Top 5 Prospects for 2012 NBA Draft

[dream_catcher_9]

1) Anthony Davis - awesome combination of skill, length, timing, athleticism, attitude
2) Jared Sullinger - low block beast, if he can improve his passing a bit I see him going top 3.
3) Jeremy Lamb - impressive wingspan, smart, smooth, scoring ability, good attitude
4) John Henson - dominant weakside shot blocker, long, good work ethic, still needs to put on pounds
5) Quincy Miller - just oozes with talent, when you watch him you can see the sky. has that potential.

list can/will change throughout the season.

[vincecarter4pres]

I'm starting to feel stupid. No really I am.

Because I am not seeing ANYTHING special about Harrison Barnes.

He's about as ho hum and can't miss as it gets for me, just with a relatively low ceiling.

[Jazzfan12]

I actually think Barnes is playing really well tonight.

[vincecarter4pres]

I actually think Barnes is playing really well tonight.

As do I. But he still looks like 16ppg Shane Battier or at best Manny's comp of Luol Deng.

And I keep seeing people drooling over this kid saying he's got franchise player/superstar potential and will probably get there.

[Canomad]

marshall looking like j kidd before the 3pointer and with less d. his passing is on point. i think he can imporve hit shot and d with work ethic, but his passing is fantastic. also when i see barnes play i see glimpses of paul pierce...(call me crazy im just saying i see glimpses)

[vincecarter4pres]

Yeah this kid is going to work himself into the top 10 when it's all said and done, especially if most of the other point guards decide to return to school.

[vincecarter4pres]

Henson is really impressive too. He's really upped his game this offseason, has a real deal offensive game now. It used to be he was almost a liability on that side of the ball, like a Joakim Noah, but now you have to respect him on the blocks all the way out to at least 15 on the baselines cause he's even got a legit jumper.

[ManualRam]

I actually think Barnes is playing really well tonight.

As do I. But he still looks like 16ppg Shane Battier or at best Manny's comp of Luol Deng.

And I keep seeing people drooling over this kid saying he's got franchise player/superstar potential and will probably get there.

a better deng is a really good player. deng gets 16 a game just on activity and cuts. harrison can do that, but has the ability to do more offensively. his defense is top notch and i think his physical strength is gonna be a major asset at the next level.
he can be a bully if he wants to be.

[vincecarter4pres]

I actually think Barnes is playing really well tonight.

As do I. But he still looks like 16ppg Shane Battier or at best Manny's comp of Luol Deng.

And I keep seeing people drooling over this kid saying he's got franchise player/superstar potential and will probably get there.

a better deng is a really good player. deng gets 16 a game just on activity and cuts. harrison can do that, but has the ability to do more offensively. his defense is top notch and i think his physical strength is gonna be a major asset at the next level.
he can be a bully if he wants to be.

I'm not seeing a better Deng, just at best a Deng.

I also think he falls between a 16ppg Battier and a Deng.

IDK, it's so early to make any definitive statements either way, but at the same time that's the projection game and that's why we're on this board to begin with lol.

Again just for the record, more for anyone else reading this then you, I think Barnes is going to be a really good NBA player, a highly coveted one. I just don't see this star potential or at least this immense likelihood to reach it, which is a view shared by so many about Barnes.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I'm curious, who then has the best chance of being a franchise player, not just talent-wise, but the makeup of a star, who has 'IT' out all of the potential prospects in the 2012 Draft?

We all say that this is a strong draft, but in reality, I only see maybe a couple franchise players in my mind. It's a deep draft, for sure, but there aren't that many stars I feel. I'm talking about players who all these mediocre teams need in order to compete, because that's ultimately the difference between winning and losing/riding the treadmill in the NBA. Hard cap be damned, you still need to draft stars, particulary since the new CBA likely will make it even tougher to acquire a marquee player via free agency. So, being a Raptors fan, I want to survey and ask you all who the potential number 1 options in this draft are, in your minds? That's all that really matters to me.

It's November 26, and so far, I can't say that I really see anyone in particular who comes off as a potential franchise-caliber player. I think Jared Sullinger is the closest guy, personally. I'd throw in Lamb, Brad Beal, and Barnes, but that's where I'll stop. Anthony Davis will be a great complementary, do-it-all type player (a 15-17 ppg, 10 rebs, 2 blk guy), but I don't believe he swings the pendulum one way or another for a crappy team. Feel the same way about Drummond, who'll need to be surrounded by a good support system imo. So that's my take on the draft. Would love to hear from y'all.

