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.
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