NBA Draft 2009

[Fresh8]

Since the Finals are over the Draft is next week, thought might as well start a thread so we can share our thoughts on it.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the whole Ricky Rubio situation works out. The delicate issue concerning him with the Spanish IRS might be a reason he could drop down the Draft. It doesn't help that he apparently doesn't want to play in Memphis and the Thunder don't want to deal with his legal issues. I think the Kings, who have the 4th pick (?), are keen on him but also don't want to deal with his legal issues and might select Stephen Curry instead. This is all speculative of course and just what I have quickly browsed over.

I'm also following Patty Mills who I think is underrated in this Draft. If he is selected late in the first round, he is going to be a steal.

So who are you guys following? Any players you think should have gone back to school? Who do you want your team to pick?

[MikeMan™]

Tyler Hansbrough will be the next Adam Morrison/JJ Redick in the NBA .

[Lamrock]

The difference is that he won't be a lottery pick. I reckon this draft is underrated. People are going so far as to say its the worst ever, but I think there will be several stars coming out of it. Wonder if Portland swoops in and takes a bunch of draft picks again.

[Modifly]

You think he's going to be a bust? I dont think so, his work ethic and toughness is just too much to not get him any playing time. He might not be as popular as he is in college, but I dont think he's going to end up as bad as Morrison. Redick is not even a bust, he just doesn't get the playing time he's supposed to get.

Any players you think should have gone back to school?

Brandon Jennings should stay in Italy.

[benji]

Ty Lawson is going to be a star and so is DeJuan Blair. Write it down. And then don't come back and hound me if it doesn't turn out to be true. (They probably won't be "stars" like the media loves, but they'll be the Chauncey Billups, Sam Cassel types that everyone ignores for their entire awesome WINNING career until they make a "splash" when the media is actually paying attention.)

[dopeboy]

I agree with benji. There are several players in the draft, that can become stars or even more, but that depends where will they end up.
About Redick - he's not a bust unlike Morrison. Hansbrough won't be as well. He's lot more athletic than Morrison, and he probably will be a good role player because of his toughness.

[C-77]

I'm gonna be following DeMar Derozan this guy could be in the dunk contest next season,i also believe this guy will be a star he's got a decent mid-range jumper and off-course his althleticsm

[The X]

Some thoughts:

I like James Harden, don't think he should fall past Thunder at 3....I wonder how much Grizzlies will blow this draft (although if they make a rumoured deal for Love, then I take it back)....it's gonna happen, one way or another....Jordan Hill needs to drop down....I will cry if he's a top 5 pick in any draft, no matter how weak it is....I agree with Benji that Blair is going to be a steal....the team that drafts Jordan Hill will lament that they passed on DeJuan Blair....Stephen Curry is really moving up the charts....I like the kid & hope he does well & lands in a good situation, but at the same time, I don't think he'll be as good a PG as Rubio, Jennings or even Paddy Mills....on the topic of Jennings, for some reason I think he ends up in Golden State....it just seems to fit....I will laugh at Warriors if they take Jordan Hill ....I can't get a read on where Mills is going to go....somewhere in the 21-35 range I'd say....there is either going to be a team that really loves him & makes a move for him in very early 20's or he's going to slide into very early 2nd Round....I think going in 2nd Round would probably be better for him than going at 29 or 30, but hey, that's just me....I'd want Ty Lawson on my team ahead of Jonny Flynn....I'm at least a little surprised that Jodie Meeks is staying in the draft....I like Taj Gibson & think he'll make a good pro, there I said it....how many Euro's go in the 1st Round? I put the magic number at 3 (Rubio, Casspi & another random - I don't consider Jennings a Euro)....will Joe Ingles get drafted?!? I'm 50-50 on this one....in the end, I think he's in the 54-undrafted range, so I'm going to go with undrafted....but then again, if somebody can pick Sun Yue in mid-2nd Round, then anything is possible....how far is Austin Daye going to fall? I'm thinking all the way to the 26-30 range I need more info on Jrue Holiday & James Johnson....I hope ginger ninja does all right (that's Chase Budinger for those who were wondering) & stays in 1st Round....I think a playoff team might find a spot for him, perhaps....

Enough banter for today....

[Fresh8]

Speaking of Sun Yue, Mitch Kupchak likes Joe Ingles. I'm just saying and not speculating anything will happen.

I want to see Stephen Curry go to the Knicks.

[tee-pane]

The Raptors better pick a wing man, I like DeRozan (the next VC with his athleticism?). The Suns should pickup a point guard because of the aging Nash. I like Rubio going to Sacramento, he could hopefully develop into an all-star there.

[Martti.]

