Author Topic: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking  (Read 15964 times)

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2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« on: June 29, 2008, 12:03:37 PM »

Offline Dino Radjas Fadja

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Here is a quick glance at some of the top NBA prospects that are returning or will hit the college game in '09.(With the exception of Spain G Ricky Rubio.) The theme of this draft will be the amount of quality sophomores that will be drafted. Although, similar to this season there will be plenty of one and done freshman. The general consensus is this will be a weaker draft than 2008. This is more of a prospect ranking than mock draft and things will change but here's an early look :

1. BJ Mullens C - Freshman Ohio St : Legit seven foot centers simply do not last long when it comes to the NBA draft. Mullens has been on scouts radar for a long time and his one year at Ohio St will more than likely solidify his standing as one of the top 3 picks in the draft. Should be one of the best rebounders in the nation and put up 12-14 pts a game as well.

2.Ricky Rubio PG - Spain : Think of Manu Ginobli as a PG. Has the same fearless, slashing type of game and is an all around pest on defense. Is one of the best players in the top Euro league, will contend for the # 1 pick in the draft. Does not possess great size or strength,may have problems defending the bigger guards in the NBA. Here are a couple YouTube vids for those who havent had a chance to see him play

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqLGzkhRHN8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueL90...eature=related

3. Blake Griffin F - Sophomore Oklahoma : Strong, multi dimensional F who if healthy will be a first team All American for Oklahoma. Will be in the mix for the top 3 pick in the '09 draft. Good inside/outside player, does not force shots, can play within an established offensive system and put up consistent numbers. His recovery from the MCL will be a key. More effort on the defensive end is expected of Griffin this season.

4. Earl Clark F - Junior Louisville : Should be the first Junior considered (unless Thabeet jumps ahead,) # 4 may be high for Clark who really has not had a consistent full NCAA season. I see Clark improving his offensive game this season while playing on one of the top teams in the country. Clark is an absolute beast on the boards and at the very least is ready for defense and rebounding at the NBA level. As a focal point for Pitino this season expect an array of double doubles and plenty of drooling scouts courtside.

5. James Harden SG - Sophomore Arizona St : Expect a big second season from Harden in the PAC-10. Had a well rounded freshman season and showed his accurate 3 pt shooting and ability to rebound at the G position. Not the best athlete but finds ways to get er done.

6. Demar DeRozan SG - Freshman USC : USC fans may be mourning the loss of OJ Mayo after only one year but the mourning will stop the night of Midnight Madness when many will get there first look at Demar. Quite frankly the best athlete that will be in the '09 draft. If any of you saw Bill Walker play in high school you can get a good mental picture of the athleticism here. Great in transistion, will score on aggresive drives to the hole has good size and NBA ready body right now. Can he consistently hit the three and be an effective ball handler within an NCAA offense?

7. Haseem Thabeet F/C - Junior UCONN : Defense, Defense, Defense. I don't know how Calhoun convinced Haseem to come back for his Junior season but its going to help him immensely in his transition to the NBA. He came into UCONN as raw as sushi and still is, but you can see how much he has improved each season that makes you think of how good this guy can be. His range offensively is still limited but thats not what will get him drafted this high. He is the best big man defender coming out in '09 and if his rebounding improves he will be top ten pick. Any scoring is a bonus but 8-10 points a game is not out of the question in the NBA for Haseem

8. Patrick Patterson F - Sophomore Kentucky : Had a good first season in Lexington. Was one of the top prospects coming into 2008 but needs to improve his outside play to get drafted this high. Can score from the post with ease at the NCAA level, in the NBA not so much. He will need to add muscle to continue with the current skill set he has now or work hard to improve his outside shot. I think he will do both and be one of the top players in the country next season.

9.Ty Lawson PG - Sophomore North Carolina : Ok, so we know he likes to get his booze on and probably blew his chance to get drafted at # 20 to the Nuggets but another year(and probable NCAA championship) will not hurt Lawson. NBA execs love speed from the PG position and Lawson gives you that and more. Can score but needs to improve consistency from 3 and his defense is OK not great.

10. Austin Freeman SG - Sophomore Georgetown : Highly touted recruit out of the Greater DC area. Will have more responsibilty next season to show his game. Great scorer, can finish around the hoop as well as step out for the three ball. More minutes will result in NBA teams coming around on him. Needs to measure at least 6-4.

