Built Ford Tough's 2009 NBA Mock Draft

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

With the fourth pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Brandon Jennings out of Italy.

Jennings is a terrific athlete and a pure point guard. He is creative with the ball and is able to make spectacular plays. He is very confident in his abilities and wants the ball in his hands in pressure situations. Has a fantastic first step and is very dangerous off of the bounce.

He has very good court vision and likes to create for his teammates. Can get to the rim seemingly at will. Great in the open court and in a fast paced game. He seems to have a great feel for the game and it plays like he was born to be a basketball player.

He needs to add consistency to his jumper and at times he can get out of control. His decision making needs to improve and he definitely needs to add muscle to his frame and get stronger. His man to man defense needs to work and he needs to buy into playing defense every possession.

Jennings has excellent potential and can become a very good NBA point guard.

NBA Comparison: Stephon Marbury

With the fifth pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards select Hasheem Thabeet out of the University of Connecticut.

Thabeet is a defensive monster. The most imposing defensive presence in all of college basketball last season, Thabeet and his 7'3" frame is an intimidating defensive presence. An excellent shot blocker with great defensive instincts, he has a great body, a huge wingspan and is a good athlete. His rebounding, while not at the level you would want it to be, is improving. He is great at running the floor, even beating guards down court sometimes.

His post game needs work and he is still very raw on the offensive end of the floor. He needs to add some more strength to his frame because stronger players are able to push him around a bit. He has only been playing basketball for a short time so he is still learning the game.

He has an immense amount of potential and will be a force on the defensive end of the floor.

NBA Comparison: Rich Man's Samuel Dalembert

With the sixth pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timerwolves select Stephen Curry out of the University of Davidson

Stephen Curry is the best shooter in this class bar none. Just like his father Dell, Stephen is a lights out shooter and if he gets an open look, it is going in. This will be a huge asset for playing with Al Jefferson as Curry will space the floor for the big man to work down low and provide a shooting threat if teams double down on him.

He is great at spotting up for a three, curling off of a screen, catching and shooting as well as putting the ball on the floor and pulling up from mid range. He is just a fantastic shooter. Curry made the transition to point guard last season and he proved that he may just have a future as a point guard in the NBA as he put up six assists a game on a very poor Davidson team.

He has a very good feel for the game and a good basketball IQ, which is to be expected from somebody that has been around the game his entire life. He is very poised under pressure and wants the ball in his hands during late game situations and is very clutch.

His ball handling needs work and decision-making could be better as well but that is to be expected from someone that has played limited minutes at point guard. He needs to work on creating his own shot a bit more as well.

He proved all of the naysayers wrong about his athleticism as he had a solid showing in the Combine and removed the label of being a poor athlete. Defensively he needs work and will never be a good defender. He needs to add muscle to his frame.

Curry is the best shooter in the draft and with his ever expanding point guard skills, he could become a very good player in the NBA.

NBA Comparison: Mike Bibby

With the seventh pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors select Jonny Flynn out of Syracuse.

The Warriors are in need of a point guard and regardless of what Monta Ellis may want, the Warriors are going to draft a point guard. Brandon Jennings is the ideal pick for the Warriors but I don't see him falling down to the Warriors so they will have to settle for Johnny Flynn instead.

Flynn is a lightening quick point guard that is very athletic. He is great in a faced paced game and that is exactly the style of game that he will play with the Warriors. He is an excellent ball handler and likes to get teammates involved, which will be a nice change for the otherwise selfish Warrior team.

His size may be a question mark with some teams as he is only 6'0" tall and together with Monta Ellis that makes an incredibly small backcourt, but since when have the Warriors cared about defense? His decision-making needs to improve and he really struggles defensively, but he is a pure point guard and a guy that will excel in a fast paced system.

NBA Comparison: T.J. Ford (?)

With the eighth pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select Tyreke Evans out of the University of Memphis.

Tyreke Evans is a shooting guard with point guard skills. He will never be a full-time point guard but he will be able to play the position occasionaly. Evans is great at creating his own shot and is very creative with the ball in his hands. He has good play making from the shooting guard position. On defense he plays the passing lanes very well and is a good rebounder for a 6'5" shooting guard, averaging 5.5 rebounds per game last season with the Tigers.

