2009 NBA Draft Musings

423952 Gotta love this year's draft. From the weeks worth of trade chatter ending in the fruition of Shaq becoming a Cav and Vinsanity going to Orlando, to the potential Amare trade rumors any fan of this the post NBA Finals bonanza has to be full and content.  The draft itself was interesting and that's why I am here offering my pick by pick analysis on how I felt teams were doing as I watched. If Chad Ford can do it so can I! I'm 20 years younger and still have a head of hair, so let's do this. I also have about as much credentials as David Kahn, the Minnesota Timberwolves GM has, so I figure I'll give it a shot. 1) Clippers - PF Blake Griffin   Blake Griffin is an amazing prospect; however, this team still has to make some moves to clean up it's roster. I am reminded of when the Cavaliers drafted LeBron #1 and soon dispatched of team killer Ricky Davis. The Clips should desperately find a way to move Zack Randolph's massive contract or Blake Griffin may soon find out that he's not even the best PF on his team and that can be demoralizing for a young guy.  2) Grizzlies - C Hasheem Thabeet The Grizzlies have all the markings of being "Two Face" from the famed "Dark Knight" movie. You have three perimeter players who want to run and now you draft a lumbering 7'3 guy who you are hoping will pan out offensively. I don't buy this pick. I like Thabeet; however, I thought he would have fit in much better with the Thunder at #3. Furthermore, I had Jordan Hill going at #2 in most of my mock drafts. Right, wrong, or indifferent I felt he was a better fit for the Griz. 3) Thunder - SG James Harden Wasn't this a boring pick? The sexy pick was Rubio; however, we all know that wasn't going to work out. Russell Westbrook looked ready to lead a full blown mutiny against management if Rubio was the pick. In the end Harden will fit in well with this team, who are now a front court player away from being legit playoff contenders. 4) Kings - SG Tyreke Evans I'm not a big fan of this pick; however, I don't know if the Kings had many other options. I would have loved to seen Jonny Flynn go here as I think he would of brouhg the vocal leadership and scoring this team needs. Rubio wouldn't have done well in Sacramento as this team probably would become impatient with him as they did with Jason Williams. Tyreke Evans can get to the basket, but he will have trouble guarding quick NBA PG's as well running a team at this level. 5) Timberwolves - PG Ricky Rubio In the end this is probably the best place Rubio could land. There will be absolutely no pressure to win, as winning was a problem before Rubio even arrived in Minnesota. I think over time he will develop into one of the best passers in this league. He needs to bulk up and shoot a thousand jumpers a day though!  6) Timberwolves - PG Jonny Flynn David Kahn said with a straight face on ESPN that he thinks Flynn and Rubio can play together. That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard in my time covering sports. This is the NBA and if you think Rubio or Flynn could score on or guard SG's like Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, and Dwayne Wade you are nuts. You don't win buy creating match up problems for your own team. Your supposed to make the other teams have match up problems with you. I love Flynn and Rubio, just not in the same backcourt.  7) Warriors - PG Stephen Curry There are rumors of an Amare trade, which could send Curry to the Suns; however, if he stays a Warrior you have to love this pick. I was rooting for Curry to get drafted by a run and gun team. I don't think he would be as great on a team that emphasizes half court offense. 8) Knicks - PF Jordan Hill Love this pick for the Knicks! He was booed by Knicks fans at the draft, but I don't think most Knicks fans were awake when he was playing his games at Arizona. This pick intrigues me, because I now have a hunch that the Knicks are going to let restricted free agents Lee and Robinson walk if they ask for too much. The Knicks will likely have another lottery pick next year and if the manage their money right this offseason they may be in line to sign 2 max players in 2010. 9) Raptors - SG Demar DeRozan Bosh is gone in 2010, and the Raptors (if they are smart) should look to trade him at some point or risk losing him for nothing. DeRozan is a freak athlete and with the right tutelage can become a great NBA player. He is the beginning of their rebuilding.  10) Bucks - PG Brandon Jennings To me this pick has Sebastian Telfair written all over it. I just don't think Jennings is mature enough to lead an NBA team and sadly, the fact that he was drafted #10 may embolden other high schoolers to consider going to Europe rather than playing a year in college, which I feel is a double edged sword. If I ran the bucks I'd be all over a guy like Jrue Holiday here. 11) Nets - SG Terrence Williams Good thing Lawrence Franks is already bald, because Williams is going to give him a lot of headaches. There's no doubt in my mind that Williams will be a contributer. I just wonder where are the veterans to keep him in line? 12) Bobcats - SG Gerald Henderson Henderson could be a nice piece for this team. Won't be a game changer, but will have some monster dunks. 13) Pacers - PF Tyler Hansbrough Look... I'm happy for Hansbrough here. Shows that a guy who works hard can succeed; however, the Pacers really reached here for a guy who most likely at best will be a bench contributer. They really should have took Jrue Holiday with this pick. 14) Suns - SF Earl Clark With the trade of Shaq and the rumors surrounding Amare and Nash it seems like the Sun is setting in Phoenix; however, I love Earl Clark. I really think he could develop into a special front court player in the mold of a Chris Bosh or more likely a LaMarcus Aldridge and you get him at 14! Three years from now there could be some GM's getting fired for not considering a guy with his upside.  15) Pistons - SF Austin Daye Boom or bust written all over it, but at 15 you can't blame the Pistons for trying. They got Rodney Stuckey at 15 a couple of years back.  16) Bulls  - PF James Johnson I really thought the bulls were going to go DeJuan Blair here, but Johnson seems to be in Blair's mold and he comes with ACL's in his knees. 17) 76ers - PG Jrue Holiday Steal of the frickin draft! I know it looks like I have a man crush on this guy, but you've got to love what he brings to the table and at 17 he's great value for the 76ers. He is going to be their starter soon. 18) Nuggets - PG Ty Lawson Anthony Carter was exposed against the Lakers in the playoffs and by trading to get Lawsons rights the Nuggets have shored up a key part of their bench for years to come.  19) Hawks - PG Jeff Teague Bye bye Bibby... My only question... With Teague, Crawford, and Johnson in the Hawks backcourt who's going to pass? 20) Jazz - PG Eric Maynor Good value here, but I really though the Jazz could have done better by grabbing guys like Blair or Sam Young here. 21) Hornets - PG Darren Collison  Byron Scott is going to lose his job next year and it is a shame. This team desperately needs some front-court help and though I like Collison you can't pass up bigs like Blair and Mullens here. 22) Trailblazers - SF Victor Claver I'm puzzled. I trust Kevin Pritchard judgement, but I would have loved to have seen Blair ripping rebounds for the Blazers. We'll see Claver in 3 years hopefully.  23) Kings - SF Omri Casspi Well, they say he's like Andres Nocioni... If that's the case we'll be seeing the Kings in lottery next year as well. 24) Thunder - C B.J. Mullens They need to let this guy develop over time... I just don't see the difference between this guy and what they already had in a past bust Robert Swift. 25) Mavericks - PG Rodrigue Beaubois You know, I have a good feeling about this guy. When they showed his highlights on ESPN tonight I got the same feelings I had when Mickael Pietrus and Tony Parker were drafted. Dallas would be very lucky if he developed into anything like these guys. 26) Bulls - PF Taj Gibson Dumb... They will regret passing on Blair like everyone else will. 27) Grizzlies - PF DeMarre Carroll Ehh... There were better value players here and the Griz reached, but then again it's the Griz. 28) Timberwolves - SG Wayne Ellington Great value... I hope he has a better career than Rashad McCants did.  29) Knicks - SG Toney Douglas This reafirms my earlier theory that the Knicks are going to let Lee and Robinson walk. Douglas will fill Robinsons role of filling it up at a much cheaper rate. Great pick! 30) Cavaliers - SG Christian Eyenga This guy is supposed to have a high ceiling. He looks like an athletic freak in the mold of a Mickael Pietrus; however, LeBron may not want to wait 2 or 3 years for help. Sam Young, DeJuan Blair, DaJuan Summers are still on the board and Ferry passes for this guy? I really think if the Cavs don't win it all next year they will really regret this pick if one of those guys ends up having a great rookie season for somebody else, while their guy is eating crepes in Europe.  