2009 NBA Mock Draft: Version 1.0

I find it very difficult to get excited over this 2009 NBA Draft Class. Personally, the NBA Draft is always an anticlimactic event. Football is long finished, the NBA Finals are already in the books, and I simply will not allow myself to become immersed amidst the 162-game regular season of summer time baseball. I typically check out and take sabbatical as a sports fan from the close of the NBA Draft until the August beginnings of college football.

This 2009 NBA Draft crystallizes two separately foregone NCAA and NBA basketball outcomes that were quite nondescript. Although Kobe Bryant won the chip without Shaq, and Phil Jackson is parading around SoCal while donning an "X" cap, these happenings appeared as foregone conclusions. The Orlando Magic simply rolled over and died and this championship lacked real drama. The 2009 Lakers are good, but not great, and the Magic draw destroyed the dream Kobe vs. LeBron puppet matchup.

Yes, I am happy that my Tar Heels took the NCAA Championship. However, UNC rolled to a crown that also was heavily anticipated from jump. The Heels simply outgunned, out dueled, and overpowered the hapless NCAA competition to steamroll through the Final Four. Outside of Chapel Hill, the run must have only been notable per the sheer efficiency of said dominance.

2009 is not the year of Carmelo Anthony carrying his undermanned Orange club to the championship. 2009 is not even the year of a scintillating "one and done" O.J. Mayo / Derrick Rose / Eric Gordon prospect. The crop leaves little room for debate and speculation per Oden / Durant, nor per the difficult adjustment towards the American style of play necessary for the Chinese big man.

Forget about Yao Ming. I would much prefer obsessing over the analytics of Yi Jianlin's Game than that of Josh Heytvelt. Who is Josh Heytvelt?

Blake Griffin is the closest thing to a "sure thing" amidst this fatally flawed 2009 NBA Draft class. Griffin is an explosive athlete, but he lacks the requisite mid-range jumper, and ability to put the ball on the floor versus skilled defenders. I must speculate that Griffin dominated the college game simply by out running and out jumping the competition.

Of course, the kid is all but guaranteed to land at #1 to the L.A. Clippers. Clipperland, representing NBA purgatory, is where dreams go to die. I almost feel sorry for Blake.

Almost.

Besides Blake Griffin, we have a teenaged point guard from Spain with no jump shot, one UCONN 7-footer with no offensive game, and a collection of combo guards and tweeners that lack viable NBA positions. The 2009 NBA Draft is heavy at the point guard position, with Ty Lawson, Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holiday, and even Darren Collison highlighting the mix.

Which of these top-shelf point guards will be stranded at the Green Room and out of the first-round clique?

Lawson's shooting mechanics look funny, Flynn must hit the weight room, Curry barely ran the point at Davidson, Jennings has been up to who knows what in Europe, and the UCLA boys are just old news. Yes, Jrue Holiday is merely a one-year star, but the over-the-top comparisons to Dwyane Wade, promulgate the feel that Holiday is damaged goods.

The Draft is all about potential. Where is the (Next) Jordan, Kobe, Karl Malone, or Paul Pierce?

I don't know how many future All-Stars will emerge from this group. Perhaps one of the aforementioned point guards will slip into the second round, go "Hibachi" with anger at the slight, and evolve into the second coming of Gilbert Arenas.

What about those Carolina boys?

After four years, I still have no idea how Tyler Hansbrough manages to score the basketball. I really don't think that going Teen Wolf, barreling into the paint, throwing up awkward shots, and drawing fouls will work for this rookie at the NBA level. Psycho T must remake himself as a front court player that is capable of slashing to the bucket with dribble drive penetration. Remember Corliss Williamson?

Meanwhile, Wayne Ellington's career arc is too reminiscent of Donald Williams for my liking per his prospects as a basketball professional. Williams emerged as Carolina's lights-out shooter during our 1993 NCAA Championship run. Williams, similar to Ellington, also brought home the Most Outstanding Player award to Chapel Hill. However, the 1993 sharpshooter completely vanished from the mainstream following this sterling performance.

