The Best of the 2009 NBA Draft In Action Today
James Harden (photo. ASU)With 23 hours of college basketball kicking off the season today, we’re keeping our eyes glued to the TV’s – not just to check out the riveting Big Five action between Penn and Drexel on ESPN right now – but also to check out the top-rated prospects who could make waves in next year’s draft. Unfortunately, no one inside Drexel’s gym right now made the cut.
* Stephen Curry – Curry’s Davidson Wildcats will play tonight at 9:30 PM EST against Oklahoma (we’ll get to them in a second), which will provide the first legit test for the most explosive scorer in the nation. In his first two games of the season, he’s exceeded his sky-high expectations: 31 ppg, 59% FG, 47% 3FG, and 9.5 apg. A ton of people have said that Curry will struggle this season without last year’s PG Jason Richards (who was cut by the Heat right before the start of the season). A big night for him against OU could go a long way with NBA scouts.
Projection: Mid-First Round
* Blake Griffin – Everyone’s pick to follow in Kevin Durant’s and Michael Beasley’s footsteps as the Big 12 Player of the Year. He’s listed at 6-10, and dude is so athletic it’s absurd. So far this season, he’s grabbed almost 50% of Oklahoma’s rebounds – he’s averaging 22 points and 18.5 boards. If you want some proof of his athleticism, check out this video.
Projection: Top Three
* Wayne Ellington – With American Hero Tyler Hansbrough sitting out with an ankle injury, we’ll get to watch one of the prettiest jumpshooters in the nation in Ellington. Even when Hansbrough puts up big numbers, I still think Ellington is the most impressive player on the Tar Heels’ number-one ranked team.
Projection: Late first round
* Patrick Patterson – Without American Hero Tyler Hansbrough, Patterson is licking his chops. He’s a physically intimidating big man who is the reason that Billy Gillespie has any hope to beat UNC tonight. Think of him like Paul Millsap with more upside.
Projection: Late first round
* Tyler Smith – A versatile forward who could be called a poor man’s Josh Howard right now. When the Vols square off against Tennessee-Martin tonight, watch out for T-M’s Lester Hudson, who recorded the first-ever NCAA quadruple-double last year.
Projection: Mid first round
* Damion James – Over the weekend, we asked if A.J. Abrams is an NBA player. There’s really no question about his teammate, 6-8 Damion James, who is an ox. James is projected to go in the lottery, which might be a bit higher than his offensive skill set merits. He’ll benefit from Texas’ success this season – and tonight against Tulane it’s no different.
Projection: Late lottery
* James Harden – NBADraft.net compares Harden to Manu Ginobili, and it isn’t that far off. They’re both smooth lefty’s, standing about 6-5/6-6, and are very tough to guard.
Projection: Top Five
* DeMar DeRozan – Yesterday, ESPN called DeRozan “O.J. Mayo’s replacement at Southern Cal.” That’s a terrible comparison. DeRozan is leagues more athletic than O.J., but not nearly as good a three-point shooter. His hops are on par with Gerald Green’s.
Projection: Top Seven
November 18th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Mr. K1X says:
this is a fun time of year, but i cant help but think that this years class is weak. one and done is killing the college game. most of the “all-americans” are system player who will not eat in th NBA. these kids have weak skill sets these days
November 18th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
big sia says:
DEROZEN
November 18th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
Your right K1X but it’s been like that for a while now. At least since the mid 90’s when they started letting highschool players enter the league. But there are some exceptions like naturally born gifted players. Tyreke Evans, DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday. These are some of the few guys that will be better NBA guys than college because of how they’re built and they’re style of play.
November 18th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
d says:
I think someone on ESPN this morning (maybe Jay Williams – btw, good to see him getting a good ESPN gig) said DeMar Derozen is a better fit for USC than OJ Mayo.
November 18th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
d says:
What about St. Mary’s Patty Miles? Jay Williams (yeah, I’m talking about him again) was talking about how well he played against Team USA while with the Select team over the summer. No love there?
November 18th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Gerard says:
Not to sound racist, but if I have a top 10 pick in the draft, I’m probably not picking a white guy. They just never seem to pan out to expectations.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
goonther says:
@ dime-
looking at NBA DRAFT.NET does Minny really have 4 first round picks coming up this year??
that would be re-dick if that was actually the case
November 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Mr. K1X says:
@goonther
they do but they gotta trade them off. this aint the year to get better through the draft. keep two picks and trade two for a proven center to help jefferson.
try to pick up stephen curry. if anything it’ll be good for p.r.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
JCARR says:
@Gerrard
why do you think they pick up Europeans and people of spanish descent. They just never scared or believe in the stereotype that only african american people can play ball.
Perfect example Rudy Fernandez = fearless
Dunked on D-howard (superman)for Lords sake.
I wanna see what curry can do in the league. he might be another aj abrahms
November 18th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Dime Magazine says:
@ goonther –
here’s how that happened:
1. in the Ricky Davis trade, they ended up getting Miami’s 1st rounder in ‘09. That is, unless Miami ends up with a top 10 pick. Then they’ll wait til 2010, which is protected through six picks. In ‘11 the pick is unprotected.
2. through the KG trade, which is protected through the top 3 picks. That’s not going to happen, so they’ll definitely end up with this pick.
3. through the Rodney Carney three-team trade. The contingency here is that Minny gets the pick if the Jazz are supposed to pick lower than 22nd in 2009, 17th in 2010, 15th in 2011, 16th in 2012 or 16th in 2013.)
They’ve also got their own first and second round picks, and 2 second rounders this year for dealing Mario Chalmers to the Heat.
As K1X said, the Wolves would ideally only get the Celt’s pick, their own pick, and then the three second rounders this year, because the crop isn’t top-notch. The biggest problem is that both the Heat and the Jazz don’t look like they’re in decline right now.
- AK
November 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Dime Magazine says:
d – Patty Mills isn’t playing tonight, but he had a really good showing last night with 27 points.
- ak
November 18th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Sho-Nuff says:
Oh great, more clips of a dunk contest…..YAWN!!
November 18th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Bron42 aka Thugnificant says:
Jcarr,
umm chris paul dunked on dwight howard too…its not like rudy did it tons of times..anyone can catch it once
November 18th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
jeremy says:
JOHNNY FLYNN
November 18th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
JCARR says:
@ Bron42 aka Thugnificant
I was answering gerrards question, if you use your logic and put the two posts together you would know what i was talking about. but anyone can catch it once? Hmmm.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Dirty'Nati says:
To clarify a sometimes sore subject, Drexel is not part of the Big 5 in Philly. It’s Penn, ‘Nova (who is looking good as usual), St. Joes (gonna be tough in the A-10 this year), LaSalle (not gonna be tough, as usual) and Temple (is Christmas NBA caliber?). Drexel would make six, and they ain’t gettin in until they get a better gym. There home place is smaller than most Top-25 HS gyms.