2009 NBA Draft Review: The Lottery Gets Graded
Sat, Jun 27, 2009 by Adam Sedie
The 2009 NBA Draft is in the books begging the question: What teams added the piece that will help them out of the lottery and into the playoffs next year? The Bulls, Heat, and Blazers—lottery teams from 2008—made the playoffs, replaced this year by Phoenix, Toronto, and Washington (who traded their pick to Minnesota). Below is Protect the Paint’s grades for what this year’s lottery teams did with their lottery pick and a prediction of their lottery-status for next season.
Blake Griffin should start immediately (Credit: ESPN)
#1 Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin Grade: A
No surprise here. Look for the Clippers to make some roster moves to insure Griffin a starting spot and get rid of some locker room headaches. NEXT YEAR: they’ll be better, but the Western Conference is stacked, so back to the lottery.
Can Thabeet develop an offensive game? (Credit: ESPN)
#2 Memphis Grizzlies Hasheem Thabeet Grade: B
The next Dikembe Mutombo? Thabeet should be an immediate impact player on the defensive end. Luckily for him, Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo will be taking most of the shots. Lookout if he develops an offensive game. He should be in the league for his D alone for years to come. NEXT YEAR: back to the lottery.
James Harden might be the best player of the draft class (Credit: ESPN)
#3 Oklahoma City Thunder James Harden Grade: B
The Thunder eliminated their biggest weakness and gave Russell Westbrook a running mate in the backcourt. The combination of Westbrook, Harden, Jeff Green, and Kevin Durant is downright frightening for what the future has in store for the Thunder. Look for this team to dramatically improve their win total (23) from last year. NEXT YEAR: much improved, but back to the lottery.
The Kings surprised everyone by selecting Evans over Rubio (Credit: ESPN)
#4 Sacramento Kings Tyreke Evans Grade: D
This was a shocker. It seemed every mock draft, rumor, or news report had Ricky Rubio coming to Sac-town. Evans has flaws in his overall game. He is raw, but there is an abundance of raw, young talent in Sacramento. In three years, one must question where Evans will be in comparison to Rubio. Low grade is for not selecting Rubio. The kid displayed abilities and poise years beyond his age in the Olympics against the redeem team. NEXT YEAR: back to the lottery.
Ricky Rubio will likely be dealt or play next season in Europe (Credit: ESPN)
#5 Minnesota Timberwolves Ricky Rubio Grade: B
The T-Wolves got their man with Rubio. Flynn (see 6th pick) is an athletic, charismatic type player whom will lift his teammates on and off the court. However, he is one of 5 guards selected by Minnesota. We here at Protect the Paint envision Rubio emerging as a superstar in this league. Look for multiple moves in the near future from Minnesota. A good question is if Rubio even plays in the NBA this year. NEXT YEAR: back to the lottery.
Jonny Flynn has the talent to star in Minnesota for years to come (Credit: ESPN)
#6 Minnesota Timberwolves Johnny Flynn Grade: B-
Guard #2 of 5 selected by Minnesota. It will be very interesting to see who is dealt and who is kept. With Minnesota’s luck, it is a safe bet the guy dealt experiences greater NBA prosperity. Right now, Rubio has far more trade value. NEXT YEAR: back to the lottery.
Stephen Curry: NBA Rookie of the Year? (Credit: ESPN)
#7 Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry Grade: A+
The Warriors high-octane offense just acquired a serious scoring threat. Scouting reports knocked his defense and decision-making. Sounds like a perfect fit for the Bay Area. The only disclaimer in Oakland: the brass told Monta Ellis they would not select a PG. If the two can get along, the Warriors could be quite dangerous when going small. NEXT YEAR: back to the lottery.
Hill is the Knicks consolation prize after Curry was taken at 7. (Credit: ESPN)
#8 New York Knicks Jordan Hill Grade: C+
The Knicks lost out big time by not being able to draft Stephen Curry but are satisfied with Hill. Hill provides immediate relief if David Lee leaves. Pundits believe he will thrive in Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun style of play. Will the Knicks ever be good again? NEXT YEAR: back to the lottery.