Evans is very good with the ball in his hands, but he needs to work on playing off of the ball a bit more. His jumper is very inconsistent and needs work and at times he can get a bit out of control. He needs to work on involving his teammates a bit more as he can get tunnel vision at times.

Evans has a ton of potential and he will fit in very well with the high octane offense that Mike D'Antoni loves to run. His playmaking ability from the two-guard spot will be a huge asset for the Knicks.

NBA Comparison: Larry Hughes

With the ninth pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors select DeMar DeRozan out of the University of Southern California.

DeRozan is arguably the best athlete in this draft and has the most upside out of any player in the draft. He is very raw right now but he is an incredible athlete that can jump out of the gym. He is great at running the floor and finishing in transition and loves to finish with high flying theatrics.

He possess all of the raw, athletic attributes that you would want in a wing player and maybe most importantly, he has his head on straight. He knows that he has to put in the work to become an NBA player and he works very hard. He doesn't just rely on his athletic ability and he really wants to make this NBA thing work to help out his struggling family.

He shows a solid midrange stroke but he does need to increase his range out to the three-point line. In college he struggled shooting the long ball, but he does have solid shooting mechanics so over time it isn't unrealistic to expect him to develop a respectable jumper.

He needs to work on his handles on offense in order for him to get the most out of his athletic ability. On defense he has a very good frame and athletic ability, but he isn't a very good fundamental defender and needs to put in the work there as well. He has no problems playing defense and doesn't take possessions off.

He had a slow start last year, but he came on very strong during the last month of the season and put the Trojans on his back during the Pac-10 Tournament. DeRozan has the most upside out of any player in this draft, but he will take time to develop. The sky is the limit for him though.

NBA Comparison: Poor Man's Vince Carter.

With the 10th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks select Jordan Hill out of the University of Arizona.

With Charlie Villaneuva not looking to return to the Bucks, Jordan Hill fits right in with the Bucks. He would make a very good, young big man pairing with Andrew Bogut.

He is super athletic and very long which helps him out tremendously on the glass where he is a very good rebounder. He doesn't quit on any rebound and will go after it. He loves to play inside, and although he needs to bulk up a bit to band down low at the NBA level, he has the frame to do so. He runs the floor very well and loves to get out in transition.

His offensive game is still developing and needs some more work to it. He is pretty unpolished on the offensive end of the floor. Defensively he isn't great, but he gives it his all on every possession and will work hard. He has only been playing for a short period of time and he made some big strides in his game during his junior season at Arizona.

He has a lot of potential and can be a good big man in the NBA.

NBA Comparison: Better Version of Chris Wilcox

With the 11th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the New Jersey Nets select Earl Clark out of the University of Louisville.

The Nets are set at point guard and center with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez respectively so I can see them going anywhere other than those two positions with this pick. Ultimately, I decided on Earl Clark over James Johnson out of Wake Forest due to the potential that he has.

There are questions about whether or not Clark will be able to make the adjustment to full time small forward but you can't deny the natural tools and potential that he has. He is very versatile and can do a little bit of everything.

He doesn't really excel at any one area, although he is a good defender and rebounder from the small forward position. He isn't great offensively and definitely needs to work on his very inconsistent jumper and his shot selection can be poor as well.

He has a tendency to coast at times and doesn't appear to be completely into the game, but if he is able to put it all together and get his head in the game at all times, he can become a very solid player for the New Jersey Nets and be a solid piece to their rebuilding puzzle.

NBA Comparison: Boris Diaw

With the 12th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats select Jrue Holiday out of UCLA.

I think that the Bobcats won't be able to pass up the best player available, and that player is Jrue Holiday. Some people question if he is a true point guard in the NBA or not, but with Charlotte that isn't as much of a concern as they have last year's first round pick D.J. Augustin at point guard.

