**Official 2009 NBA Draft Thread** (ON RIGHT NOW)

Originally posted by JDeezy:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I'm not sure that he's a sure thing to come out, but if he does, I think that he & Griffin are in a class of their own in relation to the rest of the '09 draft.

See here's the thing. Everyone assumes he'll come out, but he's got like a $3 mil buyout. For a team like the Kings who have been buying people out left and right to save like 500k, I think this is problematic. An nba team can only contribute half a mil to the buyout. I'm not sure how much money he's made overseas to afford his way here. However, he and Griffin like you said are the 2 best players in the class. They're miles ahead of anyone else right now.

I read somewhere that if he was top 2-3 his NBA Salary would be enough to make it worth while for him to come over. I think the Kings would be alright paying the 500K to get Rubio over here (don't know for sure just seems to make sense right now). They didn't need Drew Gooden and he was expiring anyway and they had to buyout Mikki to make room for Solomon (at least that what it seemed like but I still find it hard to believe we waived someone to trade for Will Solomon). Either way, the Maloofs saved a total of $6m in those deals.

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I've felt that Harden was overrated for a while now. So-so athlete, not very tall, and isn't much of a shooter off of the dribble, average to decent in most other areas. He's clever/smart, but not enough to make up for his lack of physical gifts. He'll be effective in catch and shoot situations, but that's not someone that's worth a Top 5 pick, IMO.

He's the Kevin Love of this year, IMO. He'll be a good player, but I can't see him being a star. He could eventually be a good #3 guy on a good team, but that's not where he's projecting. He'll likely have to be a #2 guy on a bad one.

If Rubio or Griffin aren't available, I'd take a run at guys like Thabeet, Evans, Teague, and DeRozan (despite the Gerald Green similiarities) before I'd take Harden.

Evans & DeRozan are going to need to be well coached to succeed though, whereas I think Teague's a fairly sure thing in terms of being a very good player.

Good point Harden & Love were like old school throwback players with limited athleticism in a new world full of fast and athletic players. For some stragne reason i think Evans will stay one more year. And if Mills comes out he's gonna be one of th etop PG's drafted.

Originally posted by Super9er81:

Originally posted by JDeezy:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I'm not sure that he's a sure thing to come out, but if he does, I think that he & Griffin are in a class of their own in relation to the rest of the '09 draft.

See here's the thing. Everyone assumes he'll come out, but he's got like a $3 mil buyout. For a team like the Kings who have been buying people out left and right to save like 500k, I think this is problematic. An nba team can only contribute half a mil to the buyout. I'm not sure how much money he's made overseas to afford his way here. However, he and Griffin like you said are the 2 best players in the class. They're miles ahead of anyone else right now.

I read somewhere that if he was top 2-3 his NBA Salary would be enough to make it worth while for him to come over. I think the Kings would be alright paying the 500K to get Rubio over here (don't know for sure just seems to make sense right now). They didn't need Drew Gooden and he was expiring anyway and they had to buyout Mikki to make room for Solomon (at least that what it seemed like but I still find it hard to believe we waived someone to trade for Will Solomon). Either way, the Maloofs saved a total of $6m in those deals.

It's obviously in the best interest of anyone to draft somebody of his caliber, no question about that. Like I said before, he's one of the 2 best players in the class. With that said I'm sure he's got some money if not he can just finance it with other Spaniards. Vlade Divac paved the way for many other Serbs to come to the Nba. One of the reasons Nenad Kristic came back to the NBA was so he could pay off the debt he owed to Vlade to fund his own buyout. I'm just wondering if the kid would be willing to play his first NBA season for free, by paying his own way.

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I've felt that Harden was overrated for a while now. He's the Kevin Love of this year, IMO.

The thing is.

You can get away with having below average athleticism if you're a big man. If Kevin Love never improves from what he is now, he'll still be a guy who can average 10 boards per game.

You cannot get away with it if you're a shooting guard.