11. Darren Collison PG - Senior UCLA : Floor general for one of the top programs in the country. Expect a huge season from him, really had a chance to get drafted high in '08 but will be back for another run. Look for first team All American honors and an improvement in outside shooting.

12. Brandon Jennings PG - Freshman Arizona : Look for Jennings to help fill the departure of Bayless. Will not start right away but will contribute to a more steady Wildcat team from day one. Can distribute the ball to key scorers and can play the transition game. I'm not expecting big numbers though as from what I have seen he looks to be a little undersized and may not be ready right away offensively. He will declare and be one of those players who should return for a second season. We will see.

13. JaJuan Johnson F/C - Sophomore Purdue : Should be a double double machine in the Big Ten in his second season. Was a project coming into Purdue but has increased muscle and has been coached to have more of an impact on the defensive end. Very raw but his potential is what gets him drafted in this spot.

14.Nick Calathes G - Sophomore Florida : Very Active guard who is one of the more versatile players in the NCAA. Closer to 6-4 not the 6-6 listed on the Gator web site. Has good ball handling, can play PG for stretches but more of a 2 guard. Is a slasher, will be extremely effective at driving and dishing and running the pick and roll in the NBA.


That is the lottery as I see it right now. Now here are a few more names for you to research and tell me I'm crazy for not putting in the top 14!

Chase Budinger SF - Junior Arizona : Smooth forward with good size (height, not weight). Will float around in an offense and takes his looks when available. Not a dominant player. Great athlete, not a white stiff although he looks like one. HAs a chance to be the man in Zona next season, keep an eye out for him to move up a bit.

Stephen Curry G - Sophomore Davidson : Looks 12 years old and does not have ideal size by any means but is the best player in the NCAA. Many big time coaches are killing themselves over not taking a chance on this kid. NBA scouts are not yet sold on Curry because of the size/strength issue but he has heart, is a winner, and is the best pure shooter in the '09 draft. Good genes from long time NBA veteran Dell Curry doesn't hurt. Can he play the PG? If JJ Red*ck can get himself drafted (After a DUI, never less) Curry can and will also. Look for him to go in the 18-24 range.

Kyle Singler F - Sophomore Duke : Had an uneven first season at Duke. Admittedly needs to improve both on the offensive end and defensive end. Not a game changer but quietly fills the stat sheet. Plays like a Euro. May be a rotation player in the NBA if he can show ability to defend in the post and expand his game. Expect him to stay at Duke post '09, if not he should go in the 15-18 range.

Tyler Hansbrough PF - Senior North Carolina : Psycho T will be one of the few seniors taken which does not fare well for the senior class as a whole. We have all seen what he can do at this point so I wont bore you with the details. Will be a late first round pick to a top playoff team.

Tyrese Rice G - Junior Boston College - Scoring combo guard can heat up and take over a game offensively. How effective will he be in the NBA is the question? His size is an issue and is not a PG by any means. Will be a late first rounder.

Nayal Koshwal PF - Depaul
Damion James SF - Sophomore Texas
Gerald Henderson G - Junior Duke
Jordan Hill PF - Arizona
Jeremy Pargo PG - Gonzaga
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« Last Edit: June 29, 2008, 12:05:31 PM by Roy Hobbs »

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2008, 08:22:47 PM »

Offline Eja117

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A few years ago he was a potential lottery pick. Now I see he's not projected to be picked even in 2009. Is it just me or is Nemanja Aleksandrov an old man in Europe by now?

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2008, 08:27:06 PM »

Offline Chris

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A few years ago he was a potential lottery pick. Now I see he's not projected to be picked even in 2009. Is it just me or is Nemanja Aleksandrov an old man in Europe by now?

I was very impressed with him last year at the hoop summit.  But the combination of injuries, and attitude questions have submarined his chances for the NBA.  I still think he could be a player at some point, but he really needs to straighten things out first.  I think he is still only 21 or something.

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2008, 08:41:36 PM »

Offline teddykgb

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what is the basis for this? just one man's opinion?

Having never seen Rubio play before these links, I think he's going to make some NBA team extremely disappointed regardless of where they draft him, that guy is not an NBA player

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2008, 08:44:43 PM »

Offline cordobes

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A few years ago he was a potential lottery pick. Now I see he's not projected to be picked even in 2009. Is it just me or is Nemanja Aleksandrov an old man in Europe by now?

