Analyzing the First Ten Picks of the 2009 NBA Draft

The 2009 NBA Draft happened on June 25, 2009 in New York City and was aired on ESPN. The Los Angeles Clippers won the NBA Draft Lottery and received the #1 overall pick. This year's NBA Draft was loaded with talented players and aside from the first overall pick, no one knew where the rest of the players would end up. In this article, I analyze the first ten picks of the 2009 NBA Draft:

With the #1 pick, the Los Angeles Clippers chose Blake Griffin: This pick was a no-brainer. In almost every mock NBA draft, Griffin was set to go first overall with the Clippers and that is exactly what happened. The Clippers have been notorious for their draft busts in their history but it looks like Griffin is the real deal. Blake Griffin is a 6-foot-10 Power Forward who set a team record with 30 double-doubles this season and is a rebounding machine. Griffin still is raw and has a lot to learn but seems to be a future all-star. Grade: A

With the #2 pick, the Memphis Grizzlies chose Hasheem Thabeet: The Grizzlies had a few options with the second pick, before deciding on Thabeet. Hasheem Thabeet, a Center out of UConn, the tallest player in the draft at 7-foot-3, has the size and will be hard to score against. Thabeet has set records in terms of blocks and rebounds in his college career. The Memphis Grizzlies were the second-worst team offensively last season and should of picked a point guard, as they have a lot of centers on the team already. Grade: C+

With the #3 pick, the Oklahoma City Thunder chose James Harden: The most surprising pick in the draft. With Ricky Rubio and Tyreke Evans still available, the Thunder select Harden. James Harden was a solid scorer through the first two seasons in college, averaging just under 20 PPG. The Thunder add another shooting guard to their team, but do nothing to help their weak defense. Grade: C-

With the #4 pick, the Sacramento Kings chose Tyreke Evans: Perhaps the best available player the Kings could of gotten but a risky one. Evans is only 19 years old, but is an incredible talent and shooter. In high school, he averaged 32 PPG and became the starting point guard for Memphis as a freshman. Evans played only one year of college basketball before entering the draft. Grade: C+

With the #5 pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves (from Washington) chose Ricky Rubio: The Timberwolves acquired the fifth pick in the draft after trading three players to the Wizards for the pick, Randy Foye, and Mike Miller. Rubio surprisingly was not picked earlier in the draft, so Minnesota drafted him with their fifth overall pick. Some of Rubio's critics say that he doesn't have the size to play in the NBA, and that he is too young at 18 years old. Rubio has his disadvantages, but did play in the Spanish league and did help Spain to a silver medal in the 2008 Olympics. Grade: B

With the #6 pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves chose Jonny Flynn: This pick is a head scratcher. Choosing another point guard here was wrong. The only way this makes sense is if Minnesota are using Rubio or Flynn as trade bait. Flynn is a great player and was one of the top point guards in college basketball but the Timberwolves should of selected a player to help their defense. Grade: D

With the #7 pick, the Golden State Warriors chose Stephen Curry: The Warriors select Curry and disappointed all Knicks fans, and apparently Stephen Curry himself, as he said he would want to play for the Knicks. Curry is a pure shooter, who set records in terms of scoring, and would be a great fit for the Warriors, who are not afraid to shoot 3's. Grade: B

With the #8 pick, the New York Knicks chose Jordan Hill: A solid pick from the Knicks. The Knicks couldn't get Stephen Curry, but go with the second best thing in Jordan Hill. Hill is a 6-foot-10 Power Forward that played for the Arizona Wildcats in college. Hill has the same dimensions as Blake Griffin but isn't as dynamic. Regardless, one of the Knicks major weakness is playing defense and Hill will be a huge help. Grade: A-

With the #9 pick, the Toronto Raptors chose DeMar DeRozan: It is rare to see a 6-foot-7 shooting guard, but that is exactly what DeMar DeRozan is. DeRozan can play offense, scoring points, and defense, grabbbing rebounds, effectively. He only played one year in college at USC but did impress enough to be picked in the first round of the draft. Grade: B+

With the #10 pick, the Milwaukee Bucks chose Brandon Jennings: The Bucks are taking a huge gamble in selecting Jennings. Jennings was a great prospect coming out of high school but instead of going to college, he went overseas, to Italy, to play basketball professionally. Jennings has struggled at times but has matured and that has helped in getting drafted so high. Grade: C-

Best picks: Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors
Worst picks: Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks