2009 NBA Mock Draft - Version 1.0

by Rizzo23 on May 22, 2009 12:33 PM PDT

With the lottery completed and the order decided, it’s time to try my hand at an early mock for this year’s draft. There have already been some risers and fallers early on and I’m sure there will be more in the coming days. Some teams are looking to shop their picks, mostly in the late first round, but for now, I’ll just assume that there won’t be any trades. Of course, that means the Celtics won’t be drafting in the first round, but my rules are meant to be broken on draft day, so I’m sure Ainge will do just that. Let’s see how the first round of the draft could shake out.

1. Los Angeles Clippers – Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma

This is a no-brainer pick. He has been the #1 pick in this draft since last November and has won every Player of the Year award you can think of. I’ve already posted my thoughts on this pick for the Clippers, so I won’t go over it again. He’s got the potential to be a top power forward in the league in a few years, but also if he doesn’t develop much of an offensive game, could have already plateud. I don’t expect that to happen, so he will develop into a very good, borderline great, power forward in the league.

2. Memphis Grizzlies – Ricky Rubio, G, Spain

Rubio’s agent has already said they will do what they can to avoid him going to either Memphis or Oklahoma City, but the same agent tried to do this with Yi last year and failed. Ultimately, I think Rubio decides to play for whoever takes him and Memphis, with the #2 pick, should take the 2nd best talent on the board. People widely consider Rubio and Thabeet to round out the top-3 with Griffin, but I could see Memphis consider Jordan Hill at this pick if they do not want to stunt the growth of Mike Conley, Jr. In the end, Rubio is the pick and should embrace the chance to play with OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder – Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut

The Thunder have many holes and are not in a position to draft by, well, position. Other than Westbrook, Durant and Jeff Green have solidified their spots on this team. Nenad Krstic was a nice pickup last year, but he’s not a center you would want to build around. Thabeet would give them an instant upgrade in the defense department and if his offense ever comes around, he could become a really nice player. He must bulk up, but who in the draft doesn’t? Also considered James Harden and DeMar DeRozan at this spot.

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This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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Comments

drerozan is possible

i just get the feeling nelly is determined to get a point guard

by gsw.raiders on May 22, 2009 1:31 PM PDT reply actions

i dont think nellie is determined for 1 in the draft.

except MAAAYBE eric maynor, every pg is a couple years away. Rubio is only 18, holiday 18, jennings 19 and so on. There is the possibility instead of a true PG we look for a passing swing a la hedo turkaglo….. i know hedo wont come but idea of monta next to 2 guys who can initiate would definitely work

by tafkasam on May 26, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions

But if Rubio and Jennings are gone by #7, who would Nelly select at PG without horribly over-reaching?

by Rizzo23 on May 22, 2009 2:20 PM PDT reply actions

Some people would not consider Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday or Ty Lawson reaches with the seventh pick.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on May 22, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I Think

That if Jennings is gone and for sure Rubio is long gone I think we should trade down and take Jrue Holiday. The key is to not trade down too far. Maybe around 9-16

"I'm not a beautiful strawberry or banana. I'm an onion. But you know what? For a lot of people, you've got to have that onion to make a hamburger right."
-- Lorenzo Neal

by i love sports101 on May 22, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Who in 9-16 wants to trade up? Who is particularlz enticing to make someone go for this?

by jae on May 23, 2009 1:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Derozen

Makes Brandon Jennings look like a good jump shooter, he does have crazy hops though

by pbra17 on May 22, 2009 10:08 PM PDT reply actions

Derozen is the next Vince Carter

just imagine him on the fast break with the Warriors

Don Nelson: "Hey Johnny shot 3s"
Player: "But coach i'm 7 foot 8"
Don Nelson: "Johnny!!,if you know whats good for you shoot 3s"

by LighTz707OuT on May 22, 2009 10:58 PM PDT reply actions

Let's Just Wait

A little bit more. We have to see how the combine goes and what the scouts say. It’s too early to say who we want or need. PG or POWER PF would be nice. But so would be getting the first pick in the draft. After June 8th, THAN let’s make our choices for players. Every player we are eyeing right now are all scorers except for Jru. Other than that, they will all learn how to play defense, and with Nellie, we all know they will have to show they can play defense. Let’s just sit back, watch more of the playoffs than get into who we should get?!

by The Dedication on May 22, 2009 11:59 PM PDT reply actions

Scheduled tryouts

Golden State is not showing up on anywhere on the list of scheduled individual tryouts unless I just don’t know where to look. Does this mean: a. they’re disfunctional…b. they’re just very secretive…c. they are trading the pick for a veteran plus a low first rounder they will send to New Jersey.

As Nelson is reluctant to play a rookie I’d like to think they are trading the pick. Portland is always willing and the have PG Sergio Garcia who is available and whom I have wanted to be a Warrior for years. Also Chicago figures in to this. Any Ideas?

by breaker on May 24, 2009 10:59 AM PDT reply actions

if you meant Sergio Rodriguez

I’ll pass

3.6 ppg
1.3 rpg
2.9 apg

career averages per 12:24 min played.

There's a party in my mind.
And I wish that I was there.

by qin on May 24, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Stats are deeper than 'per game'

He has a short leash under Nate. Look at his per min assists, #7th in the NBA.

by Sabonis4Ever on May 25, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed

+ portland has steve blake (now) and jerryd bayliss (future). They dont need a true pg next to BRoy anyway.

by tafkasam on May 26, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions

• The Warriors were scheduled to host a pre-draft workout "camp" for 24 draft-eligible players on June 1-2. As many as 25 NBA teams were expected to attend.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=teamreports-2009-nba-gsw&prov=sportsxchange&type=team_report

by the evil monkey on May 24, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions

I musta just woke from a nap

Maybe Sergio Garcia is a good point guard, too, but I was thinking of Rodriguez.

Yes his numbers look pedestrian, but he’s a fast-break player on a team that doesn’t fast break. And Nate McMillian coaches defense, so maybe he has acquired some of that to go along with his flashy passing. He looked great as a rookie and became a fan favorite but has mouldered on Portland’s bench since. The real point is maybe Nelson would use him as he’s a Warrior type point guard who ISN’T a rookie. Throw in Portland’s 24 and you can get out of the Williams blunder this year.

by breaker on May 24, 2009 5:05 PM PDT reply actions