I was very impressed with him last year at the hoop summit.  But the combination of injuries, and attitude questions have submarined his chances for the NBA.  I still think he could be a player at some point, but he really needs to straighten things out first.  I think he is still only 21 or something.

He's done, he never recovered from his injury.

what is the basis for this? just one man's opinion?

Having never seen Rubio play before these links, I think he's going to make some NBA team extremely disappointed regardless of where they draft him, that guy is not an NBA player

Hmmmm, he was only 15/16 in that footage. But why do you think so? Honest question, this is probably the first skeptical opinion I've heard about Rubio. It's refreshing.


Interesting reading Dino Radjas Fadja, TP.

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2008, 09:08:02 PM »

Offline teddykgb

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Well, obviously he was 15/16, it was his highlight reel!

As for my reasons why: he doesn't show a single NBA offensive skill in that reel.  His shot is extremely slow to release, which will be a major problem for him in the NBA. He doesn't show any great lateral quickness, nor does he seem especially fast north south either.  He seems to penetrate cluelessly, which is why people compare him to Manu, presumably, but Manu is much more athletic and above the rim, so he often gets in the air and earns fouls, Rubio doesn't have his leaping ability, so he's frequently driving and jumping to pass, which might produce some nice highlights in the euro leagues, but won't work out well for him in the NBA. 

Honestly, when you watch him play, what separates him from Jiri Welsch, a guy we're all familiar with? Looks like he has a stronger motor, but Welsch was supposedly a stronger shooter.  Don't underestimate how difficult it is to score on large athletic guys, especially when you're used to being able to score in certain ways you can't away with in the NBA.  Many of his drives would end up being blocked or shut off by NBA defenses, and as I said, he's not getting that slow shot off against tall nba guards, it just won't work

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2008, 09:32:21 PM »

Offline cordobes

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Well, obviously he was 15/16, it was his highlight reel!

As for my reasons why: he doesn't show a single NBA offensive skill in that reel.  His shot is extremely slow to release, which will be a major problem for him in the NBA. He doesn't show any great lateral quickness, nor does he seem especially fast north south either.  He seems to penetrate cluelessly, which is why people compare him to Manu, presumably, but Manu is much more athletic and above the rim, so he often gets in the air and earns fouls, Rubio doesn't have his leaping ability, so he's frequently driving and jumping to pass, which might produce some nice highlights in the euro leagues, but won't work out well for him in the NBA. 

Honestly, when you watch him play, what separates him from Jiri Welsch, a guy we're all familiar with? Looks like he has a stronger motor, but Welsch was supposedly a stronger shooter.  Don't underestimate how difficult it is to score on large athletic guys, especially when you're used to being able to score in certain ways you can't away with in the NBA.  Many of his drives would end up being blocked or shut off by NBA defenses, and as I said, he's not getting that slow shot off against tall nba guards, it just won't work

LOL. I meant he was only 15/16 YEARS OLD. Sorry for the misunderstood.

You have a point on his jump-shot. He needs more elevation. His release is already high and quick enough. Once he lifts his feet a little higher, he won't have many troubles releasing his shot, as he's a 6'4'' PG with a huge wingspan.

People compare him to Ginobili (I don't) because of their flashy and stylish penetrations; but Rubio is already a better and more effective slasher as a 17 years old than Manu was at age 25. He's not as athletic yet, but his athleticism is increasing and he already plays above the rim with ease.

I don't understand the Jiri Welsch comparison. Because their both Europeans? Rubio is the starting PG for one of the best european teams, Jiri was a bench warmer. Rubio has been playing against grown men in professional leagues since he was 14/15 years old.

Rubio is essentially a very intelligent player with incredible hands. That's what allowed him to play so well even with clear physical disadvantage to his opponents. Great court vision, outstanding passing skills, smart play. I don't care about his highlights; his productivity is much more telling.

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2008, 09:39:33 PM »

Offline teddykgb

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I had no idea about his age, that makes him a bitter better in my opinion. 

I disagree on the quickness of his release, he's got a very set shot and it is very slow. Half the shots he makes in that video he doesn't even get off in the NBA.  I understand the level of competition, but the size just isn't there, and NBA defenses don't part like that.

