The final three for the draft's top prize at the NBA lottery were Oklahoma City, Memphis and the Clippers. With Blake Griffin of Oklahoma awaiting, so many had the potential to be happy, most of all the Thunder, a rising team getting the in-state hero who is also the best player in the draft, plus the conspiracy theorists who would swear the pingpong balls were freeze dried, painted with invisible ink and all labeled OKC.
So the Clippers landed No. 1. And even with a host of bigs in place, the Clips seem certain to grab Griffin: "He's a terrific athlete. He's strong. He's a terrific person," Clippers president Andy Roeser said at the lottery.
The 2009 draft lacks the depth and the help-right-away talent of last season and seems flush with point guards. And it is a "potential" draft. A lot of players are viewed with enormous upside: Ricky Rubio, DeMar DeRozan. Help is coming for the NBA teams. It just might not arrive right away.
Hasheem Thabeet. (Getty Images)
2009 NBA Mock Draft (Updated on May 20, 2009)
1. L.A. Clippers
Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma: No matter what team landed at No. 1, Griffin is the top pick. He's strong. He scores. He rebounds. He's athletic. And on and on and on. His shot and defense need work, but his potential is off the charts. He's also lacking at the free throw line, but every coach and GM acknowledges this is a kid who will work until he drops. Show him an area to improve, then point him to the gym. The Clippers have bigs in place: Chris Kaman, Zach Randolph and Marcus Camby with a contract up after next season. The feeling is Griffin can emerge into a force on defense. The Clips won't complain: They were 24th in field goal defense, 25th in scoring D in 2008-09. Oh, and the other way? Clips need help, too: 27th in scoring, dead last in shooting.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut: The best, by far, of a weak center draft. The Grizzlies have Marc Gasol at center and Mike Conley at point, so Ricky Rubio seems a natural. But Rubio's camp craves a big market, so this could be Yi Jianlian Goes to Milwaukee, The Sequel. Thabeet is a can't-go-wrong choice with his 7-3, 265-pound defensive-force bulk. The offense is a definite work in progress and Day 1 on training camp -- and many days thereafter -- will be spent on the post footwork of the product of Tanzania. But Thabeet is considered a possible defensive and rebounding stud with the potential of a Samuel Dalembert. He's still a basketball baby, having played only a few years.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona: When it came down to the final three at the draft and the Thunder remained in the mix, the Blake Griffin scenario seemed like a fantasy. Welcome to reality. In a down year for bigs in the draft, Hill should be up near the very top on draft night. He's athletic, quick and a better defender than scorer, but he possesses a dramatic upside -- and that is the big attraction here. He was an 18.3-point scorer and an 11.0 rebounder. He has been compared to a Chris Wilcox, an energetic athlete who's exciting around the rim. Hill is still raw but would be a nice companion piece to Oklahoma City's rising stable of young stallions. The Thunder want an inside presence at both ends. Hill is.
4. Sacramento Kings
Brandon Jennings, PG, Rome: They were so close to Griffin. But pingpong balls can be so fickle. After falling from one to four, the Kings, with Beno Udrih at point, will look to Jennings, who left Oak Hill Academy for Europe and paychecks. He generally is considered right near the top at of the point guards in a draft deep in talent at the position. Oh, he's young and he over-dribbles, and his decisions and defense could improve, but there is so much more to like than rip about this guy. He is a scorer and a passer in the Tony Parker mold. A superb athlete, he has all the intangible goodies (confidence, leadership, etc) to supplement a 757 wingspan and friction-burn quickness.
5. Washington Wizards
Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain: The Wizards just might stop cursing about falling from two to five because here's the No. 2 pick anyway. Rubio is just 18 years old, but his skill level has NBA types salivating. He gets high marks for defense (at 18?), basketball IQ, ballhandling and scoring. So why does he drop to five? The whole big-market thing and a hefty buyout of his contract. The downside: He needs to tone down the ultra-enthusiasm, and his shot and body are hardly NBA caliber, but that will come in time. He must develop bulk and muscle if he is to survive. He is considered a top-flight leader and a rip-your-heart-out-to-win competitor. A superb passer, too, Rubio would be a nice welcoming present for coach Flip Saunders of the Wizards, who were 25th in the league in assists last season when everybody was hurt. Gilbert Arenas can move to two with Rubio aboard.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC: A superior athlete with a curve of frightening potential. He's ultra raw but his wingspan, quickness, size (6-6, but a lean 210) attract the high end of the lottery pickers. He's made for a transition game and will flourish once the penchant for turnovers reaches an acceptable level. He has all the warts that come with youth and inexperience but all the pluses that come with athleticism and chart-stopping potential. Minnesota has had some success in the past drafting a young kid with potential, huh?
7. Golden State Warriors
James Harden, SG, Arizona State: He'll finish, he'll get to the line. The perimeter jumper is another question, though, and he wilted against zones in the NCAA tournament. Still, NBA types are excited by the overall package, complete with defense and leadership intangibles the 6-5, 220 Harden brings to the table. He's not the quickest, not the biggest two guard, but he is a legit NBA talent and could go higher (Kings at 4?).
8. New York Knicks
Tyreke Evans, PG, Memphis: He's not like the last lottery point guard out of Memphis, Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose, but Evans still has vast appeal to the NBA types. He is a scorer, not a shooter. At least not yet. He will get to the line, but the perimeter game is lacking. And the defense plus the overall fundamentals must improve. Left Memphis when John Calipari headed to Kentucky. But he's an athlete and could flourish in Mike D'Antoni's system.