Can DeRozen make Chris Bosh reconsider leaving Toronto? (Credit: ESPN)
#9 Toronto Raptors DeMar DeRozan Grade: A-
This is possibly the best pick the Raptors could have hoped for. DeRozen is freakishly athletic. Will be a key piece in forcing Chris Bosh to consider staying, If Bosh leaves, Toronto has a solid component to build around for the future. NEXT YEAR: if they keep Chris Bosh, this should be a playoff team in 2010.
Brandon Jennings appears poised to excel for the Bucks (Credit: ESPN)
#10 Milwaukee Bucks Brandon Jennings Grade: B-
It will be interesting to listen, watch, and read about how coach Scott Skiles and his new point guard get along. It could be like dynamite and nitro glycerin. With Richard Jefferson gone, and rumors of Luke Ridnour being on the block, Jennings and Ramon Sessions will form the nucleus of a young Bucks backcourt. NEXT YEAR: back to the lottery.
Terrence Williams joins a crowded backcourt in New Jersey (Credit: ESPN)
#11 New Jersey Nets Terrence Williams Grade: B
Williams will fit into a young backcourt rotation of Devon Harris, Chris Douglas-Roberts, and Courtney Lee now that Vince Carter is headed to Orlando. If he learns to be consistent as a pro he will be fun to watch. It is a safe bet New Jersey might hold a higher pick in next years draft with their youth movement officially set in motion. NEXT YEAR: back to the lottery.
Michael Jordan drafted archrival school Duke's Henderson (Credit: ESPN)
#12 Charlotte Bobcats Gerald Henderson Grade: C-
Wow, Michael Jordan drafted a Dukie. At least he didn’t draft fellow UNC alum Tyler Hansbrough (see next pick). Henderson is super-athletic a very good defensive player. Will need to develop more of an offensive game or he could become the next Bruce Bowen (minus the corner three). Weird pick with Earl Clark still on the board. NEXT YEAR: they’ll be a better team, but back to the lottery.
Indiana failed heinously selecting Tyler Hansbrough (Credit: ESPN)
#13 Indiana Pacers Tyler Hansbrough Grade: F*
Hansbrough might be a tough guy—a blue-collar worker whom Indiana fans will appreciate—but he appears to be a man without a position in the NBA. Lacks the foot speed and athleticism to succeed at this level. Indiana blew it. This organization already misses Donnie Walsh. NEXT YEAR: back to the lottery.
*F grade due to who was selected at pick #14.
Brandon Jennings stepped in late on behalf the 14th pick Earl Clark (Credit: ESPN)
#14 Phoenix Suns Earl Clarke Grade: A
The Suns are obviously in a rebuilding mode. Earl Clark is a shooting guard in a big man’s body and will give the team versatility. Good ball handler for his size (like a right-handed Lamar Odom). Needs to improve his range. If the rumors about his lack of work ethic prove unfounded, Phoenix could have the steal of the 2009 NBA Draft. NEXT YEAR: back to the lottery.
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re: Earl Clark
A terrific pick by Steve Kerr for the re-vamped version of the Phoenix Suns.
re: Other Draft Highlights
Charlotte scored big-time, as well, adding two players like Gerald Henderson and Derrick Brown whould should both be able to make their roster next season.
San Antonio getting DeJaun Blair and Nando De Colo did a terrific job with no 1st Round Pick to work … then add in their acquisition of RJ.
Jeff Bower’s acquisition of Marcus Thornton was a solid move which should pay dividends for the Hornets next season, as he is ready to play and score in the NBA.
Dallas’ move to acquire Rodrigue Beaubois [No. 25] from Oklahoma City was a terrific move.
Excellent points indeed! I think Oklahoma City and Golden State got the best for their picks. If you consider the future of OKC with Westbrook, Harden, Green, Dj White, and Kevin Durant, Sam Presti should be NBA Executive of the decade.
Stay tuned as protect the paint will publish a article on why we think Stephen Curry should be Rookie of the Year.
Thanks for the comments, and keep em coming!
The comments regarding Hansbrough lacking athleticism have been proven wrong. Every team he worked out for admitted that they were surprised how athletic he was.
To give the Pacers an F shows your bias against Hansbrough, especially when your reasoning for giving them an F is something that some in the sports media have proliferated that is just not true.
