2009 NBA Draft Order Announced | How Did Your Team Do?

A basketball fan’s dream

The 2009 NBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, which means that the 2009 NBA Draft is not far behind. For basketball fans, this is akin to fantasy land. Nobody knows exactly how the best college, high school and foreign players are going to perform in the National Basketball League, but it’s still fun to dream of what might be.

For teams in need of improvement, could that new player be the piece that completes the puzzle? Die hard fans will take out payday loans to see teams like that. For established teams that are looking for young blood off the bench, the 2009 NBA Draft is filled with quick loans. I say “loans” because the player will eventually be eligible for free agency, of course. But until that happens, the 2009 NBA Draft order is the stuff dreams are made of.

Your 2009 NBA Draft Lottery results

Chad Ford blogs for ESPN.com that the first pick in the NBA Draft will be a selection by the Los Angeles Clippers. The 2009 NBA Draft order as represented here is definite. The players selected could change, but in Ford’s opinion, what follows is the direction each team will go with their first round pick. In Ford’s estimation, this rendition of the NBA Draft, now in its 25th year, is the Blake Griffin sweepstakes. He appears to be the best player available and a likely number one pick, even if the Clippers trade the number one pick for more players (which they are unlikely to do).

Keep in mind that this is an educated guess on Ford’s part. All teams will be performing their own evaluations of the players available from college, high school and other countries. Depending upon what they find, the 2009 NBA Draft projections can change. They can also change if complications arise which change teams’ personnel needs. Remember, injuries can set back a team, as can players with legal difficulties. Players can go from a sure thing to working a steady 9 to 5 and needing payday loans and quick loans now and then. It’s hard to predict how the 2009 NBA Draft order will translate.

The 2009 NBA Draft order, plus player analysis

Blake Griffin

You’ll have to wait until June to see exactly how the 2009 NBA Draft will play out, but Chris Ford has some sagacious insight into all 30 of the first round selections. Without further ado, let’s get started. I’ve included my own commentary on each to boot.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the abbreviations for positions on the basketball court, they are as follows:

PF = power forward
SF = small forward
C = center
PG = point guard
SG = scoring guard