Originally posted by crzyafrican:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I've felt that Harden was overrated for a while now. He's the Kevin Love of this year, IMO.

The thing is.

You can get away with having below average athleticism if you're a big man. If Kevin Love never improves from what he is now, he'll still be a guy who can average 10 boards per game.

You cannot get away with it if you're a shooting guard.

Hmmm, very good point. The only somewhat productive SGs in the league that have similar athleticism to him are Raja Bell, Anthony Parker, and Roger Mason. Not exactly all-stars.

Originally posted by JDeezy:

Originally posted by Super9er81:

Originally posted by JDeezy:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I'm not sure that he's a sure thing to come out, but if he does, I think that he & Griffin are in a class of their own in relation to the rest of the '09 draft.

See here's the thing. Everyone assumes he'll come out, but he's got like a $3 mil buyout. For a team like the Kings who have been buying people out left and right to save like 500k, I think this is problematic. An nba team can only contribute half a mil to the buyout. I'm not sure how much money he's made overseas to afford his way here. However, he and Griffin like you said are the 2 best players in the class. They're miles ahead of anyone else right now.

I read somewhere that if he was top 2-3 his NBA Salary would be enough to make it worth while for him to come over. I think the Kings would be alright paying the 500K to get Rubio over here (don't know for sure just seems to make sense right now). They didn't need Drew Gooden and he was expiring anyway and they had to buyout Mikki to make room for Solomon (at least that what it seemed like but I still find it hard to believe we waived someone to trade for Will Solomon). Either way, the Maloofs saved a total of $6m in those deals.

It's obviously in the best interest of anyone to draft somebody of his caliber, no question about that. Like I said before, he's one of the 2 best players in the class. With that said I'm sure he's got some money if not he can just finance it with other Spaniards. Vlade Divac paved the way for many other Serbs to come to the Nba. One of the reasons Nenad Kristic came back to the NBA was so he could pay off the debt he owed to Vlade to fund his own buyout. I'm just wondering if the kid would be willing to play his first NBA season for free, by paying his own way.

Honestly, I don't the exact numbers (I'll see if I can find something), but the way I understood it he could still turn a profit if he was in that top 2-3. Apparently he doesn't make all that much right now so if he doesn't need to make a ton for it to be a plus over here. According to Draft Express Juventut recently upped his Salary from 80,000 Euro/yr to 160,000, which is still only $216,112 at yesterday's exchange rate. You definitely have a point about him being willing to play for a fairly small amount of money this year, but in my estimation he is already playing for very little comparatively.

Sweet Sixteen Mock Draft
1. Sacramento - Blake Griffin, PF/C, Oklahoma, Sophomore
2. Washington - Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn, Junior
3. LA Clippers - Ricky Rubio, PG, DKV Joventut, Spain
4. Memphis - Greg Monroe, PF/C, Georgetown, Freshman
5. Oklahoma City - Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona, Junior
6. Minnesota - Demar DeRozan, SG, USC, Freshman
7. Golden State - Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Memphis, Freshman
8. Toronto - James Harden, SG, Arizona St., Sophomore
9. Indiana - Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse, Sophomore
10. New York - Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, Freshman
11. New Jersey - Earl Clark, SF, Louisville, Junior
12. Milwaukee- Jeff Teague, PG/SG, Wake Forest, Sophomore
13. Charlotte - Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke, Junior
14. Phoenix - Brandon Jennings, PG, Lottomatica Roma, Italy
15. Chicago- DeJuan Blair, PF/C, Pittsburgh, Sophomore
16. Detroit - Willie Warren, SG, Oklahoma, Freshman
17. Philadelphia - Stephen Curry, PG/SG, Junior, Davidson
18. Minnesota (from Miami) - Craig Brackins, PF/C, Iowa State, Sophomore
19. Atlanta - Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville, Senior
20. Dallas - Ty Lawson, PG, UNC, Junior
21. Utah - James Johnson, SF/PF, Wake Forest, Sophomore
22. Portland - Damion James, SF/PF, Texas, Junior
23. New Orleans - Eric Maynor, PG, VCU, Senior
24. Oklahoma City (from Denver) - Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, Sophomore
25. Chicago (from OKC from San Antonio)- Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh, Senior
26. Sacramento (from Houston) - Darren Collison, PG, UCLA, Senior
27. Memphis (from Orlando)- BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State, Freshman
28. Minnesota (from Boston) - Nick Calathes, PG/SG, Florida, Sophomore
29. LA Lakers - Tyler Smith, SF, Tennessee, Junior
30. Cleveland - Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, Junior

