Evaluating the Point Guards of the 2009 NBA Draft Part 1

by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 9, 2009 2:00 PM PST

In reading articles and watching games around the country there has been a lot of discussion about how talented this class is and given Tyreke and Brandon have both been awarded Rookie of the Month for their respective conferences I thought it would be interesting to see how the class is comparing so far.

I have compiled some stats on all the guards that play the 1 or share time at the 1 that were drafted this year in all games played through Dec 6th, 2009. Brandon, Tyreke, Jonny, Stephen are all everyday starters so far and their numbers all are fairly solid across the board. Brandon and Tyreke are way ahead on scoring with Brandon, Tyreke and Stephen well ahead of expectations for assists. Tyreke and Stephen are also leading the pack in steals, while only Tyreke is well ahead of everyone in rebounding.

Based on the above it is easy why people are thinking that Tyreke may win rookie of the year honors based on his progress thus far.

As you read how each compares statistically below, I am curious how you think they all compare. I expect there will be some spirited debate on who ranks tops across the following areas:

Best value based on draft position: Which guard has most exceeded expectations given where they were drafted?

My answer is Darren Collison. If you said future value I might lean Maynor, but Collison is doing a great job backing up CP3 and against his rookie class is 4th in minutes, ppg, assists, free throws. He leads our rookie class in FT% and is 3rd in 3Pt%.

Most valuable player to their team: Given all factors who is most effecting the success of their respective team?

My answer is Brandon Jennings. He leads his team in minutes played, shots made, 3 Pts made, free throws, assists, steals and is utilized in almost 30% of the offensive plays when he is on the floor even when Luke Ridnour takes over as the PG. He is the only player on the Bucks that has started every game.

Biggest star potential: Based on what they have accomplished so far who will make the biggest impact in the league?

My answer is Tyreke Evans. Brandon will end up being like Allen Iverson; scoring on anyone, with maybe even better passing skills. He will be too quick for other PGs in the league but his size will make it tough for him when they put a big versatile 2 on him or when he has to guard a big athletic 1 or even a speedy pg. Tyreke, will be more like a Dwayne Wade where he can score at will as well but be able to play and defend multiple positions and have the most triple double opportunities in his class. So, given the option, I love me some Tyreke.

Player	Draft#	G	GS	Min	PPG	FG%	3Pt%	FTs	FT%	A	Rbs	Stls	TOs	USG%	PFs
Brandon Jennings	10	19	19	35.3	21.3	41.4%	44.8%	62	78.5%	5.8	3.9	1.1	3	29.9	2.1
Tyreke Evans	4	18	18	35.8	19.9	45.7%	28.2%	90	79.6%	4.9	5	1.4	3	26.1	3.1
Jonny Flynn	6	20	20	29.3	14.0	43.6%	32.1%	56	82.4%	3.9	2.5	1.1	3.2	24.9	1.4
Darren Collison	21	15	8	22.5	10.9	43.3%	41.2%	40	90.9%	4.2	2.3	0.9	1.8	24.1	1.1
Stephen Curry	7	19	16	31.6	10.4	43.4%	37.0%	25	80.6%	5.1	3.2	1.7	2.9	16.5	3.6
Ty Lawson	18	20	0	21.3	8.9	52.4%	50.0%	35	79.5%	3.4	2.1	0.8	1.4	17.5	1.3
Toney Douglas	29	18	2	14	7.6	50.9%	34.9%	6	75.0%	0.7	1.1	0.4	0.8	23.3	1.6
Eric Maynor	20	17	2	15.7	6.4	40.4%	21.1%	20	83.3%	3.5	1.4	0.6	1.1	22.8	1.5
Jru Holiday	17	13	5	15.4	5.3	38.4%	33.3%	4	57.1%	2	1.7	0.8	1.4	21.4	1.6
Ricky Rubio	5	inc.
Jack McClinton	51	inc.
AJ Price	52	inc.
Patrick Beverley	42	inc.
Jeff Teague	19	inc.

(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)

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Comments

I'd be really interested

in a mid-year comparison to some of the all-time great guard classes ever. This group is setting up to be amazing.

Lower their expectations and rise to met them

by left hand on Dec 9, 2009 3:19 PM PST reply actions

I was thinking about a post regarding the top few at mid-season and comparing them historically.

And Blake hasn’t even started yet…

Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.

Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"

by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 9, 2009 8:16 PM PST up reply actions

I'm not sure you can argue that Jeff Teague is incomplete

After all he’s been in 18 games up to this point.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea

by pookeyguru on Dec 9, 2009 3:34 PM PST reply actions

I was a lil lazy on him because he statistically isn't really relevant to the team right now.

Tyreke played more minutes on this 4 game 5 night trip than he’s played all season. He is avg. 11 min, 33% shooting 1.9 points per game and 1.6 assists, .6 rebounds and only 20% of the time is he involved in the offense when he is on the floor.

Perhaps in another month he will get another 7-8 minutes per game and can show us something a little more promising.

Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.

Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"

by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 9, 2009 8:11 PM PST up reply actions

I would say Ty Lawson has been the best value per draft position

Getting him at 18 was a steal for Denver, and they now have they’re point guard of the future, backing up Chauncey would should be a great teacher for him.

Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.

by Aykis16 on Dec 9, 2009 3:51 PM PST reply actions

Plus he is clutch so far shooting above 50% from the floor and behind the arc.

I think he will springboard up and pass a few people in his class.

Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.

Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"

by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 9, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions

It's interesting that the media portrayed this

as a pretty weak draft outside of Griffin and it may turn out to be one of the best drafts in the last decade.

by nothingbutnet on Dec 9, 2009 4:39 PM PST reply actions

Best value to their team

I am thinking that could be Tyreke as well…

by MustangMBS on Dec 9, 2009 5:23 PM PST reply actions

Most valuable player to their team

I am thinking that could Tyeke as well…

by MustangMBS on Dec 9, 2009 5:24 PM PST up reply actions

I think we are all biased with our Tyreke Man Crush. Ok maybe that's just me, but Brandon does lead his team in almost everything except fouls and rebounds

I keep hearing a lot of love for BJ down here in So Cal but I didn’t see him drop 55 either.

Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.

Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"

by SactownheartOChouse on Dec 9, 2009 8:14 PM PST up reply actions

That says more about he Milw roster than it does about Reke

55? An abberation in my book, though I don’t deny he has skills. Remove Tyreke’s best and worst game and Jennings best and worst

What are the numbers then?

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 9, 2009 10:57 PM PST up reply actions

BJennings

Has had some pretty bad games, horrible shooting percentage in some games.

Reke started off slow but has been extremely consistent since.

Punjabi by Nature

by Robby1987 on Dec 10, 2009 12:01 AM PST up reply actions

Let me rephrase

Jennings has Excellent skills, but I’ll keep our guy

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 10, 2009 12:59 AM PST up reply actions

Tyreke the Tractor!

"Thou must give props" - Ice_9ine

by tomroadrunner on Dec 10, 2009 1:04 PM PST up reply actions

You know what pissed me off today

I was watching the highlights from the Bucks vs Raptors game today, and i cant remember who said it but one of the analyst said “Jennings with the three, lets just give him the ROY award today”

Despite his great play, Tyreke isn’t getting national attention.

Punjabi by Nature

by Robby1987 on Dec 9, 2009 10:23 PM PST reply actions

I wish I could write it off as a small market team

vs. big market team situation. I think Jennings’ super-flashy style of play and his right out of high school to Europe thing makes him more intriguing. That stunt at the draft where he showed up late set him up for some attention too.

When Tyreke’s high-arching jump shot swishes home after stepping back, I don’t expect the rest of the nation to be as enamored as myself.

Peja-vu!

by CDinSD on Dec 10, 2009 10:29 AM PST up reply actions

Its that 55 point game (against GS!)

The luster of that will fade as time goes on.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Dec 10, 2009 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

I guess you could make the market point. Milwaukee is surprisingly large...

But Sacramento is surprisingly large as far as media-stuff goes as well. Sacramento is a bigger market than it’s size would suggest. It just has the reputation of being smaller than LA, SF, SD and San Jose. That ain’t Sac’s fault, it’s just that California is full of huge cities.

Wait, what are we talking about?
But yeah, the Italian experiment is something that is exaggerating his play. But he is very good. I wouldn’t be overly angry if he won it over Tyreke.

"Thou must give props" - Ice_9ine

by tomroadrunner on Dec 10, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions

Actually even Fresno is TECHNICALLY bigger than Sac,

but Sacramento has a very large Metro area for the size of city it is. And that brings me back to Milwaukee, because they have a large Metro as well.

Wow, that was off topic, wasn’t it? Sorry.

"Thou must give props" - Ice_9ine

by tomroadrunner on Dec 10, 2009 1:12 PM PST up reply actions