June 28, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; Harrison Barnes (North Carolina), right, is introduced as the number seven overall pick to the Golden State Warriors by NBA commissioner David Stern during the 2012 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

It was a typical 2012 NBA Draft with a lot of surprises, some reaches and some picks that just have you scratching your head.

WINNERS

• PERRY JONES: Jones was an average college basketball player that got by with his sure talented at Baylor. That talent alone had some considering him a lottery pick. However, Jones dropped to Oklahoma City for a couple of reasons injuries and his attitude. He is one of the most talented player’s in the draft, but it won’t matter if he doesn’t improve his work ethic. Enter the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are coming off of an NBA Finals appearance and are the perfect place for an young, talented athlete to succeed – especially behind Kevin Durant. If Jones can’t succeed with the Thunder than he has not shot at making it in the NBA.
• GOLDEN STATE: The Warriors biggest need was at small forward. Before the draft they were trying to trade for Loul Deng, Andre Igoudala, Rudy Gay and Wilson Chandler. That was before Harrison Barnes dropped right into their laps. Barnes may not be the go-to scorer which many hoped the former Tar Heel would be, but he doesn’t have to be one in Golden State – which already has Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. He’s a perfect fit for G.S., working off of his teammates and not being forced to be the team’s star. The Warriors also got Draymond Green, who is one of the more versatile players in the draft.
• HOUSTON: The Rockets were the most active team going into the draft, adding the 18th pick and trading up for the 12th. There were talks that they wanted to move further up in the draft in order to get pieces to trade for Dwight Howard, but that didn’t happen. Instead Houston landed three very talented players in the middle of the first round. Jeremy Lamb in time should be a starting shooting guard in the NBA, Royce White was the most versatile player in the draft and Terrence Jones had to be the most underrated rated player in the draft. Jones was Kentucky’s top on-on-one defender in the post and the squad’s most versatile player. All three players was drafted by the right team.
• CHARLOTTE: The Bobcats shocked the world last week when they signed Mike Dunlap to be their head coach. They then traded Corey Maggette for sharpshooter Ben Gordon and a 1st round pick. And on Thursday they added two hard working small forwards, Michael Kidd Gilchrist and Jeff Taylor. Kidd Gilchrist has a competitive streak that is matched by few in the game and Taylor is one of the few players in the draft that is ready to play from Day 1.  Both also have potentials to be lockdown defenders in the NBA and both have the drive to win. Charlotte is building something and the only question is how good?
• KENTUCKY: The Wildcats followed up winning the National Title by having six players drafted on (Anthony Davis, Kidd Gilchrist, Jones, Doron Lamb, Marquis Teague and Darius Miller), including the top two picks in the draft (Davis and Kidd Gilchrist) and four in the first round (Davis, Kidd Gilchrist, Jones and Teague).

Mar 25, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Baylor Bears forward Quincy Miller (30) is fouled by Kentucky Wildcats forward Terrence Jones (3) in the first half during the finals of the south region of the 2012 NCAA men

The 2012 NBA Draft is loaded with talent from top to bottom, but there are just a few players that would be the ideal fit for the Nuggets’ up and down pace. Ironically some of them are from George Karl’s alma mater UNC.

TYLER ZELLER: Zeller doesn’t have the ceiling that many of the other prospects have, but he is also one of the few players that can play right away. The four-year star from UNC lacks JaVale McGee’s athleticism and the size of Timofey Mozgov, but he is one of the quickest big men in the game. He has a very skilled post game to go with a high basketball IQ and is the ultimate teammate. He isn’t a great defender, but is a very good one. It also doesn’t hurt that he has UNC-connections. Zeller would give the Nuggets a viable center and would allow them to continue to bring McGee off the bench, where he was most successful last season.

JOHN JENKINS: Shooting was one of Denver’s biggest weaknesses last year and Jenkins would definitely help. The Vanderbilt guard does one thing really well and that is shooting the ball. He is by far the best shooter in the draft, one that can get his shot off at any moment. He has been compared to JJ Redick and Dell Curry, the former actually played for Karl in Milwaukee. He worked out twice with the Nuggets and has a good relationship with Nuggets’ reserve Corey Brewer.

JOHN HENSON: Henson is a poor man’s Anthony Davis; he has go-go gadget arms (7-foot-6 wingspan) and can defend every position on the floor. He has been compared to former Nugget center Marcus Camby, due to his shot-blocking prowess and rebounding. He still struggles offensively and a dismal free throw shooter, but seeing how successful McGee was inDenver’s offense should at least help Henson’s offense. The Nuggets showed a lot of interest in Luc Mbah a Moute and Henson could become a similar type of player in the NBA.

TERRENCE JONES: There are questions about Jones’ drive, but his entire game is well defined. He can step out and shoot a three, as well as score in the post. He also showed a willingness to defend; he was responsible for defending Thomas Robinson in the NCAA title game. His versatility on defense helps him to defend the post as well as on the perimeter. If drafted by the Nuggets it is doubtful he will see time on the floor, much like Jordan Hamilton last season. However, in time Jones could fit into Al Harrington’s role off the bench.  

QUINCY MILLER: The talented 19-year-old small forward is a few years away from contributing, but his potential is as high as any player in the draft. He is still recovering from the ACL injury he suffered in high school, but a number of scouts believe he is one of the most talented players in the draft. Some even consider him as a poor man’s Kevin Durant. The Nuggets could use a player with Durant’s ability, but they also have the advantage of stashing a player on their bench for a year or two to develop.