31. Sacramento - Jeff Pendergraph, PF, Arizona St., Senior
32. Washington - Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC, Senior
33. LA Clippers - Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona, Junior
34. Memphis - Omri Casspi, SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel
35. Oklahoma City - Dionte Christmas, SG, Temple, Senior
36. Minnesota - Andrew Ogilvy, C, Vanderbilt, Sophomore
37. San Antonio (via Golden State)- Michael Washington, PF, Arkansas, Junior
38. Toronto - Jodie Meeks, SG, Kentucky, Junior





Point Guards
1) Ricky Rubio, PG, DKV Joventut, Spain
2) Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse, Sophomore
3) Brandon Jennings, PG, Lottomatica Roma, Italy
4) Patrick Mills, PG, St.Mary's, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
5) Ty Lawson, PG, UNC, Junior
6) Eric Maynor, PG, VCU, Senior
7) Darren Collison, PG, UCLA, Senior
8) Kemba Walker, PG, UConn, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
9) Toney Douglas, PG, Florida St., Senior
10) Sherron Collins, PG, Kansas, Junior
11) AJ Price, PG, UConn, Senior

Combo (PG/SG) Guards
1) Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Memphis, Freshman
2) Jeff Teague, PG/SG, Wake Forest, Sophomore
3) Jrue Holiday, PG/SG, UCLA, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
4) Stephen Curry, PG/SG, Junior, Davidson
5) Nick Calathes, PG/SG, Florida, Sophomore
6) Greivis Vasquez, PG/SG, Maryland, Junior
7) Lester Hudson, PG/SG, Tenn. Martin, Senior

Shooting Guards
1) Demar DeRozan, SG, USC, Freshman
2) James Harden, SG, Arizona St., Sophomore
3) Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke, Junior
4) Willie Warren, SG, Oklahoma, Freshman
5) Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville, Senior
6) Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC, Junior
7) Dionte Christmas, SG, Temple, Senior
8) Jodie Meeks, SG, Kentucky, Junior
9) Marcus Thornton, SG, LSU, Senior
10) Jerel McNeal, SG, Marquette, Senior

Small Forwards
1) Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, Freshman
2) Earl Clark, SF, Louisville, Junior
3) Evan Turner, SG/SF, Ohio State, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
4) James Johnson, SF/PF, Wake Forest, Sophomore
5) Damion James, SF/PF, Texas, Junior
6) Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh, Senior
7) Tyler Smith, SF, Tennessee, Junior
8) Kyle Singer, SF, Duke, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
9) Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona, Junior
10) Omri Casspi, SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel
11) DaJuan Summers, SF/PF, Georgetown, Junior
12) Danny Green, SF, UNC, Senior

Power Forwards
1) Blake Griffin, PF/C, Oklahoma, Sophomore
2) Greg Monroe, PF/C, Georgetown, Freshman
3) Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona, Junior
4) Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
5) DeJuan Blair, PF/C, Pittsburgh, Sophomore
6) Austin Daye, PF, Gonzaga, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
7) Ed Davis, PF, UNC, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
8) Craig Brackins, PF/C, Iowa State, Sophomore
9) Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, Sophomore
10) Samardo Samuels, PF, Louisville, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
11) Larry Sanders, PF, VCU, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
12) Jeff Pendergraph, PF, Arizona St., Senior
13) Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC, Senior
14) Michael Washington, PF, Arkansas, Junior
15) JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
16) Luke Harangody, PF, Notre Dame, Junior *2010 DRAFT*
17) Jon Brockman, PF, Washington, Senior
18) Taj Gibson, PF, USC, Junior

