Short of creating a mock draft, I listed which players I personally think rank in the top ten as far as prospects go. I think they are the cream of the draft crop. Whether or not NBA scouts agree with me is another question.

Lyndsey’s Top Ten 2009 NBA Draft Prospects

Blake Griffin will most likely be the number one pick in this year's NBA draft.

1. Blake Griffin (F/C) — If he doesn’t go number one I’ll be dumbfounded. He’s got the size, skill, quickness and innate athletic talent to make an immediate impact.

2. Hasheem Thabeet (C) — Can you say Dikembe Mutombo? The only different is that I think Thabeet is much more than a rebounding/shot-blocking machine.

3. Ricky Rubio (PG) — This kid, and I stress kid, is talented. I’m excited to see what he can do in the NBA.

4. Ty Lawson (PG) — He was the difference maker in UNC’s Championship season. I don’t think they would have won the NCAA Tournament without him. He’s smart, quick and has the upper body strength to compete in the NBA.

5. Stephen Curry (G) — Curry is probably a mid-to-late first round pick.
But I believe he has the talent to develop into a an amazing player. He’s got to put on a few pounds first though.

6. James Harden (SG) — Great shooter, def. an asset to any team.

7. Tyler Hansbrough (F/C) — I know a lot of people think Tyler is going to be like Christian Laettner … great college career,  not so great in the NBA.  I think Tyler has the drive to work hard and improve at the NBA level. Besides, Laettner may not have been an all-star caliber player but he lasted 13 seasons, which isn’t too shabby.

8. Jeff Teague (G) — Great offensive presence. He’s smart and he’s a scorer. He needs to work on his defense a bit.

9. Jordan Hill  (F/C)— Considered one of the most improved college players since last year. He averaged a double/double for most of the season.

10. Brandon Jennings (PG) — Went to Italy last season because he couldn’t jump right to the NBA due to the age regulation. While he hasn’t made a huge splash overseas, he has the potential to be a big time player here at home with his athleticism and size.

Photo provided by Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Lyndsey’s Top Ten 2009 NBA Draft Prospects

Post from: EveryJoe

Throw it down little man, throw it down

So remember, read these and then consider yourself more in the know as a result. Plus, make sure to leave the poor sick monkeys alone, they’ve got more problems than Utah State’s strength of schedule (172).

[Are teams finally realizing how to contain Wake Forest hybrid guard Jeff Teague?]

[I share the frustration of March to Madness on this one. Damn Houston Baptist University]

[ k.u.chebag's doing k.u.chebag kinds of things. March 1st should be a blast]

[ Some interesting notes from A Sea of Blue on Kentucky's lackluster contest against Vanderbilt on Wednesday,

"In his last 47 minutes played, Michael Porter has committed nine turnovers, and dished out three assists (he had four turnovers in only 15 minutes of action against Vandy).”

&

“From 14:54 to 13:52 of the first half, Kentucky was whistled for FOUR fouls -- From the 14:52 to 14:21 mark of the second half, UK was again called for FOUR fouls: 1:03 of clock-time = Eight UK fouls"]

[Quiet confidence, likable cockiness, a jumper to die for, the last Curry apple sure didn't fall far from the tree]

[ Back in action for the first time in 13 weeks, UNC freshman Tyler Zeller on what a standing ovation felt like and why he fouled 4 times in 8 minutes]

[The Michigan Wolverines are now firmly back on the bubble thanks to a thorough thrashing of the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Thursday evening, a squad going in the wrong direction (in midst of losing 4 of 5). Michigan put up 74 big ones despite only 8 points in 22 minutes from Manny Harris]

[Todd Bozeman currently is the head coach for the MEAC's first place team Morgan State (11-2). Todd has been around the block. He was once regarded as one of America's hot young coaching minds--in 1993 he led the Cal Bears (Jason Kidd) to an upset over Duke in the 2nd round but 3 years later found himself virtually banned from coaching for 10 seasons because he committed a major NCAA no-no. Now coach Bozeman is in the process of turning Morgan State around and in his spare time he dabbles in the blogosphere at Blogging with Doze]

[I don't know what exactly I was thinking at the time, but whatever intuition was seeping throughout my noggin during a muggy day in July certainly wasn't the ideal grade it needed to be]

Post from: EveryJoe

Fast Breakin’