31) Trailblazers - PF Jeff Pendergraph I like this guy, but not as much as Blair. This pick is part of a trade that sent Sergio Rodriguez to the Kings. Kings made out very good on the trade as Rodriguez is an underrated young PG.  32) Rockets - SG Jermaine Taylor No... this is not the same guy who boxes on HBO; however, I wouldn't mind seeing him give a shiner to Derek Fisher as pay back for that playoff cheap shot. It's a second round pick, but I think the writing is on the walls that Houston will aggressively shop McGrady this year to all bidders. His contract expires at the end of the season and the Rockets are poised to get great returns in a deal for him.  33) Trailblazers - PF Dante Cunningham  I don't get this at all... This guy won't even make the team and your passing on guys like Young, Blair, and Summers? Come on! 34) Rockets - PG Sergio Llull Geeze.. At least they can stash the guy in Europe; however, I'm having an anxiety attack wondering why some guys are still on the board.  35) Pistons - SF DaJuan Summers They took Austin Daye at 15 and I would not be surprised if Summers has the better career.  36) Grizzlies - SF Sam Young I don't know what surprised me more here. The fact that Sam Young dropped this far, or the fact that the Grizzlies got this one right.  37) Spurs - PF DeJuan Blair You heard it here first. The Spurs will be in the NBA Finals next year guaranteed. Blair is going to be so motivated to prove doubters wrong. He will spend all next season making GM's squirm over why they did not draft this guy. He could start, but regardless I think he will be one of the top scorers in the league per 48 minutes played. Amazing!  38) Kings - PF Jon Brockman Maybe makes the team... Not impressed. 39) Pistons - SF Jonas Jerebko The Pistons are where international players go to die. They seem to draft them often, but never develop them.  40) Bobcats - PF Derrick Brown Will make the team... Will Larry Brown play him ever? 41) Bucks - SG Jodie Meeks I really wanted to see him return to a loaded Kentucky team. At the very worst I think he would have been a first round pick next year. I like his chances on the Bucks though. 42) Heat - PG Patrick Beverley  I love the guys name. Hopefully his game is better.  43) Hornets - SG Marcus Thornton Local guy. I like this pick because the Hornets need help bad at SG. 44) Rockets - SG Chase Budinger I see him cheering on a great Rockets team while sitting far on their bench.  45) Mavericks - PG Nick Calathes Great Value. See him in a couple years. 46) Cavaliers - SF Danny Green I'm not impressed but... It's Danny Ferry ya know? 47) Timberwolves - PF Henk Norel Non-Factor 48) Suns - PF Taylor Griffin I hope Griffin sticks and the way the Suns are planning on blowing up this team he could find a role off the bench.  49) Hawks - SG Sergiy Gladyr I hope this guy never makes it to the league because his name is a nightmare.  50) Jazz - C Goran Suton Not in this league.  51) Spurs - SG Jack McClinton Value, value, value... The Knicks were thinking of taking him at 29. 52) Pacers - PG A.J. Price Hope he makes the team. Good guy. 53) Spurs - PG Nando De Colo I trust the Spurs scouts... We'll see on this guy. 54) Thunder - SG Robert Vaden Guy looks like Dale Ellis and can shoot. Do you believe in reincarnation? 55) Trailblazers - PG Patrick Mills The Blazers are loaded and it will be tough to make the team, but I think he's a guy who could find a home somewhere in the NBA.  56) Mavericks - PF Ahmad Nivins Another cool name. I think he has a shot to make the team. 57) Cavaliers - SF Emir Preldzic Not excited at all. 58) Celtics - SG Lester Hudson Typical Ainge pick... Not great, but it's a late pick anyway. Here's a great trade by the way. Celtics send Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen 4 Steve Nash and Jason Richardson.  59) Lakers - PF Chinemelu Elonu Good upside. Great value here. 60) Heat - SF Robert Dozier Dozier should consider himself lucky... He may actually make this team, where he would not make it with most other teams in this league.  Thank you so much for those who took the time to read this.  true

2009-06-26T07:31:15Z

88130 1 2009 NBA Draft Musings

2009-06-27T05:31:21Z