The deeper I delve into the 2009 NBA Draft, and the more I talk to people who are even more deeply involved than I, the more I realize no one really knows anything. At least, if they do know something they sure aren't telling me. And if they do tell me, they usually sound like they're guessing.
And guess what? That's what the draft is all about. It's one gigantic guess.
Eight years ago I wrote a book about how NBA teams try to build through the draft and free agency in the summer. I conducted extensive interviews with former NBA general managers such as Pete Babock and Carroll Dawson. They all said pretty much the same thing -- that mock drafts were for players, agents and especially, fans. General managers and other members of NBA scouting departments put little stock in them, as it's typically one big smokescreen.
But readers love them. And that's what I'm here for -- readers. So without further ado, here is my final mock draft of 2009. All I ask is that you don't get too worked up over it. After all, it's clear that no one really knows too much.
FIRST ROUND
1. L.A. Clippers: Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma
2. Memphis: Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut
3. Oklahoma City: James Harden, G, Arizona State
4. Sacramento: Ricky Rubio, G, Spain
5. Washington: Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis
6. Minnesota: Stephen Curry, G, Davidson
7. Golden State: Jordan Hill, F, Arizona
8. New York: Jonny Flynn, G, Syracuse
9. Toronto: DeMar DeRozen, G/F, USC
10. Milwaukee: Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA
11. New Jersey: Terrence Williams, F, Louisville
12. Charlotte: Gerald Henderson, G/F, Duke
13. Indiana: Tyler Hansbrough, F, North Carolina
14. Phoenix: Ty Lawson, G, North Carolina
15. Detroit: DeJuan Blair, F, Pittsburgh
16. Chicago: James Johnson, F, Wake Forest
17. Philadelphia: Brandon Jennings, G, U.S./Italy
18. Minnesota: B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State
19. Atlanta: Darren Collison, G, UCLA
20. Utah: Earl Clark, F, Louisville
21. New Orleans: Marcus Thornton, G, LSU
22. Dallas: Eric Maynor, G, Va. Commonwealth
23. Sacramento: Sam Young, F, Pittsburgh
24. Portland: Austin Daye, F, Gonzaga
25. Oklahoma City: Chase Budinger, SG, Arizona
26. Chicago: DeJuan Summers, F, Georgetown
27. Memphis: Omri Casspi, F, Israel
28. Minnesota: Jonas Jerebko, F, Sweden
29. L.A. Lakers: Jeff Teague, G, Wake Forest
30: Cleveland: Wayne Ellington, G, North Carolina
SECOND ROUND
31. Sacramento: Patrick Mills, G, St. Mary's
32. Washington: Taj Gibson, F/C, USC
33. Portland: Toney Douglas, G, Florida State
34. Denver: Jermaine Taylor, G, Central Florida
35. Detroit: Jeff Pendergraph, F/C, Arizona Stat
36. Memphis: Rodrigue Beaubois, G, France
37. San Antonio: Josh Heytvelt, F, Gonzaga
38. Portland: Nick Calathes, G, Florida
39. Detroit: Danny Green, G/F, North Carolina
40. Charlotte: DeMarre Carroll, F, Missouri
41. Milwaukee: Lester Hudson, G, Tenn.-Martin
42. L.A. Lakers: Jon Brockman, F, Washington
43. Miami: Paul Harris, F, Syracuse
44. Detroit: Ahmad Nivins, PF, St. Joseph's
45. Minnesota: Dionte Christmas, G/F, Temple
46. Cleveland: Jack McClinton, G, Miami
47. Minnesota: Victor Claver, G, Spain
48. Phoenix: Garret Siler, F/C, Augusta State
49. Atlanta: Slava Kravstov, C, Ukraine
50. Utah: Goran Sutton, F/C, Michigan State
51. San Antonio: Nando De Colo, G, France
52. Indiana: Jodie Meeks, G, Kentucky
53. San Antonio: Josh Okognon, F, Cal State Fullerton
54. Charlotte: Chris Johnson, C, LSU
55. Portland: Henk Norel, F, Netherlands
56. Portland: A.J. Price, G, Connecticut
57. Phoenix: Tywain McKee, G, Coppin State
58. Boston: Alade Aminu, F, Georgia Tech
59. L.A. Lakers: Alex Barnett, G, Dartmouth
60. Miami: Sergio Llull, G, Spain
Sam Amico is the editor of Pro Basketball News and is a regular contributor for Sportstime Ohio and TheClevelandFan.com. He can be reached at amico@probasketballnews.com.
