Breaking Down the 2009 NBA Draft...

Considering I didn't even have this blog up and running when the NBA draft happened this past June, I decided to go back in time a little bit and give my thoughts on the picks. I am one of the few people who look forward to the draft every year, and this year was no different. Something about watching college studs, and unseen euros finding their new homes in the NBA is always intriguing to me. (Not to mention all the unintentional comedy that happens when you put David Stern on a stage with big, tall, black dudes)

While I think there were less stars in this draft, I believe the talent level was deeper. You had guys being picked in the late first round that will not only stick with teams, but make significant contributions.

In the interest of time, We'll stick with just the lottery...

So without further ado, we go to the Los Angeles Clippers

#1- Los Angeles Clippers...Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)

Surprised? I don't think anyone really was. Blake Griffin was a stud at Oklahoma and probably could have come out after his freshman year. Maybe if he knew he was being drafted by the clippers he would have. But either way, he's headed to la-la-land. It's no secret if you ask my friends, I think the kid is a stud. Throughout the year, I found myself watching Oklahoma games just to see him play. I could care less if they were winning or losing, I was intrigued by #23 and his ridiculous skill set. He took home all the hardware for NPOY, Averaged 23 and 15 throughout the season, and recorded a downright stupid 30 games with a double-double. Don't look now, but the Clips all of a sudden have a VERY intriguing team. Opening night, they're trotting out Marcus Camby, Blake Griffin, Al Thornton, Baron Davis, and Eric Gordon.

DAMN. That is a scary team. And they're bringing Mardy Collins, Ricky Davis, Sebastian Telfair, Chris Kaman, and Deandre Jordan off the bench. Look out folks, the clips might make the playoffs this year...

#2- Memphis Grizzlies...Hasheem Thabeet (UCONN)

That's right the big boy from Tanzania/UCONN goes second, proving that big men will always be drafted ahead of guards when given the option. It's in the unwritten rules of the NBA draft. Good luck getting him the ball with Mike Conley running the point. Hasheem is, however, my cult favorite in this draft as he has taken somewhat of a Chuck Norris personality between me and my friends. Prompted by the shouting of his name as THAAAABEEET. For the record, Apple pays Hasheem THABEET 99 cents every time he listens to a song...

#3- Oklahoma City Thunder...James Harden (ASU)

Ehhh, not a fan. Color me a hater, but I feel I could suit up for ASU and average what he did last year. (20, 4, and 5 for the record) Every time I caught him on TV, he really seemed quite average. Yes, he got his points, but he didn't blow me away. And he certainly didn't seem like he was worth the 3rd pick in the draft. But Jay Bilas apparently thinks this pick was genius. Oh well. When he disappoints, don't forget me.

#4- Sacramento Kings...Tyreke Evans (Memphis)

Ahh yes, no draft lottery would be complete without the one year wonder from Calipari. Tyreke "The Freak" Evans was a 6'6' 220 lb. guard that was a mismatch all season for the Tigers last year. Nobody questions his talent, but quite frankly, nobody cares in Sacramento. That team is straight up AWFUL. At least he and Rashad McCants can hit up strip clubs with Spencer Hawes next year!

#5- Minnesota T-Wolves...Ricky Rubio (Europe)

I must confess...I have a mancrush on Ricky Rubio. He is very very good. If you don't believe me, ask the 2008 USA national team. This kid came off the bench in the gold medal game and was dropping dimes around Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. Oh yeah, he was just 17 years old. Some think he will be another frail euro, but anybody that has watched alot of basketball will tell you, some people are just GOOD at it. They may not be the tallest, or most athletic, but they can play. Ricky Rubio is one of these people, and IF he decides to come play for Minnesota, he will turn heads.

#6- Minnesota T-Wolves...Jonny Flynn (Syracuse)

Wait...what? Did they just pick 2 straight PG's? Why? I mean, no offense Jonny. You were awesome in that game against UCONN. I came away from that game praising your toughness, and your will to win in such pressure filled moments. But really Minnesota? You couldn't have gone after somebody else? A Big man? A swingman? Anybody?? Oh well, I wonder how that experiment will fare next year...

#7- Golden State Warriors...Stephen Curry (Davidson)

Remember how I mentioned about people that are just flat out GOOD, no questions asked? Stephen Curry is that dude. Literally. Son of sharpshooter (And Charlotte Hornet legend) Dell Curry, Stephen has spent the past couple of years electrifying people all over the country. He made Davidson relevant, and was a primetime player in the NCAA tournament. He will play, and he will be very good in this league. Not quite sure why he's going to GS, considering they have an identical player in Monta Ellis, but if he could have somehow made it to the Knicks, look out!