Players simply cannot afford to drift towards the arc and launch uncontested three-point bombs at the NBA level. Wayne is reed thin and lacks premium explosiveness. Hence, UNC's hero at shooting guard must put on muscle to contribute at the next level.

This 2009 Draft Class is stacked with players that will need to improve physically and mentally simply to compete. These flaws will be exacerbated by the bumbling franchises at the top of the order. The term "perfect fit" is a complete sham in regards to this year's NBA Draft.

Oh, well.

Does Vegas maintain a line upon the players most likely to sport the ugliest, loudest, sear-sucker, zoot suit combination? How about largest entourage?

Get your popcorn ready:

#1 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin F - Oklahoma

The most wretched franchise in all of basketball needs everything, yet again. The Clip Show went 19-63 for the 2008 - 2009 season and cannot shoot, defend, or rebound. Again, Clipperland is NBA purgatory - where Dreams go to die. Eric Gordon is the lone bright spot and will only improve from his 16 points per game average. That is, if the Indiana star does not blow out his knee while stumbling through his mansion for a midnight snack.

Enter Blake Griffin.

I like this kid. I really do. However, Tim Duncan is not walking through that 2009 NBA Draft door. Meaning, Griffin at #1 does not have the tools to make an immediate impact at L.A.'s step-child organization. This is a culture of losing, bickering, and "me first" showmanship to get paid at contract time. Elton Brand reversed course and bolted after the Davis signing, BD tunes out the coach on the regular, the iconic Elgin Baylor gets fired, and Mike Dunleavy manages to still have a job.

Welcome to the NBA, son.

#2 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Memphis Grizzlies, Hasheem Thabeet C - Connecticut

Ha!

Nobody wants to go to Memphis (Vancouver). Nanny-nanny-boo boo.

Silver Spring, Maryland's Stevie Franchise broke down and wailed like a little boy that just lost his teddy bear back when Vancouver called out that infamous 1999 NBA Draft pick.

This is quite comical to me. It's like, the joke is on you, buddy!

OK. You are a star athlete. You have maintained and thoughtfully cultivated a high profile beginning with AAU ball, to some fancy Connecticut prep school, and finally the typical basketball factory power house. Going to the NBA has been a foregone conclusion for years and you have been day dreaming of getting paid and blowing money on sweet condos, tricked out Escalades, and inviting home based groupies back to the crib at either Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, DC, or Atlanta.

Then you realize that you are going to Memphis.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

My apologies to the citizenry of Memphis. I have never been to Memphis, TN, but I do think that it would be a nice town. I especially like Eightball and MJG out of Orange Mound. Personally, I believe that Memphis is cool. But, I am not a basketball player.

The Grizzlies will be forces to take Thabeet because Rubio refuses to perform at Tennessee. Thabeet is a 7-footer with no offensive game. The former model has been playing ball at a competitive level for all of three years.

Good luck with that.

#3 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder, Ricky Rubio G - Spain

What do we know about Ricky Rubio?

We know that the teenaged Spaniard is a showman, and has been performing at a professional level at Europe for the past 5 years, since the age of 14. Rubio is a marginal athlete, with no outside jump shot. Frankly, his ESPN highlight reel of behind the back handles and slick dishes to dawdling trailers is getting beyond old.

Rubio is overrated.

Still, Oklahoma City will not take the risk of passing up the potential. The Thunder backcourt duties will be crowded, with both Rubio and the high-flying Russell Westbrook demanding the basketball to operate. OKC may trade down with Minnesota.

The Timberwolves have been stockpiling picks and covet Rubio. Oklahoma City should trade down and draft a low-post banger or off-the-ball scorer and shooter to complement Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

#4 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans G - Memphis

Tyreke Evans, out of Memphis is the poor man's version of Penny Hardaway.

