TDT's 2012 NBA Mock Draft: Picks 1-5

I love basketball and, as much as it pains me to say it, I love the NBA. Inflated egos, criminals, overpaid crybabies - it all makes for entertainment and great storylines to go along with great games. With the NBA draft drawing near and my favorite team (the Sacramento Kings - for now) set to have yet another high pick, my mind turns toward draft night. Without further ado, here's my 2012 mock draft:

1. New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Take my word for it, his game is prettier than his face.

The easiest pick in the draft. If you can look past the oddities of David Stern's intervention in the Chris Paul trade and the Hornets' subsequent luck in the draft lottery, this is a great thing for New Orleans. Davis is a sure thing, the kind of player that you can build a franchise around. Reminds me (and everyone) of Kevin Garnett. Tall, long, athletic and a great motor. He's raw offensively, but he's going to be an impact defender from day one. If he only develops an average offensive game and fulfills his defensive potential, he'll still be worth the No. 1 pick. He'll have the meanest/best/craziest/worst eyebrows in the league and should be a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

2. Charlotte Bobcats - Bradley Beal, Florida

Assuming the 'Cats don't trade down, I can see them taking Beal. They need talent just about everywhere, and Beal should have the scoring ability to help out right away. He might not be a franchise cornerstone, but he's a step in the right direction. 

Kidd-Gilchrist is a popular choice here, but I don't see him being a player that can carry a team on offense, at least not in the near future. Thomas Robinson would be my second choice, but he seems to have the same questions as their first-round pick last year (Kemba Walker): does he have the size for his position and is he going to be a big-time contributor at the next level? Bradley Beal is the safest bet.

3. Washington Wizards - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist will fit in perfect next to another Kentucky product, John Wall, in D.C. He doesn't need the ball to be effective and will bring toughness, defense, and rebounding to a team that desperately needs it. Like I said earlier, K-G doesn't look like a player who's going to carry a team offensively (a-la Kevin Durant or Derrick Rose) but as John Wall's sidekick? Seems like a good start for the Wiz.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

As much as I'd like to see Barnes go to my Kings at No. 5, I don't see that happening. The Cavs took a big step in the right direction last year after drafting Kyrie Irving, and Barnes is a safe bet in this year's draft. Thomas Robinson isn't really a good fit since they drafted another power forward last year, and while Barnes doesn't have the ceiling that Andre Drummond has, he's a safer pick. There's a lot of questions as to whether Barnes will be a star in the NBA. We won't know the answer to that for a while, but he looks like he'll definitely be a good, if not great, player. 

5. Sacramento Kings - Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson is a nice consolation prize for the Kings if they miss out on K-G or Barnes. While there is a hole at the SF slot, there's also a lot of room for improvement at PF and Robinson should help immediately. Robinson would bring the athleticism, energy, and winning pedigree that the Kings desperately need. If he starts, the Kings could bring Jason Thompson off the bench, which is probably the perfect role for him. If Thompson starts, a Marcus Thornton-Thomas Robinson bench combo would do well for the Kings. I don't see them taking Drummond here - they need more reward, less risk.