2009 NBA Mock Draft: ATS Consultants

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Our friends at ATS Consultants have provided Touthouse.com with this year’s 2009 NBA Mock Draft information. Be sure to Visit ATS Consultants each day for updated NBA Mock Draft news as well as free sports picks through the ATS Consultants Newsletter.

The NBA Draft takes place on June 25 in New York’s Madison Square Garden. The L.A. Clippers, this year’s lottery winner, will have the first selection in the draft.

You can check out our initial NBA Mock Draft Part I and NBA Mock Draft Part II at ATS Consultants Sports Blog. This will be updated several times between now and June 25th.

Team Position/Player School/Country Size

1) L.A. Clippers: PF Blake Griffin, Oklahoma 6' 10", 252 lbs.
Comment: The best player in the draft, by far. He’ll have the physical tools to compete right away. He reminds some of Carlos Boozer, with much more athleticism.

2) Memphis: PG Ricky Rubio, Spain 6' 4", 180 lbs.
Comment: Here’s where it gets interesting. Rubio is a tremendous talent, who lacks size, pure jumping and great quicks. But what a passer. Problem is, he doesn’t want to play for Memphis or Oklahoma City and has a $7 million buyout. He’s also just 18 and won’t turn 19 until October. Stay tuned.

3) Oklahoma City: C Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut 7' 3", 265 lbs.
Comment: The most imposing defensive player in the draft. Thabeet is light-years away from contributing on the offensive end. A lot of question marks about his desire and drive. With Nena Kristic aboard and question mark in regards to his health, the Thunder desperately need a big man in the middle. Could they trade up for Rubio?

4) Sacramento: PG Tyreke Evans, Memphis 6' 6", 220 lbs.
Comment: Evans has all the physical tools and instincts to be a very good point guard or even shooting guard. Since he played just one season, he is still raw but he does have the body and athletic ability to play from day one. He can start for the Kings from day one.

5) Washington PF Jordan Hill, Arizona 6' 9", 235 lbs.
Comment: Hill is the next best big man available, though the Wiz will probably try to trade the pick. They just have no cap room and are maxed out. What they do need is somebody who is tough underneath and can rebound.

6) Minnesota SG DeMar DeRozan, USC 6'6", 220 lbs.
Comment: DeRozan is arguably the best athlete in the draft and a tremendous talent. He’s just a bit raw and will need to work on his jumper and overall game. Minnesota has Mike Miller and Rodney Carney, so they can bring him along slowly.

7) Golden State SG James Harden, Arizona State 6' 5", 215 lbs.
Comment: Harden is a very good player who can come in and play right away. He’s a smart player who lacks great athleticism, but knows how to use his body to get to the line. Similar to Mitch Richmond, assuming he improves his perimeter jumper.

8 ) New York PG Stephen Curry, Davidson, 6' 2", 185 lbs.
Comment: The Knicks are in love with Curry and it seems Mike D’Antoni sees a bit of Steve Nash in him. Not a great athlete or big, but very smart with a great jump shot, like his father Dell. But can he defend and become a true point guard?

9) Toronto PG Brandon Jennings, Lottamatica Roma, 6' 1", 170 lbs.
Comment: The Raptors may lose Chris Bosh to free agency next season or trade him away, but if Jordan Hill is not available, Jennings is the next best thing. He’s still raw and played overseas last year, but he can give the team a change-of-pace guard when Jose Calderon comes out.

10) Milwaukee PF DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh, 6' 7", 260 lbs.
Comment: One of the high-risers on the board. He has a 7' 2" wing span, which makes up for his lack of height. Blair adds rebounding and size inside to a team that needs to get more physical. Should be a good complement to Andrew Bogut.

11) New Jersey PF James Johnson, Wake Forest, 6' 9", 235 lbs.
Comment: One of the most talented big men in the draft, Johnson tended to disappear at times last year. Should not have much of a problem scoring. He’ll need to improve his defense and effort once he gets in the NBA.

12) Charlotte SF Earl Clark, Louisville, 6' 9", 220 lbs.

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