Clippers Win 2009 NBA Draft Lottery; Blake Griffin Likely No. 1 Pick

The Los Angeles Clippers won the 2009 NBA Draft Lottery with a 17.7% chance of winning. This is the third time in Clippers history the team has won the NBA Draft Lottery. The 14 teams who did not make the playoffs this year each had a certain percent chance to win the NBA draft lottery based on their records. The worst records had a better chance to win the lottery, while the better records had a worse chance to win it. The teams drew for the top 3 picks and picks 4-14 go to teams based on the weakness of records. Last year, the Chicago Bulls won the draft lottery with only a 1.7% chance to win. They picked Derrick Rose and made the playoffs this year. Here is the order that the NBA teams will pick in the upcoming 2009 NBA Draft and what players are most likely to be picked:

1. Los Angeles Clippers (Record: 19-63, 17.7% chance to win): Power Forward Blake Griffin is most likely to be picked as the #1 overall draft pick. Griffin was named the Sports Illustrated Player of the Year for 2009 and had a record 30 double-doubles this past season.

2. Memphis Grizzles (Record: 24-58, 7.5% chance to win): Spanish born Ricky Rubio is predicted to go #2 in the draft this year. Rubio has played for the Spanish National Team for the past four seasons, since he was 15 years of age and is a rare talent. Rubio has won countless awards in Spain.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (Record: 23-59, 11.9% chance to win): Arizona Wildcats forward Jordan Hill is a 6 foot, 10 inch junior who entered the NBA Draft, forgoing his senior year in college. He is a top prospect and could go as high as #3 in the draft.

4. Sacramento Kings (Record: 17-65, 25.0% chance to win): Connecticut Center Hasheem Thabeet is another junior who decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the NBA Draft. He is also expected to be drafted in the top five and is one of the tallest players at 7 feet, 3 inches. Thabeet is expected to go #4 in the draft.

5. Washington Wizards (Record: 19-63, 17.8% chance to win): James Harden played for Arizona State and decided to declare his eligibility for the NBA Draft after his sophomore year in college. Harden was named to the 2009 All-Pac 10 Tournament Team. Harden is expected to go #5 in the draft.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves (Record: 24-58, 7.6% chance to win): DeMar DeRozan played for the USC Trojans in college and was ranked one of the top college recruits while still in high school. He only played one season for USC before entering the NBA Draft. DeRozan is expected to go #6 in the draft.

7. Golden State Warriors (Record: 29-53, 4.3% chance to win): Point Guard Brandon Jennings was the #1 rated prospect coming out of high school and was supposed to join the USC Trojans or Arizona Wildcats but was not able to pass the entrance exam. Jennings became the first American to skip college to play professional basketball in Europe, signing with an Italian team. Jennings is expected to go #7 in the draft.

8. New York Knicks (Record: 32-50, 2.8% chance to win): Stephen Curry was a point guard for the Wildcats of Davidson College and left the Davidson Wildcats in his junior year to enter the NBA Draft. Don't let his size fool you, Stephen Curry is a special player. Curry is expected to go #8 in the draft.

9. Toronto Raptors (Record: 33-49, 1.7% chance to win): Shooting Guard Tyreke Evans played for the University of Memphis as a freshman and decided to forgo his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility by declaring himself eligible for the NBA Draft. Evans is expected to go #9 in the draft.

10. Milwaukee Bucks (Record: 34-48, 1.0% chance to win): Jrue Holiday, a point guard, is another college player who entered the NBA Draft as a freshman, as he played only one season for the UCLA Bruins. Holliday is expected to go #10 in the draft.

11.New York Nets (Record: 34-48, 0.9% chance to win): James Johnson is a 6 foot, 9 inch forward who plays for Wake Forest. Johnson declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft after only two seasons with Wake Forest. Johnson is expected to go #11 in the draft.

12. Charlotte Bobcats (Record: 35-47, 0.7% chance to win): Gerald Henderson is a shooting guard, who played for Duke and Coach K for three seasons before deciding to enter the NBA Draft. Henderson is known for his speed and his abilities to slash to the basket. Henderson is expected to go #12 in the draft.

13. Indiana Pacers (Record: 36-46, 0.6% chance to win): Point Guard Eric Maynor is a senior who played for the VCU Rams, averaging more than 22 points a game and has helped the VCU make the NCAA tournament twice. Maynor is expected to go #13 in the draft.

14. Phoenix Suns (Record: 46-36, 0.5% chance to win): Small Forward Earl Clark is anything but small, sizing up at 6 foot, 9 inches. Clark played for Louisville for three seasons before becoming eligible for the NBA Draft. Clark is expected to go #14 in the draft.