1. L.A. Clippers – Blake Griffin, Oklahoma. Position: PF, Height: 6-foot-10, Weight: 245 pounds, Age: 20. Any team would be happy to take the explosive, mobile big man in the draft. He is a relentless worker who puts in an honest night’s work on the boards and will nail the turnaround jumper with regularity. Griffin can even handle the ball. If the Clippers can sort out their big contract issues with current power forward Zack Randolph (who isn’t as good as Griffin), this will be a shoo-in. As to whether Griffin will want to stay with the B-team in L.A. is another matter.
2. Memphis  Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut. Position: C, Height: 7-3, Weight: 265, Age: 22. Going all the way back to their first draft selection as an expansion team in Vancouver (when they took Bryant “Big Country” Reeves), the Grizzlies have been looking for an effective center.  They’re still looking. Marc Gasol is an up-and-comer, but Hasheem Thabeet could be the defense-minded stopper on the front line that Memphis wants. It remains to be seen how his offensive skill will translate to the NBA.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder – Ricky Rubio, Spain. Position: PG, Height: 6-4, Weight: 180, Age: 18. Selecting foreign players has traditionally come with additional risk, although not so much as selecting players out of high school. European players may be more emotionally mature due to the extra years of experience, but they generally do not play in systems that approximate the NBA game. In general, foreign leagues are less physical and not quite as fast-paced. Oklahoma sees Rubio as the best point available, which boggles my mind, as I saw North Carolina’s Ty Lawson in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Considering that Rubio is not projected as a great shooter, his leadership, passing and defensive skills would have to be extraordinary to justify this pick.
4. Sacramento Kings – Jordan Hill, Arizona. Position: PF, Height: 6-9, Weight: 235, Age: 21. What a blow for the hapless Kings. They could have really used Blake Griffin in the middle, but such was the bounce of the 2009 NBA Draft ping pong balls. Hill would bring toughness and a needed spark to this listless team, put their biggest need has been point guard ever since Mike Bibby left for the Atlanta Hawks. Ford predicts that if the Kings for a point guard, Jrue Holiday will go here.
5. Washington Wizards – James Harden, Arizona State. Position: SG, Height: 6-4, Weight: 215, Age: 19. Harden is considered to be “one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft.” Considering how much Washington loves to run with Gilbert Arenas, this active body who can make teams pay for doubling the high-scoring Arenas.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves – DeMar DeRozan, USC. Position: SG, Height: 6-6, Weight: 200, Age: 19. Due to injury, the jury’s still out on whether Corey Brewer will be the TWolves’ small forward answer. DeRozan has lots of upside and can swing between the frontcourt and the backcourt. DeRozan can run and jump like nobody’s business. Minnesota fans will appreciate his in high gear.
7. Golden State Warriors – Brandon Jennings, Italy. Position: PG, Height: 6-2, Weight: 165, Age: 19. Here’s a guard with all the tools, but he’s still a bit raw. This is a risky proposition for Golden State. I have to wonder why they wouldn’t consider Lawson, among others on the board.
8. New York Knicks – Stephen Curry, Davidson. Position: PG, Height: 6-3, Weight: 185, Age: 21. Run-and-gun is the way the Knicks like to play it, and they haven’t had a player with this kind of a pure jump shot since Allan Houston, who was one of the best ever. I love to watch a player who can shoot the ball from distance like silk.
9. Toronto Raptors – Tyreke Evans, Memphis. Position: SG, Height: 6-6, Weight: 220, Age: 19. Memphis has made their mark in the NCAA lately with a horde of highly athletic players. Evans is no exception. He can get to the hole and finish strong. Considering that Toronto could lose depth in the backcourt due to free agency, this could be a great pick for them.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Jrue Holiday, UCLA. Position: PG, Height: 6-4, Weight: 200, Age: 18. Do the Bucks go with a power forward or fill the point with the defense-minded Holiday? Ford thinks Holiday and his upside will carry this pick.
11. New Jersey Nets – James Johnson, Wake Forest. Position: PF, Height: 6-9, Weight: 245, Age: 22. The Nets lack wide bodies in the paint, and Johnson would do nicely at 11. DeJuan Blair is another possibility, but Johnson gets the nod because his athleticism enables him to do more on the floor.
12. Charlotte Bobcats – Gerald Henderson, Duke. Position: SG, Height: 6-4, Weight: 215, Age: 21. A strong defender with a streaky offensive game that is frequently lights-out, Henderson would fill a definite need at two-guard in Charlotte.
13. Indiana Pacers – Jonny Flynn, Syracuse. Position: PG, Height: 6-0, Weight: 175, Age: 20. While Indiana could use an athletic big man, it’s unlikely a top-tier one will be available at this point, so they’ll go with plan B. They could lose Jarrett Jack to free agency, so a hole would open at the point that Flynn could fill. He has the confident attitude you look for in a team leader, plus he is explosive. If he improves his jumper, he could be a great one.
14. Phoenix Suns – Earl Clark, Louisville. Position: SF, Height: 6-9,Weight: 200, Age: 21. While some scouts question his desire, nobody questions Clark’s athleticism. This young man and jump out of the gym and is improving his mid-range game.
15. Detroit Pistons – Austin Daye, Gonzaga. Position: SF, Height: 6-10, Weight: 190, Age: 20. Daye could be the most talented player left on the board at this point, but after having seen him play tenative when it counted for most of his Gonzaga career, I don’t get it. He has height, long arms, quickness and a decent touch on the outside shot, but he will be pounded into submission in the NBA game. Pound the protein shakes, young man!
    