#8- New York Knicks...Jordan Hill (Arizona)

Let's look at the numbers here. 6'10. 235. Averaged 18 and 11 last year for an atrocious wildcat team. Ehh, I can see what they were trying to do here. D'Antoni needs athletic big men who can run the floor in the new system. He will fit in, and odds are he is probably gonna have a very nice career. I just can't get over the fact they couldn't pull the trigger for Curry. He would've energized that team like non other. And believe me...the Knicks need energy.

#9- Toronto Raptors...Demar Derozan (USC)

Averaged 13 and 6 as a freshman forward for the trojans. Pac-10 tournament MVP. Can't really see any flaws here. Maybe he was taken a bit early, but he's got all the right tools to be a good player in this league. The question is whether he will be motivated enough in Toronto. I think not. Expect him to blossom once the raps deal him somewhere.

#10- Milwaukee Bucks...Brandon Jennings (Europe)

I've been a Brandon Jennings bandwagonner for a long time now. Ever since I saw the kid play with the SC All stars at the Bob Gibbons AAU tourney with Kevin Love, I thought he was fantastic. Kid had some of the best court vision, and speed that I'd seen in a long time. Couple that with the fact that he's been playing the past year in Europe against pretty good competition, and I think he will be the steal of this draft. And he rocked a flat top in the Mickie D's Game. Props. The question is whether jumping to Europe for a year will be a trend now that B-Jenn did it. Honestly, why not? If a kid is in a bad neighborhood (Compton) and his family needs money (Yes) then why not go to Europe, make bank, and prep for the NBA against really good competition? I love the college game, but I can't say I'm surprised about people jumping overseas. Expect more of it in the future.

#11- New Jersey Nets...Terrence Williams (Louisville)

Rick Pitino's latest product from Louisville finds himself in the NBA's version of purgatory, the NJ Nets. This is a team that is building around Rafer Alston, Chris Douglas-Roberts, and Brook Lopez. Word. Oh and I forgot (MAYBE) Lebron James. That is, if Jay-Z is able to pull some serious strings and get him to come to the Nets and basically start from scratch with trying to win a 'chip. Williams is a good kid, and played really well for the 'cards this past year. I just can't see him making any waves next year, or for the next couple of years for that matter.

#12- Charlotte Bobcats...Gerald Henderson (Duke)

Ahh, the hometown Bobcats. The product of a somewhat loyal fanbase, one of the worst owners in the NBA, (Bob Johnson) the greatest player in the game who is becoming one of the worst front-office members in history. Throw in their knack of drafting local talent and trying to create a Tar Heel/Blue Devil all star team, and it's no surprise they haven't won anything yet. This pick...however was a very good one. They needed an athletic swingman who can guard the other team's best player, and can jump out of the gym. Yep, they're gonna love G. Kid was incredible at Duke, and is really coming into his own. Sky's the limit for this kid, he could be a star one day, or a very important cog on a championship team. We will see.

#13- Indiana Pacers...Tyler Hansbrough (UNC)

I should preface this by saying I despise Tyler Hansbrough. Everything about him. From his eyes that are about to pop out of his head, to his impressive knack of doing the cha cha slide every time he gets the ball in the paint without getting a traveling call. Couple that with the infatuation that ACC refs had with him, and I did celebratory shots when he played his final game. I will admit though, he is in the pantheon of players you hate with a passion...except if he played on my team, along with J.J. Redick, Alex Rodriguez, and Sidney Crosby. The thing about alot of these guys is that they are talented. And Psycho T is talented in his own way, I must admit. He will have a good career for the Pacers, who in other news will be sponsored by Bic Wite-Out!

#14- Phoenix Suns...Earl Clark (Louisville)

A 6'9 225 lb stud for the Cardinals, many argued that he was better than Terrence Williams who went a few spots before him. I think he will stick around in this league for a long time. You can't really argue with his pedigree, and I'm sure he will get his fair share of touches in Phoenix considering they're blowing that entire team up. Won't be the last we hear of Mr. Clark, that's for sure.

Alrighty then, that's gonna be it for my breakdown of the 2009 NBA Draft. I could have gone on and done the rest of the 1st round, but I feel like I've done enough writing and researching for one day. This blog thing gets pretty tough! Thanks to everyone who texted/emailed/commented me about the blog. It means alot knowing that people are actually reading this.

I'll try and do some more entries here soon, but I'm running out of ideas! Hit me up if you got something interesting for me to write about.

THABEET!!!

Here's your LOI Clip of the Day...



(Shaqtastic.)