The 2009 NBA Draft's Top 10 Players Who Fit Mike D'Antoni's System

Jordan Dant by Contributor Written on May 26, 2009

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21:  HeadcCoach Mike D'Antoni of the New York Knicks walks the bench during the first half of a pre-season game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on October 21, 2008 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackno
(Photo by Jarrett Baker/Getty Images)

Since turning Steve Nash into a MVP caliber player and turning the Suns into one of the most exciting teams in the NBA, many people have been attracted to Mike D'Antoni and his run-and-gun style of basketball. Now with the New York Knicks, D'Antoni is trying to recreate the kind of fun, winning basketball that he had in Phoenix. This year's first round pick by the Knicks could go a very long way towards shaping this team. Here is a look at the 10 players from this years draft class that I believe would fit best in Mike D'Antoni's system.

1. Ricky Rubio

BEIJING - AUGUST 10:  Ricky Rubio #6 of Spain looks on while taking on Greece during the day 2 preliminary game at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium on August 10, 2008 in Beijing, China.  (Photo by Phil Walter/Gett

Rubio gives D'Antoni and the Knicks exactly what they need to get D'Antoni's offense rolling, a pass first point guard. Rubiohas a special feel for the game and can make all the right passes. While many question his shooting and strength, strength will not be a huge issue in D'Antoni's offense and he is only 18 so he will have plenty of time to develop a good enough jumper to support his play making ability.

2. Stephen Curry

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 6:  Stephen Curry #30 of the Davidson Wildcats looks on during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 6, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Curry would bring D'Antoni something that was missing from the offense this last year, a pure jumper. Curry can hit any shot from anywhere, and has a very quick release. Add to that the fact that many people think he is a very underrated point guard and could quickly develop into a great passer. His biggest weakness is easily his size, but as with Rubio his lack of strength is not something that will limit him much in D'Antoni's system.

3. Tyreke Evans

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21:  Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Tigers dribbles the ball during their second round game against the Maryland Terrapins in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, M

Evans brings great speed and size, and a pretty good jumper. He could be a great scoring two guard in D'Antoni's offense, and even run the point in spots, as he showed the ability to do this at Memphis.Would instantly be a dangerous scorer for the Knicks.

4. Eric Maynor

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 19:  Eric Maynor #3 of the the VCU Rams drives against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Wachovia Center on March 19, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jim Mc

Maynor is the sleeper of the group. He already is a great point guard, and his shot has been slowly improving over the past two years. He is also a great defender. He would fit right into D'Antoni's system as long as his jump shot continued to improve.

5. James Johnson

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - FEBRUARY 14:  James Johnson #23 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons shoots against Jordan DeMercy #2 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game at Lawrence Joel Coliseum on February 14, 2009 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by

Johnson could be the kind of jump shooting big man that can also take defenders off the dribble that D'Antoni loves. The question becomes whether or not he could defend other big men, and exactly what position he would play.

6. Jonny Flynn

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27:  Jonny Flynn #10 of the Syracuse Orange moves the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regionals at the FedExForum on March 27, 2009 in Memphis, Tennessee.  (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty

No one gets in the lane and finishes or makes the right pass like Flynn. The problem is that Flynn lacks the kind of jump shot needed to be successful under D'Antoni. Flynn would be a great fit at the point, but would need scoring help around him to really allow D'Antoni's offense to flourish.

7. Jeff Teague

ATLANTA - MARCH 13:  Jeff Teague #0 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons dribbles against the Maryland Terrapins during the Quarterfinals of the 2009 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament on March 13, 2009 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C

Teague would bring both the great scoring and a great jump shot to D'Antoni's offense. The problem is he is a tweener. Teague is considered undersized at the two guard, but is a far cry from the kind of pure point guard that the Knicks are looking for.

8. Ty Lawson

DETROIT - APRIL 06:  Ty Lawson #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels calls a play against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Ford Field on April 6, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Photo by

Lawson is the quick, speedy point guard that D'Antoni needs. He is a very disrupting defender as well. There is one large problem though, Lawson doesn't bring nearly enough scoring to the offense, as he is both undersized and lacks a great jumper from mid-range and long distance.

9. Sam Young

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 22: Sam Young #23 of the Pittsburgh Panthers looks on during a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena on March 22, 2009 in Day

Young could provide D'Antoni with a very versatile small forward. He has outstanding athleticism, runs the floor very well, is a good rebounder for his size, and can knock down the occasional three. The only negative about Young is that he is not the pure shooter that D'Antoni would like to see in his offense.

10. Gerald Henderson

BOSTON - MARCH 26:  Gerald Henderson #15 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles against the Villanova Wildcats during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regionals at TD Banknorth Garden on March 26, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Im

Henderson could bring D'Antoni a scoring two guard that can also defend and rebound. There are question about his consistency as he was very inconsistent for most of his Duke career and his jump shot is far from where D'Antoni would like it, especially for a two guard.

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written on May 26, 2009 Rankings/List

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