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2009 NBA Draft Review
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The 2009 NBA Draft has come and gone and all that’s left to do is speculate about which teams helped themselves and which teams missed the mark. Determining a player’s long-term success in the NBA is a very difficult feat to predict even with hours and hours of game tape and countless interviews. No organization is safe from drafting a player too high or passing on a player who eventually turns into a star, but that’s the nature of the draft.
It’s easy to look at the prospects and analyze their strengths and weaknesses, breaking them down or building them up to exaggerated levels. Every player drafted on Thursday night was either a collegiate star or a budding international prospect, but will they be good enough to seize a NBA job away from a more experienced veteran? The margin for error in the NBA is extremely small, both players and teams are bound by certain limiting factors that other sports leagues don't have to contend with. Small roster size and a poorly designed minor league system creates a need for immediate success. These two factors restrict an organizations ability to slowly bringing along prospects, making the NBA Draft process a hit or miss situation.
A player controls his developing skill-set, professionalism and attitude, the rest of the equation is provided by the team's system and overall situation. With this in mind each NBA team received a grade for their draft night selections.
| A+ | San Antonio | DeJuan Blair (37) | Jack McClinton (51) | Nando de Colo (53) |
San Antonio Spurs – The Spurs picked up a player projected to go in the lottery with the 37th pick. Even if his knees are bad the Spurs and DeJuan Blair aren’t locked into a multiple year deal. Jack McClinton and Nando de Colo are also players who can make the Spurs roster next season. The Spurs had three second round picks, two of them late and managed to select three players who can contribute immediately.
| A | LA Clippers | Blake Griffin (1) |
LA Clippers – There isn’t much to say. The Clippers drafted the consensus number one pick. This was a no brainer, and that could be why the Clips got this one right.
| A | Sacramento | Tyreke Evans (4) | Omri Casspi (23) | Jon Brockman (38) |
Sacramento Kings – Omri Casspi and Jon Brockman are nice players and each could have decent NBA careers, but Tyreke Evans can be a star. Evans has all the physical tools necessary to the super-star of this draft class.
| A | Chicago | James Johnson (16) | Taj Gibson (26) |
Chicago Bulls – The Bulls drafted two players who bring a nice variety of skills that Chicago previously lacked. If James Johnson lives up to his potential he could average between 15-20 points a night, and Taj Gibson is the best defensive player in this draft.
| A- | Oklahoma City | James Harden (3) | BJ Mullens (24) | Robert Vaden (54) |
A- Charlotte Gerald Henderson (12) Derrick Brown (40)
Charlotte Bobcats – Gerald Henderson is an athletic shooting guard who can shoot a little, get to the rim and will contribute immediately. Derrick Brown may be the hidden gem in this draft. Years from now a look back at this draft will prove that Brown should have been a lottery pick.
B+ Memphis Hasheem Thabeet (2) DeMarre Carroll (27) Sam Young (36)
Memphis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet is reminiscent of Samuel Dalembert. Defensively, Thabeet can be a positive factor. His offense is a different story. The Grizzlies did a good job with their second and third picks, DeMarre Carroll and Sam Young. Both of these players will bring athleticism and energy, two things that Memphis fans will appreciate.
B+ Portland Victor Claver (22) Jeff Pendergraph (31) Dante Cunningham (33) Patrick Mills (55)
Portland Trailblazers – Victor Claver has lots of “potential/upside”. He will be stashed in Europe where he can continue to develop. Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunningham appear to be battling for the same roster spot. This summer will be important for the two of them. Patrick Mills should have stayed in school one more year, but he could be a great pick at 55 for Portland. Mills, like Claver should be in Europe next season.
B+ New York Jordan Hill (8) Toney Douglas (29)
New York Knicks – The Knicks organization and Knicks fans both wanted Stephen Curry, but time will prove Jordan Hill was a better selection. If David Lee receives an offer close to 10 million per year, Hill gives the Knicks some flexibility. Toney Douglas provides the same type of insurance for Nate Robinson.
B Toronto DeMar DeRozan (9)
Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan seemed like the Raptors first choice all along. He will give Toronto a super athletic wing that can finish in transition. He will also give the Raptors a defensive presence on the perimeter. DeRozan is still a couple of years away, but this was a solid pick.
B New Orleans Darren Collison (21) Marcus Thornton (43)
New Orleans Hornets – The Hornets did a good job adding depth to their back court. New Orleans seemed high on Marcus Williams from the start and made the move to get him in the second round. Darren Collison will be a steady back up behind Chris Paul.
| B- | Atlanta | Jeff Teague (19) | Sergiy Gladyr (49) |
Atlanta Hawks – The Hawks finally drafted a top-tier point guard. The arrival of Jamal Crawford will provide Jeff Teague time to develop into a NBA point guard. However, Teague should see decent minutes immediately as instant offense off the bench. Sergiy Gladyr will remain in Europe for the foreseeable future.
| C+ | Utah | Eric Maynor (20) | Goran Suton (50) |
Utah Jazz – The Jazz drafted need rather than best available talent, but got a NBA ready point guard in the process. Eric Maynor is not flashy, but he’s a winner. He plays with a high basketball IQ and knows how to get his teammates involved. The excitement of this pick should be tempered some because there will soon be big holes to fill on Utah’s roster. Goran Suton will have a difficult time making this roster with two young centers already ahead of him on the depth chart.
| C+ | New Jersey | Terrence Williams (11) |
New Jersey Nets – Terrence Williams is an athlete. He’s versatile enough to play any of the perimeter positions and Vince Carter’s departure makes room at the three. The biggest question is: If Devin Harris, Courtney Lee and Terrence Williams all play significant minutes together who’s going to shoot the ball? Regardless of the answer, Williams can play.