Well, I'm gonna keep an eye on Ty Lawson. Agree with benji, he'll be good and maybe even beyond that.
Also Jennings in one of my faves. Not a fan of Rubio.

I also hope Hansbrough will have a hood career. I don't think he'll be the next Redick/Morrison.

Basically I hope all the best to and be following all the Tar Heels

[tee-pane]

I think Tyler Hansbrough could be a solid defensive player that could rebound but he is not going to be an all star or anything. The best he could do is maybe average a double double, 10-10.

[Mayerhendrix]

The main thing about this draft is that so many players are question marks who could either be huge immediate-impact guys, or they could just as easily be nonfactors. Blake Griffin is a certainty, and a rare one at that. But then it's tough to predict how Ricky Rubio's game can adjust to the NBA's style of gameplay, how DeJuan Blair can adjust to playing against players who will typically outsize him by 4-6, even EIGHT inches, how Stephen Curry can develop into a multi-dimensional NBA point guard, how Brandon Jennings will pan out after the huge question-mark year in Europe.

There's so many first rounders -- and even second rounders -- who could become good players. But they could just as easily suck and fall out of the league in the next two/three years.

[Null17]

The most intriguing part for me is how Rubio will turn out will all the hype. Or if he even gets to play next year with his contract and all. I can't even decide if I like him or not.

[The X]

The most intriguing part for me is how Rubio will turn out will all the hype. Or if he even gets to play next year with his contract and all. I can't even decide if I like him or not.

Watch Rubio play & it's hard not to like him. He naturally is too turnover prone, but at the moment, he can be forgiven for those transgressions as he's entertaining to watch

[dopeboy]

I think Tyler Hansbrough could be a solid defensive player that could rebound but he is not going to be an all star or anything. The best he could do is maybe average a double double, 10-10.

Watch him play before you say that he could average a double double. He's similar to Harpring, and probably that's his level. He'll play 3 in pro's, so that's the best example, imo.

[MikeMan™]

He's similar to Harpring, and probably that's his level

I think Tyler won't fit in the NBA .
He's not fast nor athletic just pure a hardworker .
He'll become a DJ Mbenga type of player .
Probably sitting in the bench for the whole game except when it's a blowout or someone in C/PF position in his future team gets injured .

[jonthefon]

Overall, this draft lacks potential superstars (even Griffin might not be one), but it's filled to the brim with solid players and need fillers. My long thoughts:

Blake Griffin-Won't be a superstar, but depending on how his athleticism and physicality matches up against NBA forwards, I think he could put up solid 18/9 lines.

Hasheem Thabeet-Really not very high on him. Not at all. If he develops one reliable post move, he could become a solid player but won't be an All-Star...maybe a Mutombo-lite.

James Harden-Apparently stock went up a little (was going to be top-5 anyway) because he showed a little increased athleticism. Great scorer all over the court, a lot peg him as Manu Ginobili or a left-handed Brandon Roy, crafty at getting his points and not a defensive liability.

Jordan Hill-His offensive game is still kinda raw even though he made improvements last season for Arizona. Still, he's super-athletic, rebounds very well and runs the floor. I'm a fan of his upside but his offensive tools will determine where he goes in this league. Rumours that the Mavs are going for him by dealing with Washington: I don't like them giving up Howard or Terry for him though.

Rubio-I think he's overhyped. I'm willing to have humble pie next to me if he proves me wrong. But I want to see how he adjusts to the NBA and how his offense develops. Still, his basketball IQ and vision is top-notch.

Brandon Jennings-I just think that the European game just didn't suit his. He's got terrific scoring ability and that probably conflicted with the fundamentals of the Euroleague. Those stats shouldn't cloud anything about his talent. That's why you should study for tests, kids. I think he'd be much more lauded if he played the college game where space is allowed for the scorers.

DeMar DeRozan-Big, big fan of him. Youtube him: some of his dunks are jaw-dropping, and he's got a decent shot which should keep moving on up. He's still got a ways to go on both ends but I think whoever gets him past No.5 will have made a strong pick.

Stephen Curry-He feels like one of those better bench sparkplugs to me. He'll probably never hold down a true starter's spot because of his height, but he could be a terrific sixth man (think Leandro Barbosa with less speed with a little more honed elsewhere).

Jonny Flynn-He went flying up draft boards after a strong Big East tournament and then brilliant workouts. Got a lot going for him: athleticism, wheels, work-ethic, passion and a fair jumpshot that could get better. I'm still worried about his height just like every other 6-foot point guard, but there are guys like Aaron Brooks out there who will succeed.