With Charlotte, Holiday can play more of a play making 2 guard role which is something that fits him better at the start of his NBA career. Holiday is stuck between the 1 and 2 guards, but he has a nice frame and is a good defensive player that is able to create his own shot on offense.

He needs to improve on his jump shot in order to be a successful NBA player, especially if he sees time at the 2-guard during his time in the league. He has a good feel for the game and can become a very good defensive player.

Pairing Holiday with Augustin in the back court gives the Bobcats a nice, youthful back court going forward and gives them a little leverage in case they lose Raymond Felton to free agency or choose not to bring him back.

NBA Comparison: Rodney Stuckey

With the 13th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers select Terrence Williams out of the University of Louisville.

This was a tough pick for me as the Pacers need a big man the most, but there really aren't any good big men left in the draft at this point so I went with Terrence Williams and his versatility.

Williams is able to play the shooting guard and small forward positions and can be effective at both of those positions. He is a good athlete that has an NBA ready body and is not afraid to use it. His best attribute is his defensive capabilities. He is a guy that will play tough, hard nosed defense and not back down from anybody.

He is capable of handling the ball on offense and creating plays, but his scoring ability isn't that great. He would much rather set up teammates and is at times too unselfish. He needs to work on scoring the rock to take his game to the next level.

Williams will provide the Pacers with a very tough, hard-nosed, versatile player that will do the dirty work for them.

NBA Comparison: Poor Man's Andre Iguodala

With the 14th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns select James Johnson out of Wake Forest.

Johnson is the best player available at this point in my opinion and that is what I think the Suns are looking for.

Johnson is a tough, physical player that is not afraid to bang down low with bigger players. He played a lot of power forward in college but he will be a small forward in the NBA. He puts the opposing team in a lot of mismatches with his size and strength because he can take smaller defenders down to the low block and post them up, but if he has a bigger defender on him he can take them off of the dribble.

He has good instincts on the offensive end of the floor when it comes to scoring the ball and seems to have a nose for the basketball. He is a good rebounder and physical defender that also has some decent shot blocking instincts.

His game still needs some polishing up on both ends of the floor and some people think that he may be stuck between the small forward and power forward positions in the NBA so we will have to see how he makes the transition, but Johnson will provide the Suns with a tough, physical player that isn't afraid to mix it up.

NBA Comparison: Ryan Gomes

With the 15th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select B.J. Mullens out of Ohio State University.

The Pistons are going to lose Rasheed Wallace via free agency this offseason and seem to be ready to start rebuilding.

Mullens is a very intriguing center prospect. He is athletic, has a great frame, long wingspan, good touch and soft hands. He is very good at establishing position down low and finishing around the basket.

He is a work in progress and is far from being NBA ready. He needs to develop a wider array of post moves, as well as gain a better feel for offensive in general. He seems to have a lack of commitment to play on the defensive end and this needs to change. He isn't a great rebounder for his size and loses focus easily on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.

Mullens has an incredible amount of potential, and it will take at least a couple of years before he reaches his potential. If the Pistons have the patience to work with Mullens and let him come along slowly, they will reap the benefits though because the upside that Mullens has is through the roof.

NBA Comparison: Chris Kaman

With the 16th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select DeJuan Blair our of Pittsburgh.

Blair is an undersized big man in terms of height, but he is a very big, strong boy. He somewhat makes up for his limited size with his long wingspan, but at 6'7" will definitely hurt his draft stock at least a little bit.

He was probably the best rebounder in all of college basketball last season and he is not afraid to mix it up with bigger, stronger players. He is an intense player that will leave it all on the court and play a physical style of basketball. He is a solid interior defender that is also pretty good at playing the passing lanes.

He needs to work on his perimeter skills on both offense and defense and there are some questions about whether or not he will be able to keep his weight in check. There are also some serious questions about his knees and their durability.

Blair will never be a star, but he can become a good energy big guy off of the bench for the Bulls and provide them with some toughness down low.

NBA Comparison:Paul Millsap

With the 17th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select Ty Lawson out of the University of North Carolina.

