2009 NBA draft analysis

2009 NBA Draft

Here’s the weekend draft analysis, just like I promised. Some may claim it late, I consider it a way to keep the masses intrigued. Plus, I had my wife’s b-day, a Sunday lesson to prepare, and a family reunion all going on this weekend. There wasn’t much time to break it down, but you better believe it was in my head, waiting to be released to my many adoring readers. So, once again, here it is and enjoy!

Winners

Bobcats: Gerald Henderson (12th); Derrick Brown (40th)

While I certainly think Gerald Henderson will have a productive NBA career (think a poor man’s Raja Bell/more skilled Dahntay Jones), the reason the Bobcats come out winners is because of their second-round pick, Derrick Brown. Brown has first-round talent and the versatility/athleticism (plays the 3 and 4) you crave on your team.

Rockets: Jermaine Taylor (32nd); Sergio Llul (34th); Chase Budinger (44th)

Rumors suggest the Rockets made numerous attempts to get into the first round, but ultimately they didn’t need to as they got some good prospects late in the draft. Budinger graded out as a lottery pick just six months ago, and has some eye-popping athleticism (he once placed a 47-inch vertical). Jermaine Taylor could fill the role of cheap scorer off the bench that the outgoing Von Wafer filled last season.

Clippers: Blake Griffin (1st)

Duh…even if he proves to be more Boozer than Malone, Griffin was still the most sure thing in the draft. Dude has sick athleticism for a PF and can handle the ball like a guard. He’s going to be good, it’s just a matter of finding out whether he’ll be just all-star good or hall-of-fame good. Defense is a question mark, but you could say the same thing about 90% of NBA players.

Thunder: James Harden (3rd); Mullens (24th); Robert Vaden (54th)

The Thunder withheld the temptation to pick the hype (Rubio), and instead went with the more established product (Harden). Comparisons to Brandon Roy are a bit much, but Harden is a solid player who will fit in well with the nucleus of Durant, Westbrook and Green. Mullens has project written all over him, but so did DeAndre Jordan (Clippers 2nd round pick 2008) in last year’s draft, and he showed well in his limited playing time during the season. Just sayin’…

Spurs: DeJuan Blair (37th); Jack McClinton (51st); Nando de Colo (53rd)

There’s a reason the Spurs didn’t even use 10 seconds of their two-minute limit when picking Blair. He was a steal and they knew it. He’s a rebounding machine that will play well off the bench, typical Spurs’ find. McClinton is supposedly an Eddie House clone, and Nando de Colo is an intriguing 6’5 PG, who could be the eventual heir to “you know who” (think Mr. Eva Longoria) at the PG spot.


Losers

Pacers: Tyler Hansbrough (13th); AJ Price (52nd)

For a team in desperate need of an exciting player; a player who can bring hope to a struggling franchise, it couldn’t have drafted any one more bland than Hansbrough. He’ll work hard, but he offers little potential, and will probably be nothing more than a solid bench man. Can’t say there was much better available at 13, though.

Hawks: Jeff Teague (19th); Sergey Gladyr (49th)

The Hawks replaced a defenseless, scoring PG (Bibby) with a defenseless, scoring PG (Jamal Crawford). So what did they do in the draft? They drafted a defenseless, scoring PG. What’s that saying again? “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.” I don’t even know what a Sergey Gladyr is, so I won’t even try…

Pistons: Austin Daye (15th); DaJuan Summers (35th); Jonas Jerebko (39th)

I actually think Summers and Jerebko are potential steals in the second round. Summers is another ultra-athletic, versatile player (can play 3 or 4), who has some maturity issues. If he figures it out, watch out…..Jerebko is thought by many to be the best Euro talent in the draft not named Rubio. My beef is with Daye at 15. He wasn’t strong enough to play in the WCC (that’s the West Coast Conference, for those who are wondering), and he’ll be at a huge physical disadvantage in the NBA. Charmin Soft is the best description. Can you say Nikolov Tskitishvili?

Cavaliers: Christian Eyenga (30th); Danny Green (46th)

The Cavs were exposed defensively in the playoffs when trying to guard the versatile likes of Rashard Lewis and Turkoglu. So what have they done to improve so far? They traded for an aging, 320+ lb center, and drafted a guy they’ll stash overseas for the next 3-4 years in the first round. Way to go Cleveland, LeBron + NY is only a year away! Oh…and I love how every scout or “draft expert” will tell you Danny Green is going to be a player in the NBA, yet not a one of’em could tell you why he should have been drafted earlier than the second round in a weak draft. Sounds like too many have been fooled by the Tar Heel hype to me.