A really poor man's version of Penny Hardaway. Think, Lil' Penny goes to the soup kitchen. Tyreke must compete for playing time at the point with Beno Udrih to open up the floor for the much improved Kevin Martin.

#5 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves from Washington Wizards
#6 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves, James Harden G - Arizona State

What in the world is Minnesota up to?

The Timberwolves will package their cornucopia of picks via Randy Foye and Washington to trade up and make a play for Ricky Rubio. I must foreshadow that energy guy Jordan Hill and wing James Harden will slide into these slots for Team X. If not, expect Stephen Curry to be taken off the board.

#7 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Golden State Warriors, DeMar DeRozen

I do not anticipate Golden State selecting Stephen Curry after last season's refusal to play money ball with Baron Davis and handing the keys to the car to Monta Ellis at the #1.

DeMar DeRozen is a versatile wing scorer that is capable of playing three positions. DeRozen is a raw athlete and potential match-up nightmare that is a solid fit to thrive amidst the wacky Nellie-ball regime.

#8 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: New York Knicks, Stephen Curry G - Davidson

Stephen Curry is a very underrated passer and ball handler.

We already know about the March Madness scoring and perimeter game.

This kid has star power. However, his fall to #8 and New York City is contingent upon Minnesota's 2009 NBA Draft moves. Certainly, conspiracy theorists will cry outrage and finger David Stern Big City shenanigans under the premise that Stephen Curry actually were to land at Madison Square Garden.

#9 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Toronto Raptors, James Johnson F - Wake Forest

The 33-49 Raptors pick from no-man's land. The 2008 Jermaine O'Neal move was a bust and has been converted into Shawn Marion, the franchise is still on the outside looking in per the NBA Playoffs amidst the weak East, and Chris Bosh will bolt for greener pastures at 2010.

Draft to compete, or draft to destroy and rebuild?

James Johnson will fit the bill as either a young rotation player for a Playoff club, or trade chip "assets" to build around following the inevitable Chris Bosh defection.

#10 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Milwaukee Bucks, Terrance Williams G/F - Louisville

The Milwaukee Bucks will live with Ramon Sessions running the point. Sessions is a non-factor from the outside, but he is capable of managing the offense.

Although Bucks general manager John Hammond has articulated the "best player available" propaganda, the man must locate a viable wing scorer to step up following his recent cap space packaging of Richard Jefferson to San Antonio for Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto.

Terrence Williams is ready to contribute right now.

#11 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: New Jersey Nets, Earl Clark F - Louisville

Um er ah.

The New Jersey Nets are currently trading Vince Carter to the Orlando Magic for Rafer Alston in a salary dump - move. Certainly, the Nets will degenerate towards the NBA scrap heap, while they bide time with Devin Harris and the surprisingly effective Brook Lopez. The Nets will look to draft a lunch pail banger down low or a pure shooter to fill obvious weaknesses at East Rutherford.

I am foreshadowing that Nets brass will pass up DeJuan Blair per his spate of ACL injuries and make a move for Earl Clark. Maybe, I am just rocking out to the Louisville groove at ten and eleven.

#12 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Charlotte Bobcats, Gerald Henderson F - Duke

The Charlotte Hornets have drafted Tar Heels Ray Felton and Sean May in recent years, more so to fill seats, than to compete. I don't expect MJ and Bob Johnson to pass on this DOOKIE that will be coming down the pike at #12.

#13 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Indiana Pacers, DeJuan Blair F - Pittsburgh

The Indiana Pacers have been making eyes at DeJuan Blair from jump. The undersized power forward will compete every night and pound the boards for this team.

#14 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Phoenix Suns, BJ Mullens

Phoenix will replace Shaq in the middle with 2009's version of the token mid-round stiff at center.

#15 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Detroit Pistons, Brandon Jennings

Joe Dumars will blow this thing up soon, so we might as well, anyway. Jennings spurned the "one and done" format to ride the pine as a professional across the pond. Brandon Jennings is a calculated risk for Detroit at #15.