The Sixers are apparently really high on Ty Lawson and are big fans of his game and with the pending free agency of Andre Miller and his future up in the air, they could really use Lawson and his pure point guard game.

He is incredibly quick with the ball and is a good decision maker. He has a fantastic assist to turnover ratio at 3.48 which further proves his decision making. He is definitely a pure point guard that looks to get the ball into the hands of his teammates and would rather set them up than score himself. He is a good leader on the floor. He is effective at pushing the ball in transition which would be a great fit for this Philadelphia team that likes to get out and run and he is also very used to playing with a dominant big man after playing with one of the nations top power forwards in Tyler Hansbrough for the duration of his college career which will help with how he and Elton Brand work together.

Lawson needs to improve his jumper from both long range and mid range. He doesn't have great mechanics so his form will need a makeover. He is going to have trouble guarding bigger and stronger point guards at the next level. He needs to work on his ability to create off of the dribble as well.

Lawson should be a rock solid point guard in the NBA and with Miller's future up in the air, he could be a nice insurance policy for the 76ers.

NBA Comparison:Jamaal Tinsley without the baggage.

With the 18th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Gerald Henderson out of Duke.

It was really hard for me to have Henderson drop all the way to 18 and to be perfectly honest I don't think that he will fall this far. If he is still on the board at this point though there is no way that the Wolves will be able to pass up Henderson.

He is definitely the best player available at this point in time and with the Corey Brewer coming off of ACL surgery and Rodney Carney being unproven, Henderson could step in right away and have an impact on this team. He is one of the more NBA ready players in the entire draft. He has a good all around game and doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. He can step in and contribute immediately.

The upside on Henderson isn't very great and I don't think that he will ever be anything more than a role player in the NBA but he can definitely be a solid contributor in the NBA and at this point in the draft, it would be a huge mistake to pass on Henderson.

NBA Comparison:More offensive capable Dahntay Jones

With the 19th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks select Jeff Teague out of Wake Forest.

With Mike Bibby possibly leaving through free agency, the Hawks would be smart to look to add some point guard insurance in case Acie Law proves incapable of being a full time point guard and Jeff Teague provides them with that. He is not a pure point guard but that is where he will see time in the NBA. Teague's biggest strength is his ability to score the basketball. He is a very dangerous scorer and has terrific scoring instincts. On offense he really does have the whole package. He has a good jumper and was hitting college three pointers at a good clip last season, he can drive to the hoop and finish, he has a good jumper from mid range. When it comes to scoring, Teague can do it all.

He needs to work on his point guard skills in order to take the next step and get consistent minutes in the NBA. His decision-making isn't very good and he isn't that good at running an offense. On defense he has the tools to be a pretty good defender but he has an unwillingness to put in the effort at the defensive end of the floor.

Teague is a scoring machine and is one of the most dangerous scorers in this draft, but if he wants to take his game to the next level he has to develop better point guard skills.

NBA Comparison: Better Shooting Monta Ellis

With the 20th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select Tyler Hansbrough out of the University of North Carolina.

Carlos Boozer is a free agent and there is a good chance that he will test the market and end up elsewhere next season so that leaves the Jazz with a hole at the 4. The Jazz are in desperate need of a shooter, but at this point in time there really isn't anybody worth taking in that regard so I settled on Hansbrough. Hansbrough is coming off of a fantastic college career and looks to carry over that success to the NBA. He is a relentless worker that may be limited physically but he makes up for it with his heart and hustle. He is a very smart player that is great at creating contact and getting to the line. He has a winning mentality and will do whatever it takes to get a win. He is an ultra competitive person and that pushes him to be the best that he can be.

At the NBA level he may be overwhelmed by the size, strength and speed of the league as he was at times a man amongst boys at the college level. He doesn't have much potential and what you see is what you get with Hansbrough.

He will never be a star but he can be a serviceable big man off of the bench and can provide you with some energy and hustle.

NBA Comparison: Kris Humphries

With the 21st pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Hornets select Eric Maynor from Virgina Commonwealth University.

The Hornets have stud point guard Chris Paul leading their team but they are in need of a legitimate backup point guard and Eric Maynor may be that guy.