Jrue Holiday-Struggled in a UCLA system playing off the ball with Darren Collison, but again, it shouldn't undermine his talent. I think he's a complete package: might still need some development to make up for time lost, but he's got tools at both ends, he's probably top-10 material.

Earl Clark-I'm a seriously big fan of his (a sucker for big men who can handle and shoot the ball like he can). I salivate at his talent, but he needs to get better at creating his own shot and focusing on taking good looks rather than the fadeaways he employed in college.

Jeff Teague-I would love to see the Mavs get him. But his stock went up in the combine after a poor tournament game, and he's back in the 10-15 range. He's explosive and a great finisher at the rim, and his jumpshot is useful but somewhat erratic. Either way, I like him as a slashing point.

Tyreke Evans-I think smooth everytime, and of course that's Larry Hughes' shitty nickname apart from Brick-a-thon. But he looks a capable scorer getting to the rim, with good enough handles to be a point guard, and long enough to give trouble on D. His shot release is awkward as hell though.

Ty Lawson-If he develops a more consistent shot (decent one already) and adjusts to running an NBA offense (he was given the green light on the fast break at Chapel Hill), he could become a very good player. I wonder whether he can still get to the rim and finish in the NBA.

Wayne Ellington-Great shooter, possibly the best in the first round next to Curry. But like a lot of college shooter types, might not be able to create his own shot in the NBA with his average athleticism.

Tyler Hansbrough-Is this not the undoubted Utah pick? Perfect fit for Jerry's system.

Terrence Williams-a lot of mocks have the Mavs taking him. I like him for his athleticism and a nice all-round game, sorta reminds me of Josh Howard. I'm not sold on intangibles but hey, there are those who have turned it around after an iffy reputation in college. If the Mavs handle him well by starting him by building his game around hustle, I think he can work into a solid all-round NBA player.

Darren Collison-one of my favourite players in the draft. Might go late first, most likely early second. I think he's a sure-thing type as a backup PG. Terrific perimeter defender, pretty quick, can run an offence, can shoot the three-ball. I'm a fan.

Dionte Christmas-I like him as a sleeper early second-round. I like his shooting stroke and the shot is reliable, his shot selection is generally good. I think he could become a very useful scorer off the bench.

Patrick Mills-Come on, I love the guy as an Aussie and he's incredibly quick, but I keep getting scared off by short-man's disease. I'd like to see him play one more year at St Mary's and work on his jumpshot and shot selection.

[dopeboy]

I think Tyler won't fit in the NBA .
He's not fast nor athletic just pure a hardworker .
He'll become a DJ Mbenga type of player .
Probably sitting in the bench for the whole game except when it's a blowout or someone in C/PF position in his future team gets injured .

Check the results of draft combine. He's more athletic then you think, but he won't be a C or PF in the NBA, maybe 3 who can play 4 if he needs to.

Tyler Hansbrough-Is this not the undoubted Utah pick? Perfect fit for Jerry's system.

Exactly. That's why I mentioned Harpring before.

[shadowgrin]

Watch Rubio play & it's hard not to like him. He naturally is too turnover prone, but at the moment, he can be forgiven for those transgressions as he's entertaining to watch

Images of White Chocolate are haunting me.

[tee-pane]

I think Tyler Hansbrough could be a solid defensive player that could rebound but he is not going to be an all star or anything. The best he could do is maybe average a double double, 10-10.

Watch him play before you say that he could average a double double. He's similar to Harpring, and probably that's his level. He'll play 3 in pro's, so that's the best example, imo.

I guess when he enters the league, he will play garbage minutes but he is going to hustle on the boards. His baskets will come from Offensive rebounds, he's got the energy. I would compare him to Kris Humphries on the Raptors. If Humphries gets consistent playing time(but he wouldn't with the Raptors), he is going to grab 10 rebounds. He is too slow to play the 3, anybody could blow by him easily.

[MikeMan™]

Too slow for 3 .
Not athletic enough for 4 .
Not tall enough for 5 .
Perfect for IR .

[jonthefon]

Well...

Let's look at Matt Harpring...

Too slow and unathletic for SG
Too slow and unathletic for SF

But he got by in Philly and he flourished in Utah at his peak. Hansbrough could do that, his makeup is off the charts.

[dopeboy]

Why did you even mention 5 spot? And he's more athletic than you think. He easily could end up as valuable 6th man later in his career. Harpring was a starter for a while, wasn't he?

[Stress Fracture]

Why did you even mention 5 spot? And he's more athletic than you think. He easily could end up as valuable 6th man later in his career. Harpring was a starter for a while, wasn't he?

Yeah, he really was a starter before Ronnie Brewer came and developed his skills. Hansbrough can really be a reliable 6th man.