Portland Trail Blazers 2009 NBA Draft Recap
The 2009 NBA draft is over and some Portland fans are left scratching their heads. Over the past few seasons we've seen Kevin Pritchard make legendary moves to acquire the current members of the Trail Blazers. But was this draft really so boring? Doesn't it just appear as though the organization is setting up to make moves in free agency?
If they had moved up to draft Curry or Rubio, this summers moves would be done. But now we have July to look forward to. I don't know about the every guy we drafted, but I'm okay with the moves made. Let's take a look at them.
Victor Claver, 22nd pick - Small Forward | 6-11, 217 | Age: 20
This was a typical San Antonio/Kevin Pritchard type move. Draft a guy who you can stash in Europe and then bring him over in a few years when he's ready. You can see in the videos posted by CDub below that he is a very athletic young man.
He has a very bright future. Most importantly this move keeps a roster spot open and no salary issues yet. The one thing that shocked me is passing on DeJuan Blair. I thought for sure we'd take the big stud out of Pitt. But what the Hell do I know?
Jeff Pendergraph, 31st pick - Power Forward | 6-10, 240 | Age: 22
Portland essentially acquired Pendergraph via the trade sending Sergio and the 38th pick to Sacramento for the 31st pick. Amazingly enough when this pick came to Portland, DeJuan Blair was still on the board and Portland still didn't get him. Obviously there were red flags regarding Blair.
Pendo was also a very viable option who can legitimately back-up LaMarcus Aldridge at the four. I suppose he'll be at summer league and I can't wait to see him in action.
Jeff Cunningham, 33rd pick - Power Forward | 6-8, 227 | Age: 22
Cunningham seems like an undersized power forward and i don't see him fitting on the Blazer roster at all. I don't know anything about him, but he had good numbers in college and will most like not be playing for us. Sounds pretty concise, right?
Patty Mills, 55th pick - Point Guard | 6-1, 175 | Age: 20
Unlike Cunningham, Patty Mills is a guy I've seen play quite a bit. For a lot of people it was his incredible play in the Olympics. For me it was watching him absolutely light up Gonzaga whenever he had a chance to face my alma mater.
He's a little undersized and not considered a true point guard but his big game mentality and Olympic experience make him an intriguing option in the NBA. I don't see him getting much run this year but apparently he has his international passport which would allow him to play overseas should he not make the Blazers roster.
That just about sums it up. Nothing incredible, no first round pick who will make an immediate impact. The bottom line is we got a guy in Claver who will pan out down the line, Pendergraph could be a legitimate back-up for LaMarcus and free agency is just days away. The fun continues in July!
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