In the 2009 NBA Draft, every team wanted Blake Griffin. The number one overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers is projected by some scouts to be a superstar in the making. With the 48th overall pick, the Phoenix Suns went with the next best thing by drafting Taylor Griffin — Blake’s older brother.
The 6-foot-7 forward will be transitioning to playing out on the perimeter in the NBA. During summer league, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.0 assists per game. Last year playing with his brother on the Oklahoma Sooners, he averaged 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest.
While the …read more

I don’t know about you, but whenever an NBA rookie sustains an injury during the off-season and/or training camp — it’s usually a serious indication of how the season is going to go. (Can anybody say, Greg Oden?)
I might be jumping the gun a bit with Blake Griffin. The guy is a beast, an overall talent that is sure to make an impact in the NBA. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft was told late last month to rest his strained right shoulder for three to four weeks. Though he’s losing out on practice time, the …read more

DeJuan Blair, the 37th selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, has agreed to a contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Blair made the announcement on a television broadcast. Terms of the contract are unknown at this point.
Blair is regarded by many as the steal of the 2009 draft. Projected early on to be a lottery pick, the bruising forward out of the University of Pittsburgh fell in the draft due to concerns about his health. In fact, MRIs prior to the draft showed that Blair doesn’t have ACLs in his knees. As a result, many team doctors red flagged him …read more

The Los Angeles Clippers have wasted no time in inking Blake Griffin after taking him number one overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. His contract is expected to pay him more than $4.2 million next season.
Griffin was the easiest pick in the draft. With the Oklahoma Sooners, Griffin was hands down the best player in college basketball. He averaged 22.7 points, 14.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season as a sophomore. He also shot 65.4% from the field and blocked 1.2 shots in 33.3 minutes per game.
With the Clippers, expect Griffin to play at power forward. While it may take …read more

Stephen Curry may have had his bags packed and ready for New York City, but much to the disappointment of the New York Knicks, he’ll be going to the West Coast instead.
Coach Don Nelson of the Golden State Warriors stole Curry right out from under the Knicks’ noses when he picked him 7th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft.
To anyone out there who thinks Nelson is planning on trading Curry to the highest bidder (ahem, Phoenix Suns) — think again.
“He can unpack his bags and relax,” Nelson said after welcoming Curry to Oakland. “He can buy a house. We drafted …read more

In the 2009 NBA Draft, there were a number of selections that didn’t make much sense. Here’s a look at the five worst picks of the draft:
1. Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings
The Kings had the fourth pick in the draft and decided to pick Evans. He’s not a bad player but if they wanted a point guard, Rubio made a lot of sense. Curry also probably would have helped more.
2. Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves
After picking Rubio at 5, the Timberwolves turned around and took Flynn at 6. Back to back point guards? That doesn’t make much sense, especially when both point …read more

While the 2009 NBA Draft was regarded as one of the weakest drafts in recent memory, there were a few steals along the way. Here’s a look at some of the best steals of the draft:
DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs
When the draft process first began, DeJuan Blair was regarded as a lottery pick. But then a look at his knees scared off a number of teams and tumble down all the way to the Spurs at pick number 37. He should be a fantastic fit in San Antonio.
Danny Green, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers need some help out on the perimeter and …read more

The 2009 NBA Draft took place in New York City on Thursday night. Everyone knew Blake Griffin was going number one overall to the Los Angeles Clippers but the rest of the draft was up in the air. Here are the 2009 NBA Draft results for both the first round and the second round:
First Round
1) Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma
2) Memphis Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut
3) Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden, G, Arizona State
4) Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis
5) Minnesota Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio, G, Spain
6) Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonny Flynn, G, Syracuse
7) Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry, G, …read more

While Ty Lawson was undoubtedly the best point guard in college basketball last season, NBA scouts give his NBA potential mixed reviews. Apparently, even leading North Carolina to a championship last year didn’t prove to scouts that he’s fully capable of being a pro.
Last season, Lawson averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game. He shot 53.2% from the field, 47.2% from three-point range and turned the ball over just 1.9 times per contest.
Lawson’s biggest asset is his quickness. From end to end, he’s lightning. He’s also an underrated athlete and is able to get to the rim …read more

Out of anyone in the 2009 NBA Draft, Tyler Hansbrough had the best college career — by far. He became arguably the best player in North Carolina history and topped it off with a championship. In all four years at North Carolina, he averaged at least 18.4 points and at least 7.8 rebounds.
Despite his college success, Hansbrough won’t be a top pick in the draft. Most scouting experts believe he won’t crack the top ten.
The biggest knock against him is his athleticism. He’s just not a player who will be able to easily convert attempts near the rim. Defensively, he’s …read more