The First of Many Stabs at the 2009 NBA Draft
NBA March 31st. 2009, 2:30pm
Based on the standings going into tonight’s games. As the players continue to trickle out, we’ll tinker with this accordingly. Some guys not on here because they may not come out: The trio at Wake, Ed Davis at UNC, Johnny Flynn of Syracuse, and WVU’s Devin Ebanks.
1. Sacramento Kings – Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma. No debate.
2. Washington Wizards - Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut. Seven-foot-three center should help bring down the league’s worst field goal percentage defense (48 percent). There’s an argument to be heard for Greg Monroe to play PF with Haywood in the middle.
3. Memphis Grizzlies – Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown. Seem set at the 1, 2, 3, so grab Monroe to help the 2nd worst rebounding team in the league. If he doesn’t come out – we don’t think he will: Jordan Hill of Arizona.
4. LA Clippers – Earl Clark, SF, Louisville. The scoring will come around when everyone’s healthy. We’ like Clark because of his defensive abilities. Then what becomes of Al Thornton?
5. Oklahoma City Thunder – Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain. If there’s even a chance he can be bought out, he’s our guy. Worst case scenario – draft him now, wait a year, and then bring him on board.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves – Eric Maynor, PG, VCU. Might be a bit high – especially with Brandon Jennings and Ty Lawson on the board. If you want to consider shifting Foye to PG and picking Gerald Henderson or DeMar DeRozan to play SG, that makes sense, too.
7. Golden State Warriors – Tyreke Evans, SG, Memphis. Best-on-board pick. Will have to fight Jamal Crawford for time, but he’s probably already better at getting to the basket.
8. Toronto Raptors – Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas. Commence Ostertag jokes. Will add the toughness inside that Jermaine O’Neal never brought, and Bargnani can slide to SF. If you think the Raptors can win with Bargnani at PF (we don’t), then perhaps SF James Harden of Arizona State, since Marion ain’t coming back.
9. New York Knicks – Sam Young, SF, Pitt. D’Antoni likes to collect athletes, and Young’s NBA-ready, unlike last year’s rookie (who can’t stay healthy). SGs Henderson or DeRozan would be a Garden favorite if either comes out and falls this far.
10. New Jersey Nets – DeJuan Blair, PF, Pitt. Probably will measure out at like 6-foot-6, and he never got to face Hansbrough or Griffin in March. Had 22 and 23 against Thabeet and Harangody. Had 20-17 vs. Greg Monroe. Hit the jackpot last year with Brook Lopez for the first time in forever … he could use a wingman.
11. Indiana Pacers – Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma. Ford and Jack are already on board … but are either the PG of the future? Brandon Jennings is more of a pure PG, so perhaps he gets the nod. Could take a chance on BJ Mullens to have an agile shot-blocker behind Hibbert.
12. Milwaukee Bucks – Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky. May not come out, but he’d sure add toughness next to Bogut on the – wait for it – playoff-bound Bucks. Thought briefly about Chase Budginer to help one of the worst shooting teams in the league … but they took SF Joe Alexander last year. Sleeper: Hansbrough.
13. Charlotte Bobcats – DeMar Derozan, SG, USC. Lost scoring punch when J Rich was traded and need a guy to take over when Bell leaves in 2010. If DeRozan is gone, local kid Steph Curry is the pick.
14. Phoenix Suns – Ty Lawson, PG, UNC. Is Dragic the heir apparent to Nash? If so, then .
80 Responses to “The First of Many Stabs at the 2009 NBA Draft”
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March 31st, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Wait, where’s Greg Paulus?
March 31st, 2009 at 2:37 pm
You have Thabeet, Blair, Patterson, and Lawson woefully overvalued.
Maynor and Evans are a bit high too.
What happened to your boy Curry? Chad Ford insists the Knicks really like him.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I admittedly don’t know much about the NBA, but Greg Monroe isn’t a great rebounder even at his height. Maybe in a few years he will be, but anyone drafting him that thinks they’re getting a big time rebounder right now is going to be very disappointed.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Evans is going #2.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I missed the memo on Aldrich’s entry into the draft. Beyond being white, tall, and bald, there is little connection to The Big Oh, Shit!
Cosmo – Stephenson delayed his announcement again.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I’m not saying that Thabeet won’t go #2, but I think he will be bust central. I expect his career will make Oden’s look Jordan-esque.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
And something tells me Sam Young is going to suffer a Granger-like fall. Which is probably good news for him.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Wait you have Aldrich coming out and none of the Wake guys? I’d be surprised if Aldrich is in this draft and El Aminu is not. El Aminu seems like a lock in the top 10.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:41 pm
KC- I saw that. Aldrich is staying by the way, he can’t score inside enough.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:43 pm
He needs to consider the NFL.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:44 pm
http://www.mercurynews.com/topstories/ci_11998372
nba draft prospects
March 31st, 2009 at 2:44 pm
why is Fetch calling himself Cosmo Kramer?