    Austin Daye

16. Chicago Bulls – DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh. Position: PF, Height: 6-7, Weight: 250, Age: 20. Chicago already has athletic, long and spunky on their front line. This man would bring the bulk to enforce their will in the lane. I hope his arms are long enough, though, or we could have another Clarence Weatherspoon on our hands.
17. Philadelphia 76ers – Eric Maynor, VCU. Position: PG, Height: 6-3, Weight: 175, Age: 21. Ford thinks Maynor would be the total package for Philly at point guard, which they’ll need when Andre Miller leaves. I haven’t seen him play, but once again… where is Ty Lawson?
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Miami Heat) – B.J. Mullens, Ohio State. Position: C, Height: 7-1, Weight: 260, Age: 20. Big men are frequently considered “projects,” because coordination, stamina and a big frame don’t always walk hand-in-hand. ESPN has love for Mullens, though, so this one could pay off.
19. Atlanta Hawks – Jeff Teague, Wake Forest. Position: PG, Height: 6-2, Weight: 180, Age: 20. Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo have both escaped in previous years. Now the Hawks need to nail their point guard pick, as Doc Rivers is not giving up his job as Celtics head coach to return to the court. He’s too old. Teague is waterbug-quick and has a nose for finding the hole.
20. Utah Jazz – Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina. Position: PF, Height: 6-9, Weight: 250, Age: 23. Hansbrough is a warrior who battles for every point and rebound. He has the size and the quickness to make defenses pay. Furthermore, having remained at North Carolina another year for that championship season won’t hurt in the experience/maturity department. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is the definition of “hard-nosed,” and I think Hansbrough is his kind of guy.
21. New Orleans Hornets – Terrence Williams, Louisville. Position: SG, Height: 6-6, Weight: 220, Age: 21. Size, athleticism and mad skills and there, but Williams has been inconsistent in putting it all together. New Orleans sees him as a risk worth taking, and he could even back up CP3 (Chris Paul) at the point on occasion.
22. Dallas Mavericks – Ty Lawson, North Carolina. Position: PG, Height: 5-11, Weight: 195, Age: 21. Here’s a classic point guard with great speed, a sparking outside touch and championship pressure experience. What’s not to like? I’m baffled that Ford thinks he’ll fall this far.
23. Sacramento Kings (via Houston Rockets) – Nick Calathes, Florida. Position: PG, Height: 6-5, Weight: 185, Age: 20. The Kings need lots of help at every position, and Calathes could bring quickness and a developing offensive game to their backcourt.
24. Portland Trailblazers – Darren Collison, UCLA. Position: PG, Height: 6-1, Weight: 165, Age: 21. Portland hasn’t had a good point guard since Terry Porter. That was a long time ago. Collison could bring them everything Porter offered, except perhaps the consistency from behind the arc. And that kind of thing can come with practice, so we’ll see.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (via San Antonio Spurs) – Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech. Position: PF, Height: 6-9, Weight: 220, Age: 19. No more good, true centers left at this point, so Oklahoma will go for the athletic talent and board-banging of Lawal.
26. Chicago Bulls (via Denver Nuggets) – Toney Douglas, Florida State. Position: SG, Height: 6-2, Weight: 205, Age: 23. This could be the poor man’s version of Ben Gordon, but not that poor. As Gordon will likely leave via free agency, Douglas will help out with his explosiveness and solid jump shot.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando Magic) – Chase Budinger, Arizona. Position: SG, Height: 6-7, Weight: 205, Age: 21. Remember Mike Miller? He did well for the Grizzlies, and Budinger could be a similar type player who can move and spread the floor with his passes and outside shot. Is he tough enough for the NBA. That’s what Ford wants to know.
    

    Chase Budinger

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Boston Celtics) – Patrick Mills, St. Mary’s (CA). Position: PG, Height: 5-11, Weight: 175, Age: 20.  A quick point who sees the floor well, Mills will need some seasoning before he’s ready to take over.
29. L.A. Lakers – DaJuan Summers, Georgetown. Position: SF, Height: 6-8, Weight: 225, Age: 21. An NBA-ready athlete who can score, Summers will be needed to fill the holes left by the inevitable departures of players like Lamar Odom.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers – Sam Young, Pittsburgh. Position: SF, Height: 6-6, Weight: 215, Age: 24. Scoring and defense are both parts of Young’s game, and he starred at Pittsburgh. Playing alongside the great LeBron James, this young man could benefit from lots of open looks that the established superstar will create with his magic on the floor.

So there you have it. I think that Ford is mostly spot on with his 2009 NBA Draft order, save for his point guard order of selection.  If I could win payday loans and quick loans for each insight I get right here, I’ll share some of it with Mr. Ford. No, wait. I need the money more than he does…

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