Centers
1) Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn, Junior
2) Donatus Motiejunas, C, Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania *2010 DRAFT*
3) Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
4) BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State, Freshman
5) Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, Junior
6) Andrew Ogilvy, C, Vanderbilt, Sophomore
7) Dexter Pittman, C, Texas, Junior
8) Giorgi Shermadini, C, Panathinaikos, Greece

Originally posted by crzyafrican:
Sweet Sixteen Mock Draft
1. Sacramento - Blake Griffin, PF/C, Oklahoma, Sophomore
2. Washington - Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn, Junior
3. LA Clippers - Ricky Rubio, PG, DKV Joventut, Spain
4. Memphis - Greg Monroe, PF/C, Georgetown, Freshman
5. Oklahoma City - Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona, Junior
6. Minnesota - Demar DeRozan, SG, USC, Freshman
7. Golden State - Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Memphis, Freshman
8. Toronto - James Harden, SG, Arizona St., Sophomore
9. Indiana - Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse, Sophomore
10. New York - Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, Freshman
11. New Jersey - Earl Clark, SF, Louisville, Junior
12. Milwaukee- Jeff Teague, PG/SG, Wake Forest, Sophomore
13. Charlotte - Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke, Junior
14. Phoenix - Brandon Jennings, PG, Lottomatica Roma, Italy
15. Chicago- DeJuan Blair, PF/C, Pittsburgh, Sophomore
16. Detroit - Willie Warren, SG, Oklahoma, Freshman
17. Philadelphia - Stephen Curry, PG/SG, Junior, Davidson
18. Minnesota (from Miami) - Craig Brackins, PF/C, Iowa State, Sophomore
19. Atlanta - Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville, Senior
20. Dallas - Ty Lawson, PG, UNC, Junior
21. Utah - James Johnson, SF/PF, Wake Forest, Sophomore
22. Portland - Damion James, SF/PF, Texas, Junior
23. New Orleans - Eric Maynor, PG, VCU, Senior
24. Oklahoma City (from Denver) - Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, Sophomore
25. Chicago (from OKC from San Antonio)- Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh, Senior
26. Sacramento (from Houston) - Darren Collison, PG, UCLA, Senior
27. Memphis (from Orlando)- BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State, Freshman
28. Minnesota (from Boston) - Nick Calathes, PG/SG, Florida, Sophomore
29. LA Lakers - Tyler Smith, SF, Tennessee, Junior
30. Cleveland - Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, Junior

31. Sacramento - Jeff Pendergraph, PF, Arizona St., Senior
32. Washington - Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC, Senior
33. LA Clippers - Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona, Junior
34. Memphis - Omri Casspi, SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel
35. Oklahoma City - Dionte Christmas, SG, Temple, Senior
36. Minnesota - Andrew Ogilvy, C, Vanderbilt, Sophomore
37. San Antonio (via Golden State)- Michael Washington, PF, Arkansas, Junior
38. Toronto - Jodie Meeks, SG, Kentucky, Junior





Point Guards
1) Ricky Rubio, PG, DKV Joventut, Spain
2) Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse, Sophomore
3) Brandon Jennings, PG, Lottomatica Roma, Italy
4) Patrick Mills, PG, St.Mary's, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
5) Ty Lawson, PG, UNC, Junior
6) Eric Maynor, PG, VCU, Senior
7) Darren Collison, PG, UCLA, Senior
8) Kemba Walker, PG, UConn, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
9) Toney Douglas, PG, Florida St., Senior
10) Sherron Collins, PG, Kansas, Junior

