The 2009 NBA Draft Expectations

There comes a time in every fans year, when he tires of the current generation and looks to the future. He looks for new, fresh, and exciting talent that will re-energize his team. However, experts say that the 2009 NBA Draft will not be as talented, I think they are wrong. 

Forget for a moment that they are illustrious journalist and ranker's, forget their triumphs, and failures, (Millicic) and instead think of the potential of the 2009 Draft class. Forget that I am some kid with a Internet gleaned knowledge of the game. Think of what you have read and seen of this year's draft candidates.

If 2007 and 2008 were the golden years, where a top 10 selection guaranteed you a franchise superstar and cornerstone, and the next 40 picks were starters. This year the experts are unanimous on one thing: This year is a drop off in talent. In my opinion this is false. Here are some of the players that caught my eye.

This years consensual No. 1 pick is Blake "The Beast/The Terminator" Griffin. Experts say he is a more athletic Carlos Boozer. In truth, he has more in common with a better rebounding and heavier Amar'e Stoudemire. He has similar athleticism, with a better feel for the game.

Too slow, too small, too skilled, too smart, and too unselfish. James Harden anyone?He has been lambasted for his perceived weaknesses, and only finds solace in his consistency, which has disappeared in this years March Madness. 

Everyone goes through a bad patch (see Eric Gordon) and Harden went through his at the wrong time. Yet his superb choke hold on fundamentals will allow him to ride through this and succeed. James Harden will become a better shooting, better passing, and safer Caron Butler. He may start out slow, but will remain consistent due to his skill set.

When you hear Hasheem Thabeet what is that cliche that pops to mind? "You can't teach height". But Thabeet is no awkward bean pole, he is athletic, with a perfect frame (that can add some weight), and potential in spades. With the right set-up he could become an athletic, taller and more offensively skilled (15 points per game) version of Dikembe Mutombo.

The criticism will come, but I believe one of the best picks of this draft will be Dejuan Blair. This comes down to one reason, he wants it more then anything else and he will not stop till he gets it.

He is strong, with a huge wingspan, and most importantly he is tough. In a sport where height determines everything, it's nice to see a misfit. Blair is going to break the mold through his toughness and determination. I don't know what he'll be or what he will do, all I know is that he will be big.

Demar Derozan is used to the hype, being the perfect athlete does that to you. So maybe his drop-off in production was a good thing, no pressure, and all the time in the world to work on the kinks in his game. Sure if he declares now he will be good, but would another year in college make him great?

Now to my favorite draft candidate, the kid who will make Jason Kidd look like a blind drunk driver, and make Walt Frazier like a clumsy pick-pocketer. The mercurial Ricky Rubio. 

Without a doubt Ricky Rubio is the most skilled candidate since a skinny kid from LSU decided to declare for the NBA draft. Rubio has insane court vision, an awareness on the defencive end that is without match, and an all-around game without flaw. 

People question his drive and his shot, but anybody who saw him in the Olympics knows this kid, can drive with the best of them, and his shot: Does he even need to shoot? 

He is still 18, and there was another phenom who could not shoot, but is now regarded as the most destructive players in the NBA. The Sky is the limit for Rubio and even that might not be enough.