With the first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select Blake Griffin out of Oklahoma.

This is a no-brainer if you ask me. Blake Griffin is an athletic big man that isn't afraid to bang down low. He is a great rebounder and will get after it on the glass. He can create his own shot very well and can face up his defender and use his explosive first step to get by him.

He doesn't have the greatest of back to the basket game, but with time he can add that to his offensive arsenal. His jump shot needs work and he isn't the best of defenders. Both of these things can improve with hard work and there have been no signs that Griffin is lazy and won't put in the effort to improve his game.

Griffin definitely has the most upside out of any player in this year's draft and he could step in and contribute right away.

NBA Comparison: Amare Stoudemire

With the second pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select Ricky Rubio from Spain.

While I don't think that Rubio will end the night as a Grizzly, I do think that they will select him with the 2nd pick. Rubio has a fantastic feel for the game and a great basketball IQ.

He is a pure point guard and is a very crafty player with the ball in his hands. He runs an offense with maturity beyond his years and is particularly great at running the pick and roll. He has great instincts on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He is fantastic at playing passing lanes and coming up with steals. His man to man defense could use some improvement.

He isn't a great athlete by any stretch of the imagination, but he isn't going to be overwhelmed by the speed and strength of the NBA either. His jumper needs work, but he has improved it over the last year and made some serious strides in this area of his game. Rubio is such an intriguing prospect and plays the game with a savvy and maturity beyond his years.

Expect to see Rubio dealt sometime during the draft though, possibly to either Sacramento, New York, Golden State or Minnesota

NBA Comparison: Jason Kidd

With the third pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder select James Harden out of Arizona State.

Harden has an outstanding feel for the game and this versatile lefty knows how to play the game the right way. He is able to create for himself and others very well. He can attack the rim and draw the defense in and then kick it out to a teammate for an open jumper. His play making skills for a shooting guard are good. He is a solid defender that will play smart, positional basketball and not gamble. Plays with defense with his feet and not his hands.

His ball handling to his right, his off-hand, could use some improvement, but it is not a major concern.

A good all-around player that doesn't really stand out in any single category, but doesn't really have any glaring weaknesses either.

NBA Comparison:Manu Ginobili

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