Combo (PG/SG) Guards
1) Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Memphis, Freshman
2) Jeff Teague, PG/SG, Wake Forest, Sophomore
3) Jrue Holiday, PG/SG, UCLA, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
4) Stephen Curry, PG/SG, Junior, Davidson
5) Nick Calathes, PG/SG, Florida, Sophomore
6) Greivis Vasquez, PG/SG, Maryland, Junior
7) Lester Hudson, PG/SG, Tenn. Martin, Senior

Shooting Guards
1) Demar DeRozan, SG, USC, Freshman
2) James Harden, SG, Arizona St., Sophomore
3) Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke, Junior
4) Willie Warren, SG, Oklahoma, Freshman
5) Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville, Senior
6) Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC, Junior
7) Dionte Christmas, SG, Temple, Senior
8) Jodie Meeks, SG, Kentucky, Junior

Small Forwards
1) Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, Freshman
2) Earl Clark, SF, Louisville, Junior
3) Evan Turner, SG/SF, Ohio State, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
4) James Johnson, SF/PF, Wake Forest, Sophomore
5) Damion James, SF/PF, Texas, Junior
6) Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh, Senior
7) Tyler Smith, SF, Tennessee, Junior
8) Kyle Singer, SF, Duke, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
9) Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona, Junior
10) Omri Casspi, SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel
11) DaJuan Summers, SF/PF, Georgetown, Junior
12) Danny Green, SF, UNC, Senior

Power Forwards
1) Blake Griffin, PF/C, Oklahoma, Sophomore
2) Greg Monroe, PF/C, Georgetown, Freshman
3) Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona, Junior
4) Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
5) DeJuan Blair, PF/C, Pittsburgh, Sophomore
6) Austin Daye, PF, Gonzaga, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
7) Ed Davis, PF, UNC, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
8) Craig Brackins, PF/C, Iowa State, Sophomore
9) Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, Sophomore
10) Samardo Samuels, PF, Louisville, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
11) Larry Sanders, PF, VCU, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
12) Jeff Pendergraph, PF, Arizona St., Senior
13) Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC, Senior
14) Michael Washington, PF, Arkansas, Junior
15) JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
16) Luke Harangody, PF, Notre Dame, Junior *2010 DRAFT*
17) Jon Brockman, PF, Washington, Senior
18) Taj Gibson, PF, USC, Junior

Centers
1) Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn, Junior
2) Donatus Motiejunas, C, Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania *2010 DRAFT*
3) Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
4) BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State, Freshman
5) Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, Junior
6) Andrew Ogilvy, C, Vanderbilt, Sophomore
7) Dexter Pittman, C, Texas, Junior
8) Giorgi Shermadini, C, Panathinaikos, Greece

Thabeet at 2 speaks to the lack of quality in this draft.

If the Kings came away with Griffin, Collison and Pendergraph, I'd be elated.

Nice mock. If I had to nit-pick...

I'd be surprised if OKC uses both their 1st rounders on a power forward. They know now that Durant is best suited as a SF, and that means Jeff Green will have to play the 4. I think they'll look for a SG, and maybe even a PG so Westbrook can play off the ball more.

Originally posted by JDeezy:

