2009 NBA Draft Recap and Highlights

Here is a recap of the 2009 NBA draft:

1.  Blake Griffin - Clippers - A pick so easy, a caveman could do it.  Far and away the best player in the draft this year and the obvious number one choice.

2.  Hasheem Thabeet - Grizzlies - Thabeet will add value on the defensive end from day one. I think he’ll be better offensively than people are estimating him to be. Even so, when you set the bar that low, it shouldn’t be hard to step over it.  It remains to be seen which contending team Memphis will give away their new franchise Center to while getting virtually nothing in return. 

5. Ricky Rubio - Timberwolves - This kid really knows how to play. He will distribute the ball, and could be the face of the franchise for years to come, though he didn’t seem thrilled to be going to what may seem like an arctic wasteland to him when January rolls around. In fact I loved this pick, up until now.

6. Jonny Flynn - Timberwolves - I thought for sure this had to be a part of a trade because I just don’t understand why the T-Wolves would take another PG at six, especially when they desperately need a SG and Stephen Curry is still on the board.  It seems they are going to build their team around two point guards and two power forwards.  I don’t get it.

10. Brandon Jennings - Bucks - Probably the biggest question mark of the draft.  Very talented and athletic, but an enigma who created one of the strangest scenes in the draft history by not coming out to shake hands with David Stern until several picks later because his agent had advised him not to be in the green room.

13. Tyler Hansborough - Pacers - I don’t think Pacer fans will ever be disappointed with this pick.  Hansborough will play hard every day and provide the type of grit and toughness that the Pacers are lacking. 

15. Austin Daye - Pistons - If this Tayshaun Prince clone turns out as well as the original, Detroit will be quite pleased with this pick.  Daye seems to have a big upside, comes into the league very skilled and with a great outside shot, but with a body that makes it seem he could blow away in any stiff breeze.

18. Ty Lawson - Nuggets - Lawson should be a great backup for Chauncey Billups. This role should give him the opportunity to learn from one of the best. 

28. Wayne Ellington - Timberwolves - Minnesota finally got the shooter they needed and I think Ellington provides a lot of value with this pick.

44. Chase Budinger - Rockets - Budinger is very athletic, but doesn’t really display it on the court like you might expect.  He can shoot the ball and may be a steal in the second round after having initially been mentioned as a lottery candidate.