[vincecarter4pres]

I think the dude with the upside down 70's porn stache on his forehead has that potential and is very likely to reach it.

Drummond possibly, have to see him more before I'm willing to stamp it.

Definitely Lamb.

I don't see it with Sullinger or Barnes. I think Sullinger could be a 20/10 type big, but more in the semi-star mold like Boozer or Love, where they do a lot of good and have a lot of impact, but they have other severe limitations and they aren't a lock every year to put up those big numbers either.

Terrence Ross has an outside shot at that level and definitely has multiple All Star potential.
You don't hear a lot of people talking about him, he's an afterthought, many probably haven't seen him yet this year or at all, but he's pretty legit.

Then you have a few guys with very nice potential, but very doubtful at being franchise guys like Thomas Robinson, John Henson, Beal, Kendall Marshall if he declares, Quincy Miller and Perry Jones.

Lastly you have a few guys that will go later, like very late lotto to early 20's that have some hidden unexpected potential to become lower level stars in the Danny Granger, Monta Ellis, Josh Smith, David West level of mold such as Kris Joseph, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jeff Taylor and maybe Festus Ezeli and C.J. Leslie.

This draft has some potential to be top to bottom excellent with 2 or 3 franchise guys like 2008.

[ManualRam]

This draft was never a superstar laden draft. I saw it as a draft with high level depth throughout the lottery. 2003 was an anomaly, most drafts only have 1, sometimes 2 TRUE superstar players.

I do believe that 1 very good, productive starter is enough to change the dynamics of a team. Maybe not put them over the top, but steer the franchise in the right direction.

That being said, the 2 players who i believe have franchise changing potential are anthony davis and jeremy lamb.
No, ant davis may not be a 25 point scorer in his prime but i do think he has franchise changing defense to go along with 20/10 potential.
Lamb i think has a chance to be a very good scorer with a complete floor game and immense defensive potential as well.
Basically, i guess im agreeing with vc4p. Both players have the potential to positively impact all phases of the game while being elite in 1 or 2.

[Knckles]

This draft sucks and I bet there will be lots of busts. Also 2011 nba draft will be better. Only legit guy is Lamb.

[AnSweR07]

I like Beal alot at the next level. The reinarcation of Jesus Shuttlesworth with Eric Gordon type body/frame.

[Charsace]

IMO Barnes will be a Deng at best. I don't see the superstar ceiling in him that a lot of people seem to see. Matter of fact I think he's lower lotto, not top 5 or even top 10.

He doesn't have a great first step or quickness. His handles are bad too so he won't be able to do much in isolation. I think he will be deng if he improves his jumper. He'll be able to post up guys and score and use his jump shooting ability to create drive opportunities. The team that takes him in the top 5 and passes up on Lamb or one of the bigs will regret it later.

[vincecarter4pres]

IMO Barnes will be a Deng at best. I don't see the superstar ceiling in him that a lot of people seem to see. Matter of fact I think he's lower lotto, not top 5 or even top 10.

He doesn't have a great first step or quickness. His handles are bad too so he won't be able to do much in isolation. I think he will be deng if he improves his jumper. He'll be able to post up guys and score and use his jump shooting ability to create drive opportunities. The team that takes him in the top 5 and passes up on Lamb or one of the bigs will regret it later.

Yup Yup.

In my dead honest but unrealistic opinion, I think he should go somewhere between 8th and 10th.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Don't you think Barnes is a guy who'd play better in a structured system, using a triple-threat setup, where he can utilize his size, strength, and his uncontestable high-point release fadeaway? I think he'd be awesome playing on the block, where I'm sure he played a lot in Ames, Iowa. Gregg Popovich would have a field day with Barnes - seems perfect for the Spurs with Duncan winding down a great career. Sean Elliot comes to mind.

Based on the answers given (thanks to all who replied) on "who out of this draft is a franchise talent potentially"? It seems like I'm selling Anthony Davis short. I was looking more at his offensive game, but it could be that his defensive impact offsets any shortcomings he has offensively. I agree re: Jeremy Lamb. Dude has that Brandon Roy look to him, albeit with long-*** arms. Roy has the edge with his strength though.

Then, there are some wildcards - Perry Jones and Quincy Miller. These guys could go either way imo. Still like Sullinger, if for nothing else, then his post game, and developing perimeter shot. Dude is a great passer out of double teams as well (remains to be seen if he'll be good enough at the next level to warrant double teams) I can see the Kevin Love comp. to a degree, vc4p - Love being the better rebounder, however.

Beal could be a monster utilizing screens, seems smart enough to do so anyway. Very impressed with his rebounding numbers, and defence early on.

