2012 NBA Draft Day Mock Drafts Round-Up
Here's a survey of the main 2012 NBA Mock Drafts with a few hours before the real NBA Draft kicks off at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Below, a look at who each Mock Draft predicts the Portland Trail Blazers will select with the No. 6 and No. 11 picks. Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com for Yahoo! Sports predicts... ---------------------------------- 6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn) -- Damian Lillard: PG, 21, 6-3, 189, Weber State, Junior -- A consensus has emerged the past few days amongst NBA teams regarding Neil Olshey's intentions with this pick. It once appeared that Lillard would be available with the Blazers' later lottery pick (No. 11). But the likes of Golden State, Toronto and New Orleans have fallen hard for the point guard. Lillard had one of those mythical one-on-zero workouts where he could not miss, causing Portland to decide that he is its pick here. 11. Portland Trail Blazers -- John Henson: PF, 21, 6-10, 216, North Carolina, Junior -- The Trail Blazers have been looking for a strong interior option to pair with LaMarcus Aldridge for quite some time. Going into next season with only Kurt Thomas and Aldridge under contact, Henson appears to be an attractive option here. His terrific combination of size, length, athleticism give him as much upside as any big man in this draft outside of Davis and Drummond. Henson presents little risk at this stage of the draft and could be a home run pick with proper patience and development. ---------------------------------- Chad Ford of ESPN.com predicts... ---------------------------------- No. 6 -- Damian Lillard -- Analysis: The Blazers need a point guard and a big man. They'll have an easy choice here if Drummond goes at No. 5. Lillard is a steady, athletic guard who can shoot the lights out and get to the rim. He had a stellar workout in Portland in front of Paul Allen that really sealed the deal. No. 11 -- Tyler Zeller -- If the Blazers go with a guard at No. 6, don't be surprised if they go big with their other selection. Zeller isn't a sexy pick, but he is capable of playing right now, has solid size for his position and runs the floor well. ---------------------------------- Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com predicts... ---------------------------------- No. 6 -- Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State: Lillard has blown everyone away at the combine and in workouts. He's a big-time shooter who can step in and play the point for Portland. Also, the Blazers can still get a front court guy at No. 11. No. 11 -- Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois: He'd fit perfectly up front with LaMarcus Aldridge. He's a legit 7-footer with freak athleticism and an incredible upside. ---------------------------------- Sam Amick of SI.com predicts... ---------------------------------- 6. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State -- Lillard would address a big need at point guard, where Raymond Felton had a disappointing year and is now a free agent. But several teams I spoke with are starting to believe that Duke's Austin Rivers could be the guy here. His ability to play both guard positions is seen as a major plus. 11. Portland Trail Blazers: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois -- The Blazers are expected to go big if they take a guard at No. 6, and picking Leonard would surprise some considering North Carolina center Tyler Zeller is still available in this scenario. But new general manager Neil Olshey appreciates upside and athleticism as much as anyone (see center DeAndre Jordan with Olshey's former team, the Clippers), and Leonard has that in spades. ---------------------------------- Sean Deveney of SportingNews.com predicts... ---------------------------------- 6. Portland Trail Blazers. Dion Waiters, PG/SG, Syracuse -- The Blazers are jumping ship on Damian Lillard in this spot already. They have plenty of options here, and Lillard had a great workout for them. Waiters is right there with him, though. Not sure new GM Neil Olshey has the stomach to risk taking Drummond. 11. Portland Trail Blazers. Tyler Zeller, PF/C, North Carolina -- The Blazers would like to find a big man and a guard in this draft, so this pick depends on what they do at No. 6. If they wind up biting on Drummond, they’ll go with Rivers, Jeremy Lamb, Ross or Waiters here. Zeller is a safe bet, with Meyers Leonard a possibility, too. ---------------------------------- -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter