NBA Draft '09
To a faithful RW reader, Cody, here you go, it's the NBA Draft Preview. I don't know what the actual GM's are thinking, and 9 out of 10 times they're wrong anyway, so here's the first round of the draft if I was each team's GM. If you want some real insight, Chad Ford's columns are always good.
1. Clippers - Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)
He's clearly the best pick in a very weak draft.
2. Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut)
Nothing wrong with drafting a new and improved Dikembe Mutomobo here at #2. Hasheem was ecstatic to avoid going to the Clippers. Sorry Hasheem, but going to Memphis isn't much better. Just ask Pau.
3. Thunder - James Harden (Arizona State)
They already have Russell Westbrook so I see no need to draft all 135 lbs. of Ricky Rubio. James Harden didn't impress a lot of people but the guy probably has the most savvy of anybody in this draft. He can figure out more ways that you can imagine to put the ball in the hoop. I think he's better than people are giving him credit for.
4. Kings - Ricky Rubio (Spain)
Beno Udrih didn't work out for the Kings or my fantasy team. Scrap that project now and start over with Rubio. He excelled in the Olympics against superior competition and looked a lot better than his baby face would have you believe.
5. Timberwolves - Jrue Holiday (UCLA)
Holiday wasn't prepared for Howland's in your face style. That may be a red flag but he has the potential to be the best guy in this draft. He is absolutely a pure point guard. He looks to past first, can run your offense, and can put the ball in the hoop from outside or in the lane. Don't forget his size and ability on the defensive side of the floor. I'm a big Jrue Holiday fan.
6. Timberwolves - Stephen Curry (Davidson)
I know that this is the second guy I've drafted that I outweigh, but the Wolves have a serious need at the 1 and the 2 after dealing Foye and Miller. Curry can drain from anywhere on the court. I know he says he's a 1, but when you want to go small, he's a perfect guy to stick at the 2. The Wolves can do what the Magic did with Dwight Howard and run four smalls with Jefferson in the middle. Who better to knock down the open 3-pointer in this draft than Curry?
7. Warriors - Jordan Hill (Arizona)
At some point the Warriors have to be interested in acquiring a useful big man don't they? Hill is top-5 talent and I have no problem grabbing him here.
8. Knicks - Tyreke Evans (Memphis)
The guy proved his worth in March Madness. I like him to run the show in N.Y.
9. Raptors - Jonny Flynn (Syracuse)
He's a gamer and as great as Calderon is, he couldn't stay healthy. Never a bad idea to draft insurance, especially in a draft with a lack of superior options.
10. Bucks - Brandon Jennings (Italy)
Jennings seems to be high on himself. If nothing else I like the throwback to the fade.
11. Nets - DeMar DeRozan (USC)
He didn't look great early for the Trojans. Maybe it's because Tim Floyd was late with his signing bonus. DeRozan could be a nice ultimate replacement for Vince Carter.
12. Bobcats - Terrence Williams (Louisville)
There's no doubting his talent. The problem is it comes in spurts. I still like the athleticism and stroke he brings.
13. Pacers - Eric Maynor (VCU)
The Pacers need a PG because Jamaal Tinsley is running out of laws to break. Maynor has more size than Lawson, or at least will when he bulks up. I like his late game demeanor a lot too.
14. Suns - Gerald Henderson (Duke)
The Suns can't pass on a freakish athlete here can they? Moving Shaq I think signaled the desire to go back to the run and gun style. Henderson fits.
15. Pistons - Earl Clark (Louisville)
Like his teammate Williams, the talent is there, but who knows when it's coming out. I would like this pick a lot more if Chauncey was there to coach him but the Pistons will have to make do with Clark here.
16. Bulls - DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh)
I know he's undersized, but the Bulls could really use a low post presence and a bruiser of a rebounder. Blair provides both.
17. 76ers - Ty Lawson (North Carolina)
The 76ers need a PG and they're not going to do better than the spark plug from the National Championship team. Lawson will get this team that likes to play up tempo going.
18. Timberwolves - B.J. Mullens (Ohio State)
I'm not a very big Mullens fan but is there another 5 you can take at this spot?
19. Hawks - Jeff Teague (Wake Forest)
He didn't do himself any favors last year losing early in March Madness, but trust me, he's a steal here at 19.
20. Jazz - Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina)
Is there any other choice? Utah LOVES goofy white guys. Paul Milsap, Deron Williams, and Ronnie Brewer must not be happy walking around Salt Lake City.
21. Hornets - Austin Daye (Gonzaga)
Daye's got size but he's also a guy who can spread the floor. He should be a good fit for a Chris Paul led team.
22. Trailblazers - Omri Casspi (Israel)
He's from Israel! I do think he'll be a solid player but either way, how could I not pick him? Worst case scenario: He stinks and you make him earn his pay by doing the team's accounting.
23. Kings - Sam Young (Pittsburgh)
They'll be upset that Blair and Casspi are gone so they'll settle for Young here. Young is a bulldog of a player. He's got a nose for the ball and pump fakes more than Kobe. Not a bad way to go here.
24. Mavericks - James Johnson (Wake Forest)
Best player available. There's no 5 to even think of going with here so may as well take the best player.
25. Thunder - DeMarre Carroll (Missouri)
A great energy guy to have on the floor. He'll get some cheap baskets and clean up the boards.
26. Bulls - Toney Douglas (Florida State)
With him and Ben Gordon on the floor at the same time, you'll never need to worry about putting the ball in the basket. He's a very good scoring point guard.
27. Grizzlies - Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona State)
I really like Pendergraph. He can play and defend at multiple positions and was a go to guy for ASU down the stretch alongside Harden. Now if he can figure out a way to not foul everyone, I think he's a steal.
28. Timberwolves - Jonas Jerebko (Sweden)
I'm sick of the Timberwolves picking at this point. With Jerebko I figure you might get some Swedes in the stadium. Never a bad thing.
29. Lakers - Chase Budinger (Arizona)
I love Patty Mills but the Lakers have two point guards already. Budinger could mean less Sasha, which sounds better the more I think about it.
30. Cavaliers - DaJuan Summers (Georgetown)
No sense in letting the best talent slip past this pick. They got Shaq so they're not taking a 5, not that there's one available so may as well draft a guy with some upside.
So there you have it. The '09 Draft. Enjoy.
1. Clippers - Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)
He's clearly the best pick in a very weak draft.
2. Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut)
Nothing wrong with drafting a new and improved Dikembe Mutomobo here at #2. Hasheem was ecstatic to avoid going to the Clippers. Sorry Hasheem, but going to Memphis isn't much better. Just ask Pau.
3. Thunder - James Harden (Arizona State)
They already have Russell Westbrook so I see no need to draft all 135 lbs. of Ricky Rubio. James Harden didn't impress a lot of people but the guy probably has the most savvy of anybody in this draft. He can figure out more ways that you can imagine to put the ball in the hoop. I think he's better than people are giving him credit for.
4. Kings - Ricky Rubio (Spain)
Beno Udrih didn't work out for the Kings or my fantasy team. Scrap that project now and start over with Rubio. He excelled in the Olympics against superior competition and looked a lot better than his baby face would have you believe.
5. Timberwolves - Jrue Holiday (UCLA)
Holiday wasn't prepared for Howland's in your face style. That may be a red flag but he has the potential to be the best guy in this draft. He is absolutely a pure point guard. He looks to past first, can run your offense, and can put the ball in the hoop from outside or in the lane. Don't forget his size and ability on the defensive side of the floor. I'm a big Jrue Holiday fan.
6. Timberwolves - Stephen Curry (Davidson)
I know that this is the second guy I've drafted that I outweigh, but the Wolves have a serious need at the 1 and the 2 after dealing Foye and Miller. Curry can drain from anywhere on the court. I know he says he's a 1, but when you want to go small, he's a perfect guy to stick at the 2. The Wolves can do what the Magic did with Dwight Howard and run four smalls with Jefferson in the middle. Who better to knock down the open 3-pointer in this draft than Curry?
7. Warriors - Jordan Hill (Arizona)
At some point the Warriors have to be interested in acquiring a useful big man don't they? Hill is top-5 talent and I have no problem grabbing him here.
8. Knicks - Tyreke Evans (Memphis)
The guy proved his worth in March Madness. I like him to run the show in N.Y.
9. Raptors - Jonny Flynn (Syracuse)
He's a gamer and as great as Calderon is, he couldn't stay healthy. Never a bad idea to draft insurance, especially in a draft with a lack of superior options.
10. Bucks - Brandon Jennings (Italy)
Jennings seems to be high on himself. If nothing else I like the throwback to the fade.
11. Nets - DeMar DeRozan (USC)
He didn't look great early for the Trojans. Maybe it's because Tim Floyd was late with his signing bonus. DeRozan could be a nice ultimate replacement for Vince Carter.
12. Bobcats - Terrence Williams (Louisville)
There's no doubting his talent. The problem is it comes in spurts. I still like the athleticism and stroke he brings.
13. Pacers - Eric Maynor (VCU)
The Pacers need a PG because Jamaal Tinsley is running out of laws to break. Maynor has more size than Lawson, or at least will when he bulks up. I like his late game demeanor a lot too.
14. Suns - Gerald Henderson (Duke)
The Suns can't pass on a freakish athlete here can they? Moving Shaq I think signaled the desire to go back to the run and gun style. Henderson fits.
15. Pistons - Earl Clark (Louisville)
Like his teammate Williams, the talent is there, but who knows when it's coming out. I would like this pick a lot more if Chauncey was there to coach him but the Pistons will have to make do with Clark here.
16. Bulls - DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh)
I know he's undersized, but the Bulls could really use a low post presence and a bruiser of a rebounder. Blair provides both.
17. 76ers - Ty Lawson (North Carolina)
The 76ers need a PG and they're not going to do better than the spark plug from the National Championship team. Lawson will get this team that likes to play up tempo going.
18. Timberwolves - B.J. Mullens (Ohio State)
I'm not a very big Mullens fan but is there another 5 you can take at this spot?
19. Hawks - Jeff Teague (Wake Forest)
He didn't do himself any favors last year losing early in March Madness, but trust me, he's a steal here at 19.
20. Jazz - Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina)
Is there any other choice? Utah LOVES goofy white guys. Paul Milsap, Deron Williams, and Ronnie Brewer must not be happy walking around Salt Lake City.
21. Hornets - Austin Daye (Gonzaga)
Daye's got size but he's also a guy who can spread the floor. He should be a good fit for a Chris Paul led team.
22. Trailblazers - Omri Casspi (Israel)
He's from Israel! I do think he'll be a solid player but either way, how could I not pick him? Worst case scenario: He stinks and you make him earn his pay by doing the team's accounting.
23. Kings - Sam Young (Pittsburgh)
They'll be upset that Blair and Casspi are gone so they'll settle for Young here. Young is a bulldog of a player. He's got a nose for the ball and pump fakes more than Kobe. Not a bad way to go here.
24. Mavericks - James Johnson (Wake Forest)
Best player available. There's no 5 to even think of going with here so may as well take the best player.
25. Thunder - DeMarre Carroll (Missouri)
A great energy guy to have on the floor. He'll get some cheap baskets and clean up the boards.
26. Bulls - Toney Douglas (Florida State)
With him and Ben Gordon on the floor at the same time, you'll never need to worry about putting the ball in the basket. He's a very good scoring point guard.
27. Grizzlies - Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona State)
I really like Pendergraph. He can play and defend at multiple positions and was a go to guy for ASU down the stretch alongside Harden. Now if he can figure out a way to not foul everyone, I think he's a steal.
28. Timberwolves - Jonas Jerebko (Sweden)
I'm sick of the Timberwolves picking at this point. With Jerebko I figure you might get some Swedes in the stadium. Never a bad thing.
29. Lakers - Chase Budinger (Arizona)
I love Patty Mills but the Lakers have two point guards already. Budinger could mean less Sasha, which sounds better the more I think about it.
30. Cavaliers - DaJuan Summers (Georgetown)
No sense in letting the best talent slip past this pick. They got Shaq so they're not taking a 5, not that there's one available so may as well draft a guy with some upside.
So there you have it. The '09 Draft. Enjoy.
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