Built Ford Tough's 2009 NBA Mock Draft

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.

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