2012 NBA Draft Grades: Southwest Division

Dallas: Grade D

(24) Jared Cunningham, SG; (33) Bernard James, C; (34) Jae Crowder, F

I really don’t get what the Mavericks did in this draft. Their best pick was Tyler Zeller but they traded him away to Cleveland. Cunningham is a very athletic guard but he can’t shoot to save his life. Like me most mock drafts did not even have him going in the 1st round. James is a very tough defensive minded center that will provide great back up minutes to Brandon Haywood. Crowder is a great college player but just doesn’t have the size to play in the NBA.

Houston : Grade B

12) Jeremy Lamb, SF; (16) Royce White, PF; (18) Terrence Jones, Furkan Aldemir (Trade)

I really like what the Rockets did in the draft. They took 3 players that all have great upside but have the potential to be busts. I didn’t like that the Rockets took both White and Jones, who both play the same position. The Rockets could have used a center or a point guard in this draft.

The Houston Rockets need some help on the wing and the pick of Jeremy Lamb makes sense. Chase Budinger was traded away so Lamb fits a need right away.

Lamb has very good size and length for a shooting guard, but he really needs to add some weight. Lamb is a great athlete with his quickness and jumping ability. He is also an excellent an aggressive defender. One word to describe his offensive game is smooth. He is an excellent shooter who excels at the mid-range game. He needs to be more aggressive on offense .

White did it all at Iowa State he pretty much led his team at very stat. Not to many times do you see a power forward leading a team in assists. He can score in a ton of ways. He was the best player on the court in Iowa State NCAA tournament loss. The only thing he needs to work on is his jump shooting and his defensive play.

White has had off court problems in the past but it looks like he has turned everything around. Another concern for White is he is sacred of flying.

Jones is a very versatile player that plays either inside or on the perimeter; he is very athletic. Jones has great size and length. His ball handling skills let him get easy shots in the paint. He finishes very strong at the rim with his strength. Jones has the knack on how to get rebounds he is also a superb shot blocker. Jones needs to improve on his overall consistency of his game; he can score 20 points one night and 4 the next.

Memphis: Grade B-

(25) Tony Wroten Jr., PG

The Grizzlies really need depth at guard and with their only pick of the draft they improved that. Wroten can play both the point and shooting guard positions.

For a taller guard Wroten has a pretty good handle on the ball. He has elite level athletic ability and can get to the rim with the best of them. The questions about Wroten center around his jump shooting ability and his decision making skills. Wroten will take time to develop in a couple years this pick could be a big steal.

New Orleans: Grade A+

(1) Anthony Davis, PF; (10) Austin Rivers, G; (46) Darius Miller, SF

This was a huge draft for the Hornets. With the results of this draft the Hornets have a very bright future. The pick of Davis was a no brainer but I also like there other picks.

The New Orleans Hornets got a big break when they won the lotter and got the only franchise player in this year’s NBA draft.It’s hard to image that just a couple years ago in high school Davis was a guard, now he has grown into a power forward. His game reminds people of Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan not bad. Davis has great length and size, and he just needs to add some muscle. Davis is an outstanding athlete with great quickness and leaping ability. Offensively he has a great shooting touch around the basket. He also has a nice jump shot he can even make three pointers. He excels at running the floor in transition. Davis is a dominant rebounder and shot blocker thanks to his length. Davis really needs to work on his post moves and getting stronger in the paint; if he does that he will be unstoppable.

All along it seemed like the Hornets wanted Rivers here and they got him. he only question for Rivers will be where will he play. He is a combo guard right now. No question though, Rivers is a dominant scorer.

Rivers has outstanding shooting range, he also excels at the mid-range game, and he can also drive to the basket and finish with great touch. Rivers has excellent ball handling skills, which allows him to go by his defenders. Rivers is an explosive athlete with a quick first step. He really needs to get better on defense. He also needs to work on getting his teammates involved more, and he can be a ball hog sometimes.

Miller, was the glue guy for the national champion Kentucky Wildcats. He is a very versatile player that should be a great bench player in the NBA.

San Antonio : Grade C+

(59) Marcus Denmon, SG

Doesn’t it seem like the Spurs always turn their low picks into quality NBA players. Denmon has potential to be the next great Spurs success story. Had Denmon been a little taller he would have been a 1st round pick. Denmon is best known for his shooting ability. To be shocked for the next to the last pick in the draft to contribute some next year with the three ball off the bench.

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