March 31st, 2009 at 2:45 pm
No way he goes in the lottery.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:45 pm
no Paddy Mills?
March 31st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
He’s Mutombo at best. Which I don’t think is worth a high lottery pick.
Almost every draft board I’ve seen has Harden in the top 5.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
there was a KC star story about how poor Aldrich’s family is. also With Collins probably leaving, it seems likely that Aldrich comes out, too.
if wake can somehow keep all 3, they’ll be very good next year. i like ebanks better than aminu.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
NSR – harden’s in there at 8 if aldrich doesn’t come out. like his game, but of the top 5 teams, what team takes him?
consider the positions
March 31st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I think Sam Young could be a Josh Howard type player in the NBA. A late round pick that has a pro game that’s doesn’t need 2-3 years to tap in to.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Wizards and Thunder both need a 2. I think he’d be perfect for OKC with Durant.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
DeJuan Blair = Charles Barkley? Maybe? This is the kinda pressure we need to put on these guys.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
No one can be Mutumbo. They took away the finger wag
March 31st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
fuck the nba draft…the nfl draft is like next month
March 31st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Isn’t Westbrook the latest favorite for ROY?
March 31st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I think Thabeet will be an amazing pro.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I should add, I’m not a huge Harden fan, but almost everyone agrees he’s going somewhere in the lottery.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
i’d like to see Young stand next to Aminu. young’s listed at 6-6, aminu 6-9.
so the best SFs are
clark
aminu
ebanks
young
?
March 31st, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Is there some way we can have a bet on this? I say both stay.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:58 pm
he still does it. he has to do it to the crowd, and not the player.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:58 pm
there was a KC star story about how poor Aldrich’s family is. also With Collins probably leaving, it seems likely that Aldrich comes out, too.
Bite your tongue, boy.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Don’t blaspheme Mrejr. The NBA draft is 10x’s the draft the NFL is. It’s such a train wreck.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:00 pm
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/generic/video/streaming_1/Live_Stream_1
March 31st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Wait … “Cosmo” = Fetch?
March 31st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
remember when poor families wanted their kids to go to college and get their degree? now they are hoping for one of their kids to be good at athletics and grow to be friggin huge so they wont have to work no more. fucking sad.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Turner (who I really like) if he comes out.
Budinger
Damion James
T. Williams
Stanley Robinson (sleeper late 1st/2nd rounder)
March 31st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
He doesn’t have a single offensive move and everytime he went against another good big (and by big I mean 6-8 or bigger) he faded. Blair ate him up twice. He is a great shot blocker but I don’t think he rebounds all that well.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
if the wiz take another guard and go into another season with a worthless C-PF combo, they deserve 50 losses and another lottery visit in 2010.
perhaps im in the minority, but i’d like to see westbrook slide to SG and grab Rubio. im of the opinion that he’s not an NBA PG.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Oh, I know he still does it. But, it’s almost like he’s been grandfathered in. I don’t think any other player could get away with that. Though, I ‘m still trying to figure out how KG could clap in Calderon’s face the entire way down the court and not get T’d up.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:04 pm
i think so. he acts like he knows Kansas basketball, and the Frozen Four gravatar is a dead giveaway.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:04 pm
leinart,rodgers waiting for their names to be called>>>> jameer nelson and whatever his name was waiting for their names to be called
March 31st, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Yes, Cosmo is Fetch.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:07 pm
actually, blair only had 8-8 in the 2nd meeting. he’s only been playing for like 7 years, though. great athlete for 7-3. i can see why some folks are down on him, but not I.
i think Evan Turner already said he’s staying
http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/850787.html
March 31st, 2009 at 3:08 pm
If you need further proof…
Type Tyrel Reed > Jeff Boschee and watch is reaction.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
for what it is worth, i agree with cosmo. Aldrich is staying. Kansas will be in the Final 4 next year.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Aren’t you in your mid-twenties? Tell us more about “the good ol’ days”.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
DuJuan Blair has a much better chance of being Danny Fortson than he does being Charles Barkley.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I don’t think Thabeet solves this problem.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
No love for T-Will?
March 31st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Haha nice one KC. I’m looking for the post where we talked about it, but I gave up too easily.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
im 27 so i guess nothing has changed in my lifetime..good point clown..good point.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Much better comparison.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:13 pm
If I’m Blair (or anyone, really), I’d be happy to have Fortson’s career. Decade in the league, probably $40MM in career earnings.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I’m hoping Young falls to late in the first round and gets picked by a team like Portland, Utah, or New Orleans.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
how do you change your name on here?
March 31st, 2009 at 3:17 pm
He doesn’t need one.
Other very productive pros without a single offensive move: Mutombo, Big Ben, Pzyrbilla, Jeff Foster, Reggie Evans, etc.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I think it’s glaringly obvious to anybody that Thabeet has the potential to be a monster. What’s really sad is the right people won’t tell him “hey, instead of guarnteeing yourself probably 15 mil for going to the nba to young and raw- you should stick it out in college, in a stacked conference with loads of talent and skilled players, and work on extending your potential nba career.” What all the analysts will say is he has lots of potential if a coach is patient with him. What they really mean is that no one will have enough patience for him and he will never develop the skills he needs to be a talented big man. He shows tenacity, he shows a will to get better and play hard. He just hasn’t played the game long enough.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
dont forget dwight “better than wilt ” howard nick p..being able to dunk the ball isnt a move.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Agreed, but those aren’t guys you take with the #2 overall pick.
Now, if he were to fall to Chicago at 15 or Detroit at 16, I’d have no problem with that.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:24 pm
comparing a PF to Danny Fortson is bad.
Not quite as bad as saying of a wide receiving prospect, he’s the next Rae Carruth, but pretty bad.
That Danny Fortson was a scumbag. He’d punch his grandmother for a .. well, he’d punch his grandmother for no reason.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:24 pm
dwight has like 2 moves.
and for the record, i never said dwight was better than wilt, just that wilt’s numbers are inflated. don’t be a douchebag.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Dikembe was taken 4th overall. That’s probably his projected ceiling, so I see no reason why he won’t go top 5.
And if people thought Ben Wallace from VCU would turn into Ben Wallace of the Pistons, he would have gone top 2.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Actually, if Thabeet falls to Toronto around 7-10, I’d probably take him there.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:28 pm
spence you are correct i should have said “dwight “move over wilt” howard…that is the statement that stupid argument.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:28 pm
don’t be a douchebag
too late spencer. dude spits out garbage on here
March 31st, 2009 at 3:29 pm
That was a horrible draft.
1. LJ
2. Kenny Anderson
3. Billy Owens
4. Dikembe
5. Steve Smith
6. Doug Smith (!)
7. Luc Longley
8. Macon
9. Augmon
10. Brian Williams
http://www.nbadraft.net/nba_draft_history/1991.html
March 31st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Doubtful. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_NBA_Draft
March 31st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Outside of (maybe) Mutombo, do any of the above warrant a #2 pick in the draft?
March 31st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
you’re right irish. and i take full responsibility for the garbage that i spit out but i have yet to see you take responsibility for the garbage that you shit out today..”move over wilt.”
March 31st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
That doesn’t change anything. He should have gone #1, obviously.
Four time defensive players of the year are franchise changers.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Is that the same Brian Williams who became some other guy, and then died in the middle of the ocean?
Plus who the hell is doug smith?
March 31st, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Ben Wallace went to Virginia Union, along with living legend Charles Oakley.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:37 pm
LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUC!
Dirt, his name was Bison Adele.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
The biggest problem, though, is that if you end up drafting a project like Thabeet or Wallace, you rarely see it pay dividends. By the time that player develops, he’s usually playing for somebody else.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I looked it up. Just Dele. Bison Dele.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:53 pm
have yet to see you take responsibility for the garbage that you shit out today..€move over wilt.
Dwight broke one of Wilts records, so yes i did say move over Wilt. im not apologizing for that
March 31st, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Where’s Brandon Jennings?
March 31st, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I have said it before, if Patterson comes out and goes this low he will be a steal, the guy is a beast on the glass.
March 31st, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Re Wake players – Aminu is almost certainly staying, James Johnson is almost certainly gone, Teague will probably test the waters but ultimately come back (though he could go either way)
March 31st, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Maynor at 6 is hilarious.
March 31st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Aldrich’s father has been out of work for 9 months. He’s coming out.
I don’t get the logic of your picks. You mention that the T’Wolves will take a PG, but you could see Henderson or DeRozan being selected. But then you both being taken after another SG is selected. Why would the T’Wolves take Henderson, but the next team needing a SG not select him? Seems odd.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:30 pm
That is a sorry looking draft class