Originally posted by crzyafrican:
Sweet Sixteen Mock Draft
1. Sacramento - Blake Griffin, PF/C, Oklahoma, Sophomore
2. Washington - Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn, Junior
3. LA Clippers - Ricky Rubio, PG, DKV Joventut, Spain
4. Memphis - Greg Monroe, PF/C, Georgetown, Freshman
5. Oklahoma City - Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona, Junior
6. Minnesota - Demar DeRozan, SG, USC, Freshman
7. Golden State - Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Memphis, Freshman
8. Toronto - James Harden, SG, Arizona St., Sophomore
9. Indiana - Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse, Sophomore
10. New York - Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, Freshman
11. New Jersey - Earl Clark, SF, Louisville, Junior
12. Milwaukee- Jeff Teague, PG/SG, Wake Forest, Sophomore
13. Charlotte - Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke, Junior
14. Phoenix - Brandon Jennings, PG, Lottomatica Roma, Italy
15. Chicago- DeJuan Blair, PF/C, Pittsburgh, Sophomore
16. Detroit - Willie Warren, SG, Oklahoma, Freshman
17. Philadelphia - Stephen Curry, PG/SG, Junior, Davidson
18. Minnesota (from Miami) - Craig Brackins, PF/C, Iowa State, Sophomore
19. Atlanta - Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville, Senior
20. Dallas - Ty Lawson, PG, UNC, Junior
21. Utah - James Johnson, SF/PF, Wake Forest, Sophomore
22. Portland - Damion James, SF/PF, Texas, Junior
23. New Orleans - Eric Maynor, PG, VCU, Senior
24. Oklahoma City (from Denver) - Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, Sophomore
25. Chicago (from OKC from San Antonio)- Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh, Senior
26. Sacramento (from Houston) - Darren Collison, PG, UCLA, Senior
27. Memphis (from Orlando)- BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State, Freshman
28. Minnesota (from Boston) - Nick Calathes, PG/SG, Florida, Sophomore
29. LA Lakers - Tyler Smith, SF, Tennessee, Junior
30. Cleveland - Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, Junior

31. Sacramento - Jeff Pendergraph, PF, Arizona St., Senior
32. Washington - Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC, Senior
33. LA Clippers - Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona, Junior
34. Memphis - Omri Casspi, SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel
35. Oklahoma City - Dionte Christmas, SG, Temple, Senior
36. Minnesota - Andrew Ogilvy, C, Vanderbilt, Sophomore
37. San Antonio (via Golden State)- Michael Washington, PF, Arkansas, Junior
38. Toronto - Jodie Meeks, SG, Kentucky, Junior





Point Guards
1) Ricky Rubio, PG, DKV Joventut, Spain
2) Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse, Sophomore
3) Brandon Jennings, PG, Lottomatica Roma, Italy
4) Patrick Mills, PG, St.Mary's, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
5) Ty Lawson, PG, UNC, Junior
6) Eric Maynor, PG, VCU, Senior
7) Darren Collison, PG, UCLA, Senior
8) Kemba Walker, PG, UConn, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
9) Toney Douglas, PG, Florida St., Senior
10) Sherron Collins, PG, Kansas, Junior

Combo (PG/SG) Guards
1) Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Memphis, Freshman
2) Jeff Teague, PG/SG, Wake Forest, Sophomore
3) Jrue Holiday, PG/SG, UCLA, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
4) Stephen Curry, PG/SG, Junior, Davidson
5) Nick Calathes, PG/SG, Florida, Sophomore
6) Greivis Vasquez, PG/SG, Maryland, Junior
7) Lester Hudson, PG/SG, Tenn. Martin, Senior

Shooting Guards
1) Demar DeRozan, SG, USC, Freshman
2) James Harden, SG, Arizona St., Sophomore
3) Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke, Junior
4) Willie Warren, SG, Oklahoma, Freshman
5) Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville, Senior
6) Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC, Junior
7) Dionte Christmas, SG, Temple, Senior
8) Jodie Meeks, SG, Kentucky, Junior

Small Forwards
1) Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, Freshman
2) Earl Clark, SF, Louisville, Junior
3) Evan Turner, SG/SF, Ohio State, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
4) James Johnson, SF/PF, Wake Forest, Sophomore
5) Damion James, SF/PF, Texas, Junior
6) Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh, Senior
7) Tyler Smith, SF, Tennessee, Junior
8) Kyle Singer, SF, Duke, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
9) Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona, Junior
10) Omri Casspi, SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel
11) DaJuan Summers, SF/PF, Georgetown, Junior
12) Danny Green, SF, UNC, Senior