Does anybody at the Motor City even want to run the point?

A.I. was a debacle and Rodney Stuckey would be better off-the-ball.

#16 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Chicago Bulls, Jrue Holiday G - UCLA

The Bulls will be looking for a capable backup for Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon's replacement.

Jrue Holiday is a 6'5 upgrade in terms of size and defense. Offensively, few ball players will ever match Gordon as a pure scorer and assassin. The Bulls love basketball factory products and will increase flexibility with the Holiday pick.

#17 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Philadelphia 76'ers, Omri Casspi

I really don't know anything about this guy. He is Israeli and shows up on several NBA Draft boards. I think throwing an unknown foreigner to a 76'ers franchise that lacks star power and any semblance of an identity just makes sense.

Sue me.

#18 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves, Jonny Flynn G - Syracuse

Minnesota is the fulcrum of this 2009 NBA Draft. Jonny Flynn will be the first traditional point guard taken and will show up at the Land of 10,000 Lakes, or arrived as a repackaged commodity to Team X.

Flynn banked a lot of cash as the epic, 6-overtime little engine that could versus Connecticut.

#19 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Atlanta Hawks, Wayne Ellington G - North Carolina

The fact that the Hawks need outside shooting is an understatement.

#20 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Utah Jazz, Sam Young F - Pittsburgh

The fact that the Utah Jazz need athleticism is an understatement.

#21 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: New Orleans Hornets, Jodie Meeks F - Kentucky

This is too high for Meeks, but I must speculate that some first-round general manager will take the bait on this kid; and New Orleans is the team to do so.

The Chris Paul Hornets are desperate for wing scoring to the point of sheer madness.

#22 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Dallas Mavericks, Jeff Teague G - Wake Forest

The Mavs already got lucky with a late-first round pick out of Wake Forest named Josh Howard.

#23 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Sacramento Kings, Tyler Hansbrough F - North Carolina

We all know that performing as the all-time leading scorer at UNC, the most decorated, bestest program at the NCAA level counts for jack - diddly per the NBA Draft.

Hansbrough will slide deep into the late first-round and must improve his ball handling to make teams pay. If not, Psycho T's career will become synonymous with Mark Madsen: Version 2.0.

#24 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Portland Trailblazers, Eric Maynor G - VCU

Eric Maynor continues the trend of young, high-octane fantasy basketball at Portland. I could really see Maynor checking in, and dropping 11 points in 15 minutes. This guy is a scorer.

Of course, my favorite Eric Maynor moments arrived when he destroyed Dook University.

#25 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Oklahoma City - Marcus Thornton

Who is this guy? Who cares?

#26 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Chicago Bulls, Josh Heytvelt F - Gonzaga

Again, who in the world is Josh Heytvelt?

The Chicago Bulls need interior, low post scoring, AGAIN. Heytvelt is a versatile front court player that may emerge as Chicago's best option late into the first round.

#27 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Memphis Grizzlies, Austin Daye

Who is this guy?

#28 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves, Tywon Lawson G - North Carolina

Lawson, like Flynn will show up at the Target Center, or be dealt to Team X.

#29 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Los Angeles Lakers, Nick Calathes G - Florida

The Lakers have sold this pick. For some reason, I thought Calathes would be a good fit for the triangle.

#30 2009 NBA Mock Draft Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers, Taj Gibson F - USC

Cleveland's 2009 NBA Draft and offseason = Stop Dwight Howard. The Cavaliers will throw 12 more fouls at the Man-Child with the acquisitions of Shaquille O'Neal and Taj Gibson.

2009 NBA Mock Draft: Version 1.0, Sources:

The Official Web Site of the NBA, http://www.nbadraft.net/

NBA Draft Express, NBA Mock Draft, http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2009/

Chad Forde, NBA Mock Draft: 7.1, http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-090625