What is the difference between Hansbrough and Griffin? They are essentially the same height, Hansbrough has the longer reach, Griffin has the better no-step vertical (by 4 inches), but that closes to just an inch for their max vertical, Hanbrough actually tested out with a better agility score, and was slightly faster in the sprint. Another difference is that Hansbrough actually has a jump shot while Griffin gets almost all of his baskets on dunks and layups. And Griffin, like Hansbrough, is on a team with a glut of post players (Kaman, Randolph, Camby). And yet somehow you give the Clippers an A for drafting Griffin and the Pacers an F for drafting Hansbrough.
You should develop a better and more accurate critique of Hansbrough’s game, rather than just this lazy regurgitation of lies.
what is JGfor3 thinking?
Hansbrough hit his ceiling in College, and will not be an effective pro. He is a tweener, who will be too slow for the 3 and too short for the 4.
Hansbrough should have been drafted top 5 if he was as good as Griffin, which he was not. After reading this article, and then watching video on youtube of Earl Clark, I agree that there is more of an argument to support these grades then this person has written. Earl has way more NBA skills, and mobility than Hasnbrough.
JGfor3 if you read the news at all, there is no chance in hell all of those post players are in LA by the start of the season, as Camby, Randolph, and Kaman are all available in the trade market.
Maybe you should do your homework, rather than try to find ways to justify Hansbrough in your own mind!
Jimmy:
I have done my homework. And I am not looking to try to find ways to justify Hansbrough.
You say Hansbrough hit his ceiling in college. And you are basing this on what? I can admit he will not do in the pros what he did at Carolina. But he has added a jumper to his game so he can play facing the basket. Since you brought up Clark, do you remember the game against Louisville in the NCAA tournament in 2008 when Hansbrough was hitting one big shot after the other from the perimeter?
You say he is a tweener, too slow for the 3 and too short for the 4. He’s almost 6′10″ in shoes. How tall does he need to be to play the 4? Since Griffin is the same height as Hansbrough, I guess he is a tweener too, especially since he doesn’t have the perimeter game to be able to play the 3. Hansbrough has often been compared to David Lee from the Knicks and Lee was the starting center for NY this year. Hansbrough is actually taller than Lee. Tell me again why Hansbrough can’t play the 4.
I never said Hansbrough was as good as Griffin. He may or may not be but that wasn’t my point. The perception is that Griffin is destined to succeed while Hansbrough is destined to fail. I am challenging that perception to point out that Hansbrough has more going for him than he is getting credit for. Sure, he’ll need to adjust his game and not force as many shots. And based on the adjustments that he has made to his game at this point, I think he can do it.
I won’t talk bad about Clark. He is very athletic and was an excellent college player. Plus he was an excellent teammate. Comparing him to Hansbrough, Hansbrough is much stronger while Clark is more athletic. As a result Hansbrough projects as a 4 while Clark projects as a 3. You may be surprised that Hansbrough was faster in the sprint at the predraft camp.
And I knew that the Clippers were looking to move one of their bigs to make room for Griffin, likely Camby. Assuming Camby gets traded, will Griffin supplant Kaman as the starter at C (because you know Randolph will be in the starting line-up)? And until Camby does get traded, it is a crowded frontcourt, moreso than in Indiana. While Hansbrough may not start for Indiana, he should be the first big man off the bench, backing up either Hibbert or Murphy.
First off, I did not write this article, I read it and am responding to what you wrote as it appears you are a huge fan of Hansbrough. However, the grade is an F to Indiana for passing on Clark. not on Hansbrough as a player
What I inferred is that the Hansbrough plays to small for the 4 by NBA standards, which makes sense. He has a lot of weak scoup moves that will not convert to the NBA. His scoop shots and array of post moves are predictable, and will be demolished against NBA talent. Griffins moves are strictly power moves, which tend to lead to free throws and easy buckets after your starter is on the bench.
He can easily develop a perimeter shot over time. I liken him to Karl Malone in this capacity. I am not saying he will be as good as the mailman, but he has the potential strength and work ethic to get that close. However, you have to have that absolute dominance and mentality during a game that Hansbrough is far less than equal to Griffin in comparison.
Being 6′10 and having an outside shot is good, if you are Dirk. Hansbrough’s game as a face up shooter will be limited unless he undergoes a dramatic overhaul of his post moves.
Hansbrough is also doubtful to develop the ball handling skill set Dirk has, an ability which mandates a defender play him straight up, allowing him to move with the ball to get his shot off. Spot up shooting, sure. but he will not be able to drive pull up and get his shot off against an NBA defender.
If he can, I can understand where you are coming from.
Highly doubtful. Clark has way more upside than Hansbrough in that he can absolutely perform in this capacity.
It seems like Indiana blew it not drafting him, as they would be more athletic if they did.
Hansbrough will be forced to be a back to the basket type player, as he does not have range like Troy Murphy.
To be honest, I am not a huge Hansbrough fan. I am a Carolina fan though and I can recognize the value he brought to the team. And when I hear people say he’s not athletic or he’s too short or he can’t shoot, I try to share the truth with them.
If the writer of the article is only being critical of the Pacers for not taking Clark, then why does he slam Hansbrough?
Hansbrough’s offensive game is more than just a scoop shot. He has a variety of post moves. As well, he has shown he can knock down jumpers and pass big to big. AND he has a power game. Griffin has the power game and what else?
Hansbrough has not had any trouble getting to the line. And Hansbrough is an 84% FT shooter, unlike Griffin, who was below 60% this past year.
I find it interesting that you mention strength, work ethic, dominance, and mentality and you suggest Hansbrough is lacking compared to Griffin in these areas.
Many people would fall short when compared to Dirk. But once again, I believe you are underestimating Hansbrough. Time will tell.
As for Clark, he has the game of a 3. You liken him to Nowitzki but he doesn’t have the strength or the post moves of Dirk. And “shooting off the dribble” is considered one of Clark’s weaknesses.
Why might the Pacers have selected Hansbrough over Clark? Clark lacks some physical toughness, doesn’t always play hard, doesn’t shoot a high percentage from the field or from the FT line, doesn’t really have a back to the basket game, and struggles to finish through contact. All of these things Hansbrough can do. And with Hansbrough continuing to develop his jumper, he will not just be a back to the basket player. Maybe that’s why the Pacers took him.
You say Clark has way more upside than Hansbrough. I would counter that to suggest that Clark also has the potential to be a much bigger bust than Hansbrough. Clark has the physical tools to be a star in the NBA. He will have to show the mental toughness and focus to realize the upside that you talk about. When asked about Clark, many scouts talked about “upside” and “potential” but those same guys also used the words “riddle” and “enigma”, because it seemed like Clark was always getting in his own way.
Could the Pacers have missed out on a good one? Sure but I don’t know why Clark is any more of a sure thing than Hansbrough, who proved more in college.
Hansbrough had 4 NBA draft picks on his team. It makes life easier for a player, and they come off as more dominant when other teams playing them must pay so much attention to a dominant, Championship team. Granted Clark had Terrance Williams, that is only 1 more NBA talent.
Clark has more upside and raw talent. I cannot seem Hansbrough develop beyond what he is now. Clark has not reached his potential. With Marquis Daniels likely opting to play for the highest dollar, and Mike Dunleavy’s knee a long term liability, it makes more sense to acquire a player like Clark to address an immediate need. Ford/Jack, Rush/Clark/Dunleavy (assuming Daniels departs) and of course Granger are good sf/sg depth. Murphy is your man at PF, and Foster/Nesterovic/Hibbert as your big men is not bad.
I don’t see Hansbourgh taking away minutes from either Murphy or Granger, I could see someone like Clarke taking to the SG for a few minutes here and there, with NBA coaching helping his development.
I am actually am a Hansbrough fan, but I think he has peaked, and as he might be faster in the workouts, etc, players like Clark really have not been conditioned and developed as Hansbrough has. He is maxed out physically. Clark has a frame to build on.
Hence, players with more ability to grow in a NBA system (lets face it, UNC is as close to an NBA team in college there is) usually end up having more illustrious careers.
The other players peaked usually have moderate or deecnt careers. At best.
Hansbrough’s greatest NBA commodity will be his 6 fouls, administered over 15 minutes.
Memphis is the winner in this year’s draft, not because of Thabeet, but because of its second round pick, Sam Young. Sam will be an NBA star for years to come.
Sam Young will help right away. He plays tough defense and improved his game on offense dramatically. He has a weird looking shot, but he hits it.
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