Power Forwards
1) Blake Griffin, PF/C, Oklahoma, Sophomore
2) Greg Monroe, PF/C, Georgetown, Freshman
3) Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona, Junior
4) Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
5) DeJuan Blair, PF/C, Pittsburgh, Sophomore
6) Austin Daye, PF, Gonzaga, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
7) Ed Davis, PF, UNC, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
8) Craig Brackins, PF/C, Iowa State, Sophomore
9) Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, Sophomore
10) Samardo Samuels, PF, Louisville, Freshman *2010 DRAFT*
11) Larry Sanders, PF, VCU, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
12) Jeff Pendergraph, PF, Arizona St., Senior
13) Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC, Senior
14) Michael Washington, PF, Arkansas, Junior
15) JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
16) Luke Harangody, PF, Notre Dame, Junior *2010 DRAFT*
17) Jon Brockman, PF, Washington, Senior
18) Taj Gibson, PF, USC, Junior

Centers
1) Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn, Junior
2) Donatus Motiejunas, C, Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania *2010 DRAFT*
3) Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, Sophomore *2010 DRAFT*
4) BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State, Freshman
5) Jerome Jordan, C, Tulsa, Junior
6) Andrew Ogilvy, C, Vanderbilt, Sophomore
7) Dexter Pittman, C, Texas, Junior
8) Giorgi Shermadini, C, Panathinaikos, Greece

Thabeet at 2 speaks to the lack of quality in this draft.

With regards to the center position, you are correct.

But I think this draft is deep at guard.

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by crzyafrican:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I've felt that Harden was overrated for a while now. He's the Kevin Love of this year, IMO.

The thing is.

You can get away with having below average athleticism if you're a big man. If Kevin Love never improves from what he is now, he'll still be a guy who can average 10 boards per game.

You cannot get away with it if you're a shooting guard.

Hmmm, very good point. The only somewhat productive SGs in the league that have similar athleticism to him are Raja Bell, Anthony Parker, and Roger Mason. Not exactly all-stars.

I dunno, I see some similarities between Harden and Pierce in terms of athleticism. Is that just me, or do other people see it too?

Ricky Rubio is the typical European PG player...Smart, great passer & great shooter.
Personally Flynn is more athletic, as most american players...But Rubio will be special, being a PG, I would want him over anybody in this draft class...period.

I live in Europe & have watched him play many times...good solid player...
Not a CP3 IMO but solid player.

Sure yuo've seen this before, but a sweet pass from Ricky:

Great Fast Break by Ricky Rubio

Originally posted by nipplehead:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by crzyafrican:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I've felt that Harden was overrated for a while now. He's the Kevin Love of this year, IMO.

The thing is.

You can get away with having below average athleticism if you're a big man. If Kevin Love never improves from what he is now, he'll still be a guy who can average 10 boards per game.

You cannot get away with it if you're a shooting guard.

Hmmm, very good point. The only somewhat productive SGs in the league that have similar athleticism to him are Raja Bell, Anthony Parker, and Roger Mason. Not exactly all-stars.

I dunno, I see some similarities between Harden and Pierce in terms of athleticism. Is that just me, or do other people see it too?

Yes, that's a good comparison, but Harden's smaller and will defintiely be a SG, where athleticisms slightly more important than at SF. But their game's are similar.

I forgot about one guy who is similar to Harden, and that's Ginobili. That's Harden's ceiling, IMO...but I doubt he gets there.

Originally posted by sarpp:
Ricky Rubio is the typical European PG player...Smart, great passer & great shooter.
Personally Flynn is more athletic, as most american players...But Rubio will be special, being a PG, I would want him over anybody in this draft class...period.

I live in Europe & have watched him play many times...good solid player...
Not a CP3 IMO but solid player.

Sure yuo've seen this before, but a sweet pass from Ricky:

Great Fast Break by Ricky Rubio

Its ok, but anybody could make that pass in a game

Levance Fields was pretty clutch last night. I didn't even really have him on my radar. Still don't see him getting drafted.