Lester's 2009 NBA Mock Draft, Ver. 3
Lester's third 2009 NBA Mock Draft.
1.ย Los Angeles Clippers โ Blake Griffin
Blake is a lock for the No. 1 pick.
Previous Mock Pick:ย Blake Griffin, Blake Griffinย
2.ย Mempis Grizzlies โ Hasheem Thabeet
Thabeetโs defensive presence is too much for Memphis to pass up.ย They are set at Guard already with Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo so drafting Rubio or Harden doesnโt make sense.
Previous Pick:ย Jordan Hill, Hasheem Thabeet
3.ย Oklahoma City โ Jordan Hill
Hill is an athletic big man that should be able to get out and run with Westbrook, Durant, and Green.
Previous Pick:ย Hasheem Thabeet, Jordan Hill
4.ย Sacramento Kings โ Ricky Rubio
The Kings need Rubioโs star power in the worst way.ย Not to mention his ability to handle the rock.ย He could help bring Kevin Martin to the next level.
Previous Pick:ย Ricky Rubio, Ricky Rubio
5. Washington Wizards โ James Harden
Hardenโs smooth play should translate well with Jamison, Bulter, and company.
Previous Pick:ย James Harden, James Harden
6.ย Minnesota Timberwolves โ DeMar DeRozan
Though a PG makes more sense, the Wolves need players who can play right away.ย DeRozanโs athleticism should get him minutes right away at 2 or 3.
Previous Pick: Brandon Jennings, Brandon Jenningsย
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7.ย Golden State Warriors โ Stephen Curry
I keep changing my mind with Golden Stateโs intentions.ย Curryโs stock rises again.ย Curry and Ellis form an interchangeable backcourt.
Previous Pick:ย Ty Lawson, Jrue Holliday
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8.ย New York Knicks โ Brandon Jennings
Having missed out on Curry, the Knicks turn to a kid with the confidence to play PG in Madison Square Garden.ย Letโs just hope he has the game to match.
Previous Pick:ย Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry
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9.ย Toronto Raptors โ Tyreke Evans
Tyreke is a big climber as well.ย Heโll look good alongside Jose Calderon in Torontoโs backcourt.
Previous Pick:ย DeMar DeRozan, DeMar DeRozan
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10.ย Milwaulkee Bucks โ Jrue Holliday
Jrue slides back a bit because of Evansโ leap, but remains in the top 10.ย Gives the Bucks a solid PG if Ramon Sessions bolts.
Previous Pick:ย Stephen Curry, Jonny Flynn
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11.ย New Jersey Nets โ Earl Clark
Concerns about Blairโs knees allow Clark to move up a few slots.ย The athletic big man is a nice fit alongside Lopez.
Previous Pick: DeJuan Blair, DeJuan Blair
12.ย Charlotte Bobcats โ Gerald Henderson
Henderson is a good fit.ย Brings it on both ends of the floor.
Previous Pick:ย Wayne Ellington, Gerald Henderson
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13.ย Indiana Pacers โ Jonny Flynn
Flynn slides a bit to the Pacers.ย Flynn can get up and go in a hurry.ย Can penetrate and kick outย to Granger.
Previous Pick:ย Eric Maynor, Eric Maynor
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14.ย Phoenix Suns โ James Johnson
With Clark gone, the Suns turn to another athletic forward in James Johnson.ย Could be a poor manโs Shawn Marion.
Previous Pick:ย Earl Clark, Earl Clark
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15.ย Detroit Pistons โ ย Tyler Hansbrough
I just like Hansbrough in this spot.ย Tons of energy and toughness.
Previous Pick:ย Tyler Hansbrough, Tyler Hansbrough
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16. Chicago Bulls โ DeJuan Blair
I had the Bulls going small in the first two mocks, but with Blair dropping a bit they add more size in the frontcourt.
Previous Pick:ย Tyreke Evans, Tyreke Evans
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17.ย Philadelphia 76ers โ Ty Lawson
Lawson would give Philly a ton of speed and should create havoc on defense.
Previous Pick:ย Jeff Teague,ย Ty Lawson
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18.ย Minnesota Timberwolves โย B.J. Mullens
I wanted to go PG here, but the Wolves could use B.J.โs size taking some pressure off of Al Jefferson down low.
Previous Pick:ย B.J. Mullens,ย B.J. Mullens
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19.ย Atlanta Hawks โย Eric Maynor
Maynor gives the Hawks a true PG to step in when Bibby leaves.
Previous Pick: Patrick Mills,ย Jeff Teague
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20.ย Utah Jazz โย Chase Budinger
Budinger gives the Jazz a solid Wing player that can stretch defenses with his outside shooting.
Previous Pick:ย Gerald Henderson,ย Terrence Williams
21.ย New Orleans Hornets โย Jeff Teague
Teague gives the Hornets a solid backup to Chris Paul. ย His versatility should allow him to slide into the 2-guard spot if needed.
Previous Pick:ย Chase Budinger,ย Chase Budinger
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22.ย Dallas Mavericks โ Darren Collison
Collison gives the Mavs a polished PG to follow Jason Kidd.
Previous Pick: Jrue Holliday,ย Darren Collison
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23.ย Sacramento Kings โ Austin Daye
He will need time to develop. ย The Kings arenโt going anywhere for a while so they have the time.
Previous Pick:ย James Johnson,ย James Johnson
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24.ย Portland Trail Blazers โย DaJuan Summers
Summers gives the Blazers an athletic Wing player.
Previous Pick:ย Darren Collison,ย Austin Daye
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25.ย Oklahoma City โ Sam Young
Sam gives them a wing who can score and defend.
Previous Pick:ย Gani Lawal,ย Gani Lawal
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26.ย Chicago Bulls โ Omri Casspri
I still like Casspri for the Bulls. ย Gives them another outside threat.
Previous Pick: Derrick Brown,ย Omri Casspri
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27.ย Memphis โ Taj Gibson
Gives them frontcourt depth.
Previous Selection: ย Sam Young,ย Sam Young
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28.ย Minnesota Timberwolves โย Patrick Mills
They took a Wing and a Big Man. ย If they donโt trade away their any of their picks, theyโll likely grab a PG. ย Mills could develop into a good one.
Previous Pick:ย Terrence Williams,ย DaJuan Summers
29.ย Los Angeles Lakers โ Derrick Brown
With Odom likely gone, the Champs could use Brown to soften the blow.
Previous Pick:ย Omri Casspri,ย Patrick Mills
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30.ย Cleveland Cavaliers โ Wayne Ellington
The Cavs need someone who can score to help King James.
Previous Pick:ย DaJuan Summers,ย Nick Calathes