[vincecarter4pres]

Don't you think Barnes is a guy who'd play better in a structured system, using a triple-threat setup, where he can utilize his size, strength, and his uncontestable high-point release fadeaway? I think he'd be awesome playing on the block, where I'm sure he played a lot in Ames, Iowa. Gregg Popovich would have a field day with Barnes - seems perfect for the Spurs with Duncan winding down a great career. Sean Elliot comes to mind.

I think Barnes will be a very good NBA player.

But I still don't see why he should be taken over any of the following:
Davis
Drummond
Lamb
Thomas Robinson
Sullinger
Terrence Ross

Then I think it will be arguable if he should be taken over Beal, Henson or maybe even Marshall.

[Charsace]

Don't you think Barnes is a guy who'd play better in a structured system, using a triple-threat setup, where he can utilize his size, strength, and his uncontestable high-point release fadeaway? I think he'd be awesome playing on the block, where I'm sure he played a lot in Ames, Iowa. Gregg Popovich would have a field day with Barnes - seems perfect for the Spurs with Duncan winding down a great career. Sean Elliot comes to mind.

Based on the answers given (thanks to all who replied) on "who out of this draft is a franchise talent potentially"? It seems like I'm selling Anthony Davis short. I was looking more at his offensive game, but it could be that his defensive impact offsets any shortcomings he has offensively. I agree re: Jeremy Lamb. Dude has that Brandon Roy look to him, albeit with long-*** arms. Roy has the edge with his strength though.

Then, there are some wildcards - Perry Jones and Quincy Miller. These guys could go either way imo. Still like Sullinger, if for nothing else, then his post game, and developing perimeter shot. Dude is a great passer out of double teams as well (remains to be seen if he'll be good enough at the next level to warrant double teams) I can see the Kevin Love comp. to a degree, vc4p - Love being the better rebounder, however.

Beal could be a monster utilizing screens, seems smart enough to do so anyway. Very impressed with his rebounding numbers, and defence early on.

I don't see Barnes being successful doing that. He just doesn't have the handles or speed to go with his strength so I just don't see him being good in isolation. He has problems isolating against college defenders. To this day I don't understand how people could compare him to Kobe. Its like people decided Barnes is a top prospect and so they aren't going to change it. He must be a basketball god non-UNC games.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Don't you think Barnes is a guy who'd play better in a structured system, using a triple-threat setup, where he can utilize his size, strength, and his uncontestable high-point release fadeaway? I think he'd be awesome playing on the block, where I'm sure he played a lot in Ames, Iowa. Gregg Popovich would have a field day with Barnes - seems perfect for the Spurs with Duncan winding down a great career. Sean Elliot comes to mind.

Based on the answers given (thanks to all who replied) on "who out of this draft is a franchise talent potentially"? It seems like I'm selling Anthony Davis short. I was looking more at his offensive game, but it could be that his defensive impact offsets any shortcomings he has offensively. I agree re: Jeremy Lamb. Dude has that Brandon Roy look to him, albeit with long-*** arms. Roy has the edge with his strength though.

Then, there are some wildcards - Perry Jones and Quincy Miller. These guys could go either way imo. Still like Sullinger, if for nothing else, then his post game, and developing perimeter shot. Dude is a great passer out of double teams as well (remains to be seen if he'll be good enough at the next level to warrant double teams) I can see the Kevin Love comp. to a degree, vc4p - Love being the better rebounder, however.

Beal could be a monster utilizing screens, seems smart enough to do so anyway. Very impressed with his rebounding numbers, and defence early on.

I don't see Barnes being successful doing that. He just doesn't have the handles or speed to go with his strength so I just don't see him being good in isolation. He has problems isolating against college defenders. To this day I don't understand how people could compare him to Kobe. Its like people decided Barnes is a top prospect and so they aren't going to change it. He must be a basketball god non-UNC games.

Yeah, I mean I saw him struggle a lot tonight trying to get by defenders. But, the interesting thing about Barnes, is that he seems more comfortable down there than on the perimeter. Again, maybe it's due to the fact that he played a lot inside in high school, but he appears to know how to maneuver to get his shot, as opposed to on the perimeter, where he simply resorts to a pull-up/fadeaway, a shot that would be much more high percentage for him if he were to take it near the free-throw line, as opposed to further out.

Okay, I'm getting way too analytical on this I'll just say, I see potential in his post game. Perimeter game does make him look like a glorified Luol Deng (as vc4p and ManRam have said), with more variety in his jumpshot.