Dallas Adds Youth, Athleticism, Toughness

The Mavericks' 2012 draft class will not win any beauty pageants any time soon, but the trio of Jared Cunningham, Bernard James and Jae Crowder should get the job done. All three have tremendous work ethics, energy and stellar production, and perhaps most importantly, are NBA ready. Cunningham is a super-aggressive combo-guard, able to take any opponent off the bounce and finish at the rim or lock down on defense. James, a 27-year old Air Force vet, brings a prime-time finisher at the rim offensively and a solid rim-protector defensively. His chiseled frame, size and length enable him to enter the starting lineup as a serviceable big next season. Lastly, Jae Crowder, the undersized small forward who took home Big East Player of the Year, brings the versatility just like former Marquette first-rounders Lazar Hayward and Jimmy Butler. He was the heart and soul of the Golden Eagles and should bring about the same intangibles to Dallas in trying to get back to the top of the West.

By NBA-DRAFT.com Staff Writer - 6 - 30 - 12