| C+ | Minnesota | Ricky Rubio (5) | Jonny Flynn (6) | Wayne Ellington (28) | Henk Norel (47) |
Minnesota Timberwolves – With four first round picks the Timberwolves had the opportunity to build a solid young nucleus. First the positives, Wayne Ellington is a solid pick late in the first round and Henk Norel is worth the gamble in the second round. Neither of those two picks are the problem. The questions surround the back-to-back point guard picks at five and six. The only assumption that makes sense is that Minnesota wanted either Harden or Evans, when they were both gone Minnesota drafted Rubio as a tradable commodity. Anything other than that scenario makes no sense.
| C+ | Philadelphia | Jrue Holiday (17) |
Philadelphia 76ers – Philadelphia selected a player who thinks he’s a pass-first point guard. He’s not. Jrue Holiday is many things and talented is one of them, but he’s not a true point guard. The concern in Philadelphia should be Andre Miller’s departure. Holiday is a combo guard and could be a very good one, but hopefully the 76ers recognize this and plan accordingly.
| C | Milwaukee | Brandon Jennings (10) | Jodie Meeks (41) |
Milwaukee Bucks – Most thought Milwaukee would go small when it became apparent Jordan Hill would not be around when the Bucks drafted at 10. Jrue Holiday, Jonny Flynn or Ty Lawson all seemed like a good fit with Milwaukee and Scott Skiles, but Brandon Jennings’ name was called. It will be interesting to see how Jennings and Skiles get along.
| C | Golden State | Stephen Curry (7) |
Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry was the media darling entering the draft. Well here is a second voice, Curry is over-rated. He’s not a point guard, nor can he defend the position. He’s a combo guard going to a team that already has a combo guard who wants to play the point. The only thing about the situation in Golden State that makes sense is Curry won’t need to play defense.
| C- | Denver | Ty Lawson (18) |
Denver Nuggets – The Nuggets wanted Ty Lawson last year, and got him this year. Lawson should be a good fit running the up-tempo system in Denver, but he doesn’t have the size necessary to defend bigger guards.
| C- | Dallas | Rodrigue Beaubois (25) | Nick Calathes (45) | Ahmad Nivins (56) |
Dallas Mavericks – Dallas is a team in transition. This is an old team with the exception of a few key players. If certain players walk this summer the Mavericks would have benefited from drafting a player who could contribute immediately. Both Rodrigue Beaubois and Nick Calathes have talent, but are at least a year away. Amhad Nivins is a nice player, but he won’t make a significant impact as a rookie.
| C- | Houston | Jermaine Taylor (32) | Sergio Llull (34) | Chase Budinger (44) |
Houston Rockets – Jermaine Taylor and Chase Budinger both were exceptional college players, but there are questions about how their games will translate to the next level. Sergio Llull is an intriguing international point guard who is a couple years away from making the jump to the NBA.
| D+ | Detroit | Austin Daye (15) | DaJuan Summers (35) | Jonas Jerebko (39) |
Detroit Pistons – DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko saved the Pistons draft. Selecting Austin Daye with the 15th pick was tremendous reach. The Pistons have big holes to fill at power forward and center, so drafting three small forwards is certainly perplexing. Maybe the Pistons think Daye can play power forward? Let’s hope not.
| D+ | Indiana | Tyler Hansbrough (13) | AJ Price (52) |
Indiana Pacers – The Pacers took another step towards cleaning up their image. Indiana knows what they’re getting in Tyler Hansbrough. He’s going to come in and work hard, hustle and conduct himself like a professional. AJ Price is going to struggle to make the Pacers roster unless Indiana moves one of their four veteran point guards.
| D | Phoenix | Earl Clark (14) | Taylor Griffin (48) | Emir Preldzic (57) |
Phoenix Suns – Condolences to all Suns fans. Imagine if the Suns would have kept Joe Johnson in the back court with Steve Nash, and the front court duo of Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire. Or, had the organization not sold off first round picks during their dominant years. Sorry. Moving on, Earl Clark has talent, Taylor Griffin does not and Emir Preldzic needs to stay in Europe for a couple of years.
| D | Miami | Patrick Beverley (42) | Robert Dozier (60) |
Miami Heat – The Heat ended the night with Patrick Beverley and Robert Dozier. Beverley has a decent shot at making Miami’s roster, but it could be difficult for Dozier. Dozier is too slender to play power forward and not skilled enough to play small forward; he’s a classic “tweener”. Beverley could be a player, but this summer should tell the story. He looked great in the pre-draft camps leading up to the draft.
| D- | Cleveland | Christian Eyenga (30) | Danny Green (46) |
Cleveland Cavaliers – The Cavaliers drafted an athletic wing player with limited international experience at pick 30. It seems like a reach in the same sense that Renaldo Balkman seemed like a reach. It’s not that Christian Eyenga won’t be a solid NBA player, but rather he could have been drafted much later. If Danny Green can knock down shots this summer he could fill the void left by Wally Szczerbiak’s departure.
| D- | Boston | Lester Hudson (58) |
Boston Celtics – The Celtics believe Lester Hudson can handle the ball, but that’s debatable. There are however, no questions about his fondness to shoot. Lester Hudson meet offense, offense this is Lester Hudson. Oh, you two have already met! If Eddie House leaves via free agency the Celtics now have someone more than willing to take his shots.
| F | LA Lakers | Chinemelu Enol (59) |
Los Angeles Lakers – The Lakers sold their first round pick to New York, traded the 42nd pick to Miami and used their last pick on Chinemelu Enol. Enol will need to have a special summer to make the Lakers roster. The best thing the Lakers did on draft night was sell their first round pick. They should have kept the draft rights to Patrick Beverley and Enol is a big-time project.