9. Toronto Raptors
Stephen Curry, PG/SG, Davidson: Averaged more than 20 shots a game for Davidson. Burst onto national scene with stellar '08 NCAA tourney. Superb skill level, great court IQ, superior at moving without the ball, terrific jumper. But (there's always a but) he's not a true point guard, lacks the size (6-3, 185) needed for the two and his defense is spotty. His development will be an intriguing NBA storyline.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh: He's a hulk underneath. A tad undersized at 6-6, he makes up for it with strength and power and brings favorable comparisons to Paul Millsap. Tremendous hands make him a standout rebounder. And he makes sense for the Bucks if they lose Charlie Villanueva. Conditioning -- Blair hits 285 on the scale -- is a concern.
11. New Jersey Nets
Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse: The Nets have Devin Harris at point. They need defense and rebounding. So a 6-foot point guard? Well, the Nets also found themselves wanting for a third point throughout the season with Harris missing 13 games because of injuries sustained in his get-to-the-rim style. Flynn is an athlete with superb quickness, leadership and ice coursing through his veins (see: Syracuse vs. UConn, 6 OTs). Frail frame is a concern.
12. Charlotte Bobcats
Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina: Here's the answer in case the Bobcats lose Raymond Felton. Stunning quickness, good athleticism. And the Carolina roots certainly won't hurt. Defense a concern (when isn't it with rookies?) and the jump shot might need an overhaul for the NBA, but he is a transition team's dream.
13. Indiana Pacers
Earl Clark, SF, Louisville: A good athlete and a terrific passer, Clark is a duplicate of a guy he'd be backing up with the Pacers, Danny Granger -- and he worked out well there. NBA types say they'd like to see more consistency on his shot, but he makes sense for the Pacers as insurance with Mike Dunleavy's injury history.
14. Phoenix Suns
Wayne Ellington, SG, North Carolina: Can be a terrific shooter, but consistency is a definite concern. He can get up and down and is a nice fit for the Suns' transition game. At 6-5, 195 could have trouble with the size of NBA twos and with his defense, "Ellington" and "lockdown" don't figure to collide in the same sentence.
15. Detroit Pistons
James Johnson, SF, Wake Forest: A karate world titlist and accomplished kickboxer, the toughest (literally) guy in the draft intrigues for a Pistons team that went quickly from the playoffs, failing to make at least the Eastern final for the first time in seven years. A solid scorer at 6-8.
16. Chicago Bulls
Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke: A two who can play the three. Terrific athleticism and quickness. Would supply the Bulls with solid backup to John Salmons and Luol Deng. Typical Duke team-first guy.
17. Philadelphia 76ers
Eric Maynor, PG, Virginia Commonwealth: Sixers looking for depth in the backcourt and there is a lot to like in Maynor, considered a true point who seems to rise to the occasion with good composure. He's a pass-first, score-second point.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Miami Heat)
Jeff Teague, PG/SG, Wake Forest: A combo guard who can get to the rim. Lacks the quickness of a point, the size of a two but can create his own shot and excels in transition.
19. Atlanta Hawks
Terrence Williams, SG/SF, Louisville: Good athlete with all-around skills, scoring, rebounding, passing. Jumper needs work, but he will fit in with Hawks' athletic corps, especially if Marvin Williams gets a new zip code.
20. Utah Jazz
Tyler Hansbrough, PF, North Carolina: Figures to be an NBA rotation player for years. Is a safe pick for Jazz, especially if they lose Carlos Boozer. Size and athleticism give him problems, though.
21. New Orleans Hornets
Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech: Good athlete, solid defender, strong finisher. The shot definitely needs work, but he would provide power depth and insurance behind David West and Tyson Chandler.
22. Dallas Mavericks
Jrue Holiday, PG/SG, UCLA: Another who falls into the strong upside/potential category. Nice combo guard could provide insurance for Mavs if they lose Jason Kidd.
23. Sacramento Kings (from Houston)
B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State: Assuming they answered their point guard needs at four, Kings look to bolster center spot held by Spencer Hawes. Mullens is raw and too often doesn't play like 7-0. But he is 7-0 and has a big upside.
24. Portland Trail Blazers
Chase Budinger, SG/SF, Arizona: A nice combo two-three, Budinger showed good versatility in averaging 18.0 points. But he had trouble creating and shooting off the dribble and was plagued by some gnawing inconsistency. Could be a nice perimeter addition for Blazers.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (from San Antonio Spurs)
Omri Casspi, SF, Israel: His stock fell when he was injured in workouts last year. Defense is not a strong suit and he needs NBA bulk. But he's an energizer who plays with abandon and gets to the rim.
26. Chicago Bulls (from Denver Nuggets)
Taj Gibson, PF, USC: Another whose potential outweighs past performance. He has the size (6-9) and length but must improve the bulk. Could fit in nicely learning behind Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (from Orlando Magic)
Derrick Brown, SF, Xavier: A power forward in a small forward's body (6-8, 227). Good athleticism that the Grizzlies can slot in at the three and four. Impressive wingspan could hasten defensive development.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Boston Celtics)
Marcus Thornton, SG, LSU: A sound college scorer (21.1 ppg), Thornton is a threat both inside and out. He could provide decent depth behind Randy Foye with T-Wolves' third pick in the first round.
29. L.A. Lakers
Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh: Good, tough player with solid athleticism and a nice post game. Solid four-year player could be a defensive find. Ballhandling skill is definite minus.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers
DaJuan Summers, SF, Georgetown: What do you get the team that has virtually everything? A good, sound wing player who does a little bit of everything. Another considered to have a big upside.
