subject: Nba Tickets - Hindsight Draft '09 [print this page] We're only a bit more than a quarter of the way through the 2009-10 NBA season, but we've already learned a lot about this rookie class of players. Here is how the lottery would probably play out if the draft were held again today.
Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin, Power Forward: Griffin hasn't played in an NBA game yet due to injury, but I'd be shocked if the Clippers wouldn't still take him number one. He doesn't have a history of being injury-prone and he's likely to be a solid contributor immediately upon his return. Keep in mind that the team traded their starting power forward from last season, Zach Randolph, shortly after drafting Griffin, and you'll get an idea about how much this team likes him.
Memphis Grizzlies - Brandon Jennings, Point Guard: Jennings got off to a great start to his rookie campaign, and even though he's slowed down a bit, I still think he'd go number two. Mike Conley has struggled this season and Jennings would provide this team with yet another dangerous, young offensive weapon. With the supporting cast he'd have in Memphis, Jennings would surely rack up assists with the nifty kind of passes that sell NBA tickets.
Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden, Shooting Guard: Even though Tyreke Evans is tearing it up this season, I still think that the Thunder would take Harden. They're in the playoff hunt and Harden has done nothing to negatively affect the team's chemistry. Evans needs the ball in his hands to be effective, but so do Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Problems could brew from that.
Sacramento Kings - Tyreke Evans, Guard: The Kings would be ecstatic to still get Evans. He's my leading candidate for Rookie of the Year and I think he's got star potential. I was down on him coming into the real draft, but he's proven me wrong.
Minnesota Timberwolves - Ricky Rubio, Point Guard: I don't think the T-Wolves would change this pick; they'd just change the next pick. Rubio didn't want to play for the Wolves because Johnny Flynn, another point guard, was drafted right behind him. Without Flynn, I see Rubio coming to the NBA this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves - Stephen Curry, Guard: Curry's outside shooting would be a great compliment to Rubio's game.
Golden State Warriors - Johnny Flynn, Point Guard: I think the Warriors would be forced to take the best player available here and Flynn would probably be that guy. He hasn't played great thus far, but he's been solid.
New York Knicks - Ty Lawson, Point Guard: It's clear that the Knicks need a point guard; it's also clear that everyone was underrating Lawson. Lawson would be starting on some teams right now.
Toronto Raptors - DeMar DeRozan, Shooting Guard: The Raptors would end up with the guy they got. DeRozan has started for them all season and looks to have a bright future in this league.
Milwaukee Bucks - Rodrique Beaubois, Guard: This guy flew under the radar around draft time, but was snatched up by Dallas late in the first round. He's started some games and looks like a really good prospect.
New Jersey Nets - Taj Gibson, Power Forward: Gibson has shown a lot of promise and the Nets need help at the four.
Charlotte Bobcats - Terrence Williams, Guard/Forward: The Bobcats could use a player with Williams' offensive talent.
Indiana Pacers - Jrue Holiday, Guard: Holiday has not seen a ton of minutes, but he's shown his potential to be a special player.
Phoenix Suns - Marcus Thornton, Shooting Guard: The Suns could use a young scoring guard like Thornton.