Maynor is coming off of a very good season at VCU in which he put up 23/4/6 capping off a college career that saw him improve on his game each year. Maynor is a crafty point guard that is able to mix his game up effectively using change of pace dribbles, different speeds and mixing up his scoring and passing. He is a smart point guard that knows when he should look for his own shot or when he should find the open man. He has a good jump shot with extended range and he loves to have the ball in his hands during crunch time and when the pressure is on as he is very confident in his abilities.

He needs to take better care of the ball as he can be a bit turnover prone at times and he can also struggle finishing around the rim at times. His defense needs work and especially his commitment to playing on the defensive end of the floor.

Maynor could become a nice backup point guard for the Hornets and by drafting him, they are able to afford to have Paul get some rest during the course of the game.

NBA Comparison: Sam Cassell

With the 22nd pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks select Sam Young out of Pittsburgh.

To be perfectly honest, I have absolutely no idea what the Mavs are going to do with this pick and I just ended up deciding on Young because he is probably the most NBA-ready player at this point in the draft.

Young is an athletic small forward that will provide the Mavs with some grit and toughness. He started his career as a power forward but has made the transition to small forward and he still plays with that toughness that you need to bang down low with opposing big men. Young is a strong defender and rebounder thanks to his strength, athleticism and frame.

On offense, he is a pretty good shooter when he gets his feet set but he isn't nearly as accurate once you make him put the ball on the floor for more than a couple of dribbles. He doesn't really have much of an offense game and needs to work on that area of his game.

Young earn his keep on the defensive end of the floor, providing the team he goes to with some physicality and toughness.

NBA Comparison: Joey Graham

With the 23rd pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Austin Daye out of the University of Gonzaga.

With the Kings already addressing their need at point guard earlier in this draft, I think that they would be intrigued with the potential that Daye has. He is a very long and lanky small forward and has fantastic size at 6'11" for the 3.

He has good instincts on the offensive end of the floor and can create his shot like a guard. He has good handle and footwork for a guy his size and he also has a solid jumper with range out to the three-point line. His length allows him to play the passing lanes very well and even coming from the weak side to block shots.

He is going to struggle a lot guarding his own position in the NBA due to his lack of strength. He has a really skinny, lanky frame so it looks like it would be hard for him to put any serious muscle on and will always be a weaker player.

Daye needs plenty of time to develop and there is a good chance that he never puts it all together, but at 23 I think that his potential would be worth the gamble.

NBA Comparison: Poor Man's Rashard Lewis

With the 24th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Portland Trailblazers select Darren Collison out of UCLA.

The Blazers don't really have that big of a need at any position other than point guard. Collison could provide them with a nice option off of the bench as he is a very experienced player that had a great college career at UCLA.

Collison has a good feel for the game and makes good decisions on the floor. He is capable of running a team in a half court set and pushing the ball and getting out in transition. He is very poised and doesn't get rattled under pressure.He has good court vision and is more than willing to make the extra pass as he is very unselfish. He is excellent at pressuring the ball carrier and playing team defense.

He is going to be outmuscled in the NBA and he isn't really great at creating offense. He doesn't have great scoring instincts and can be pretty passive on the offensive end. He has very limited upside and will never be more than a role player or backup.

Collison could become a nice point guard off of the bench for the Blazers and with a team whose only real weakness is the point guard spot, I could see the Blazers taking a chance on Collison here.

NBA Comparison: Chris Duhon

With the 25th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder select Chase Budinger out of the University of Arizona.

Even though I already have the Thunder selecting Harden with their 3rd pick and effectively addressing their shooting guard need, I think that they would still consider taking Budinger. He is a very good shooter and a great athlete that can jump with the best of them. His biggest asset is going to be his shooting ability which is very good.

He is good at spotting up and taking jumpers, coming off of screens for open looks and being a catch and shoot player. He has a good feel for the game and a high basketball IQ. He is very good at moving without the ball and creating space to get his shot off. He is not good at creating off of the dribble and his midrange game is basically non existent.

