boom/bust player in this draft
Likely career role: Starting C that would be at his best with a quality offensive power or stretch four.
TYLER ZELLER-C-UNC-SR. 7-0/247/7-0
Last year's stats: 16.5ppg, 9.3rpg, 1.5bpg
NBA comparison: Spencer Hawes
Like Hawes, Zeller is a fundamentally sound true seven footer that will do the best with what he has. He'll never make any All-Star teams but will be an important piece to any team that has him
Likely career role: Great role playing starting C that will do the little things and still give you 10-12 points per night.
MYERS LEONARD-C-ILLINOIS-SO. 7-1/250/7-3
Last year's stats: 13.6ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.9bpg
NBA comparison: Andrew Bogut/Bill Laimbeer
He may end up replacing Bogut in Milwaukee or he could be the next bad boy in Detroit. Leonard is massive and very athletic. Some may see it as a weakness, but I like that he plays with emotion and a mean streak.
Likely career role: Defensive starting C that would compliment a very good scoring PF.
JARED SULLINGER-PF-OHIO ST.-SO. 6-9/268/7-1
Last year's stats: 17.6ppg, 9.3rpg, 1.2apg
NBA comparison: Zach Randolph/Elton Brand/Dejuan Blair (due to injury red flags)
Like Brand and Randolph, Sullinger is a very skilled and strong low post player that will struggle against fours with great length. Brand and Randolph have had great careers despite lack of length and there's no reason to think that Sullinger can't be just as effective as a pro.
Likely career role: Starting PF on a solid/average team, you need to put the right length and guards around him for him to have success.
ANDREW NICHOLSON-PF-ST. BONAVENTURE-SR. 6-10/234/7-4
Last year's stats: 18.4ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.0bpg
NBA comparison: David West
Like West, he's got a very nice mid range jumper and solid post skills. He also has good size to play PF in the NBA for a long time
Likely career role: Starting PF 3rd/4th option on a solid team
JOHN HENSON-PF-UNC-JR. 6-10/216/7-5
Last year's stats: 13.8ppg, 10.1rpg, 2.9bpg
NBA comparison: Serge Ibaka/Ed Davis
I don't see him as a top 10 or even top 15 pick because he's a rail thin shot blocker that at the very best will be another Ibaka. The skinny UNC power forwards such as Ed Davis and Brendan Wright have done very little in their young careers. The NBA is a man's game and 216 pound power forwards usually have very tough time.
Likely career role: Role playing defensive shot blocker and rebounder. He's would be a good guy to come off the bench to help the defense of the second unit
FESTUS EZELI-C-VANDY-SR. 6-11/264/7-6
Last year's stats: 10.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.0bpg
NBA comparison: Jason Collins
Very similar size, solid rebound skills and ability to defend very large offensive bigs, a la the Andrew Bynum's and Roy Hibberts of the world. The Heat should try to get him.
Likely career role: Role playing rotational C
FAB MELO-C-SYRACUSE-SO. 7-0/255/7-2
Last year's stats: 7.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.9bpg
NBA comparison: Kendrick Perkins/Brendan Haywood
Like both, Melo will be a long, strong space eater that will provide little offensively. He should end up being a better shot blocker than both guys though.
Likely career role: Role playing rotational center
MILES PLUMLEE-C-DUKE-SR. 7-0/252/7-1
Last year's stats: 6.7ppg, 7.2rpg
NBA comparison: Marcin Gortat (pre-Steve Nash)
Remember when Gortat was just a very big, very athletic big man that would back up Dwight Howard and get garbage baskets. Then he went to Phoenix and Nash turns him into a 15ppg scorer. That is the type of player I see Plumlee becoming. He can come in from day one and be a quality back up center on a good team. FYE: Word to the wise, avoid drafting Gortat in all fantasy league's if Nash leaves. Gortat will one day be a punchline when arguing Nash's greatness "the dude made a Polish guy 15ppg scorer."
Likely career role: Role playing rotational center
First Round Bubble/Second Round Guys:
KYLE O'QUINN-C/F-NORFOLK ST.-SR. 6-10/241/7-5
KEVIN JONES-PF-WVU-SR. 6-8/251/7-2
DREW GORDON-NEW MEXICO-SR. 6-9/239/6-11
QUINCY ACY-BAYLOR-SR. 6-8/224/7-3
MIKE SCOTT-VIRGINIA-SR. 6-9/241/6-11
JAMYCHAL GREEN-ALBAMA-SR. 6-9/217/7-2
ROBERET SACRE-GONZAGA-SR. 7-0/263/7-0
FURKAN ALDEMIR-TURKEY-INT. 6-10/230
BERNARD JAMES-FSU-SR. 6-10/230/7-3
HENRY SIMMS-GEORGETOWN-SR. 7-0/241/7-4
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