2009 NBA Mock Draft - Version 1.0

by Rizzo23 on May 22, 2009 12:39 PM PDT

With the lottery completed and the order decided, it’s time to try my hand at an early mock for this year’s draft. There have already been some risers and fallers early on and I’m sure there will be more in the coming days. Some teams are looking to shop their picks, mostly in the late first round, but for now, I’ll just assume that there won’t be any trades. Of course, that means the Celtics won’t be drafting in the first round, but my rules are meant to be broken on draft day, so I’m sure Ainge will do just that. Let’s see how the first round of the draft could shake out.

1. Los Angeles Clippers – Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma

This is a no-brainer pick. He has been the #1 pick in this draft since last November and has won every Player of the Year award you can think of. I’ve already posted my thoughts on this pick for the Clippers, so I won’t go over it again. He’s got the potential to be a top power forward in the league in a few years, but also if he doesn’t develop much of an offensive game, could have already plateud. I don’t expect that to happen, so he will develop into a very good, borderline great, power forward in the league.

2. Memphis Grizzlies – Ricky Rubio, G, Spain

Rubio’s agent has already said they will do what they can to avoid him going to either Memphis or Oklahoma City, but the same agent tried to do this with Yi last year and failed. Ultimately, I think Rubio decides to play for whoever takes him and Memphis, with the #2 pick, should take the 2nd best talent on the board. People widely consider Rubio and Thabeet to round out the top-3 with Griffin, but I could see Memphis consider Jordan Hill at this pick if they do not want to stunt the growth of Mike Conley, Jr. In the end, Rubio is the pick and should embrace the chance to play with OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder – Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut

The Thunder have many holes and are not in a position to draft by, well, position. Other than Westbrook, Durant and Jeff Green have solidified their spots on this team. Nenad Krstic was a nice pickup last year, but he’s not a center you would want to build around. Thabeet would give them an instant upgrade in the defense department and if his offense ever comes around, he could become a really nice player. He must bulk up, but who in the draft doesn’t? Also considered James Harden and DeMar DeRozan at this spot.

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(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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I

don’t want a scoring PG … I want a PG who will make everyone better. and i want a chicken burrito.

Booyah!

by Dub_TC on May 22, 2009 1:33 PM PDT reply actions

Missed on Jennings

Not one person in the Kings brass has said a nice thing about Jennings at this point. Granted, you don’t hear much from Kings management. Jerry Reynolds is really the only public source of information from the Kings and his evaluation of Jennings wasn’t exactly complimentary. In thinks his quotes were, “played disappointingly inconsistent in Europe and could rise his draft stock if he puts together a great series of workouts.” (paraphrase)

Oh well, it’s still a much better guess than Chad Ford’s Jordan Hill. At least you realized we drafted some decent, promising bigs the last two years and the team is in desperate need of a PG who can control and distribute the offense.

by bignerd on May 22, 2009 1:56 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, Sacramento news isn’t exactly common knowledge here in Boston, but I think Jennings could be a good pick for you guys. If he turns out to be what he was hyped up to be, then he would give you guys a nice little core of players to build around.

And yes, you have put together a nice 1-2 punch in the post with Hawes and Thompson. That’s why Jordan Hill isn’t necessary at #4, but more of a luxury pick, in my opinion.

by Rizzo23 on May 22, 2009 2:25 PM PDT reply actions