On offense everything with Budinger is either beyond the arc or in the paint. He needs to develop that in between game. On defense he may have troubles guarding his own shooting guard position. He doesn't have much potential and will most likely not be anything more than a shooter off of the bench for a team but I think that the Thunder will covet his shooting ability off of the bench and take a chance on him at 25.

NBA Comparison: Brent Barry

With the 26th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select Toney Douglas out of Florida State University.

This is strictly an insurance pick in case the Bulls lose Ben Gordon to free agency this summer. Douglas could be a poor man's Ben Gordon for the Bulls as he has a very similar game to Gordon. He is not a true point guard but his size will limit him when it comes to playing the two as he is only 6'2".

He can provide the Bulls with instant offense and a shooting threat off of the bench though. He is great at coming off of screens and taking jumpers, catching and shooting and pulling up and shooting a jumper.

Other than scoring and shooting though he doesn't really bring much to the table. He is going to struggle defensively and his limited point guard skills will force him to play the shooting guard position in the NBA. Douglas would be good for some instant offense off of the bench but if he is forced to play major minutes I think that his effective offense will be nullified by what he will give up on the defensive end of the floor.

A good scoring option off of the bench, but nothing more than that. This pick would be insurance in case Gordon leaves via free agency and would soften the blow a bit for the Bulls.

NBA Comparison: Charlie Bell or a Poor Man's Ben Gordon

With the 27th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select Omri Casspi from Israel.

With this pick the Grizzlies are able to save some money as they won't bring Casspi over immediately. Casspi has some interesting mismatch potential as he is a combo forward that is able to create his own shot on the perimeter but isn't afraid to go down low and post up either.He is a very tough, confident player that loves to mix it up and play physically. He won't back down to anybody and thrives when games get gritty.

He doesn't have much skill but he can provide the Grizzlies with a hard nosed, blue collar player and most importantly, they don't have to worry about paying him immediately as they can let him stay in Israel for a while.

NBA Comparison: Matt Harpring

With the 28th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Jonas Jerebko from Sweden.

I can't see the Wolves having three rookies on their roster next season so that makes me think that they will look overseas with this pick and I think they will settle on Jonas Jerebko from Sweden.

Jonas is a limited offensive player that doesn't posses much skill or confidence on that end of the floor but he has a lot of potential on the defensive end of the floor. He is great at using his size and length to bother opponents. He will make his living on the defensive end of the floor and has a lot of potential in this area of the game.

NBA Comparison: Thabo Sefolosha

With the 29th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Wayne Ellington out of the University of North Carolina.

Everything that I have read so far suggests that the Lakers will be looking for a point guard but there really aren't any point guards in the draft worth passing Ellington to obtain. I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers go with Patrick Mills here, though. 

Ellington came on strong for UNC during their National Championship run and he was named Final Four MVP. He is a knock-down shooter that can provide spot-up shooting as a catch-and-shoot wingman or a player that comes off screens and uses off-ball movement to get open. He is also very good at pulling up from midrange off the dribble and knocking down the midrange jumper.

Outside of his deadeye shooting, I don't think that he brings much else to the table. He isn't good at creating his own shot and he isn't anything special on the defensive end of the floor or when it comes to ball handling.

Ellington is the best player available at this point and that is what I think that Lakers will be looking for unless they are dead set on acquiring a point guard.

NBA Comparison: Daequan Cook

With the 30th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Calavliers select Derrick Brown out of Xavier University.

With the possibility of losing Anderson Varejao and Ben Wallace this summer and after having their unathletic big men getting exposed against the Orlando Magic in the playoffs, I have the Cavs taking Derrick Brown here due to his ability to guard perimeter oriented power forwards.

He doesn't have much of an offensive game but he is a good defensive player that can defend down low as well as out on the perimeter. He has good lateral quickness for a power forward and this enables him to step out and defend. He also has a long wingspan which helps him out on the defensive end of the floor.

Drafting Brown gives the Cavs a power forward that is able to step out onto the perimeter and defend.

NBA Comparison:Quicker, less-offensively inclined Jason Maxiell (?)

 

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