I used Welsch as an example of a european PG type, and while the comparison isn't perfect I just think that Rubio's game, from the very limited amount of video I"ve seen, is being exaggerated because he's beating smaller, less athletic guys than NBA players.  NBA players have been shutting off very talented but athletically inferior guys for years, this isn't anything new.  If you want more of an American comp, you can look at guys like Morrisson and Dickau as two extremely talented players who haven't really been able to repeat their success at the highest level.  Granted Rubio is much larger than Dickau, but I'm just pointing out that scoring in the NBA is very hard if you're not a tremendous athlete, and what I've seen of this kid doesn't make him seem to be on Ginobili's level.  Since he is so young, maybe he can get there, but he looks 2 steps slow and way too low vertically to be effective in the NBA

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #8 on: June 29, 2008, 09:46:23 PM »

Offline cordobes

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Well, he's been outplaying former NBA and NCAA champs and conference MVPs since he was 16 years old. I remember the 22/23 years old Manu and he wasn't nearly as good. Jiri was never a star in Europe. Of course he isn't as athletic as the Manu you've watched, but that's something one can expect... But I don't like the Manu comparisons, he's a classic creator, like Stockton or Kidd. Well, he's way better than his fellow countryman Calderon was at his age and Calderon is a very good PG in the NBA, so...
« Last Edit: June 29, 2008, 10:13:22 PM by cordobes »

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2008, 10:08:51 PM »

Offline Brickowski

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what is the basis for this? just one man's opinion?

Having never seen Rubio play before these links, I think he's going to make some NBA team extremely disappointed regardless of where they draft him, that guy is not an NBA player

LOL, he had just turned 16 when that film was shot and he had a quadruple double (including 50 pts) in that game against the best 16 and under players in Europe.

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2008, 10:48:09 PM »

Offline cdif911

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Rubio's jumper is slower than a 56K dialup...

He would get stuffed by everyone and anyone guarding him, heck Earl Boykins could send that shot into the second row

Besides that kid has some nice north south speed, finishes well, who knows... is he any better than a Sergio Rodriguez?
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Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2008, 11:04:49 PM »

Offline cordobes

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...is he any better than a Sergio Rodriguez?

I think it's close. But Rubio is 5 years younger.

This is the first time I see people rating a draft prospect based on how quick was his release when he was 15 years old  ;D

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #12 on: June 29, 2008, 11:18:26 PM »

Offline winsomme

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...is he any better than a Sergio Rodriguez?

I think it's close. But Rubio is 5 years younger.

This is the first time I see people rating a draft prospect based on how quick was his release when he was 15 years old  ;D

wow. cordobes, you are REALLY high on this kid. what kind of stats did he put up last season?

so he is about to turn 18, is that right? so this would be like he senior season in high school in terms of US players....

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #13 on: June 29, 2008, 11:33:28 PM »

Offline cordobes

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...is he any better than a Sergio Rodriguez?

I think it's close. But Rubio is 5 years younger.

This is the first time I see people rating a draft prospect based on how quick was his release when he was 15 years old  ;D

wow. cordobes, you are REALLY high on this kid. what kind of stats did he put up last season?

so he is about to turn 18, is that right? so this would be like he senior season in high school in terms of US players....

Humm... I'm as high as almost everybody, I think. His intelligence and playmaking abilities are really quite impressive.

He averaged 11ppg, 4apg, 3rpg, 2spg, 23 mpg in the ACB. He was also named for the "All-ACB first team" (together with Rudy Fernandez and Marc Gasol, who both will be playing in the NBA next season - http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=48965). And ACB is a far stronger league than the NCAA.

Re: 2009 NBA Mock Draft / Prospect Ranking
« Reply #14 on: June 29, 2008, 11:39:58 PM »

Offline winsomme

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...is he any better than a Sergio Rodriguez?

I think it's close. But Rubio is 5 years younger.

This is the first time I see people rating a draft prospect based on how quick was his release when he was 15 years old  ;D

wow. cordobes, you are REALLY high on this kid. what kind of stats did he put up last season?

so he is about to turn 18, is that right? so this would be like he senior season in high school in terms of US players....

Humm... I'm as high as almost everybody, I think. His intelligence and playmaking abilities are really quite impressive.

He averaged 11ppg, 4apg, 3rpg, 2spg, 23 mpg in the ACB. He was also named for the "All-ACB first team" (together with Rudy Fernandez and Marc Gasol, who both will be playing in the NBA next season - http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=48965). And ACB is a far stronger league than the NCAA.


but do you agree that the hype is warranted?